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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Jeffrey James Binney on Being a Plus-Sized Ultrarunner, TikTok Fame, and the PCT

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