A world-ranked competitive eater talks training, hot dogs, and vomit

I have long marveled at the competitors in the Famous Nathan's hot dog eating contest in New York City's Coney Island. Out in the blazing July sun, in front of thousands gathered on the boardwalk (not to mention the countless more watching on ESPN), these presumably hungry men and woman shovel 10, 20, 30, 40, even 60-some-odd hot dogs into their mouths. Many call it quits before time, some vomit, while only one rises above the gag and — covered in mushed-up hot dog bun, belly extended — walks to the awards stage triumphant.

How on Earth do they do this? Do they really just love hot dogs, or possess a stomach of steel? Is there training involved?

Imagine my surprise when I found out that one of my colleagues at The Week is a world-ranked competitive eater! That's him, Yasir Salem, on the left in the photo above, during a Nathan's qualifying contest in St. Paul, Minnesota, on June 1.

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During the day, Salem is a nicely dressed, successful marketing executive. On the weekends, he tries to eat more food than any other competitor — sometimes as much as eight or nine pounds worth — and keep it down to score the grand prize.

Recently, I stole Salem away from his marketing duties to talk training, endurance sports, and how he got over the fear of vomiting. Listen to the podcast below.

Read more about Yasir Salem and the Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest:

• Grand Old Day hot dog eating champ's total: 27.5 (sort of) (St. Paul Pioneer Press)
• Yasir wins cannoli gold (The International Rake & Herald)
• Yasir Salem's bib sheet
• Nathan's Famous hot dog eating contest