The Reach Out: Greg Proops
The comedian, actor, podcaster, and author weighs in on stretching, alcohol vs candy, motivation to get moving, and not kayaking.
Greg Proops is a stand-up comedian, podcaster, author, and actor best known for his appearances on the popular series Whose Line is it Anyway?
Proops is currently on the Whose Live Anyway? tour, where he and his fellow improv comics perform 90 minutes of comedy and song based on audience suggestions.
His recently released political comedy album, In The City, was recorded on New Year’s Eve, 2021, in San Francisco. A “spliffed, riffed, super woke and suited up” Proops entertains his live audience before finishing with a New Year's countdown.
On his podcast, The Smartest Man in the World, Proops and his wife discuss current issues (politics included). On the Greg Proops Film Club podcast, Proops shares his favorite vintage movies (eg., A Hard Day’s Night) with dedicated cinephiles.
His book, The Smartest Book in the World, is based on his podcast.
Proops played the role of art teacher, Mr. Granger, on Schooled (ABC), and has voiced characters in Star Wars Resistance (Disney), Duck, Duck, Goose (Netflix), Bob the Builder, Hell and Back, Star Wars: the Phantom Menace, and The Nightmare Before Christmas.
I spoke with Greg Proops about trying to stay active (and stretched) while on the road.
As a traveling comedian, is staying active important to you?
I'm pretty lazy in general, but I stretch a lot. My wife and I go for walks and bike rides. There are also a few Instagram dudes whose stretching programs I try to do. But mostly, because I'm in cars all the time, it’s a matter of trying to stretch, keep loose, and avoid being scrunched up like a rubber band.
I haven’t been to a gym in a while because of the pandemic and I'm still not ready to go back. I really don’t want to get COVID while we’re on the road, which we are now, so I’m not using hotel gyms either.
What is your main motivation for trying to exercise regularly?
I gave up drinking almost one year ago. Drinking just wasn't working for me anymore, so one motivation is to keep it together so that I can keep performing and feeling good on stage. It's really a matter of just staying healthy -- as opposed to wanting to be a competitive athlete. I'm trying to get my blood pressure under control and to lose some weight.
It’s funny — everybody promised me that I’d lose weight when I quit drinking, but I ended up gaining, most likely because I started eating candy like a fiend. Now that I’m not drinking and not eating candy, I’m really the life of the God damn party.
Do you wear a fitness monitor to remind you to move more?
I personally don't, but I don't judge anyone who likes these devices. Whatever's groovy for you. I try to walk everywhere we go and not lay down all day.
Does it help with your creative process when you exercise?
That's an interesting question. I wrote a book when I was drinking pretty hard. I’ve been a bit of a reprobate my whole life and still managed to be productive. But I certainly think more clearly when I’m feeling healthier. I think that when you're happy with how you feel and how you look, you're going to be more creative.
Is exercising a time when you listen to music and podcasts?
No, I don't listen to podcasts or music when I’m walking or stretching. I know that a lot of people like to, especially when they’re in the gym, and it’s groovy that some of them listen to my podcast. But I prefer to be alone with my thoughts.
Is there any kind of sport or fitness activity that you think you want to do one day?
I'd love to say something aspirational like, “I’d really like to play professional rugby,” but that’s not happening. And I’m not going to suddenly start jogging every day.
We’re on tour in Canada now, and the guys went kayaking today, but I didn’t. I don’t like being out in the sun, I wear glasses, and I have no desire to flip over in a kayak.
Greg, I shared the same concern about my kayak flipping over when I went to summer camp…..in Canada!😀
Thank you, @GregProops
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