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. Zoleo: Use code "BACKPACKERRADIO" for free device activation at zoleo.com . Gossamer Gear: Use code "SNUGGLEBUG" for 20% off shelters at gossamergear.com . PATH Projects: Use code "THETREK10" for 10% off at pathprojects.com/thetrek . [divider] Interview with Jeffrey James Binney Jeffrey's Website Jeffrey's Instagram Jeffrey's Youtube Once is Enough film 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 [divider] Check out our sound guy @my_boy_pauly/ . Leave us a voicemail! Subscribe to this podcast on iTunes (and please leave us a review)! Find us on Spotify , Stitcher , and Google Play . Support us on Patreon to get bonus content. Advertise on Backpacker Radio Follow The Trek , Chaunce , Badger , and Trail Correspondents on Instagram. Follow Backpacker Radio , The Trek and Chaunce on YouTube. Follow Backpacker Radio on Tik Tok. Our theme song is Walking Slow by Animal Years . A super big thank you to our Chuck Norris Award winner(s) from Patreon: Alex and Misty with NavigatorsCrafting, Andrew, Austen McDaniel, Austin Ford, Brad & Blair Thirteen Adventures, Brent Stenberg, Bryan Alsop, Christopher Marshburn, Coach from Marion Outdoors, Dayne, Derek Koch, Eric Casper, Erik Hofmann, Gillian Daniels, Greg Knight, Greg McDaniel may he bring honor to his name, Hailey Buckingham, Liz Seger, Patrick Cianciolo, Sawyer Products, SPAM, Timothy Hahn, Tracy 'Trigger' Fawns, and Griffin Haywood A big thank you to our Cinnamon Connection Champions from Patreon: Bonnie Ackerman, David, Dcnerdlet, Emily Galusha, Jeanie, Jeanne Latshaw, Joann Menzer, Katharine Rudzitis, Keith Dobie Jr, Lauren Cain, Luke Netjes, Matthew Kesterson, Merle Watkins, Peter, and Ruth S.