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

During the work week, Yasir Salem is an elegantly dressed marketing director. On the weekends, he houses hot dogs like nobody’s business.

Yasir Salem
(Image credit: (Sherri LaRose-Chiglo/St. Paul Pioneer Press))
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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.

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:

Lauren Hansen
Lauren Hansen

Lauren Hansen produces The Week’s podcasts and videos and edits the photo blog, Captured. She also manages the production of the magazine's iPad app. A graduate of Kenyon College and Northwestern University, she previously worked at the BBC and Frontline. She knows a thing or two about pretty pictures and cute puppies, both of which she tweets about @mylaurenhansen.

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