TRAINOLOGY: What Watching Competitive Eating Contests Taught Me About Training

Back in July, Joey Chestnut captured his 10th official title by eating an event-record 72 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes to win the 2017 Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Contest. His painful victory photo below captures the final moments when all his training paid off. Considering that the “normal” human stomach is about the size of a Nerf football (accordingly to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist David Fleischer), at its biggest it stretches about 15%. But competitive eaters can expand their stomachs two to three times their normal size. So how do they do it?

“There is no training manual for competitive eating out there …” 

... says Yasir Salem, 6th place contender in the video below sharing his techniques for holding food in. Moreover, Yasir uses some amazing terminology to showcase his dedication to the sport mentioning: “hyper-focus,” “performance,” and “road map” explaining that there needs to be some form of strategy or plan to get it done.

So what does this have to do with your training? Although I don’t necessarily encourage you to start eating massive amounts of hot dogs, there is a connection between competitive eating contests and that training conducted in your workplace. The further I considered how these “eat-letes,” prepare themselves both mentally and physically, the more I realized that the same areas are present in any training environment.

• Preparation – ticking off that checklist of items you need, room setup and attendance is satisfying I know but what about the other preparations that aren’t necessary part of the job description such as: non-judgmental bias, energy, attitude, etc. Preparing a positive attitude is so incredible that nothing can stop you like in the video below:

• Control – just like hot dog eaters who must hold onto the 10,000 plus calories absorbed in their gut and intestines, trainers need to control their own verbiage, tone and pace. How do you make yourself aware of the present moment, generating that “hyper-focus” moment? One way is through active mindfulness. I have begun doing a 10 minute meditation before training (Headspace works best for me) to get me into the zone. It has done wonders to calm my pace and remember everything without the help of a Trainer’s Guide.
• Knowing – One of the greatest tactics in competition with regards to knowing was that of the chess prodigy Bobby Fischer (you need to watch “Pawn Sacrifice), who won in chess over the Soviet grandmaster, Boris Spassky, in 1972 by getting into his head. He knew what his competitor would do before he even did it. The same principle (although not so complex) can be applied to training. Who is your audience? Why are they there (and…not because they have to) and most importantly, what can you anticipate they need/want before they need/want it? Is the topic rather dull? Then start with an energizer. Does it require practice with explanation? Then throw in a role play.
• Celebrating – Even after surviving the contest nine times, Joey still reflects about what can be done better going into it next time (after the champagne showers of course). As a trainer, don’t forget to collect that all-important feedback on how you can slightly change, modify, improve or whatever other word you want to call it – your training next time. And don’t wait a week after the training to do it either. Have a small minute of reflection, whether it is after the training or a dinner at home. I can’t stress how important that minute will do to your career and character. An experienced trainer knows that you never stop learning.

RESOURCES:

• More On Hot dog Eating Contests -
• More on Bobby Fischer

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About the Author: Robert Kostecki is an HR & Training Manager passionate about expanding the borders of education in the tourism industry. With his journey in training he never forgets that in hospitality – no two days are ever the same.