The Iced Coffee Hour - The Untold Story Of Matt Stonie | Eating 20,000 Calories Per Day

Episode Date: March 14, 2022

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Welcome back to the ice coffee hour. My name is Matt Stoney, and so far the podcast has made $1 million. No, there we go. That's close. I was thinking, you know, my little Doctor Evil. One million. That would be nice. It was $183,250.

There we go. That's a good chunk of change. It is. It is. It's decent. So thank you so much for coming on. Of course. It's been long overdue because you also live in Las Vegas, as do we.

and we finally were able to get you to come on the podcast to share everything. You're going to give us all the details about how much you eat, how you're able to grow these videos, how you're able to grow an audience of 10 million, give us all of your personal finance details, how much money you make, your net worth. Okay, just going warm enough a little bit, just slow and slowing into it, you know, no big deal. But, no, I mean, it's been awesome. You know, I've seen, you know, like you said, you know, moved to Las Vegas and stuff. I know we've been just, you know, hop and skip away and stuff.

So I've been super excited to be part of, you know, stuff like this because the business side of YouTube is so something I'm, I feel like I'm warming up to at this point. So it's awesome. It'd be awesome to, you know, talk with you guys and just see what you guys think. Where are you from originally? I lived in San, I mean, I was born in San Francisco. Okay. And I lived in San Jose my entire life for the most part up until we moved here. And it was, it was largely a space, affordability decision.

Like, it wasn't even so much for the taxes, which a lot of people talk about, which is obviously a huge. But we got two dogs and we were paying like 4,500 and rent for this is a little 1,000 square foot apartment in San Jose and then you know Just coming out here. We're gonna get a lawn and it's it just made sense Yeah to provide everyone with a little bit of background to do some justice. Okay Matt Stoney I've been watching him for I don't even know maybe like eight years seven years now It's crazy he basically gets a lot of food and can eat a lot of food and and he also eats food fast too so you're like a competitive eater You got like 13 million subscribers or something ridiculous. The most subscribers, I guess, has ever had on our podcast.

Not that we're counting. Really? I think Zach King? Okay, sure. Zach King, there we go. It's the second most. But it's an honor to have you. We're so excited.

And yeah, thank you so much for coming on. Yeah, no, I mean, it's still wild to me that, you know, like we'll talk about it. But like last year I got out a little bit more and did more clabs and met more people and did more, you know, ventured out, tried to be changed it up from just film. in my own kitchen and stuff, but it's still mind-boggling to me that I went from just eating hot dogs and and burritos and Michael Phelps 12,000 calorie diet to like, you know, being part of podcast and stuff for guys like you. You got it.

Wow. Now, what are we talking about? We were in a podcast with guys like you. You flip this. You flip this. First of all, how did you get started with all of this? Did you, did you know from a young age that you had like an ability to eat food? Or like, how does this come about?

Because surely if you, you know, were you 10 years old and you're just like, I have a gift for this. No, I mean, when I do look back, I was kind of a food guy. Like, I distinctly remember. I was at like one of my friend's birthday parties, but Raging Waters. And they got two pizzas, and there was like 10 people. And each pizza had like six slices or eight slices. I was like, not everybody's getting two slices. And so I took my pizza and I eat it fast so I can get a second slice.

So I've always been kind of, I always loved to eat food and stuff. But, no, the competitive eating, it really just, it came out of nowhere from the one. part. I mean, it's all started, well, it all started, there's like a five-pound breeder in San Jose. It was featured a man versus food. And I just like, I saw Joey Chess and that eat it. And I was like, oh, I got to try that. I failed a couple of times until I finally did it. But it really kicked off when I did a lobster roll-eating competition. It was just a block away from where my grandparents were living. It was free lobster rolls, 10 minutes, who can eat the most lobster was get to $1,000 in cash. And I was working in the arcade that year. I was

got like $7 an hour. I made like, like, 600 bucks for the whole stuff. or something. And at the end of the summer, I ate a bunch of lobstros and made $1,000. And I was like, oh, my God, I'm doing the wrong thing. I got to start, like, eating food. So, yeah, no, that's really the start of it. And then... How old are you then?

21. Okay. Did you go to college before then? 18. 18. 18, okay. Did you go to college? No, I mean, that was the summer before I started going to college.

Okay. So I started... I did about two and a half years of college before the YouTube stuff really started to make sense to, you know, change paths and stuff. But, you know, I did a couple years of, like, I was all into, like, math and sciences. So I kind of worked with my competitive eating, took nutrition courses, anatomy, biology, and just coming up with weird hypothesis is of, like, how can I figure out how to eat 50 hot dogs and stuff? And how can I not be dead the next day and stuff?

So, when you ate the lobster rolls, something clicked for you and you're like, this is, this is it. How did you learn how to do that? Like, did you train for the first thing you ever did? Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Well, so I've always been like, I mean, everybody says a competitive person and stuff, but like I did a lot of tennis and like stuff in high school and stuff. So I kind of had this like mentality. I needed to prepare for things. So I ate like a bunch of broccoli and like like zucchini, steams zucchinis and stuff just to like expand my stomach cabbage and all that to prepare for it. And I think the big thing too was a lot of retired competitive eaters. They kind of scour the country for these amateur events. And they tried just like, you know, collect $1,000 here and there. And so a couple retired competitive eaters, professionals, they were there. And I knew, like, I couldn't just phone this in. So, and that was part of the also ploy of like, hey, I got something going on here because

I beat the dude by half a lobster roll and the adrenaline and everything of being on stage. I was like, oh, this is so fun. That's crazy to me that there are professionals out there who go to those events just to get the cash. It reminds me. It's crooked, man. They do them, you do you type of thing. But it reminds me.

When I was a real estate agent, there were people out there. who only went to the open houses for the free food. And you would see the same people. And this, like, every single week, you knew you advertised food, they would show up. It reminds me these guys, yeah. You're criticizing them. But like two podcasts ago, you're the one who said you used to do that. Well, listen, because they're going to come to mine.

Okay. Okay. There's somebody else is to do that. It's like a taste your own medicine type of thing. Exactly. So they won't come back next thing. They'll feel bad about it. But that's interesting.

So you didn't like you prepared a little bit, but you wouldn't say you knew what you were doing when you prepared. Oh yeah. I mean, it's tough. It's all relative. I mean, my training regimen and what I would do nowadays to prepare for contests is totally different from what I did back in the days. But I also wouldn't recommend any if you're trying to get into competitive eating or you're preparing for a challenge. I wouldn't recommend doing what I do currently. Because like this is years of not only just like figuring out my own body, but just figuring out the body and the body adapting to consume.

assuming so much sodium at one time and all that. Yeah. I wonder how to prepare. Is that what you're thinking? Well, one other quick question. How much do you think in like, if you're a good competitive eater, how much of that is something that you're born with versus how much you train for? Because you, I mean, you make it seem like you didn't train that much from your words, right?

And you beat these guys who are like career competitive eaters. I mean, I trained a lot. I mean, I think compared a couple people in the circuit. I've always been kind of, I felt like I've had to work for, like, I'm also one of the shorter guys on the circuit. A lot of the guys like six three, six four, for guys, so they got a bigger torso, bigger rib cage and everything. But, no, I had to work really hard to get to, like, winning contests and stuff. I don't know what compelled me to push as hard as I did for that first contest,

or maybe they were sleeping on me or something. But, I mean, it'd be ignorant for me. I get this question pretty commonly, and I'd be ignorant to me to say I wasn't born with some sort of like elastic stomach or a strong esophagus or a you know big jaw muscles or something but um you know especially since competitive eating is pretty still in its infancy as far as like you know big sports that like you don't have people on payroll just analyzing the sport and watching what we do it's it's still pretty homegrown for the most part so i couldn't quantify it but so how do you prepare like what did you start out with what did i start out with um well i started off by

doing challenges like i mean have you seen man versus food yeah yeah yeah adam richmond and all that um so i started just kind of going around the country just trying restaurant challenges collecting t-shirt free meals that sort of thing so it was there was really no focus challenges like this week i'm traveling i'm gonna eat a burger next week i'm gonna eat a bunch of like a 12-ag omelet or something um it wasn't until i started doing competitive contest that i really started honing in on specific foods and um it's really as simple as that for the most part it's like my first professional contest this was deep fried asparagus. So I just deep fried a bunch of asparagus

and I started eating it. Because especially, you know, when you're training for these things, a lot of it's mental. Like it's a really repetitive thing for the most part. It's like sprinting on a path versus like, I don't know. Like I compare to power lifting a lot.

Like there's some like there's nuances to different lifting methods, but you just got to grow your muscles for the most part. And what about like your size? Because you're not like a particularly large, like a huge person. And I would figure that the people's doing these, like, competitive eating things would be like, you know, like NBA player type of physique. You know, because then they could just fit more food, right? I mean, some of them are big.

I mean, there's a guy named Gideon Oji. He's, he keeps killing it recently. And he's like six, nine or something. Wow. He's a humongous dude. Joey Cheston, I think, is six two or something. Oh, he is? Yeah.

I mean, he's, you know, a lot of the guys are pretty big. If you look at the Nathens, I'm pretty short compared to a lot of them. You got to convince yourself. You've got to find ways to keep pushing and stuff. And I just, you know, Colbiashi back in the day. He was a small dude too. He was like my statue roughly, even potentially smaller. So I was like, if he could do it, I can do it.

I remember hearing about Kobayashi, like a lot. And it was always cool to see him like in the newspaper or whatever at like watching him on TV. But then you did, I mean, the big eating contest is Nathan's. Yep. Right? Like that's the main one where you stuff down like absurd amounts of hot dogs. And you like dip the buns in the water and it looks crazy.

And you did Nathan's, what was this like, like two years ago? I mean, you've done it multiple times. Yeah. But you won it. Yeah, that was, I mean, I've done Nathan's, I think, nine times. Unfortunately, I couldn't make it 10 because COVID kind of made that, just cut it off kind of. But yeah, I've done Nathan's between 2011 and I guess 19. So I've been a regular there, but yeah, it's 2015 where I topped Joey Chestnut.

That was a pretty big moment because he had and still does that just they dominate that contest for the most part. So I think he beat Kobayashi for the first time in 2007. And that's the only year he's lost since. So it's a pretty incredible winning streak. So that was, that was a huge. I still remember it was like an out of body experience. Like you just didn't expect it to happen. Yeah.

And it just like it happened. I remember hearing about that when it happened. And I was like, heck yeah. I was so stoked because I knew Joey Chestnut. He was like the reigning champion. And I watched your video. So I was a fan and you did it and you won. And I was just like so stoked for you.

It's crazy because you're not like good at competitive reading. You're like your fan. fantastic. You're dominant. It's not understood how you're actually like, I don't know, I feel like people look past it. You're actually very dominant in the sport. The ride that steals the spotlight every time it hits the road, that's the Volkswagen TIG-1. Its sleek exterior makes a first impression you can't ignore. Step inside to find available full leather seats and wood accents. Under the hood, the available 201 turbocharged horsepower engine gives it a fun to drive etch.

The refined Tiguan, you deserve more style. Visit vw.ca to learn more. SuvW, German engineered for all. Thank you, yeah, thank you. I mean, that means a lot because, I mean, yeah, I mean, I put a lot of work into it. And, you know, it paid off. And I think, to your point, you know, you ask you about, like, natural talent and stuff, I think a lot of times the hard work and, like, the regimen that I had leading up to events

is what helped me be consistent throughout the year. Like I think Joey, like, he's really dominant in Nathan, but he tends to be spotty. He gives up a contest here and there and stuff just because he doesn't, like, prepare as much for it or something. Whereas I always prepared. Like, I figured out a new technique or something. Something that would give me the edge in each event and stuff.

And I think that helped, I think, with my overall track record. I'm curious with these guys who compete, do they do this full time or do they got a job and it's just like a weekend thing or they'll train and compete and they'll do this on the side. most people it's a side of time thing which which is a love and hate relationship

because I'd love to see the sport grow I'd love to see more people become more lucrative and people can make a career and focus and that's what that was the turning point for me is I knew if I was going to top Joe if I was going to win Nathan's up with the big contest

I'd have to commit full time but most people you know you can't there's not a ton of money in the sport still and a lot of people have lives and families which like I said bittersweet for me because it also makes it fun because a lot of people just do it because they love doing it and stuff so it's a great group of people to hang out with and interact with but i'd say you know myself joey micky pseudo woman's female champ or i her couldn't compete last year so

former female champ but you know she'll be back or kobiashi um yeah there's there's not too many people that do it full full time yeah if anything if anything there's more competitive eater youtubeers that do it full time, which is, and not to be snobby or anything, it's kind of weird, because competitive, YouTube is not, you're doing it yourself type of thing, but that's the most, that's the phrase that sticks. Got it. So to give people an idea, for Nathan's, how long do you have to eat hot dogs and how many hot dogs did you eat in your most successful year?

You have 10 minutes, 10 minutes. The contest used to be 8, but then when the numbers got high, or no, it used to be 12, and then they brought it back because they're like, oh, too many hot dogs. Yeah, yeah, right. But they haven't changed it since, even though the record's gone up. No, I did 62 the year I won. Oh, my goodness. So what is that?

How many? What's the average per hot dog? 62. That's one every 10 seconds? I mean, that, yeah, yeah, roughly. I mean, it's much faster. Like, the math behind it, traditionally is by three minutes, you have to be halfway done. Oh, my God.

So by three minutes, if you hit 31, you're on pace for 62. Because you slow down, it gets miserable. Your dog gets tired, you get full. It's not only that. So you get full. That is definitely a component of competitive. How do you not throw off? I would, I'd get to the point where it's very quickly.

Does that disqualify you if you throw up? Yeah. Yeah. If you ever, they call it a reversal forcing on the stage. And that's, it's one of those things where, I mean, I guess, and this is where competitive reading is not as pretty, you know, behind the scenes is like, I push my limits harder behind, like, in training and stuff. So when I go on stage, I'm.

100% ready for it. So I do like 12, 15 minute practice runs just to push my limits so that when I go on stage, I'm not doing something I've never done before. I'm not in nothing. Yeah. Waters, you know, so. And how many hot dogs would you say into the 62 would you say until you like start feeling full?

I mean, God, that was so long ago. Nathan's is a weird one because everybody prepares for it so much. It becomes almost like riding a bike. By the time you're up on stage, you're just kind of an autopilot. But I distinctly remember it was a contest I prepared for but not too much. It was a brand new contest. They only didn't one year, hard boiled eggs. And I think I ate 121 in eight minutes or something like that.

But it was so bad. Like that was, I mean, I've done some impressive stuff in my days, but I just remember I was getting full. And I look back. I was like, okay, I'm getting full. Where are we so far in the con? I look back as like two and a half minutes into the contest. I was like, this is going to be, this is going to be. like a long night out here.

So it changes. You know, I think if you're more prepared for something, you just mentally know what's expected. You lost that one? Yeah, unfortunately. Second place to Joey. Wow. So when you eat hard boiled eggs, do you chew them?

I would assume. I chewed them. Yeah, I think. Okay. I forget what I was doing. It was pretty fresh. I think they're kind of slimy on the outside, so I feel like you could just swallow it

because if you chew it, it's dry on the inside. No, if you chew it, I would imagine it's more compact than just swallowing them. whole. It's always between what you two guys are saying because you got it, you can't chew too much, but if you don't chew too much, it doesn't sit well in your stomach. So I think Kobayashi has the Guinness record for eggs, and I think he just swallowed them in that.

There's like a video from, you know, and I think during the contest, you could tell Joey was chewing a lot less than I was. Huh. So, like, retrospectively, yeah, having those eggs, they wouldn't sit properly if they were whole. Yeah, a little bit chewing. I'm curious. How many people?

people after they finish, you know, have a reversal. You have to use the restroom, right? Yeah, you got a reversal in the toilet. Bathroom. Because I don't know if I would be able to eat that much and then just be like, all right, I'm going to chill. Yeah, but you haven't trained. That's true.

Yeah, yeah. That's true. Yeah. I mean, I can't speak for other people. I mean, like, generally after the contest, I'm pretty wiped out. I'm just in my own. I'm just like deep rest, deep rest type of thing. So, I mean, I know what happens.

You know, we do extreme stuff, you know. And we push our bodies to our limits. And some days, like, maybe it's really hot out. Maybe the food's, like, sweet stuff is pretty rough. Sometimes it's like sweet contest, so much sugar. But for the most part, I mean, like I said, you know, I push my limits in practice so that nothing bad happens on stage. So generally speaking, after you catch a breather.

And that's another, it's not the direction in this podcast, I feel like, talking about the intricacies. It's like, it's really hard to keep, like, oxygen flowing through your system because you're using the same pipe. So like the breathing and stuff is something that can choke you up and like sometimes after an event like all you need to do is just breathe a little bit I never thought you'll feel good and you feel a lot better. Yeah, is it ever dangerous to like not obviously like you could choke and stuff like that but to eat so much food and to like stretch out your stomach. Oh, of course. I mean it's doing anything in excess in extreme like tennis people get tennis elbow like tennis players get tennis elbow. You know like MMA fighters. That's obvious. You know, football players, you know, with the head concussions and stuff.

Doing anything in an extreme environment like this isn't inherently healthy. But the important part and what I credit to, you know, part of my success at least is just knowing where my limits is. And I don't cross that line on a frequent basis. Like I know where it is. I play with the edge and I just, but then recovery is also the other big part of it, just doing proper recovery and giving your time enough, your body enough time and the rest. in my case diet exercise yeah and all that stuff so it's not it's not healthy i wouldn't like if somebody's saying like is what you do healthy of course not like we're eating way in excess of amount of food but um

you know there's plenty of things that people that aren't healthy it's all about moderation right and you're pretty fit too so i'm assuming you probably have like a pretty gnarly like workout routine and stuff uh i don't feel too fit i feel like i've been slacking off a lot um because i found that diet is more hopeful long term because just the taxation on the body. Yeah, right. It's like impossible to go in the treadmill and see 10,000 calories on the treadmill. So I found diets like the best way to handle what competitive readers do because you just can't physically work off that much. But I mean, I used to do it a lot more.

But then I would just feel like garbage in the off season. I just be like fatigue and just like not, you know, sleeping right and stuff. So as recently, you focus on diet, you take a couple of extra days off. You can eat it and just listen to your body. But first, I want to thank our sponsor, Gramerly. It's crazy to think that it's already the third month of 2022, yet I feel like I've already sent out six months' worth of emails. Where is the time going and how do I get it back? Well, Jack, if you want to save time writing emails, just install Grammarly.

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Once again, that's 20% off Gramerly Premium at g-a-M-M-A-R-A-R-L-Y. Dot com slash iced coffee. Thank you so much, Gramerly, for sponsoring this episode and back to the podcast. When did YouTube come in? It came in kind of... Yeah, no, I mean, it's always weird to describe it because I feel like, especially nowadays, a lot of YouTubers that are like, they want to become a YouTube and they're like, I'm going to become a YouTuber.

It was never so cut and dry for me. Like, I uploaded my first, uh, Lops, contest and I uploaded the challenges I did because I saw man versus food and it's like I saw what he was doing there I enjoyed the content and um there was a couple people like epic meo time back in the day they were doing their thing love their love their content so I always I felt very it didn't take long for me to fall in love with the process the creative process of taking this event that I thought was fun like a 30 minutes took me 35 minutes to eat a burger it was fun for me I was adrenaline everything yeah I watched the tape back it's boring you know

I'm just sitting there smacking for 35 minutes. So my first videos, I was putting, like, my favorite music just and speeding it up and through it. And, yeah, I just, there's something super rewarding, super interesting to me to, like, make this content more palpable for, I wasn't even thinking about a broader audience at that point. But it was, like, even for just for me, just, like, making it more entertaining to watch. But not losing any context either, you know, not, like, just doing, like, long cuts and stuff. Just, like, figuring out how to package it in more condensed form. So it just evolved, you know. I think I just, you know, video started taking off the Michael Phelps diet challenge.

That was my first viral video. And I was like, explain that. I know I've seen it, but yeah. Explain the challenge. Explain the how you came up with the concept, how you filmed the video. When did it go viral? I think I put, I forget. I think it was 2012 when I posted it.

But I mean, Michael Phelps, you know, he was, you know, Olympian doing everything crazy. He was, you know, headlines and everything. He posted something about his crazy 12,000. It's apparently later he said he's like exaggerated about or something. No, no, no. But no, I mean, who don't eat that much food? You know, on a normal basis, I get it. But he posted it and every, like, all the news, like, talking about all this 12,000

guy who died, he, the best Olympian the world, he's three pizzas a day and like all this, like, you know, the rock did the same thing. He posted these pancakes and pizzas. And so being in the competitive eating space, I was like, oh, dude, that sounds like, I want to do that, you know. It's like, it sounds fun, you know. So I just bought the food, a lot of swimming caps, stupid, you know, and like black dog was on, just, you know, played the part a bit.

And, yeah, that was my first viral hit. I don't even remember how I, like, interpreted that or, like, digested information. I was obviously mind-blowing to get a million views on a video. But, yeah, there was never a point in time, really, for the most part, outside of when I kind of stopped doing schooling, where I was, like, this is what I what I'm doing it was always progressive I was always like just yeah is it fun is it is it is it just a paid is it you can it pay the bills type of thing am I enjoying it and am I making progress and um yeah I mean it's like I like I like I started off at the top saying you know I'm still

learning the business side of YouTube and everything like it's just constantly evolving so when you're posting YouTube videos did you have a schedule no I've all I've always shot and I still shoot for like one a week and stuff and um never really had I had to schedule. I feel like to me, the most important part was conveying to my audience that there would be more content

and that there was going to be something that's coming. Maybe it comes in a week, maybe you get two this week, maybe you have to wait a month or something, but that there'd always be something coming to look forward to. And if you waited longer,

I'll post a better video or something. I got to do something bigger, you know. There's not something this week. It'll be better next week. Yeah, exactly. The type of thing. So, you know, there's always been that pressure

of, you know, if I take a break. I gotta come up a bang, or, you know. But, yeah, so I've never adhered to a schedule. And I think it's always something I've been wanted to do, just for my own sake, you know, just being on a clock, you know, human psychology, just trying to not be scattered all the time.

But, yeah, I mean, I think right now I'm trying to shoot to do like two to three a month. Got it. But at what point did you realize YouTube was full time for you? Or that you could do it as a career? Because you mentioned going to college for two years. Yeah. Did you drop out? Um, I guess that's the term you'd use.

I just stopped. I was just sitting in class one day and I was just like, I was looking at a peach just like mold and I was just like, I was just like, I want to be thinking about my next challenge and making my next YouTube video and stuff. So I don't, I don't vividly remember when I said like this is a career sustainable. Yeah. I remember seeing my first ad sense as like $10 today. I was like, oh my God, I made a $10 bill today.

I remember that distinctly. I don't, yeah, I don't really recall. I mean, I remember the first time I cracked $100,000 in a year. And I was just like, damn, dude, this is something serious. How long did it take of you doing YouTube to crack $100,000? I want to say 13, 14. It's like maybe four years on YouTube to get to that point. And I think that was also combined with the competitive eating.

Yeah. Because I would say probably until like 17, 18, I was still priority competitive eater. Yeah. Like YouTube was still just that, I mean, I took it seriously, but it was still like, like if it was between making a YouTube video preparing for a contest, it was always preparing for a contest. So it wasn't until like 17, 18 when things started really blowing up, the channel was millions of subscribers where I was like, you know, maybe I'll skip this contest because I got to pick and choose my battles so I can focus on the YouTube side of things. How do you pick what you're going to eat on you? YouTube. That's a tough question.

Gut feeling at this point. I don't have like a rigid like, um, methodology for what I pick. I try to keep it switched up like sometimes spicy, sometimes large, quick, fast, savory, fast food, homemade cooking, you know, just trying to just give variety and stuff. But, um, yeah, that's all, that's the, that's the golden question all the time. It's just like, what's the next video that people are going to make people happy? Or sometimes it's like, Hey, what's that, what's that video that's just like a, yeah. The trending stuff too, because you did the Mr. Beast chocolate thing. And I noticed that did particularly well for you, which is smart, right?

Yeah. That's what you. No, that was cool. That was the first time I've ever gotten, like, product early to, like, yeah, stuff. Yeah. We've been trying to work and, like, reaching out to, like, fast food places. Like, if they got, like, the Travis got me or something coming up, just getting hands on it a little early and stuff, it's tough working with food establishments with

competitive media. Do they not take you seriously? Because I feel like for it, like, if Subway came out with a new, like, Meatball Marinera or something like that. Like them giving it to you to put a video. That would be massive. Massive promotion. I mean,

from my vantage point, it makes it's a no-brainer. If an opportunity like that ever came up, it's, okay. I mean, there's a little history to this. So I remember one of my original viral videos.

It was back in like 2013. I ate four Chipotle burritos and a Diet Coke or something blew up or whatever. And it was like, no big deal, but it blew up. And I remember seeing like on Twitter, Chipotle, their handle replied to somebody say, hey, check out this video at Tripoli.

And they're like, we prefer to see our burritos enjoyed. I was like, oh, okay. Did that hurt at all or no? But it was like, I got the message type of thing. It was like I knew we're, you know. Yeah, but you know that some probably some, you know, intern in college, just handling their Twitter. No, but then the flip side of that coin is, I think recently, I forget which house,

there's one of the streamer houses. They had a Chipotle eating contest. I was like, okay. You know, things might be changing a bit. And I think, you know, that was when I was fresh, too, is 2013. Yeah. And, you know, I think there's a hesitancy because even I battle with it is like, how do I make what I'm about to do appealing and not gross? Like, I filmed the zombie video video.

I promoted a video game recently as a zombie game. I was like, they wanted me to eat like ribs and like, like, like, how do I make this? Like, hate this video and just feel grossed out by it. That's hilarious. I was like, okay, I'm going to, I'm just going to show all the beautiful, barbecue and stuff, and then I'm just got cut through the eating, you know, and stuff. So it's, it's a trick, and it's been a challenge. Like, we're talking about, like, the ASMR, like, snacking our lips. Like, yeah. I leave some in there so they know what's going on, but I don't go full

blown ASMR, you know. Yeah. So it's a trick. And, you know, I feel like, you know, as with, I've seen YouTube over the years, it's like, you know, just, um, traditional companies and media just warming up to the idea of the value. So they've not reached out to you as, like, the go-toes. They do influence her marketing. Chipotle does. Like, like, like, David Dobrick, you know, he has the Chipotle deal. Yeah, but I feel like this is just as good if not, like, I wish I had a gold card or whatever they call it. That'd be pretty cool, you know.

I'm not out there looking for that. Like, you know, at the end of the day, you know, it's a tradeoff at the end of the day, you know, and, you know, if it happens, it happens. I'm just, I'm going to roll with the punches. You know what would be a match made in heaven? Houston and Houston. Yeah. Oh, my gosh.

He means a YouTuber here in Vegas. Yeah. Okay. He has like, he rents out cars and stuff and tells crazy stories about people who like, drive his cars on clips. Yeah, he had one of the most successful podcast on here. Oh, yeah. Blown away.

Yeah. It was so good. But yeah, he pulled up an Alexis LFA. Okay. He has the wildest stories. Yeah. He has a hundred Lamborghinis. Yeah.

Okay. And he has a chain of restaurants called Houston's chicken here in Las Vegas. Really? Okay. But he has, what is it? The Houston black card. Yeah. But no, well, he is the black card.

So basically you could go in the Houston's restaurant and just order whatever you want for free. But he has the hottest chicken. Or the hottest food on record. What is it? Like two million scobel. I don't know what it is. Something crazy. That you have to sign a waiver to get this thing.

You could just go to another franchise and just order it. Yeah. He's rejected people like when they try to order it too. Okay. Yeah. Yeah. Like children. Yeah.

Like a mom wanted a child to get it or whatever. Yeah. Yeah. But if you did that, we could put you in touch with Houston. I had no idea. Dude, that's that's on a to do the short list now. I mean, that's right down my out. I mean, spice, I have a weird.

relationship with spice because when I started I was like I got no spice I got to take care of my stomach and stuff but damn those videos do good yeah those spicy challenge videos they do so good if you ate the hottest chicken sandwich usually like 10 of it yeah dude graham don't put him in danger man okay come on but like show an average person show jack eating one of them and then show you eating like 10 no but okay but that's the misconception I can eat a lot of food but I still have human tissue yeah I'm still I'm still made of the same carbons and whatever, you know, it burns the same for me for the most part. I mean, I think psychology I can deal with the discomfort and pain, you know, food-wise and stuff, but it burns all the same for me.

I'm those special spice. There's some people out there that the spice world is a whole different, like spice heads and stuff, but I'm cut from the same cloth as far as that goes. Just saying, I think that would be a, it would be a banger video. We could put you in contact with them. Yeah, that'd be great. That'd be awesome. Yeah.

Is it actually black? Yeah. Yeah, it looks like an American Express card that's custom made. Yeah, metal. Yeah. But it says, what is it? Houston's on the top. Yeah.

Oh, no, the chicken. Oh, the chicken? I don't know if the chicken's black chicken or something. No, no. Because sometimes the spicy stuff that looks like that. Yeah, yeah, it is dark red. I've seen a picture of it. I mean, just imagine like this deep, like tissue red looking chickens.

We got to eat that, Graham. We got to try that. Come on, just one bite. Can we get some in like 30 minutes? I mean, it's excellent. You should. Can we get Houston to swing by with some of the hottest chicken? Are you serious?

I'll call them right now. Are you guys serious? Absolutely. I do this for a living here. I also have another surprise. We'll get into that. Just so you guys know, I can barely eat hot Cheetos without crying. Wow, you picked up.

Hey, do you mind? You're on the podcast right now. Is that okay? Oh, let's do it. Okay. Hey, so I'm with Matt Stoney right now. Are you familiar with who he is? No. Okay. He's on YouTube. He's got 10 million subscribers and he just... I feel terrible now. 15 million subscribers.

It's 15 million subscribers. Yeah. Tell us how much YouTube I've been watching lately. I know. So he does food challenges and we said this would be the best collaboration is to put together Houston's chicken and Matt. Matt Stoney, and we were talking about the hottest chicken sandwich. What do you think the chances are that you'd be able to get someone to bring down the hottest chicken sandwich in the next, like, 35 minutes? So we could all try it on the podcast. Is that at all possible? 35 minutes is a little tight.

Yeah. Because it's fresh made to order. There we go. It's going to take us about 12 minutes to make it and about 25 minutes to drive it to you. but it's possible. Yeah, I mean, we'll be here for a lot. That's a good end of the podcast, you know, sweating or... Yeah, we could...

We would have, we would have absolutely no problem getting this to you. I also would like to invite Matt. We have a challenge that we're about to launch. It's actually like crazy you're calling me. If you can eat 10, Houston, we have a problem tender. That's what we just said. Listen, it's $5,000. if you could eat 10 tenders.

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Yes. Dude. So it's just five and it has to be a set of video. But maybe we just save it for that and then we do like a collab if you want or I don't know, whatever. But he could be the first person to do that food challenge. Yeah, he'll win. You may as well pay him now. Yeah.

Seriously. I don't know. I have never been able to even smell that tender, let alone. So I'm not sure. Two million scobo units per tender. It's pretty wicked. I'm a professional. Right.

This is my job. Yeah. I can't back down. No. He might be able to do it. I just got to put the blindfold done. We still should eat the sandwich though because that's not going to be as hot because you have the lettuce. Yeah.

If we could do the sandwich though, if you could have someone bring it by. Okay, what I'm going to do, this is what I'm going to do. I'm going to send you sandwiches that are not the spiciest. I'm going to send you lift off, which is a lower level before the spiciest. And that's going to get your appetite wet. That's 50% of you so we have a problem. It's one million Scoville units, okay? That is absolutely out of this world insanely spicy.

Yeah, okay. And you can expect double from the tender. Okay, what do you think about that? I'm like that's up to you. Is that hot enough or is that not hot enough? We got to go to hottest. Yeah, you know what? If we can get the hottest, we got to do.

If we can get the hottest, even if it's just one chicken tender. Yeah. I'll make it happen. Okay. There we go, Houston. Thank you, man. Listen, I'll send you one tender. and if Matt can handle the challenge,

we'll go for that. Houston, if you could, could you maybe send, because I think we want to try it too. Of course, I'm going to send you extra food. Thank you. I'm going to say that you can eat one tender

on this podcast, and I invite you for the challenge after this. Perfect. And I'm going to put this under your black card, Graham, so don't worry. Thank you, man. Thank you. Not sponsored by Houston.

But go check them out anyway. Go check them out. The Saw Chicken is not sponsoring this video by chance. Thank you, thank you, man. I'm going to get that there. Let me get off the phone. Let me call my GM and all my hypermarked to you. Just text me, text me your address, Graham for a second.

We'll do. All right, we'll do. Thanks. Bye. Holy cow. It just got interesting. Yeah, it did. So we got that looming on the horizon for the next 45 minutes.

You guys go to stick around. Okay. We need the retention. There we go. There we go. There we go. Yep. Holy cow.

Wow. Okay. Good on him. Wow. Houston's a man. Wow. I'm working the night. Here we go.

Wow. That's nuts. Good on Houston. Yeah. I didn't expect that. And you regret on the side of the table? No, not at all. I'm so excited.

I was going to ask, you know, you're saying that Chipotle and big brands don't, you know, they're not really as interested in working with you. But for me, what about have small brands, like local places reached out? Because think about it as a local business owner. To have Matt Stoney coming into my restaurant to do like whatever challenge early. that that's huge are do smaller companies reach out too or no I mean I got a few ways to look at this I mean short answer is no I haven't had that opportunity too much I mean I think a lot of the content I've done is predominantly just like in my own kitchen and stuff and I've done that for a handful

reason to leave the door open for expansion down the line to get out and travel for challenges and stuff but um yeah it hasn't that opportunity hasn't presented itself too too often but what I do know is at least on the competitive eating circuit a lot of contests smaller contest per, you know, but a lot of the contests are actually like local towns, eaties and stuff that are like showcasing their local dish and stuff. Like the first contest ever won was the Slugburger would eat in championship. And it's in Corinth, Mississippi, they have this thing called a Slugburger because it costs the slug back in the day a nickel or something.

It's just the fried pork patio with mustard, onions and pickles, you know, what's not to like about it. And so a lot of small, you know, small town, small businesses and stuff, they do sponsor these events to kind of get the name out there. It's interesting because we actually have relations with Jack in the Box. Like they watch like all of our content. They comment on us. Like I'll DM them on Instagram.

They'll get back to me. Yeah. Yeah. It's crazy. Don't they follow you on Instagram? Yeah, they don't even follow me. No, we're close. Jack in the Box.

Yeah, they're the best. We love Jack in the Box. I think they dropped the comment on something I did recently. I think I, what was it? I did a TikTok or something or with the thing. And they have the comments. Right. Yeah.

I mean, they're their team. They talk with influence and stuff like that. That's what more brands should be doing. They really should. Yeah. Browsing YouTube, commenting on videos. I mean,

well, now they do it kind of on TikTok and stuff like that. No, but they should be doing like on YouTube. They should have someone who's full-time job is just to watch a comment.

Like they have to get 20 comments out of day. Like we get all the spam comments. There's no way. McDonald's should be doing this stuff. Yeah. You know? All the brands.

Yeah, I think Wendy's was like the original. Yeah. The social media team that was kind of killing it. Taco Bell does it pretty well too. Taco Bell. A handful of. Yeah.

A lot of people move that some summer hit or miss, you know. But it's, it's smart. You know, that's, that's what you need to do nowadays. Right. So let's walk through a little bit of like your finances throughout your life. Because, I mean, you said when you first started doing competitive eating, you were working for like $7 an hour. And then slowly, you know, pretty slowly actually,

like it took you four years to crack $100,000, right? Between both YouTube and competitive eating. How did that progress from then on until like now? Um, how did it progress? It was mainly just more views, more views. That was pretty much what it was. I mean, like we kind of talked a little bit at the top, you know, competitive Eden. You know, there's not like, you know, there's not anything crazy out there.

Contests usually if you win a contest. For most of them, it's like $2,500 to first place. If you factor in like the weeks of practice and all that stuff that you have to go through, you know, you kind of, you know, it's not like anything crazy and stuff. And Nathan's even pays only $10,000. I don't know. Fourth of July, ESPN. In the first place, it's rough. But, yeah, it was really just more views on YouTube.

Working with sponsorship, that was another big thing, too. It was finally, you know, working with some brands and everything. But it's been pretty, like, you know, like I said, you know, the business side of stuff, I kind of took it more as just a personal passion hobby of mine. Maybe I missed a few opportunities here and there. But, yeah, I mean, it was really just comes down on the views. And I know, you know, just from watching the podcast and your guys' content and stuff, I can attest the ad rates and all that stuff.

Competitive Eden, it's tough. It's not that great. It's tough. I mean, we've been working on it, and we've been making a lot of progress over the past couple years. But, you know, it's... Can you give us a ballpark on... Like, let's say you get a million views.

Sure. My channel would be anywhere from like 15 grand to probably 30 on the high end. 30 would be high. I mean, I think... It's tough. I think last time I checked. I was getting like roughly like three per three per dollar. Yeah.

Something in that ballpark. It was a lot worse too. I think we ought to get that number up like 50% in the last year. Are you serious? Yeah. So it's, it's crazy. It's been tough.

And I mean like, you know, I've talked to a lot of people who are kind of in the same boat, you know, just their content, like especially like I think nowadays like kids content's really tough. Yeah. And stuff.

But, you know, you know, what can I do? I'm a competitive eater. Yeah. Food. That's the content. so just deal with it.

Who's your audience? Mainly, I mean, I think demographic-wise, 18 to 24, male predominantly. Yep, there we go. That's right. Ventura. Yeah, yeah, yeah. California is the biggest by far. There we go.

There we go. But, yeah, no, I mean, it's pretty cut and dry, nothing really too crazy. Is it a U.S. audience space, or is it around the world? It's U.S., I think a lot of times Canada and the U.K. creep in there as top contenders, but I think India has been a huge emerging market. A lot of people from India have been watching. Oddly, like Philippines and Indonesia, oddly enough, are weirdly large markets, which is interesting because also like competitive eating is huge in Japan, or they call it, they do, it's not

competitive eating, it's like food fighters and stuff. But I guess they have their own market because I haven't figured out to get into a Japanese audience yet. So yeah, I mean, that's pretty much it. Just mail 18 to 24, the main market for the local. most part. That's interesting. I thought ad rates would be at least higher. Yeah. It's yeah it's it's a struggle. I mean I'm happy with you know like I'm not sitting there like cursing out that you do out of them or anything like like I've made a living I'm happy with what I've done so far. Of course I'm

always striving to do better but um you know there's some case studies like last year I did a chicken sandwich cheerless video and that thing got like seven like like double what I'd normally get on ad rates and stuff so just like figuring out like like fast food almost as well like I've seen that It kind of makes sense. Why do they advertise on your videos and stuff? I don't know. I mean, I don't watch my videos to get those ads.

But I mean, I guess that's probably something to do with it. That was the month he was just refreshing all the time. Yeah, right. Yeah, so I mean, like I said,

you know, I'm happy with what I'm getting. Of course, I know, just some seeing other people. And that's, it's been a learning process. You know,

I know you talk with Reed and night media. I joined night media recently. They've been kind of showing me the ropes and like, what to expect and like what to get from sponsors and stuff. And I remember, like, I forget the year. It was like years ago. I was getting, at the time I was like stoked to get sponsors.

But retrospectively, they were, they were pinching pennies on me. I was getting, I was getting just cut at the knees and stuff. And then my girlfriend actually who helps me out and works with me now. She saw all other people. Like she watched his like makeup tutorials and where they get good returned. And she was like, what are you saying? You got this much? And I was like, that's what I get.

And so she helped me out and helped turn that around a bit. But yeah, I mean, it's, again, I can't complain, but probably striving to move upwards. At this point, do you try to ensure that every video is a sponsor in it? I'm not so picky about that. If I'm not anything, I try to ensure that not every video has a sponsor in it. Because, you know, like I also said, you know, I haven't really gotten too many food sponsors. So the tie-ins aren't so, like, seamless and perfect. A lot of times it's just like, hey, check out this company.

You know, check out this company. And, you know, so I try to make it not feel like every single time. But it's been good. It's been good, you know, for the most part. I've been had plenty of sponsors to be happy with. So tell us about your team. Is it just, how did it start? Obviously, just do you?

And how did it evolve from there? Is it always mostly been, you like filming, editing? Do you have a team? Do you have assistance? Working on it. I mean, I'd imagine it's constantly a progressive process. But, yeah, right now, right now. it's just myself, my girlfriend, and we just recently got a videographer to help film stuff.

So that's it? Yeah, right now. I've had, I'm only even going to it, but I've had tough luck with hiring people. Like, no, let's go into it. Now it's the time to go into it. What's, what's happened? I mean, it all started when I was looking through contracts and I hired a lawyer to look at contracts and paid him so much, you know, 100, like a thousand plus dollars. It's like, oh, it looks good.

I was like, what about this? And he was like, oh, yeah, that's concerning. I was like, what did I just pay you for? It all started there. And I had imagined hiring process is not an easy thing. I mean, that's why companies, you know, they're not easy to make and stuff. But, you know, it's just finding those right group of people. And I've been working with a lot of editors.

So it's not just us three. Like, we've been working with editors and stuff. And it's not full-time positions. Like, we're just testing them out, trying to find if it fits and everything. But for the most part right now, it's pretty small. small, close team for the most part and trying to expand. So is it you doing all the filming, editing, thumbnails, titles? Yeah, mostly.

That's really impressive. You don't hear many 10 million plus subscriber channels doing it all themselves. Very few. Yeah. And I mean, part of me is, you know, a little proud to say that naturally. But also part of me is like that's not where I want to be consistently. And I also don't want to take away, you know, like, hide the videography. He's been in a great job.

I don't need to worry about getting the good shot. and everything. So he's been helping a ton. And, you know, we've been working with editors. Sometimes their thumbnails are better than the ones that I come up with. Sometimes the video is like, they come up with some good ideas

and it just makes it that much easier to finish the product. Yeah. So it's, it's, the goal is to get to the point where I can, you know, have less obligations on my shoulders constantly. So we can focus on more

the creative side of things. We tried a creative director last year. Didn't work out. And yeah, it's been, it's been tough, especially when you see a lot of YouTubers nowadays they've got teams of like people like 20 30 people it's like oh my god that's that's that's something else it's impressive right how much would you say you work right now like hours on a week

yeah uh i mean i that's a tough one i mean i'm sure you can attest it is too like you don't it's not nine to five it's it's hard sometimes to spend days slacking off and just you know just chilling out and some days you're just grinding like nonstop um to say 50 60 a week i've never that's not that's not sure That's not, yeah, no, I totally, right. We understand. It's the same for us. There's no, right.

Nine to five. Yeah, I'm almost thinking for your content, though, if it's working, why you don't necessarily need to hire more people. If it's, if it's, the system's working. I'm always a fan. If it's not broken, don't try to fix it. That's been my thought for many years. But you always got, I mean, at least, you know, you always got to find ways to just

vertically just keep growing and just, like, how do I make my content better? Well, if I'm constantly glued by on a computer editing all the time, or I'm just like, stuck on an edit and I'm just sitting there for a day just like why can't I get this intro why can't I figure this out like that could be used with me thinking of the next big crazy food challenge or just like just training just taking care of myself I was under the assumption that you had like a team around you at all times because we've been trying to schedule with you I think through Alex or was it you Jack? Yeah I was yeah yeah yeah months and and he's like Matt has the schedule available and it's like three months in advance these this month between these days let us know if that works and we're like yes that works well you know as we got close this schedule moved around and now it has to be in a few weeks from then at this day it was like oh god it gave us the impression or me it's like wow he must be like really busy uh or like he must have a big team to because when you need to talk to someone to talk to another person

I'm like oh wow sure yeah I mean okay yeah so I guess I neglected to mention there I touched on it but yeah I joined my night media management company last year and stuff so That was even talking with my managers overnight media. So I get, I mean, I don't, I don't know, I don't know legal as like if they're considered part of my team because, yeah, but they are part of my team. Yeah, right. They've been infinitely helpful and they've provided so much value and stuff and so much guidance.

It's been great. So what do they do for you? Um, they pitch out, you know, they put, you know, they find sponsors and stuff. They find opportunities. Um, you know, they connect, you know, like, like us and stuff for podcasts. They did a lot of clubs more, like, like, was going to, all of collabs last year. I filmed some, like, some shows.

You know, like, like, we got the, the C3, the Pokea Bulls that were launching. Like, they were the ones that kind of had those connections and pitched, I guess, myself found there. So, no, they've been, you know, they've been very helpful in that regards. And also just giving guidance, you know. Just like little things, like just talking with Reed and Nick over at night, meet about, like, focusing on average view duration and getting those up because my, my videos were, they pop in and they leave.

And so my average view duration is low is how to get that up so that it hits the algorithm better and the CPMs go up and all that stuff. So just like looking at thumbnails and being like, why would you do that or this, like, you should do this? And just like being a mentor in many aspects as far as like, especially the business side, but also just in general, just being successful on YouTube. How is that for you, let's say, because I would kind of think to myself if you built up a channel to 10 million, it would be really hard for me to take advice because I'm like, well, obviously what I would. was working could it be better after everything could always be better but if it's working so far i i take everything with a grain of salt and i think that's also part of the reason why it's been hard for me to expand a little bit because i've been so in like if i hire if i'm hiring somebody it's not to like do something that's like like i don't know i couldn't even think of an example like like an

accountant like hey can you balance my books or something yes it's like hey can you hire somebody to edit the videos that I've been editing for 12 years and make it similar to the style and whatever standards I have and being able to sit with that and be content with that. I think that's kind of been a mental block for me, which, you know, again, always just trying to keep an open mind and be progressive, constantly learning and stuff because like I kind of said, you know, they provided so much value, so much insight and things that they've, that I've implemented through their guidance and stuff has been great. It has worked out fantastically. So I'm not a know-at-all- all, you know, by any means, I'm not going to pretend that that's the case.

So, yeah, always down to learn. Always down to improve. Now, I saw one interesting video I want to bring up. It was the YouTube originals that you did. Yes. The eating challenge. And I saw a video reviewing the eating challenge. I saw that.

I watched those two. Yeah. I don't know, whatever that video, it popped off. Yeah. Because it was like your face almost crying in the thumbnail. Have you seen this? Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. I think it was like Matt Stoney didn't deserve this. Yeah, that was it. Yeah, that was it. And I remember clicking on it with like, oh no, what happened? I'm thinking like it's this major scandal. I know. I was nervous.

I was nervous too. I was scared for you. And I click on it. I'm like, geez. But it's, you do see your face. It made sense. And it made sense. I felt bad.

I really felt bad. Me too. Like I was watching it. And this guy's explaining. I'm like, I mean, whether or not what he's saying was true with, we resonated with. with you, but the way that he phrased, so everyone would understand it. You want to explain it? Yeah, you did a YouTube originals thing where basically you get people that like do make certain

types of content on YouTube, like very successful people. And then they have like other YouTubers that aren't successful within that given niche or whatever try to do what they do. For example, one of them I think like, uh, let's just use your art's example. Like was competitive eating. So you got you and you judged these other people that don't make YouTube videos around competitive eating try to eat competitively. Right.

And they were kind of, I won't say making a mockery of it. One of them was more than the other. Yes, true. But I will say they weren't taking it as seriously as they were taking the other challenges. Sure. The competitive eating, because it, to them, maybe it seemed like it was so, like, absurd to dip a, you know, bread and water and stuff like that. You know, maybe. Which it is.

You know, it could be absurd, I guess, in some context. But, but yeah, it didn't seem like they took it very seriously. And you looked very disheartened because I'm sure that you put a lot of time. effort into, you know, showing up there and maybe you're nervous to show up and then they go and they, you know, don't try very hard. Yeah. I mean, I mean, the format of the show was it was the four contestants and they all kind of had their own day of having the other ones try their own thing.

And then I was like the finale. So I think mine was a surprise. I don't think they expected to do anything competitive, Eden related and stuff. Yeah, I mean, I'll say this much. I wasn't as bummed out about it as like, I think a lot of. the comments and stuff were and just like the comments were backing you're crazy no i i appreciate that that that you know in its own kind of weird twist away it kind of felt a little good but um you're all of us for me i felt terrible yeah it was like my audience is watching out for me and stuff

you know yeah yeah which i i totally get and i see that advantage of point like personally when i sitting there in the moment it was weird you know it's like watching people throw hot dog buns yeah and and stuff and not do what i was doing like but i guess and you're you know, I get it. I mean, part of the fun of watching someone and dug a hot dog button for the first time because it's gross. Yeah, right.

So, I mean, I wasn't as bummed out. I know where the perspective was coming from. Do I wish they would have tried better? Definitely. Well, like, I did a clap with the try guys. Not too far apart from each other. And a couple of those guys, they were trying. Like, I think it was Keith and, I forget.

But two of them were going at it, going at it. And then a couple of them were like, you know, so gingerly. So everybody's got their own thing, and I'm understanding of that. They're jumping into my world, which is kind of intense and crazy. So everybody react differently. Unfortunately, them, they didn't vibe with the competitive eating natures as much as we would have probably liked them to.

But, you know, it was fun to be part of the whole production and everything. But a little more effort would have been nice. Well, we're here to make it right because we're getting the spiciest chicken. Yes. Okay. I'm keeping an eye on that note. This not better be the next video. You guys took a little nibble.

That's chicken sandwich. No. Gave up. No, I'm going here. All right. Another 20 minutes, 20, 25 minutes it'll be here. I'm nervous. Yeah.

But speaking of that, I would be the type. I hate that. I'm just going to admit it. I would be the type to be very gingerly about how I'm going to dip. Because I don't eat like, I can't do that. I can eat like if I'm really hungry. Yeah. And I'll scarf the food down, but forcing it.

I just notice I get like stomach issues. I'm a fast eater. I'm known amongst my friend group as the fast eater. Like, I'll finish my meal before someone has gotten, like, halfway through or whatever. But that's a complete different thing than actual, like, dipping it in water. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, it's a mindset. I've seen some people just, like, pop up out of nowhere and just do good at an eating contest

because it's a weird switch. It's, you've eaten your whole life. You chew your food. You swallow it after you've chewed it enough. And there's no real inherent rush generally, unless you're, like, you know, like lunch break or something. And so you're kind of going against your natural grain or something you've done literally since your whole life. Yeah.

Some people have that, you could just turn it off. And for me, it's like, like, I work out, but power lifters, I couldn't do that. Like, I just feel like my arms are going to fall off. And I just can't imagine getting swole and ripped and just lifting 450 pounds. Like, I just can't fathom doing that. Some people, they like doing that.

And it's a thing, and they can turn that switch. So some people got it. Some people don't. But I think it's mental. I think if you mentally focus, you can just make it happen. What does your diet look like after an eating competition? Because let's say you packed down like 10,000 calories. How many calories would you say is in one of those challenges?

I mean, challenges vary. Like, you know, some of them are 10,000. Some of them are just like a quick 5,000, 6,000, some of it are 20,000. It's a boring diet. Yeah. You know, it's mainly water's your best friend because your body can handle, your body can decide to handle calories in its own way, like not to be gross about it,

but your body can only physically absorb so many calories. That's just the way it works. But vitamins and minerals, your body doesn't have a choice for the most part. That's why dehydration is a thing. Like you just, your body can't say, no, I don't want to deal with the salt. The salt's going to be there.

It's going to be in the bloodstream. It's going to dehydrate you. You're going to need more. So I always try to balance it out. Like if I do a sweets challenge or something, even though I don't need more calories, I'd definitely like try to get a protein, shaking or something or have a burger or steak or something.

You know, it seems weird to eat after eating so many. But you want to achieve that balance with their body because it's the imbalance that throws your system off. Like I said, water's your best friend. I take various supplements, certain electrolytes and stuff. Just again, just for that balance. And when I started, it was brutal. Just you get dehydrated and stuff.

Nowadays, it just blow up like a little balloon. I just like literally, like, I think it's just like all the salts and waters and stuff to get into your tissue. Yeah. It's like, edema. I forget the phrase. Yeah.

But it's just the swelling of the tissue. But how are you in shape? Like I said, I don't feel like I'm in shape. See, but you look in shape. Yeah. Like you look more toned than I do and I go to the gym. It's all that editing. I'm just kidding all day long.

Yeah, no. I mean, yeah, I mean, I go to the gym. You know, so I like to run and stuff. It's kind of a full body workout in some ways. So, yeah, I don't know. I mean, I think, I mean, I guess, okay. I guess a good way to. put it is it's out of necessity.

If I wasn't taking care of myself, if I wasn't physically in great shape, then I wouldn't be able to physically compete at a high level. Sure. And my body wouldn't like, it wouldn't accept all the pressure and the training and stuff. So I have to be in shape. And that's why a lot of people ask competitive eaters like wires everybody like skinny, like the Kobayashi's of the road, like Mickey, even Joey, like he's, you know, he's a big guy, but he's in shape, you know.

Whereas 30 years ago, it was a bunch of dudes on Kony Island. that were like 400 pounds and stuff. And it's because when it became serious, you had to be insane. Like you had to cardio, breathing. And it's exhausting. It's a 10-minute sprint when you're up there on stage. Speaking of like, you know, being in shape and, you know, stuff,

this is a little bit controversial in the YouTube community, but what are your thoughts on like nicicato, avocado and that whole transformation? We're all thanking it. Yeah. I knew it was coming. I gotta bring it up. I gotta bring you up. I gotta bring you that.

Oh man. Okay. So I'll preface by saying this. I've got zero like the muckbunk bun community and everything like it's different from what I do. Like I kind of said earlier like competitive eating YouTubers like you're not competing with people.

It's like you know, the lingo like you know, snub those lingo if you want to call it. But no, I got absolutely zero problem with like the ASMR community. Even even though it's not my thing. Like they are making entertainment for a group of people. And that's all what it boils down to. Some people want to hear people smacking on a peanut butter jelly.

Some people want to see people just talking and eating. Some people want to see you eat as fast as possible. You're just, you're feeling the need. You're filling, like I don't like some movies, some people like, you know, everybody's got their own preference. So I got no quarrels with it. Nicocato, um, took it too far. That's all it is.

He, he, he found a formula that unfortunately, um, I don't even know. I mean, I guess outside looking in, unfortunately worked for him very well. And he just stoked that fire constantly without worry about repercussions. He's probably still doing pretty good. And, I mean, at the end of the day, it's his body. It's his choice.

It's his, if he's fine with it, fine. I mean, you know, but would I endorse that side of? No, I'd always endorse people being healthy, looking out for their physical and mental health and all that stuff. For those of you guys that don't understand, Nico Cato basically started out as like a fairly skinny, you know, somewhat fit person. I think it was a vegan. Yeah, he's vegan.

Yeah, I think it was a vegan stuff. Yeah. And then basically would do like muck bang, which is when you get a bunch of food and eat it and people like watching you do that. Different than competitive eating. And basically like he continued to do it because his audience loved it and he continued growing with like, let's like absurdism type of humor. And then like now he's pretty like, you know, he's pretty large.

You know what I think? I'll give my take on this. I think Part of me believes it's an act I mean part of me thinks that he's playing a character And I don't know why I found his entire story like so fascinating

And I've reached out to him I think once before to see if he'd come on the podcast No response back I don't think that's ever going to happen I would love to get him on the podcast Yeah Because I found it so fascinating I've watched so many of those like

Nicocato avocato Like the rise and fall videos I watched them all They're so good. They're really good. But he's one of those people that has such an interesting story. And it's just, it fascinates me of like how you don't know how much of is it. How much is an act if he's really this way, if he's playing into it.

Like it reminds me with Dax Flame. Yeah. How a lot of people thought, oh, he's just, it's acting. And, you know, but for me, I was like, no, that just seems like Dax. And sure enough, it was, it was just him. Like, that's him. With Nick Ocano, I'm like, I think it's an act. And from what I've seen, it seems as though he realized a certain action got him a lot of attention on YouTube and that made him a decent amount of money.

So you would lean into that. And it seems like the more extreme he's gotten, the more money he makes, the more views he gets, and the more subscribers he gets. So from a business, it's like, why wouldn't you keep going in that direction? And on YouTube, you can never like not continue to push yourself. You can never go back from that. Like if he stopped doing that content, I'm sure, yes, people would be happy for him, but would that get him the same views? Probably not. So even though he gets a lot of people watching me, like, oh, wow, this is a train wreck.

And just tune in for that at the end of the day. Like, when you look at the numbers, he's winning from it. So the more it works, I think the more he's going to do it. The downside is that it's probably the detriment of his health. But, you know, if he's at a point where he's like, well, if I do this for another five years and then I, have the rest of my life to get back into shape. And if you think something like that, maybe,

that's the only way I see it. I mean, maybe it's... I mean, I could be wrong, but without question of my mind, it is at least in some part, an act. Like, there's no way that he's actually like that all day long. Like,

it takes a special person that... Certainly. Yeah, yeah. He does. Yeah. But he's definitely leaning into what the audience. And like, I think back to, you know, I think back to like, you know,

stuff like the Logan Paul drama and stuff. Like, his justification was he was just on this, this train that you know, he just didn't want to stop. And then it ended up, you know, bad decisions and stuff. And yeah, I mean, that's just the nature of a lot of beasts, like that type of happened. Which was leading to a question that I wanted to ask you because I haven't seen any drama that you've particularly been involved in stuff. Which is something that I've proud of myself over the years too.

And every once in a while I want to see like the Nicocados of the world or certain like like the rice guns, all that stuff. like I don't want to say I'm not jealous yeah but there's that part of you that's just like am I doing something wrong here do you ever get that itch no controversy what's to say not let's say like like the main stream on TMZ like you're bad oh my gosh I just like do something that just like drama no I think it's any any sort of drama for the most part yes it's good in the short time I think in the bad term it's bad sure and I I've tried I don't know no you can't say any sort of drama a lot of It is. It's bad for somebody.

What? Logan Paul. Between two people, it's bad for what? What? You know, the whole issue? Yeah. I mean, look at him now. People love to watch his personal growth.

It's like as long as you can prove to people, you're changed and you're different. People love it. But you could change and not go through that. Like if you have the choice to work on yourself and better yourself without that, I would much rather do it without that. I don't think. But what if that's at the sacrifice of, you know, not being yourself because you're a little bit edgy, you know?

Lately it seems as though, like, the higher the stakes get, like, the more you put yourself out there, the bigger the risk there becomes that you say the wrong thing, even unintentionally. But, yeah, I mean, like, you know, to me it's interesting because, you know, you see these case studies of people who have turned it into something that's, you know, interesting and stuff. And, like, I'm a big UFC fan. I watch a lot of their fights and everything. And the biggest draws are the guys that just talk and just, yeah, McGregory.

Yeah. But then part of the charm of it, or charm, if you want to call it, is you kind of know that that's not them. I think, you see a lot of people, like Kobe Covington just did a fight, and he's all like Maga Hat, Trump. He's like this ridiculous character and people hate him for it. Like the Floyd Mayweather, too. Yeah. Like he wasn't doing anything until he started flaunting his money and they were like, oh, he was the haters and stuff. And people just kept buying his fights because they wanted to see him knocked on the floor.

And Nelk and Danny Duncan, it makes sense with their brand, you know, that they be so erratic. And Nelk just did a podcast with Donald Trump. Yeah. I saw it was removed. Did you watch? I did not watch. I did not see that. No.

It was removed. Yeah, they put it on their, oh, you didn't know this. What? Yeah. Oh, you didn't know? It got removed. It got removed.

For what? Five million views. Disinformation on YouTube. I thought misinformation. Was it misinformation? And that's funny because Trump said in the podcast that it will get removed. That it's going to get removed. Yeah.

So. Well, digressing. I mean, I'm just, I'm curious because that's something that I've, I have, I've very, thankfully avoid drama and the nicicotidia. I just think the bigger, like no one will care if you get 10,000 views on a video or you have 100,000 subscribers. It's not worth anyone's attention, let's say. But when you get into the larger numbers and more people watch, it becomes easier, not

easier, but there's more eyeballs on you and the chances that someone will find something is higher. So that's why, like, at least from my perspective, the more of the channel is grown, the more careful I've become as a result. And I think also, too, it kind of leads into, like what your intentions with YouTube and just in general. Yeah. If you're looking to build a brand like my case,

you know, I do the competitive eating. Like I want to keep doing this and I like making videos. Then why would you risk it and stuff? Because I remember seeing certain people come and go and stuff. And like, like, yes, you get jealous of like, you know, have seen people on billboards and stuff. Like, oh, man, what are they doing right that I need to do? Or just to like get to the next level.

But at the same time, like, I've been able to do this for 12 years. and I'm still doing okay, you know, and stuff. So it's just one of those things where you're just always always thinking about, like, you know, but. Yeah, you've surpassed the lifespan of, like, most YouTubers at this point. True. Because when I first started, I'm like, almost everyone that I ever watched was five to seven years. And if they hit seven, they've done it.

Like, that was, like, that's age 90. Like, that's like a 90-year-old person in, like, YouTube time, you know? So seven years is a long time. But the past 10 is almost like, like unheard of. And then to go beyond that, it's just. It's a small group. Yeah.

I mean, I didn't start as soon as like the Philip the Franco's like he was in before me and everything. But, you know, it's, you know, there's a pride involved with it. And,

you know, and at the same time, you know, you always want to feel like you're just getting started. I mean, like, you know, just like we talked about your bankroll coffee and stuff and like establishing those brands and just like really learning the space and

taking advantage of the opportunity. Yeah. Don't want that to stop. Speaking of which, you know, before we get our taste buds annihilated, um, I heard,

heard that you have a Pokey Bowl line coming out and it's similar to like a Mr. Beastburger where people are going to be able to order and stuff. Am I getting that right? How'd you come up with that idea? That was Night Media. It was reached out. So a

large restaurant company they're working on launching a brand. It's called C3 and they're working with a bunch of creators, not just myself like Danny Duncan. I met him at the Pokemon thing. He's launching a chicken sandwich and stuff. And so a lot of it was like, hey, like, what's the type of food that you eat?

What's the type of stuff that you like? Like, um, and how can me like convert that into what will be now, like ghost kitchens, like Mr. Beasburger? And, um, back and forth, you know, but I grew up on rice bowls. Like, I love eating rice bowls. I spent a lot of time in Hawaii. My parents met in Hawaii, so we visit there a lot. And pokey bowls just worked out great with the company.

They got a good supply chain for high quality fish and rice and everything. So, yeah, we're lunch in stony bowls. sometime in the near future, super excited about it. Yeah. And yeah, we did bring some whole plethora. I'm excited. Drove all the way to the Mandalay Beta, pick those up before here and bring them over. See, I don't know why I thought you would have like an assistant go and pick this up.

You personally wouldn't you? I was surprised you came here alone. Yeah. That was a little late. No, that was awesome. Sometimes people show up with entourage. Yeah, the upper like, really, upper echelon people. But like, you know, they'll show up with like an assistant or a videographer or something.

like that. Have you ever, like a lawyer sitting in the room or something? Has that ever happened? Close. Yes, close to that. Sure. It's kind of awkward because we'll ask a question. Can I answer this?

Yeah, that's how. And they're like, we would rather you not. Yeah. Sorry. I heard them. You don't have to repeat what they said. Although, Graham, you said that when you did a video with Kevin O'Leary was just himself, right?

Yeah, he just showed up. Kevin O'Leary, he didn't have a driver. He didn't have an assistant. He drove with the car himself and just walked up with a briefcase. It was incredible. I was so surprised. He's a nice car, though. He took an Audi?

No, no, he got dropped off in a new relux. Oh, he did? I thought he drove himself. No. I remember seeing something. He always does Uber Lux. He's getting over.

All right, okay. But sometimes it's the people you would most expect to show up with an entourage or like an assistant or somebody show up just alone. And then people who, you would expect to show up alone, show up with like, oh, by the way,

I'm with five people. Is that cool? And I'm like, well. See, the aquarium is. See, the aquarium is. Yeah. Okay, well, should we try some chatting chewing? I was even thinking of like, if we're going to do a spicy challenge, we've got to get something in our stomach.

Right. It would burn so much harder if you don't get something. So what did you bring? And by the way, could you walk us through really quick? How much money do you make from this? I'm so curious what the profit margins on this, because I'll tell you with coffee, if I make a dollar a bag. Well, right now I'm not making any money, but if I made a dollar a bag, I mean, it's just that would be considered good. I mean, this is pre-launch, and this is, the infrastructure and stuff is all being taken care by C3.

I think the deal was like a small stake and stuff. So it's not really like a profit thing for the most part. It's really an opportunity to be part of something bigger. Got it. Because a lot of, there's like, I forget how many creators are on the roster, but it's a pretty big list. So, so, yeah. Is Danny with Night Media? I don't think so.

Okay. Which was weird to see him at the Pokemon event. I know he's just really into Pokemon. I never knew that. I never took him as a Pokemon guy either. Because the stunts and comedy. Yeah, we got dinner a while ago. This is right after Logan Paul's video came out about the Pokemon cards.

And Danny was collecting PSA 10 Charzards, first edition. Yeah. And he said he bought like, he bought like several sets and stuff like that. Wow. Oh, my gosh. Where did you get these from? Oh, sorry, I don't want to interrupt your story. Wow.

Anyway. Well, you will be able to get them all across the country. Oh my gosh. Yeah. Can you get some B-roll of that with your phone just so that people can see? I have X-S too. I got two of each bowl.

Oh, you need to get any shots later. Holy shit. Oh, he said the S word. Oh, my God. Again, this is, this space is totally new to me. I thought when the opportunity came up,

I was like, this sounds so great, but the more we worked with C-3 and making this product, it blew my mind how, the product that we came up with. And on top of that, too, we're also with it,

we're launching a giant, you can order a giant bowl with all of these in one, things too. That's so on brand. Should we get chopsticks or so wait so I'm so curious so when you pull up at Mandalay Bay do they know who you are and they're like oh wow he's picking up his own food Yeah, they're they're a humongous company they own so many and they own kumi Oh gosh. Oh, okay. Are you gonna eat with us? Yeah, of course. Okay, cool So let me just work quick so let me just go over here. So what is this? I'm so hungry

Are you guys pokey fans? Yes that's Graham and I we try to have a date once every week, and we usually get pokey. Yeah. Because Jack moved out, and we stopped seeing each other so much. I never see him anymore. And then he's a bad thing.

Then he texts me when he's at the gym instead of giving me advance notice. Yep. Well, I won't get in your way of starting. That right there is our chicken terriarchy bowl. It's a standard chicken terriarchy, you know, just chicken breast. You know, sauteed onions and stuff.

Hey, you can let him. The Houston has delivered. There we go. We're getting our prep ready. Perfect timing. Oh, my God. Holy. Oh, my God.

There's two? Wait, put them on the table. Are you getting me, Houston? But, like, you, it's, the whole thing is filled with every. No, it's not. Look at this. Dude, oh, my. Honestly, I feel like I'm in a dream right now.

I get the vibe that you haven't, like, eating it on podcast before. Now you've got, like, a buffet. Yeah, this is amazing. Everything. I'm actually having, well, not going to call a muckbang, but I'm eating a lot of food in a competitive manner with Matt Stoney. This is a dream. This is Oiyakodone.

This is something I grew up eating. It's chicken, egg. It's like an Adashi broth. It's kind of, it's a home comfort food. That's the signature, uh, pokey bowl that we're releasing. It's the, it's ahi tuna with what I think places miss all the time, which is sesame oil. Yeah, yeah. It makes so much, when I had it, it made sense, but just like how many searedahi things have you seen with like sesame seed done?

It's just the perfect combination. You know what I count this as right now, Matt? So imagine if we had like, imagine if we had like a famous basketball playing around. You know, we play basketball with him. This is the same thing. I'm eating with Matt Stoney. Yeah, this is the same thing. Granted, we're not.

It's flatter. I know. We're not. It's weird for me because I'm just chilling out, just having dinner before spicy you challenge. So I stopped by Jack in the box before here. Okay. And I grabbed three junior bacon cheeseburgs because I wanted to race you. Okay, that was the surprise.

Yeah, I wanted to race you. I mean, I'm still down. Well, of course you're down, man, because you can eat anything. I'll be able to put it down, yeah. We'll see how we're following. I mean, I'm down, but I have a phone if we put an effort into the spicy challenge. Maybe we'll do it before the spicy. Sure.

But I have to race you. I've been telling myself that I'm going to do this since we knew you were coming on. Baby bucket list type of thing. Yeah. It's got to happen. It has to. Yeah. Try that.

That's my favorite one. Yeah, so that's the panko shrimp with a wasabi aole and wasabi piece. You don't want to share something. We've got plenty. I wanted to bring plenty. This is an Oyakodon. Oiyako is Japanese for parent and child. It's something I grew up on because it's chicken thigh and egg.

It's like a scramble with the dashy broth. I mean, cook it all together, grilled onions and everything, and then you just top it on rice. It's a comfort food. It's nothing like super fancy or something, but it's just, to me at least, it's a comfort food. We get pokeyed probably like once to twice a week. And this one was probably my favorite with the spicy sauce.

I've not tried this one yet. The tuna tastes really, really, really fresh. But the good thing with the tuna macy that he was explaining is that they put sesame oil. on it, which is what, yeah. That's where I feel like a lot of pokey places missing is. Usually just use like a basic ponzo or a show you or something. That sesame oil makes it kind of rich, adds that nutty flavor. And then, of course, you do also have a ponzu, you know, sesame sauce on top of it to add

that traditional flavor. I grew up eating a lot of rice bowls and pokey and stuff, so. So good. I'm hoping that this nails it a little bit. This is my attempt to nail it. So that's the thing, I forget where I saw it, but, like, home automation. I was just looking into and stuff and somebody had posted this thing

where they showed their if this and that thing and it's like if the alarm goes off like it's like somebody breaking into house it's like Alexa just like turn off all the lights and then turn all the lights beat red and start blasting music really loud and stuff

and I was like that's actually really smart that would be freaky if you just I think three high quality speakers somewhere in the house going off a different point the shotgun noise and you're like oh yeah shotgun noise Yeah. Well, that's what Simplisave does something similar to that, though.

Not the shotgun noise. Simply save does that. No, SimpliSafe has it where the alarms go off. And there's, you know, but. Yeah, but we're not. That's like every. Yeah. Yeah.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. And the one of my shadows cast it on the wall of a huge figure. Oh, so we had the scariest thing happened last night with Macy and I.

And anytime you open a door or window, our alarm goes, beep, beep, beep, every single time. And it's always my fear. It's like, it'll be 1 o'clock in the morning. We're in bed, we're about to fall asleep and there's beep, beep, beep, beep, it goes off. That's my biggest fear. Last night, it was like

almost midnight. And the entire house was locked up and we hear the, beep, beep, beep. And both of us freeze. And I'm like, I thought someone was in the house. So the first thing I was like, check this, check the camera, because we have a camera in the front. Macy, go check.

Yeah, check. I'll stay here and take care of Bailey, you go look. No, but I went to the bedroom door and I locked it. And then once the door was locked, I knew we'd like at least have a few seconds in there. I was like, but the cat's out there. What am I going to do? I don't know where he is. But the thing is, I would run out just to save the cat.

Like, I would be like. Ramsey could be anywhere. Yeah, but they're not going to attack a cat. No. I mean, you don't know. No. You're not right in the head to break into someone's house. But a cat's not going to call a cop something.

You're a target. You're a danger. to the cat. Exactly. Yeah. But anyway, so I locked the door and I didn't see any motion on the ring camera in front. So I'm like, it's not somebody in front. And so we check the camera and we don't see

anything. And Ramsey, we still see Ramsey on the camera. He's like, all perked up. And we're like, oh, what was it? So I check the side door and it's open. And we think... You were going to go out front. I was like, well, wait, one second and go to the side door. It's just open.

Oh, yeah. It's open by like a little bit. It was open by like that one. much, but it was locked. It was locked, but you saw the lock out, so I guess when it locked, it didn't lock all the way in, and the wind blew it open. But anyway, that was the... Yeah. It's scary.

So now, from now on, I'm so scared that at night I'm going to hear that sound. You remember? You remember when we were, like, about to go to bed? And this was after Jack moved out. We heard, boom, and then we hear someone walking through the house, and you know, like, what the fuck? And then you came out there, and it was Jack. Jack, you got to text us if you're coming. Jack didn't turn on any of the lights.

It's just like this tall dark thing. Oh, yeah, yeah, I remember. And I was nervous walking. I'm like, I hope I don't scare Graham. I was thinking that to myself. Yeah, like, I'm walking. And I'm like, I hope he doesn't come out because I'm going to scare him. I don't even think we were expecting him.

It wasn't like he was expecting, we were expecting him that night to show up for an SB card or anything. It was just like all of a sudden. That's so funny. Yeah, I was worried about scaring you. I was like, okay, I'll just try to sleep. It's 11 o'clock in night. No. Yeah.

It was worse. Sorry. Graham's very paranoid because he's always like, Alex, if you're going to come just text. Yeah, now I make sure. You can't just show up anymore. If you live here, then it's kind of assumed. So did you feel safer when I was in the house or not? Yeah.

I want to say, Joe. Yeah. Big old Jack, ready to. Jack, go check it out. It's a third person that'll throw you off. I mean, if attacker comes in and is three versus two, we're better off with three. Right. And you got to think, too, like for an attack.

to come in if they weren't expecting you to be in the house but they knew that we were there then you're like this secret hidden person that's gonna like Bruce Willis this yeah see I always made sure as a as a kid I mean I don't I'm not mindful of it anymore but as a kid I would always never I would never want the room that's closest to the front door I always wanted my brother to be I was for window yeah exactly like you never wanted to be closest to the front door because as this makes me sound evil but if they get someone it's not you it's someone Yeah, I always thought that if you, I guess the way the bed faces, I never wanted to sleep away from the door. Yeah.

Because in that way, you couldn't see it coming. Yeah. At least you can see it. Right. It's one of you made aware. Yeah. I open my eyes and sleep. Okay.

No, I know. It's something's happening. Okay. Yeah. I just want to sleep with a frying pan in the room because I know if anyone came, I can, I got a pretty good swing. Like, that's a good solid. I got a baseball bat, by the way. Right after that.

Did you really? Because I realized. My mom bought one too. Really? Like, yeah. It's the Brooklyn Crusher Defender Bat. Are you serious? I went on Amazon and typed in baseball bat self-defense, and that was the number one thing.

Was it the Brooklyn Defender? Probably. Dude, that's hilarious. I just saw that my mom's shopping cart on Amazon. You saw it. And I laughed. I texted it. What?

Why do you check your mom's shopping cart? Because I have the same login as them. Am I allowed to say that publicly? Cotonic. Okay. Yeah. Cotonic, baseball bat, 28-inch, self-defense. black. It's just seems so impressive.

It's like, why would you want a baseball bat? I feel like you're better off buying a taser. No, you realize how close you have to get to someone with the taser to taste them? That's a stun gun. I'm talking to taser. That's a taser. No, the taser is the one that you shoot. Yeah, but for a taser to actually work, and this is like weird stuff I know,

both prongs actually have to hit. And the further away the target is, the harder it is to hit. Even for typical, like, self-defense things, they say really don't pull out of taser. unless there's somebody else with a backup weapon. Just by a shot. The pew-pue there. But not to be grotesque. But if you're really trying to protect yourself,

a machete is going to clearly be a katana. Unless they take that from you and then I turn on you. And what about the, okay, what about the bat? It's like the same thing. It's like just go get it taken from you. If they get it taken from you,

you're done. Either what. You know what? Wouldn't you really be hit by a pillow than a bat? So here's where I'm at team frying pan here because if someone tries to hit you, the frying pan is also good. as a shield as well as a weapon.

Like, you know, if somebody tried to hit you with like a knife, then you could just like, here's the thing, man. Stop it. Okay, I don't want to put myself in the shoes of the intruder, but I will just for the sake of the argument, okay? So don't think of me as an intruder, but, okay, so let's say I'm going into a house, okay, I'm intruding on the house, okay? And then I turn around a corner and I see Macy there with a frying pan.

I'm like, okay. Let's say, let's say she gets a hit on me, okay? I can grab that frying pan out of her hand, right? But if I turn the corner and I see her with a machete, or a katana, I'm like definitely not getting close to her because even if she hits me once, I'm done. But if you're holding even a baseball bat, it's like I can take a hit to the bag. I just rush them, you know? You do have to think if you did break into the house and somebody had a machete or a katana, you'd be like, oh, they are a, wow.

They are a freak. Yeah, you could buy one on Amazon, $22. Yeah, get naked and have a katana. And then they're like, I'm, there's no, yeah, that's horrifying. I got one. No way. You got a what? Machete.

Oh, my. You bought it. machete? Did you actually buy a machete? Yeah, it's your Monday. Wait, what about the katana?

Wait. Oh my God, you actually got a machete. Graham, here's a new tactic. You go out with the baseball bat if there's someone there and you're like,

look, my girlfriend's here, she's got a machete, she's a little crazy. I would just suggest you leave and then I come up behind you. Like, catch up real nose. That's what you say.

I'm waiting for this one. Graham, you've brought me a good one today. Tag team. Anyway, no, I bought it because you could never be like, because after that, I did realize if we're in the bedroom, we have nothing to protect herself with. The only option is to run. And, you know, I figured, well, between not having a baseball bat, not having a machete, I'd rather have both. Right.

At least not both of you guys can be equipped, you know. Yeah, and frying pans too far away. So, yeah. I could talk about this stuff for hours. What you must know. Dedicated self-defense course. My dad was flipping out when we were watching, um, What show was it?

They were going over, like, how they found certain serial killers and stuff. And he clicks on him. I'm like, oh, this is that case. And he's, like, within, like, 30 seconds of the thing starting. I'm like, oh, this is this one. This is the whole case. And he was like, how do you know? And I'm like, I just know.

Some people are into that stuff. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, I don't want to say it's concerning. But Macy knows way too much about serial killers and, like, how people, like, you know, on alive and stuff. and it's just she'll be like, oh yeah, but he poisoned this or she did that. And like, it's like, okay. I said disproportionately.

Serial killers probably know about other serial killers. Disproportionately. Yeah. Like just putting this out there, but like to throw up over blood, because I didn't know that. Oh, come on, man. We were watching a show. I feel like I'm like, this is uncomfortable. But we were watching this show.

And what is it called on Netflix? Anyways, this girl had a blood stain on her carpet. And I was like, well, they can go over that with luminal later because when you do luminal and you spray it on there, it will glow because of the DNA when that reacts under a black light. So it will show where blood is or more accurately DNA. So that could come from a lot of different things. I'm like, I wonder if she wanted to throw that to kind of throw people off from that. If she could just throw up over that and then kind of cover up the stain.

And then he was like, what the heck? But the reason why I know so much about this is because I wanted to go into, the FBI, but it wouldn't allow me to have any of the other life goals I wanted. So for me, it was a lot more important to have kids in a family. But I, like, I would love to just track down missing people and like get answers for people. Right. I just am fascinated, but I want to catch that stuff so bad. That's why I know.

Yeah. I mean, it's a vibe. It's like I think of my, like my brother. He's using the cars. He doesn't, he does some work as a car stuff. I don't know anything about cars, but as soon as something happens at a car, he's, right? there and he just figures it out so in case something happens and you got it covered yeah now you know i'm because i'm full now before that yeah actually yeah i did i did bring a surprise and i wanted

to to do this on the podcast okay you me and matt what comp oh you i mean you could stay here mason hey yeah so graham you should get that you should get the mic okay you got it you got to stay here macy to cheer on your boyfriend i'm not going to do eating competition yes you are No, no, no, no, you're not that full. Because what do they say, Matt, about being... Maybe they say something. It's mentality. It's mentality.

There we go. Okay. Now, I know you're pretty strong mentally, Graham, okay? And we're going to test that out right now. Because I brought... It looks like French fries. Jack in the box. So what we're going to be doing is we're all going to race each other.

Are you serious, Jack? A junior, it's a junior... It's not even a bacon cheese. Did you not have done this before we ate everything else? Oh, would you rather get full? off of pokey, I'm not going to slander jack in the box right now, but I've been eating so healthy. I've been counting my calories now for a...

Well, I'll tell you what, if you want, Matt can try to beat me two to one. If you want, if you want to donate that to the-bytes. Give it your best out. You're going to take a few bites, man. We love jacking the box. Thank you, Jack and box. I'm going to do it, ma'am. I bought this off of your VIP Jack Cash, by the way, I'm running out.

So if you guys send me another one, that would be much appreciated. On real quick, just to wrap it up, Stony Bowls. Stony Bowls are coming out soon. So if you want to try this out, they're good. We'll put a logo or something over. They got this out, so I just want to do it solid. Stony Bowles are super excited about it? See, are you going to be dipping this in the water and stuff?

Are you just going to dry eat it? I don't think this is a dip situation. Okay, what kind of situation is it? Burgage are hard because the part that would absorb it, it's kind of on the inside. Yeah. So, see, I'm just nervous about A-choking. and B biting my tongue

That could happen it happens I don't know how you get around that Okay so there's no okay so what I'm gonna what I'm probably gonna do I'm probably just gonna fold it in half and squeeze it Oh you're just make it is make it as small as possible just er and just in this chomp at it yeah see I'm nervous all the way no I have no chance like chance against you I'm still nervous because I wanted anything could happen yeah we'll see and and what is your best friend don't forget

The water's there. Okay. Oh, God, I'm a throw up. I know something's going to happen. All right. Round two, here we go. How are you eating this? I'm probably just going to fold it in half and just going to make it like a taco.

Are you going to drink while eating it? I mean, it's like, it's like a chaser. It's like boom, boom, boom. That's what I'm probably doing. Oh, my gosh. Countdown somebody. Three, two, one. Go.

Oh, my God. No. Done. How much do you guys have left? Stop, Jack. Stop. Show the camera. Okay, so Jack made it further than grass.

Yeah, Jack's putting some work in there. What? Why did you reorder it? Because you said you're supposed to fold it in half to make it go faster. That's what I was doing, just get the air bubbles out of the bread. We don't have a timer, but here we go, here we go. Jack looks committed for the finish. Let him get there.

Reason to be clear mouth. Just there we go. It's open. There we go. That was under, what, 15 for me? I'll have you know. It tastes incredible. You taste it.

Yeah, you taste the food. People wonder that sometimes. Thanks, Jack in the box. I'll take another VIP Jack Cash. That was some good fun. They commonly say competitive eating isn't pretty, but it's beautiful. I felt beautiful when I was doing that. Exactly.

You didn't feel pretty. You felt beautiful. It's interesting, the water with that, because the water was almost... Because I took a bite and then drank. Yeah. Oh, you're killing it, man. That was like a slap in the face, Jack. So I have to explain what this is.

It's a one of a kind in the world. This is the spiciest sandwich ever at two million Scoville units. Now, if we look at like the Scoville chart, I think it's like a pepper is something like, you know, 50 or something like that. This is two million. I think a jalapeno is 8,000. Looks delicious. It looks good now. Very normal.

Smell it. I've seen more intimidating spicy challenge. Oh, already. I can smell it. Oh my. Come on, it burns your nostrils. Bring it to me. It's been burning my nostrils.

How have you not been able to? I don't even smell it. No. It doesn't? Really? Let's Matt smell it. Nothing. Really?

No. It's just me. Maybe I got a really sensitive nose. I don't have great tens of smell. Maybe. I don't know. My nostrils aren't burning, but I know I could, I could. It smells spicy.

I know the spice is there. Yeah. The psychology that I have buying spicy. It's interesting because It's not going to kill you Right It's just pain and it's not going to kill you It's not going to kill you it's like it damage you

Right So just it's like a mental test Really? Oh wait It's like sitting with it It's just like just do it Thank you for those words Maybe just turn that

Oh sorry It might to It's like burning Underneath my nail Where I ripped it off here So Oh just one thing Just I learn the hard way

Do not rub your eyes Whatever you do Oh yeah Matt says do not rub your eyes guys. Yeah. Probably a good idea. Okay. Don't even like use napkins.

Sure. All right. Oh yeah, that's odd. Holy shit, that's bad. It's like eating like Tabasco. Yeah. But if someone took it and like ground it up and I don't know if it is it picking up and made it really bad. All right, Matt.

Apparently it gets worse. You're, you're tearing up. Yeah. I don't doubt it. This would be the time to take thumbnails. Yeah. How are we splitting this up? Are we trying to cut it?

I don't care to take a bite after you take it. I'll take it. Wait, you know what? Do you want me to take a bite? Yeah, you go for it. Let me go first because Macy got a bite. That's it? Yes.

What's it? No. Oh. You better rip up its actual piece. Come on, man. I got to eat five of those things, or ten of those things. Yeah. A million skulls.

Let me just try this. I don't do well with it. It's burning my gums, FYI. How bad. You didn't need to say that. Say it in the mic. It's burning my gums. How bad?

Pretty bad. Okay. Come on. Graham. Water makes it worse. Do not do that. I want water so bad right now, but it makes it worse. Do you want to smell well?

No. I've never seen you like this, Graham. Are you okay? Just give it a second. Okay. I'd probably make you get out to be worse that it actually is. I don't want to cop on it. Put it away.

Put it away because I don't want to cop on it. You next or me next? Whatever you want, man. Listen, if I could do it, it's... Why are you clenching your heart, man? Because my esophagus burns. I don't know what to do because they took a little nugget thing, but I feel like I've got to do more than that.

The thing is, is you just get all of the spice with that. You don't get any chicken. Yeah, it feels. It feels really hot, but the hard part for me is it feels the way of mouth has a pulse right now. Sure. But I feel it here. And I'm not sure if it's because I don't have, I feel like I need water. Dang.

I don't think water helps. I don't think it makes it worse. It just doesn't help. You need lactose or alcohol. Do you guys have milk? It seems like maybe that was, no, I mean, that kind of help. It feels better. I feel like alcohol before would also be good, too.

No, I mean, alcohol neutralizes capstation in the same way that lactose does. Well, see, I was going to take a, like a big bite of the burger. That's what I thought we were doing. But now I see that and they're like, they look like they're in disrepair. It's concerning. Yeah. It's, uh... Graham keeps saying, ow.

I don't look like I'm in disrepair. Graham looks like he's in disrepair. I am fine. My nose just won't stop running. But I'm clenching his heart. But it's like, it's like, I feel it my esophagus. I don't know why, like, I feel, maybe there's a part stuck in there. It's, like, right, like, right there.

Yeah, it's just burning your tissue. That's all it is I think it's It's supposed to be like a defense mechanism Plants and stuff They've developed this so people don't eat it And look at us And now we're stuffing it down right now

See you've got me nervous I kind of wish I went first now Because then I at least would have been ignorant Going into it, you know Cut off what you think Okay Look if there's anyone I'm going to do this with I'm glad it's Matt

All right There we go Bacy was getting a good knife Oh You okay, dude, you can't even talk, man. That's fine. Are you going to eat all? Oh.

Sure. You're going to eat all of that? I'll take thought. Well, let me just get mine to a bite that I'm... You see, I feel like you got... You lost a lot of your crust. Yeah, I didn't get as much crust because you got the edge. So nervous, man.

Are you nervous at all on? I'll have a piece, but I want you guys to know that, like, I can barely eat hot Cheetos. So, like, I'll probably be dying. And, uh... But I'm done. I'm done for a little piece. Look how that is. Look, man.

Are we comparing? Are we eating? Oh, oh, look at Matt. I got mine. I got mine. You know what? If, like John said, if I'm going to do something, I'm glad it's with Matt. There we go.

I'm nervous with you guys. I don't know what to expect. I've never had this chicken before. Okay. So, all right. Cheers. I'm human too. Cheers.

I've got a tap. Come on. Cheers. I can feel it in my nostrils. I did not even have water. Jack. I did water immediately. Oh, you're comparing my bite to your bite?

Or are you not? Because if I remember correctly, Macy. That's why I go first, but I got all burning. I didn't get any nice little relief from there. You better hand me that water. It's hot. Dude. I like, so you're trying?

Yeah. It's hot, but it hasn't really hit me yet. It's going to get worse. I feel like. It's that. Stop. Are you okay? Hey, man. I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring you. I did mean to bring you into this, but I didn't mean.

When you cause you pain. Who. I mean, Graham, you're laughing worse. I know that much. Graham's laughing maniacally in the corner over there. They were like shaking because he's laughing too hard. When you're act. Oh, go. Don't. Don't touch your eyes. Don't touch us. Don't touch us. You think this is bad.

Your eyes are softer. Yeah, it's I'll drink that of I would be I would be I'm getting the Yeah The water tastes sweet

Alex So why did you agree to do this? I feel so pepper You know Yeah, reframed Thank you

I need water Mm Mm Mm Is anyone else Yeah Oh thank you Sorry

When there's water I'm at my tongue It doesn't work Maybe I got an ice cube or something. You have ice cubes maybe? I don't know. Oh, my God. Do you mind if I boast this?

It's, uh... My stomach hurts. Yeah. Makes the hottest temperature. Yeah, that's hot. Oh. My stomach hurts, man. Yeah.

My, too. My esophagus is burning. Mm, my stomach is so on fire. This is fun. How bad? This is pretty mad. scale one's ten oh it wasn't that bad what?

I mean I'm I've done some spicy challenges like my lips are burning like I don't know this yeah I think it was a quantity thing if I ate 10 of these yeah it'd be or even like five or even two

like it's hot spicy challenges this is why I avoided them for so long because you feel like it's destroying your body like when I was like I'm like I can't but I don't I would

never do like crazy crazy crazy spicy stuff but uh i could see why they make you sign a waiver yeah yeah because like especially what if you get it in your eyes too like i'm sure like that's even worse for yeah but your eyes are so red mat oh i'm just tired at first at first i thought it was just maybe because i'm done it before and stuff but i think you guys probably actually got some a worse cut i think you got more spice just by the reaction yeah my stomach just hurts Exactly, yeah. Graham's like, but you don't have to. But you should.

I'm not interested to be macho. I was kind of curious. I just like sneeze them up and now my nostrils are burning against them. I might be against 10 of these things. I got to figure out my opponent. That's good. Man, so usually we turn it back to you and we said, do you have any questions for us?

By the way, I noticed you got a mighty fine Prius out there. A man of culture, See. I think's got 200,000 miles on it. Really? We're due for a new car. Yeah, we're waiting to move out to finally get a new car and stuff. What year is it?

Because I used to have a 2006, I think it was a 2006 Toyota Prius. I don't remember the year. I honestly don't. Looks like a 6 to an 8th. It's old. It's been around for a minute. Yeah, no, I mean, we're looking to make the upgrade to Tesla like everybody else is doing. It seems like the way to go.

And I guess, you know, 7.000. Nogast is coming. Yeah. What's been your decision to drive a car that's almost 20 years old, Toyota Prius, 200,000 miles on it?

I was, I was expensive. Because sometimes you go out there and you see like, you know, big YouTubers and you're like, oh, wow, that's a nice car. Sure, sure.

I mean, I've never, like, all my friends and stuff were always more into cars than I was. I was never a huge, huge car person for the most part. But I mean, I guess in principle, for me, it's like,

to mean the transportation, Yeah, get you from one place to other, if anything, the more it costs, the more you got to worry about a ding or, you know, hitting a curb or something. Sorry, I'm not trying to interrupt. Oh, my gosh. Oh my gosh, Alex. That was so funny. Did you see that? Panicking.

Yeah. So, you don't have a passion for cars. just figure why not have a cheap one yeah for i mean for the most part i mean i think um in general i've uh i i'm not big on like uh materialistic stuff i mean like i i definitely appreciate you know like owning having nice things going out for a nice meal yeah buying some polkaum packs for yourself every once in a while yeah you know but yeah there's like special like experience attached with that you're having a dinner out opening some packs with some friends or something or even just like business expense spending something on some content but uh yeah i mean i

that car needs to be upgraded i'm not going to sit here and deny that you know we need to upgrade the car for sure we're going to but um yeah it's it's just i it's still lack of urgency i think for the most part yeah the biggest upgrade i made recently is get a like an espresso or something yeah it's a good purchase it's it's it spoils you and stuff but uh i worry that i'm gonna get have a hard time with pot coffee but yeah coffee coffee you don't have an expensive of taste, you wouldn't say? I don't think so, but I would like to. Oh, what would you buy?

Like, refined taste. Like, I want to figure out, like, the sushi, I want to figure out good steak, whiskey, like, pokey bowls, like, being able to distinguish a good polke bowl from a not-so-good pokebow and be able to, like, make those cog turn and stuff. Yeah. From that standpoint, just, you know, be able to appreciate food on a higher level. I mean, I do already, but just, you know, it's something that interests me for the most part. but I'm flexible, I think, is the best way to say it.

Okay. Cool. And you're building a house right now, though, right? Or you just finished? It's been a nightmare. Yeah? Because the dream was to get, you know, a nice house with a good foundation and a good, like, area with, you know, everything and renovate it to what we need, you know, get a nice new kitchen in there. Because I assume that no matter what house, unless one just lined, the stars aligned, that I would need to rebuild the kitchen anyways, which is pretty expensive, you know, just property.

setup and um it's a little hiccup um yeah so it's been a nightmare i got i purchased the house back in 2020 and permits nightmare it was i got not the right time i purchased it for kind of i know we like numbers and stuff i purchased it for a little under half a mill and now it's like estimated like 800 the neighbor the neighbor neighbor purchase theirs for like the same price just sold it for 1.2. Yeah. And so we got in at the right time. Renovations are way more expensive than I was hoping to be, but I think once the dust

has settled, it's going to be an awesome thing. And in Vegas is cool. That's the one question I had, we briefly talked about it, but, you know, we moved out to Vegas roughly at the same time. Yeah. Just if you had any thoughts, I'll be near for a year. I miss, I got to say, I miss the weather. Sure.

The weather now is kind of comparable. I do miss like that, that feeling of the breezy ocean. Sure. I miss some of the culture. I found that, like, L.A. had a very creative, artsy, very, like, free-thinking sort of vibe to it that I really liked, like, that Venice vibe. And Vegas is a little bit more, I don't know, I don't want to say, like, family, but a little bit more, you know, I don't know, what's the word? I don't know the word.

It's like the opposite thing that people I normally think, but it's kind of true. A little bit more like corporate and structured and, you know, I appreciate that too, but I liked the artsiness of, of, of, of, of, you know. Los Angeles and that like entrepreneurial vibe that's not as much here. It's getting there though. I think more people are bringing that to parts of Vegas, but it's the one part of you miss. But otherwise, I'd like it here a lot. Yeah, I mean, pretty much the same thing. I mean, it's been cool.

It's been a good experience and stuff. And I'm still surprised that they're expanding the strip as fast as they. I got that globe going up over there. You know what? I have to say that everyone in Vegas is very friendly, way friendly than I expected. That's something that my girlfriend noticed, too. She's like, everybody here seems nicer. And the way I articulated that was like, or not articulated, I'm imagined.

It's like a, at least where I was up and in San Jose, everybody was just spending all day just paying the bills. And just that was it. You're just going to work as part of Silicon Valley and stuff. And it feels more free here. Yeah. It feels a lot more free, more liberating. And, you know, having a backyard is nice and all that stuff. Yeah.

Yeah. In L.A. at least, like, we didn't really know our neighbors. And it was one of those things It was like Maybe it's just me But I'd like kind of keep my distance From the neighbors You don't want to

You know you may ever see each other You kind of a little nod or whatever But that's about it It's kind of awkward If you see each other at the same time But here I've I've both gone out of my way To meet the neighbors

Or they've introduced themselves If we're like walking down the street It's very welcoming here Sure So let me see Any other questions How much do you save Let's get into

Let's get into some of the that. Tell us about your philosophies of saving. I guess there's two ways to answer that in some way. I think by default, a lot of times I save up a lot because my cost of production is so minuscule. You know, I go to McDonald's and order the menu. Yeah.

And then I post a video and it gets a million views with a sponsor or something on it. So generally, saving hasn't been something that I've been too calculated about. Generally, it's kind of been, I've always had this philosophy. though that you get what you put in. Like back when I started competitive eating Nathan's hot dogs are like $6 for a five pack. Bar-S is like a dollar for a six-pay.

But I needed to get ready for those hot dogs. So I've always had this mentality of like, you know, you just, you reinvest, you reinvest, and if you're smart about it and you put the work behind it, then you'll get your money back at some point in time. It just makes you work them as harder

because you've got more kind of on the line and stuff. But saving-wise, I try not to save too much. Like from a standpoint of like getting it invested in some part, like my first major investments, it's still more, you know, slowly growing the portfolio is real estate, just getting condominiums in the same building

and that under good property manager. And they've been, it's been good for me. Here in Vegas? Honolulu. Oh, wow. Yeah, Honolulu. I've figured there's multiple reasons for it. But two of the reasons that I thought are kind of interesting

is, well, one, I love it there. You know, it's great. So if it didn't work out, then I got a condo in Honolulu. Yeah. But, you know, it's a vacation market. It's international, too. So it's potentially less volatile compared to, you know, and, you know, people come to Hawaii and, and, yeah, it was a good.

And we visit there a lot, too, because that's where my parents met in Honolulu. So I knew the space, I knew the area and everything. and it worked out. So yeah, I've been doing some real estate investments. Is it Airbnb? No,

through a professional property management company. Got it. And they rent short term or what are the or is it like for a year? It's not crazy long term. One of the benefits

of their company is they actually, outside of vacation travel, they also have, they work with the government at Pearl Harbor people, so people are going in and out of there. So it's been pretty regular.

It's sometimes just that. sometimes vacation, but it's been fortunately very steady from that aspect of thing. So, so yeah, no, I mean, that's, that's been good. I was also going to, that was a question. I was going to ask you how much, like, has, has your real estate situation changed significantly since, you know, taking more of the, you know, the content side of things? Yeah, I've stopped investing in real estate. Stopped investing.

Yeah. Yeah, it's, it's just the, uh, the, the time commitment right now is, I can't handle it. So, like, I got a vacancy and a repair going on. The repair is something, I've just, I've left calls unanswered because I just, I got it. I got a focus on planning. So it's like that falls to the side. It's going to affect the renovation. And then the other, the other one I got a property manager on, but because I'm not, like,

on set, I'm really relying on this guy for everything. And I'm just like, whatever it is, I don't care. Don't even, don't even call to do it. I trust you. Yeah. So I want to get back into it this year, but I want to do it smarter with like a bigger building that could be completely managed where I could be the one just, you know, being the one to pick the deal, but have someone else take care of all the details. That's the only way it's

going to work. Yeah. Yeah, I mean, that was my thought because I didn't want to be in the business of like, like, you know, you did the duplex thing and everything. Like, um, not that it's a bad decision. It's just depends on your lifestyle, where you are at that point. So I didn't, and I mean, I chose Honolulu to you. Like, you know, so, I, you know, so. I had to do something that was hands off and stuff. So that was that thought. From there, a couple years ago, I tried the market. You know, just haven't seen...

Tried the market? What happened? Just jumping in and just... It was... I did all right, you know? It was when the, you know, Corona hit and everything. So the market was pretty low. So I felt like it was an opportunistic time to jump in and stuff.

And it was hard to not... Were you investing prior to then or no? You were just, what, holding cash? Yeah. Really? I just jumped in, yeah. No way. Just, yeah.

Why were you holding cash before then? How long? No, why. Why? Well, the same problem is just like, I mean, it's a problem, you know, but my cost of doing operations is not high. And, you know, you're making the money and stuff. Right. It just accumulates.

And I had previously put that in, like, the real estate and stuff. Didn't want to go too heavy into that without exploring other options. So since then I've I work with financial advisors now and they're managing the money and stuff But for the little period of time I had some fun Got it Where are you invested now? Do you know which funds you're invested in? There I mean I trust the guys I'm working with and I see some of the things that they send over and they're all over the place

Can I can I do you have a statement or something? We did this before who was it that we saw a statement? The only fans girl Oh yeah Stella So let us a statement and we're like you're overpaying on this one What who was it? I forget it was there their fees were a few Yeah, they had a fee and then they invested in a fund with a fee as well or something like that. I forget the name for that. I forget the name for that. I remember hearing something about it. Yes, it was Stella. Yeah. But it was through, I think it was through like a friend or like it was a friend's aunt or someone like that. Sure. But she was putting her in like these very, very, very safe, like overly safe funds, but charging, I think it was like a half percent fee a year. No, it was 100% allocation to one fund. It wasn't like the financial advisor diversified and picked stocks. It was just like everything.

the one fund. Yeah. At that point, why would you need to finance it? Yeah, I was going to say just like

no brain or decision stuff. Yeah. It was all in one fund. But the, but, but they were charging

5% a year just for that one fund. Which, but that fund could also be very easily replicated for free instead of going with, you know,

whatever. Yeah, it was like if somebody charge you do yeah, I mean the numbers, you may not be 100% correct, but it's like it was basically

a high fee for what you're, if you have a statement I can take a look at it. I don't know. I honestly, I didn't bring a statement for it and stuff. I mean, I know I made sure to put a decent amount in so that, you know, that the fee was lower and stuff just to get that perk.

It seems like they've been busy. You know, I catch some of the things that they've invested in and stuff. Some of them are like, why would you do that? You know, it's, it's been interesting to just be part of the market. It's just a little bit and stuff. Do you have any questions for us? No, I just, how are you doing? I guess it's a question.

I'm good. Honestly, the heat has worn off. My stomach hurts a little bit more. Yeah, it's starting to get here a little bit from me too. But overall, man, I'm just so happy that you're here. This has been so, look at this table, man. I feel proud when I look at that table. Feastin.

Yeah, I'm just happy. Oh, man. Well, thank you so much. I really appreciate this. This has been, actually, I believe this is now the longest episode we have ever done. But not only that's the most delicious. We got amazing food. We'll link to your information down below the description with the Pokeyball.

which were fantastic. And Houston, I can't believe you were able to come through in 40 minutes with one of everything from your restaurant. That was a surprise. Also, huge shout it to Houston's hot chicken. If you guys are in Las Vegas, check it out. Just look on the map, Houston's hot chicken. Go in and then say that Graham sent you.

And I'm sure they're going to be very confused. But be like, no, no, no, I just insists. Graham sent me. So Houston's hot chicken, Stony Bowls. Check out Stony Bowls. Launchin soon. Delivery apps everywhere. I like it a lot.

I like to dismiss me. oil was the best and with whatever whatever that is the shrimp ail. The shrimp is, yeah, that's a sleeper. It wouldn't be the type of thing I'd normally order like a pokey or a rice bowl place, but that's... Get that. That was my favorite one. Yeah.

Very good stuff. Thank you so much for coming. I got one more question. Yeah, go for it. Why isn't this called the coffee table? You're out of the room when we're talking about it. We never have decided to call it. Why isn't this called the coffee table?

That's a genius name. Yeah. Actually, because for those that don't see, there's coffee inside of this table. I love craftwork like this. I love wood with that. The rest, it's beautiful. You should look at the bottom of it. It's pretty great.

I'll check it out. Yeah. But we're going to keep you. The coffee table. Yeah. It's in the coffee table. I was like, what? I like it.

Now it's called the coffee table, courtesy of Matt. Yeah. So, thank you guys so much for watching. We'll link to your information down below. Make sure to subscribe. Make sure to also get your free stock down below. It's worth up to $1,000 when you use the good grandma's center for public.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Macy. Until next time. Thanks, Matt. That was awesome. Yeah, no.

Thank you. No, that was fun.