Backpacker Radio Jeffrey James Binney on Being a Plus-Sized Ultrarunner, TikTok Fame, and the PCT
In today's episode of Backpacker Radio presented by The Trek, we are at PCT Trail Days! Our guest today is Jeffrey James Binney, a modern-day renaissance man who is an award-winning filmmaker, motivational speaker, ultrarunning athlete, and PCT hiker. We learn all about Jeffrey's story, including how losing his mom at a young age inspired him to pursue endurance sports, what it's like for a gay vegetarian to grow up in a rural pig farm in the midwest, his entry into improv and stand-up comedy, how he went from not being able to run a city block to a 100-mile race, making uber-viral dance TikTok videos, his favorite moments from his PCT hike, and much more.
We wrap the show by grabbing the first hiker we found off the street here in Cascade Locks and forcing her to join us for segments and being blessed with an all-time trail hookup story in the process.
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Interview with Jeffrey James Binney
Time stamps & Questions
00:05:25 - Reminders: Join us in Brooklyn for a hiker meetup on September 16 and support us on Patreon for exclusive bonus content!
00:07:50 - Introducing Jeffrey
00:09:08 - What’s your origin story for getting into endurance sports?
00:12:10 - Were you surprised to enjoy running the first time you did it as an adult?
00:15:45 - What was the first 100 mile race you attempted?
00:19:05 - Tell us about being a recovering comedian
00:21:02 - Which performance art makes you the most nervous?
00:23:00 - Hiking themed improv
00:25:00 - Tell us about your film
00:30:11 - Tell us about being vegetarian on trail and growing up on a pig farm
00:33:27 - Did your dad push back at all on your vegetarianism?
00:37:45 - Tell us about your TikTok dances
00:45:45 - How has thru hiking compared to ultrarunning?
00:46:40 - What advice do you have for someone interested in ultrarunning?
00:50:33 - Discussion about thru-hiking culture
00:51:54 - How do you determine your weekly volume and pacing?
00:55:57 - What have your favorite moments from the PCT been so far?
01:00:45 - If you can only do thru-hiking or ultrarunning for the rest of your life, which would you pick?
01:01:50 - Is your husband worried you’ll want to do more long distance hiking?
01:04:34 - Discussion about Jeffrey’s Brooks sponsorship
01:09:00 - Discussion about Jeffrey’s manager
01:11:30 - What do you want to convey to listeners about overcoming fear?
01:14:24 - Is losing enthusiasm for thru-hiking common on all long trails?
01:23:24 - Discussion about tramily and hiking alone
01:27:06 - How much of the trail have you spent doing your own thing?
01:29:12 - Kumo Question: What is the most boring superpower you can think of?
01:33:10 - Tell us about your upcoming TrovaTrip
01:34:30 - Where can people go to keep up with you?
Segments
Trek Propaganda: Is It Safe To Keep Hiking in Wildfire Smoke? by Kelly Floro
Random Hiker Interview: Clumsy
QOTD: I say a number, you say the color
Triple Crown of recurring dream themes
Mail Bag
5 Star Review
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