Taylor Harris
College Comp and Research Interview Essay November 8, 2016 Once is Enough Running an ultramarathon sounds nearly impossible, and for one man, running almost was impossible. However, this man overcame the extreme struggles, and more, with great courage and strength. After losing his mother to obesity, shedding over 100 pounds to run a 100-mile marathon, and traveling the country to tell jokes about his life, Jeffrey Binney is on a path for adventure that no man can deter. Binney’s urge to change his lifestyle originates from the loss of his mother due to an obesity-caused heart disease and growing up as the son of a pig farmer. While retelling memories of his childhood, Binney reflects, “I was always the chubby kid. I was accidently active because I grew up on a farm, so I was always outside.” His father being a pig farmer had some influence on his decision to become a vegan, and he says the experience helped him become a more reasonable vegan. He expands, “Most vegans don’t understand agriculture. People don’t realize that farmers are setup to fail because they don’t have the money. Farmer’s don’t have government agreement.” Binney grew up in rural Missouri and attended Trenton High School, and claims he has always had a comical side to him. He says, “I went to the ‘fine arts institution’ Trenton High School and then attended Missouri State, but I think since I was a little kid I've always been the class clown; I've always been too outgoing.” His childhood experience seems to have made a career in comedy become an easier transition for him later in life. From being the class clown, to traveling all over the country to perform comedy, Binney has clearly made the right choice of career. When asked how he got started with a comedy career, Binney says, “I started in improv. I took a stand-up class and became obsessed and knew that this was what I wanted to do.” His biggest influence on his life is his mom, but Binney also says that many other comedians have greatly impacted him. He says, “Well, obviously my mom has had the biggest influence on my life, but comically my inspirations are people like Ellen DeGeneres, Carol Burnett, and the generation of female comedians.” Binney often travels the country to perform his comedy and is always focusing on new ways to write his jokes. In regards to how often he performs his comedy, Binney explains, “This is the project that never ends. I don’t perform very often, at least not in rural Missouri. In L.A. I would perform as often as I can, sometimes two or three times a week.” Binney focuses his comedy on real-life experiences and people, trying to work those aspects of his life into his shows. Binney also comments on how he comes up with his jokes saying, “Some comedians can just sit in an empty room with white walls and can just start pouring out jokes, but I need a focus. I use my experiences to come up with my jokes, and I usually go out in the middle of nowhere to think and get my head straight.” He struggles with just coming up with jokes, similar to how he struggled with the training for running an ultramarathon. The body and mind act as one when training for a major marathon, and the training for one is no less important or essential than the other. Both must be in top shape and ready to push through tough terrain, sore limbs, and overall strain. Binney ran in the Leadville Trail 100 Run. The famous 100-mile run is through extreme Colorado Rockies terrain. When asked how he prepared for the Leadville 100, Binney says, “Mental and physical training. When you get to the point where everything is falling apart, any normal person would think that it’s miserable and no longer fun.” He ran 43 miles but missed the cut-off time for mile 44 by 13 minutes and 43 seconds. He was disappointed in himself, but soon worked the experience into his comedy. Binney replays advice in his mind that his mother once gave him often, saying, “The best advice my mom ever gave me was telling me that nobody else can make fun of you unless you make fun of yourself first.” Binney even uses his personal favorite quote to remind him to keep pushing and trying his best. He says, “My favorite quote is you only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough. If you want to do something, do it right now. It’s all about doing something right now, and living in the moment.” Binney is always making sure he is living his best life and is staying open to change for whatever may come in the future. Binney’s main goal is to travel in his remodeled bus, which he has named Earl, that is only slightly larger than his apartment. He hopes to continue in his professional comedy career and do more traveling. Binney explains, “I’m building this hopefully awesome little cabin on wheels to spend the next year traveling. You can’t create your art as a career unless you have something to sell.” Binney believes art is a business, even if in the beginning he didn't want to believe that himself. He wants to improve a person’s day and find certain aspects he thinks are valuable and sell them. He is working on Earl often, trying to get the bus ready for the goals he has planned. In regards to how Earl fits into his future plans, Binney elaborates, “I want to travel for a year or two. Some people have the idea that it’s just gonna be carefree, but finding somewhere to stay is hard. I’ll be living in my bus, which is six feet larger than my studio apartment.” Binney is ready for his career to rise and grow and is patiently awaiting his future. Jeffrey Binney’s life was altered greatly with the loss of his mother, running an ultramarathon, and joking of his experiences, but his journey is one that only he is fully prepared for. Binney’s life will continue to flourish with the opportunities he has been given and will continue to receive. He is showing people everywhere that now is the perfect time to do what they want; don’t be stuck on one idea and think that’s for life. Hopefully, his journey and career will reach and impact many others and show them just what they can really do. Works Cited Binney, Jeff. "Jeff Binney Interview." Online interview. 28 Oct. 2016.
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