Podcast Summary: Joey Chestnut at Super Bowl LIX | Ep #81

The Herd with Colin Cowherd
Host/Author: iHeartPodcasts and The Volume
Release Date: February 13, 2025

Introduction

In Episode #81 of The Herd with Colin Cowherd, the focus shifts from the usual sports narratives to the world of competitive eating, featuring one of its most iconic figures, Joey Chestnut. Hosted by Covino and Rich from Fox Sports Radio, the episode delves deep into Joey’s journey, strategies, and the evolution of competitive eating as a sport.

Joey Chestnut’s Journey into Competitive Eating

Covino and Rich welcome Joey Chestnut, a celebrated name in competitive eating, setting the stage for an insightful discussion about his rise to fame.

Joey Chestnut shares his early experiences, revealing, “[02:55] I was always the fastest eater in the family. My mom would actually get mad, and so when I went away to college, I was kind of ashamed of it.”

Joey elaborates on overcoming this shame, explaining how college introduced him to competitive eating: “[02:55] ...my friends in the dorms, they're like, oh, my God, Joe, we can eat. And then eventually, I got signed up to a contest a couple years later, and I was like, all right, I'll do it. And I fell in love with it.”

Training and Strategies for Competitive Eating

Rich probes into Joey’s training regimen, particularly his approach to eating bagels—a staple in competitive eating contests.

Joey Chestnut details his preparation: “[06:00] Like all eating contests, I had to do practice with bagels. I tried to... I found some New York style bagels... just practice and the jaws usually get stronger.”

Discussing mental strategies, Joey draws parallels between competitive eating and football, emphasizing the importance of resilience and mental toughness: “[06:33] ...knowing that I'm gonna feel like garbage for three days. Then I was like, all right, it's not about eating for fun. It's about eating just to do whatever it takes.”

Managing Public Life and Recognition

Navigating fame comes with its challenges. Joey discusses how being recognized impacts his daily life.

Rich asks, “[08:07] ...is that annoying? Like, do you notice that?”

Joey Chestnut responds candidly: “[08:25] It's weird, but then they tell me, oh, I've been watching you since I was a kid. I was like, damn right.”

Joey also touches on how others perceive his eating habits in public settings, highlighting both admiration and curiosity from onlookers.

Relationships and Personal Life

Joey opens up about balancing his competitive eating with personal relationships, particularly with his fiancée.

Joey Chestnut humorously notes, “[03:38] ...with my fiance now, she's awesome. We order three entrees all the time we go out, so it's not that weird.”

He emphasizes respect and honesty in sharing meals, ensuring that his eating habits don’t negatively impact those around him.

The Evolution of Competitive Eating

Rich inquires about Joey’s perspective on the future of competitive eating, especially in relation to other sports.

Joey Chestnut envisions a vibrant future: “[11:42] ...the biggest thing is fourth of July. It's America. ...we love hot dogs, we love fireworks. And we're going to push it to the limit.”

He also discusses the physical demands of the sport, likening his commitment to that of professional athletes like Tom Brady, aiming to stay at the top even into his mid-40s.

Joey Chestnut’s Advice for Aspiring Eaters

Towards the end of the episode, Joey offers valuable advice for those looking to enter the world of competitive eating.

Joey Chestnut emphasizes self-awareness and preparation: “[14:28] ...figuring out your body... keep a food journal, how you're feeling and knowing that you don't actually have to feel good to do good.”

He encourages aspiring eaters to embrace their unique abilities and develop strategies that align with their physical and mental strengths.

Conclusion

The episode wraps up with a mutual appreciation between the hosts and Joey, highlighting his influence on the sport and his role as a competitive eater.

Rich concludes, “[15:15] ...Tom Brady, Michael Jordan, Gretzky, Ali and Joey Chestnut.”

Joey Chestnut responds with enthusiasm about future competitions, leaving listeners anticipating his next big challenge.

Notable Quotes

• Joey Chestnut on Overcoming Shame: “[02:55] I was always the fastest eater in the family. My mom would actually get mad, and so when I went away to college, I was kind of ashamed of it.”

• On Training for Bagels: “[06:00] Like all eating contests, I had to do practice with bagels. I tried to... I found some New York style bagels... just practice and the jaws usually get stronger.”

• On Mental Toughness: “[06:33] ...knowing that I'm gonna feel like garbage for three days. Then I was like, all right, it's not about eating for fun. It's about eating just to do whatever it takes.”

• On Public Recognition: “[08:25] It's weird, but then they tell me, oh, I've been watching you since I was a kid. I was like, damn right.”

• Advice to Aspiring Eaters: “[14:28] ...figuring out your body... keep a food journal, how you're feeling and knowing that you don't actually have to feel good to do good.”

Final Thoughts

This episode provides an in-depth look into Joey Chestnut's life, offering listeners a blend of personal anecdotes, professional insights, and motivational advice. Whether you're a fan of competitive eating or simply intrigued by unique sports narratives, Joey's story is both inspiring and enlightening.

Note: All quotes are attributed with timestamps from the transcript provided.