Interview Essay- Jeff Binney
Haley Lewis
English 101
Interview Essay
November 7, 2016
The Athletic, Chubby, Ginger, Comedian From Missouri
He was born and raised in rural Missouri on a pig farm. He was just a chubby child that was not athletic and happened to be a vegan. When he was 32 years old, he was told that his mom had passed away and that her death had to do with her obesity. Soon after his mom’s death, he decided to fix his own health problems and started training to run a 100 mile marathon. This man is also a comedian. That short summary sounds like an elaborate movie plot, but it’s just the life of Jeff Binney. Binney has grown in character throughout his life despite his struggles; he has became a healthy athlete, hilarious comedian, and an advice giver.
As a child Binney was not as healthy as he is today. Binney grew up in rural Missouri, and his father owned a pig farm. Binney decided to become a vegan. Binney stated, “Yes it [his dad being a pig farmer] did influence my decision to go vegan.” However, Binney knew that his dad had to keep the farm for financial reasons. Being vegan was the healthiest part of Binney’s childhood, because he was not an active child. When Binney was asked, “Were you active as a kid?” his response was, “No, I was never athletic.” He would go outside to play as a child, but he was never into playing sports. Binney did play tennis one year but only because his friends played, not because he liked the sport. Since he was not fond of sports, he decided not to participate in any sports in high school.
Binney’s health had definitely improved from his childhood. His health improved because of his hard work and determination. Binney was determined to lose weight after his mother passed away from being obese. After he lost weight, he decided to start training to run a 100 mile marathon. Binney said, “You won't find a trainer that won't tell you the mental part is the biggest challenge.” Through his hard training, Binney was able to start the Leadville 100. Although Binney started the Leadville 100, he was not able to finish. Binney was pulled from the Leadville 100 after he made his way to a checkpoint after the cut off time. Binney stated, “The moment I can't get through in my show, is when I'm standing on top of a 10,000 foot peak when I was pulled from Leadville 100.” The “show” Binney was referring to was his comedy shows because Binney is also a comedian.
Binney had always been a humorous child, but he made a career from it and became a comedian. Binney explained, “I think ever since I was a kid, I was the class clown.” He decided to use his talent to make his audiences laugh. Binney said that he as a comedian searches for the funny moments in life when coming up with new jokes for his comedy shows: “I search for the funny things or what interesting things happened (when writing jokes).” Binney decided that he wanted to be his own boss when becoming a comedian. Binney said, “Comedy would allow me to control my career...I like doing my own thing.” He has been “doing his own thing” ever since he has become a comedian.
While “doing his own thing,” Binney had many experiences that he gained wise advice from. Whether the experiences were good or bad, Binney could take positive advice from the experience. The first piece of advice shared by Binney was from his mom. Binney quoted his mom when saying, “Nobody else can make fun of you for something, if you make fun of yourself first.” This piece of advice helped him in his comedy career, as well as in life. Binney also offered that “If there is something you want to do, then do it.. Right now...There is no better time then right now.” He advises seniors not to “get married” to what they love right now, because he has gone a different route in life then he believed he would in high school. Binney never thought he would have been able to run in a 100 mile marathon.
Jeff Binney, the athletic, chubby, ginger, comedian from Missouri, had difficult obstacles in his life, but he has overcome the obstacles. From being a chubby child from Missouri to becoming a 100 mile marathon participant and comedian, his life story is eventful. Although Binney lost his mom, he has honored her by changing his life for the better. Binney has became a healthy athlete, a hilarious comedian, and a wise man because of his determination to make his mom proud.
Works Cited
Trout, Zach et al. “Jeff Binney.” 25 Oct. 2016.
English 101
Interview Essay
November 7, 2016
The Athletic, Chubby, Ginger, Comedian From Missouri
He was born and raised in rural Missouri on a pig farm. He was just a chubby child that was not athletic and happened to be a vegan. When he was 32 years old, he was told that his mom had passed away and that her death had to do with her obesity. Soon after his mom’s death, he decided to fix his own health problems and started training to run a 100 mile marathon. This man is also a comedian. That short summary sounds like an elaborate movie plot, but it’s just the life of Jeff Binney. Binney has grown in character throughout his life despite his struggles; he has became a healthy athlete, hilarious comedian, and an advice giver.
As a child Binney was not as healthy as he is today. Binney grew up in rural Missouri, and his father owned a pig farm. Binney decided to become a vegan. Binney stated, “Yes it [his dad being a pig farmer] did influence my decision to go vegan.” However, Binney knew that his dad had to keep the farm for financial reasons. Being vegan was the healthiest part of Binney’s childhood, because he was not an active child. When Binney was asked, “Were you active as a kid?” his response was, “No, I was never athletic.” He would go outside to play as a child, but he was never into playing sports. Binney did play tennis one year but only because his friends played, not because he liked the sport. Since he was not fond of sports, he decided not to participate in any sports in high school.
Binney’s health had definitely improved from his childhood. His health improved because of his hard work and determination. Binney was determined to lose weight after his mother passed away from being obese. After he lost weight, he decided to start training to run a 100 mile marathon. Binney said, “You won't find a trainer that won't tell you the mental part is the biggest challenge.” Through his hard training, Binney was able to start the Leadville 100. Although Binney started the Leadville 100, he was not able to finish. Binney was pulled from the Leadville 100 after he made his way to a checkpoint after the cut off time. Binney stated, “The moment I can't get through in my show, is when I'm standing on top of a 10,000 foot peak when I was pulled from Leadville 100.” The “show” Binney was referring to was his comedy shows because Binney is also a comedian.
Binney had always been a humorous child, but he made a career from it and became a comedian. Binney explained, “I think ever since I was a kid, I was the class clown.” He decided to use his talent to make his audiences laugh. Binney said that he as a comedian searches for the funny moments in life when coming up with new jokes for his comedy shows: “I search for the funny things or what interesting things happened (when writing jokes).” Binney decided that he wanted to be his own boss when becoming a comedian. Binney said, “Comedy would allow me to control my career...I like doing my own thing.” He has been “doing his own thing” ever since he has become a comedian.
While “doing his own thing,” Binney had many experiences that he gained wise advice from. Whether the experiences were good or bad, Binney could take positive advice from the experience. The first piece of advice shared by Binney was from his mom. Binney quoted his mom when saying, “Nobody else can make fun of you for something, if you make fun of yourself first.” This piece of advice helped him in his comedy career, as well as in life. Binney also offered that “If there is something you want to do, then do it.. Right now...There is no better time then right now.” He advises seniors not to “get married” to what they love right now, because he has gone a different route in life then he believed he would in high school. Binney never thought he would have been able to run in a 100 mile marathon.
Jeff Binney, the athletic, chubby, ginger, comedian from Missouri, had difficult obstacles in his life, but he has overcome the obstacles. From being a chubby child from Missouri to becoming a 100 mile marathon participant and comedian, his life story is eventful. Although Binney lost his mom, he has honored her by changing his life for the better. Binney has became a healthy athlete, a hilarious comedian, and a wise man because of his determination to make his mom proud.
Works Cited
Trout, Zach et al. “Jeff Binney.” 25 Oct. 2016.