The Murph Challenge Day 31: Krystal Baumann
Day 31 of 31. I have so much to say and reflect on over this last month and I’ll share those details over the coming days. I’m humbled and grateful for the love and support that we received from the time we launched this nonprofit that God placed on my heart. Before I get into today’s dedication, I want to take a moment to thank my wife. She spent countless hours doing all the paperwork, admin, and accounting. She was also my biggest supporter, meal prep extraordinaire, and was incredibly patient with my added time away grinding through these 31 days. Her and our kids literally picked me up and cheered me on day after day after day. I love you all so much.
Day 31 is going to be a repeat dedication. This Every Day We Fight purpose, vision, and mission would have never happened without my relationship with this woman. Our bond grew from trainer/client, to great friends, to family. She would tell you that she would not be alive today if I hadn’t talked her out of canceling her membership 2 and a half years ago when she found out she had cancer. I would tell you that one moment of her trusting and telling me her diagnosis before anyone else knew, will go on to change thousands of lives in the future. I know it changed mine and honestly, it probably has surpassed that thousand mark already because of her incredible perseverance.
Today was the first time ever Krystal tried to cancel our weekly Warrior Wednesday. 41 rounds of chemotherapy has made her physically weaker than she has ever been. Anxiety, fear, doubt, and pain are a daily part of her life. However, we made a commitment to each other and she knows that I will not let her forget it. So we met like normal, we talked, we cried, we laughed, and we dreamed. The future is uncertain for Krystal, but tomorrow is her last and final round of intense chemotherapy. She will move onto a chemo pill and immunotherapy for the rest of her life.
Only God knows how long the rest of that life will be, but I personally know her and I will make some of our greatest memories yet ahead. Our commitment to each other when the cancer came back was she will not stop fighting, and I will never stop picking her up and fighting along side her. It went from me (fighting by herself) to a we (fighting together), forever. That was our agreement and that is what Every Day We Fight is all about. We are never going to let people fighting battles, fight alone. We will be here to lift them up as many times as they need. We can and will overcome by how we live and why we live. We promise to never let them forget that.
I’m grateful, honored, and blessed to dedicate today to Krystal Baumann. A warrior, a lion, a shark, a superhero, and inspiration to everyone that has ever heard her story. I love you Krystal.
Day 31 or 31 Murph Challenge Time: 27:23
When I did the Murph Challenge for the first time I became hooked. Not because it was fun but because it was painful, challenging, and meaningful.
These 31 challenges are a dedication to a fighter, a warrior, a person battling that’s an everyday hero.
– Tate Wheeler
“The Murph Challenge is more than just a workout. It is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and allows us the opportunity to dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor, LT. Michael P. Murphy, a man who sacrificed everything he had for our freedom.”
-Murph Website