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Team Never Quit

Chris Wyllie: Former Navy SEAL & Director of the LT Michael Murphy Museum - Freezing Surf Torture, Sacrifice, & Honoring the Fallen

Team Never Quit

Marcus Luttrell

Self-improvement, Mental Health, Education, Personal Journals, Health & Fitness, Society & Culture

4.86K Ratings

🗓️ 23 July 2025

⏱️ 84 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

From the Teams to the Museum: Chris Wyllie’s Mission to Honor and Preserve the History, Legacy & Brotherhood of the U.S. Navy SEALs.

This week, Marcus and Melanie are joined by Chris Wyllie, Executive Director of the Lt. Michael Murphy Navy SEAL Museum. A former Navy SEAL and SWCC graduate, Chris shares his powerful journey from serving on the Teams to leading one of the most iconic institutions dedicated to preserving the legacy of Naval Special Warfare.
Born in Port Jefferson, NY, Chris served with SBU12 and SEAL Team 2 before being medically discharged in 2000. After his military service, he channeled his technical expertise into a successful business providing high-end audio-visual systems—skills that now shape many of the museum’s cutting-edge interactive exhibits.
Chris opens up about the unbreakable bond of the SEAL brotherhood, his continued involvement in veteran support events like the annual SEAL Swim in the Hudson, and how he’s helping steer the museum’s vision to educate, inspire, and honor America’s elite warriors.
Chris shares his path from SWCC Class 16 and BUD/S Class 217 to SEAL Team 2, how his AV background enhances the museum experience, what it means to preserve the legacy of the SEAL Teams, stories of camaraderie, sacrifice, and ongoing service beyond the uniform, and his vision for the future of the National Navy SEAL Museum
Join us as we dive into leadership, legacy, and living with purpose—with a man whose mission never ended, it simply evolved.

In This Episode You Will Hear:
• It’s not as hard as you think it is. Just put in more effort. (2:00)
• I was always like a people pleaser. I still am. That’s what I’m working on right now. I’m trying not to be. (4:50)
• If you fail, it’s attempt. Instead of being demoralized, instead of being embarrassed or frustrated or depressed, turn that energy into something better. Fire in the gut. (14:06)
• We had guys tried to fake hypothermia during BUDS, till they broke the thermometer out, and check the dudes right in front of all of us. (25:37)
• We went out for surf torture. The waves were so big, and there was such a shore break, it picked us all up, slammed the whole class. One guy was like a lawn dart – broke his neck. (26:29)
• They put the [hypothermia] guy up on the wall, pulled his pants down, took the core temperature thermometer – right in front of God and everybody. [It was rectal] They need to know what your core is – to see if you’re actually hyporthermal.  (27:32)
• [Marcus] I’ve seen guys quit over trying to put a dive sock on. (32:38)
• When you first get out of the military, you’re too close to it to think you’re a veteran. (37:47)
• I’ve always tried to help veterans. (39:38)
• The impression is that it’s a Naval Special Warfare Museum with Michael {Murphy’s] name on it. (47:33)
• I’m so tired of people pushing down awesomeness. Everybody doesn’t have to be the same. (49:52)
• The [wheelchair bound] kid said he wanted to do the Michael Murphy run around the lake. So, I said I’ll push you. I didn’t realize how heavy he was. I thought Long Island was kinda flat. It’s not. I’m sweating. It’s 100 degrees. I’m terrified that I’m gonna lose him down a hill. (54:19)
• [Marcus] I’ve never run across a Team guy who was depressed the minute you get him back in the fold. (72:47)

Support Chris:
  - https://murphsealmuseum.org/
Link to Gala at Oheka Castle —https://murphsealmuseum.org/events/gala/

Support TNQ
 
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Transcript

Click on a timestamp to play from that location

0:00.0

It's a new day, but not just any day.

0:03.8

Today is the first day of your apprenticeship, the one you were so nervous about starting.

0:09.3

But you didn't let the fear of the unknown stop you.

0:12.6

No.

0:13.4

When potential came knocking, you not only welcomed it, you ran with it.

0:18.3

Earning while learning on an apprenticeship designed with employers.

0:22.4

All because you chose to make it happen.

0:25.0

It all starts with skills.

0:27.0

See how you can get started.

0:28.7

Search skills for life.

0:30.3

The Team Never Quit podcast is brought to you by Navy Federal Credit Union.

0:34.3

If you're looking for a car this summer, go check out how Navy Federal

0:37.7

and True Car are making it so easy for you to find the right one at NavyFederal.org.

0:43.9

If you fail, it's an attempt. So instead of being demoralized or instead of being

0:49.2

embarrassed or frustrated or depressed, turn that energy into something better, into fire.

0:54.8

Fire and a gut, do it again, try harder.

0:57.1

All right, everybody, welcome back to the T nj u podcast i'm your host marcus

1:14.6

lettrell every week it's my job to fire you up to ignite the legend inside of you and to push you to

1:20.5

your greatness join me every week as i take you into my briefing room with some of the most hard

1:25.0

charging people on the planet they're going to show you how to embrace the suck of life, keep you the values of working

1:30.5

your ass off, and charge through whatever life throws at you.

1:34.0

This is the team never quit podcast.

...

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