Some might have goals since they were young. Jeff Binney, on the other hand, changed his perspective on life a little later than most. Binney, finding humor in his life, learned to be a stand-up comedian. He joked about his life, but still had a soft side. Binney, had to accept his mother's death, which transformed him into the person he is today. While dealing with his mother’s death, Binney secludes himself to the woods where he learns to be independent, to be a comedian, to be a runner and to learn that living once is enough. After the death of his mother, Binney ran for the woods, literally. Binney explained the only way for him to cope was to separate himself from the outside world, so he went into the woods. Binney deals with his own problems. Binney said, “I don’t like to really talk about it, I’m not one to share my feelings.” Binney explained when something is going on in his life and he gets down he likes to get away and go hiking by himself. Binney said that “Whenever I am having a tough time I need to get away and spend some time with Jeffrey.” Therefor c oping with his mother's death helped him work up courage to start his career. Binney’s inspiration to be a comedian didn’t come until later in life. While in grade school he said he had always been a little too outgoing. Binney explained he went to Trenton High School in Missouri. He then furthered his education at Missouri State University where he studied musical theater. Starting his comedy career wasn’t too hard as Binney explained, “I think ever since I was a kid; I was the class clown, comedy would allow me to control my career.” Binney liked to do his own thing and be independent. Binney traveled to New York after his mother’s death. In New York, he realized he wanted to be a comedian. He auditioned for plays in New York and felt he was just part of someone else's show. Binney performed his first own stand-up comedy in a bar from which Binney described, “I just walked into a place and said, yeah so I’m pretty funny.” After the adventures in New York, Binney decided to pursue is comedian career permanently. Therefore, Binney has been performing stand-up comedy all over the United States. Binney attempted to race through life by running an ultramarathon. By running the Leadville 100 Binney lost weight and gathered a support system. While running the ultra marathon, Binney was allowed a pacer every 50 miles. Binney states that when the darkness takes over the sky when running so does the depression. The toughest part of the race was at nighttime due to the dizziness and trying to outrun the depression. Binney had an accountable support group as he explains, he had a crew of three people at every eighth station. His trainer was very supportive and honest with Binney about the race, Binney said, “Well, training in both capacities [mentally and physically is difficult]. You won't find a trainer that won't tell you the mental part is the biggest challenge.” Even after intensive training Binney was just short of the cut off time. Binney said that “32 hours is how long it takes to complete the run, I don’t remember the cut off time I reached but I got taken off somewhere around 7 O’Clock.” By competing in the Leadville 100, Binney formed the idea that living live once is enough. Is living once enough? According to Binney if you do it right, once is enough. Binney stressed that “If there is something you want to do, then do it... Right now.” Binney believes people are making up excuses for not pursuing their dreams. He continues to talk about the work-from-home jobs that complaining citizens want, but refuse to take action on their own life. The only thing the wannabes have to do is start. Jeff Binney discussed the beginning of stepping towards the goal as “The first step is so hard for people, but it was easier for me because I live a conventional lifestyle.” Binney believes that society is in a rut, and that is holding us back from living a pure life. Although Jeff Binney isn’t one to talk about his feelings, he is not afraid to tell his story. He tells his story not to just a few people, but to the world. Binney is sharing his progress through life with others, for some, that is a difficult story to tell. He shares each part of his story as if he were telling it for the first time, he speaks with emotion. Binney wants to reach out to others to show them that they can make it through the times in their life that aren’t as easy as others. To achieve the goals set, Binney explains one must set the bar high. As Binney accepted his mother’s death and after he secluded himself into the woods, he found inspiration to be a comedian; he then attempted to race through life, all the while figuring out living once is enough.
Works Cited Rice, Mary Grace et al. “Jeff Binney.” 24 Oct. 2016.