Kendra Cobb
English 101
Interview Essay
November 7, 2016
English 101
Interview Essay
November 7, 2016
Jeff Binney
In this world, everyone gets a chance to follow his/her dreams. Jeff Binney says, “You only live once, but if you do it right, once is enough.” There will be challenges and hardships that a person will have to overcome. There are also times in life when memories are made and will be remembered forever. Each person is given the opportunity to make his/her dreams come true. For Binney, there were many difficulties in his lifetime and with the help of the Leadville 100 and comedy, he was able to overcome those difficulties to become who he is today and influence his plans for the future.
In one's life there are many difficulties and tragedies that may happen, but good can come out of anything. Binney has many challenges, just like any other person. Binney grew up on a pig farm in a small town in Missouri. He was always outside being active: “I was always a chubby kid. I was accidentally active.” As he grew older, he made the choice to become more active. He also decided that he wanted to become a vegan. This change in his life was not connected to the fact that his dad was a pig farmer. This did not change as he got older. Life for Binney changed about four years ago, Binney lost one of his greatest role models; his mom. One of the most important lessons he learned from his mother was that “It’s that if you want to do something, do it right now.” Though he wasn't a child when he lost his mother it still has had a big impact on his life and how he became who he is. These challenges and decisions he has made has helped him become who he is today. There were more challenges yet to come.
Although Binney prepared mentally and physically for the Leadville 100, he was not prepared for all the difficulties that were to come. Binney had to do a couple different kinds of training: “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 had to push through these struggles. Though these struggles were difficult to overcome, Binney used the loss of his mother to push him and drive him to be able to accomplish his goal. When discussing the hardest part of his journey through the Leadville 100, Binney says, “Training. In both capacities. It takes a certain kind of person to get to the end.” There were times when his feet would hurt but then something else would hurt and he would forget about his feet hurting. Many people would just have stopped and been done but Binney kept going. He didn't give up and quit; he kept going even when times were rough. Perseverance was an important lesson that helped him with his career.
Even though the loss of his mother and the Leadville 100 set him back, they gave him the inspiration to start his journey of becoming a comedian. When Binney was growing up people always thought he was funny. In school he was know as the class clown: “Since I was a little kid, I've always been the class clown, I've always been too outgoing.” This was the start of his comedy career. He went to school for theater and then realized that theater was not a good option. He then tried improv and then went to stand-up comedy. That was when he knew that stand-up comedy was where he was meant to be. He travels to different parts of the United States and performs his shows. The trials he has been through has inspired many of his jokes. He talks about the Leadville 100 and how it felt when he didn't get to continue the race the first time. He has also made a film. The film is half documentary and the other half is stand-up comedy.
These difficulties may have set any normal person back, but Binney has used these hard times to get to where he is today and where he will be in the future. These tough times from being made fun of as a kid to the death of his mother, have not been enough to stop Binney. He is not letting these tough times keep him from doing things with his life. Binney has decided he is going to take an ordinary school bus and turn it into a home that he can live in when he travels. As of right now, he is working on his bus, which he has named Earl. Traveling is what Binney is planning to do for the next few years:“I want to travel for a year or two. Some people have this idea that it’s just gonna be carefree, but finding somewhere to stay is hard.” With a full size school bus, there are going to be difficulties in finding places to park the bus so he can get some rest. After a year or two of traveling Binney isn't sure what his next endeavor will be. He is just going to do whatever he feels is right and not limit himself. Binney did not let the thought of an impossible dream stop him: “Don't be afraid for things to change.” Binney had an open mind, which helped him be willing to try new things.
In the course of one lifetime, there is no doubt that struggles are going to occur, but if there are ways to deal with those times, like Jeff Binney did with the Leadville 100 and comedy, then there is nothing that can hinder the future. Binney’s life was and still is full of change, and his open mind is helpful. His life had good times and bad times, he found ways to make all situations good in every if it was difficult. Binney used the loss of his mom to motivate him and change him to become who he is.
In one's life there are many difficulties and tragedies that may happen, but good can come out of anything. Binney has many challenges, just like any other person. Binney grew up on a pig farm in a small town in Missouri. He was always outside being active: “I was always a chubby kid. I was accidentally active.” As he grew older, he made the choice to become more active. He also decided that he wanted to become a vegan. This change in his life was not connected to the fact that his dad was a pig farmer. This did not change as he got older. Life for Binney changed about four years ago, Binney lost one of his greatest role models; his mom. One of the most important lessons he learned from his mother was that “It’s that if you want to do something, do it right now.” Though he wasn't a child when he lost his mother it still has had a big impact on his life and how he became who he is. These challenges and decisions he has made has helped him become who he is today. There were more challenges yet to come.
Although Binney prepared mentally and physically for the Leadville 100, he was not prepared for all the difficulties that were to come. Binney had to do a couple different kinds of training: “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 had to push through these struggles. Though these struggles were difficult to overcome, Binney used the loss of his mother to push him and drive him to be able to accomplish his goal. When discussing the hardest part of his journey through the Leadville 100, Binney says, “Training. In both capacities. It takes a certain kind of person to get to the end.” There were times when his feet would hurt but then something else would hurt and he would forget about his feet hurting. Many people would just have stopped and been done but Binney kept going. He didn't give up and quit; he kept going even when times were rough. Perseverance was an important lesson that helped him with his career.
Even though the loss of his mother and the Leadville 100 set him back, they gave him the inspiration to start his journey of becoming a comedian. When Binney was growing up people always thought he was funny. In school he was know as the class clown: “Since I was a little kid, I've always been the class clown, I've always been too outgoing.” This was the start of his comedy career. He went to school for theater and then realized that theater was not a good option. He then tried improv and then went to stand-up comedy. That was when he knew that stand-up comedy was where he was meant to be. He travels to different parts of the United States and performs his shows. The trials he has been through has inspired many of his jokes. He talks about the Leadville 100 and how it felt when he didn't get to continue the race the first time. He has also made a film. The film is half documentary and the other half is stand-up comedy.
These difficulties may have set any normal person back, but Binney has used these hard times to get to where he is today and where he will be in the future. These tough times from being made fun of as a kid to the death of his mother, have not been enough to stop Binney. He is not letting these tough times keep him from doing things with his life. Binney has decided he is going to take an ordinary school bus and turn it into a home that he can live in when he travels. As of right now, he is working on his bus, which he has named Earl. Traveling is what Binney is planning to do for the next few years:“I want to travel for a year or two. Some people have this idea that it’s just gonna be carefree, but finding somewhere to stay is hard.” With a full size school bus, there are going to be difficulties in finding places to park the bus so he can get some rest. After a year or two of traveling Binney isn't sure what his next endeavor will be. He is just going to do whatever he feels is right and not limit himself. Binney did not let the thought of an impossible dream stop him: “Don't be afraid for things to change.” Binney had an open mind, which helped him be willing to try new things.
In the course of one lifetime, there is no doubt that struggles are going to occur, but if there are ways to deal with those times, like Jeff Binney did with the Leadville 100 and comedy, then there is nothing that can hinder the future. Binney’s life was and still is full of change, and his open mind is helpful. His life had good times and bad times, he found ways to make all situations good in every if it was difficult. Binney used the loss of his mom to motivate him and change him to become who he is.
Works Cited
Binney, Jeff. "Jeff Binney Interview." Online interview. 25 Oct. 2016.