Derrick Stroup! | Are You Garbage Comedy Podcast w/ Kevin Ryan & H. Foley

Derrick Stroup was born in Charleston, West Virginia, but raised in Harvest, Alabama. His stepdad initially worked for Stroup's grandfather in a unique electrical contacts business. After about ten years, this business failed, forcing a pivot to a landscaping company. This shift significantly impacted the family's financial stability and Stroup's upbringing, as he was expected to help with the demanding landscaping work.

Stroup was born in Charleston, WV, moved to Alabama at 9 when his dad got a job outside Huntsville. His dad worked for his grandfather's electrical contacts business for 10 years before it 'went under,' leading to a landscaping business. Stroup describes the landscaping work as a 'nightmare' and himself as 'no help.'

Stroup attended Jacksonville State University for seven years, pursuing a degree in 'recreation.' He humorously describes his final courses as 'canoeing and dodgeball,' and learning 'ethics of freeze tag.' He questions if he was in 'regular classes,' suggesting the program was highly unconventional and perhaps a way to extend his college experience.

Stroup went to Jacksonville State University for seven years, where his final classes included 'canoeing and dodgeball.' He learned 'ethics of freeze tag' and wondered if he was in 'regular classes.'

At 30, Stroup experienced a severe personal downturn, including two DUIs, losing his driver's license, and being evicted, forcing him to move back in with his parents. This period, where he worked at Sports Authority and Big Lots (as a furniture manager), was his 'lowest point' but also the 'turning point' that pushed him to pursue comedy seriously in Denver.

Stroup recounts getting two DUIs 15-16 years ago, losing his license, getting evicted, and moving back in with his parents at 30. He worked at Sports Authority and Big Lots, calling it his 'lowest point' but 'the turning point' to chase his comedy dream in Denver.

Stroup deliberately kept his birth father's last name, 'Stroup,' despite his stepdad wanting him to change it. He viewed this as a form of 'revenge' against his paternal family, who he felt tried to 'erase' him after his mother became pregnant. This 'chip on the shoulder' became a significant driver for his ambition and comedic career.

Stroup states he kept his last name, 'Stroup,' at 16, despite his stepdad's wishes, because his 'biggest revenge would be not to disappear.' He felt his paternal family tried to 'act like it never happened' after his mother got pregnant, and keeping the name was a way to ensure 'they can't ignore me.'

Stroup believes that a comedian who has 'lost everything' is a 'dangerous person' on stage. This experience of hitting rock bottom removes fear of failure, allowing them to perform with an intensity and authenticity born from having nothing left to lose. His comedy is a way to prove his worth and rebuild his life 'one brick at a time.'

Stroup asserts that 'a comedian that's lost everything or somebody that's starting comedy that's lost everything is a dangerous person.' He explains, 'There's not a set that I get that's going to shake me up. I've lost everything. I'm doing this just so I can convince myself that this is all worth still doing out here living.'