1
00:00:08,969 --> 00:00:10,053
To someone who hasn't had one,
2
00:00:10,053 --> 00:00:12,514
it's like describing
what blue tastes like.
3
00:00:12,514 --> 00:00:13,473
You know what I mean?
4
00:00:13,473 --> 00:00:15,559
It's an eyeopener.
It's like, hot--
5
00:00:15,559 --> 00:00:18,061
There's hot, and then there's something--
It goes somewhere else.
6
00:00:18,061 --> 00:00:19,813
♪ playful music playing ♪
7
00:00:19,813 --> 00:00:22,190
ZACH GOOT: You know,
the first reaction you're gonna have
8
00:00:22,190 --> 00:00:25,026
to doing something spicy
is gonna be nerves,
9
00:00:25,026 --> 00:00:26,861
the butterflies in the stomach.
10
00:00:26,861 --> 00:00:29,489
TROY PRIMEAUX: When they take a hot pepper
and put it in their mouth
11
00:00:29,489 --> 00:00:31,032
and bite down,
12
00:00:31,032 --> 00:00:32,116
there's gonna be a burst
13
00:00:32,116 --> 00:00:33,660
of juice.
14
00:00:33,660 --> 00:00:35,787
JIMMY PICKLES: You start playing
this game in your head
15
00:00:35,787 --> 00:00:38,123
about clock, tick-tock, tick-tock,
16
00:00:38,123 --> 00:00:39,874
how fast is it gonna hit me?
[clock ringing]
17
00:00:39,874 --> 00:00:40,792
Mm.
18
00:00:40,792 --> 00:00:42,127
TROY:
Most people say, "It's hot."
19
00:00:42,127 --> 00:00:42,961
That's hot.
20
00:00:42,961 --> 00:00:45,046
But right away,
it's like, "Not that bad."
21
00:00:45,463 --> 00:00:48,049
You get cocky, we all get cocky.
22
00:00:48,049 --> 00:00:50,176
And then all of a sudden, boom!
23
00:00:51,553 --> 00:00:53,597
Ha-ha,
you're not cocky anymore.
24
00:00:54,556 --> 00:00:57,809
TROY: And it builds
and gets hotter and hotter.
25
00:00:57,809 --> 00:00:59,519
JIMMY:
Now you're going in panic mode.
26
00:00:59,519 --> 00:01:01,479
You don't know
where this is gonna go.
27
00:01:01,479 --> 00:01:03,398
TROY:
You're thinking about that point,
28
00:01:03,398 --> 00:01:04,816
"Maybe I shouldn't do this."
29
00:01:04,816 --> 00:01:06,192
[laughs]
30
00:01:06,192 --> 00:01:08,320
♪ playful music continues ♪
31
00:01:08,320 --> 00:01:11,781
Holy shit! Holy shit! Holy shit!
32
00:01:12,616 --> 00:01:14,284
JOHNNY SCOVILLE:
It'll go into your sinus cavities,
33
00:01:14,284 --> 00:01:15,619
your face gets flushed,
34
00:01:15,619 --> 00:01:16,745
you start getting red.
35
00:01:17,203 --> 00:01:18,997
BOBBY MCFADDEN:
The ear burn is the worst.
36
00:01:18,997 --> 00:01:21,207
Oh, my God, I'm drooling,
37
00:01:21,207 --> 00:01:22,626
stuff coming out my nose.
38
00:01:22,626 --> 00:01:24,836
Some people say their legs go numb.
39
00:01:24,836 --> 00:01:26,296
TROY:
You're incapable of getting
40
00:01:26,296 --> 00:01:28,173
your thoughts together,
they're jumbled,
41
00:01:28,173 --> 00:01:30,383
they're spinning around your head
like ping pong balls.
42
00:01:30,383 --> 00:01:32,469
JIMMY:
It's like a boxing match,
43
00:01:32,469 --> 00:01:33,887
and you're gonna fight that pepper.
44
00:01:33,887 --> 00:01:35,472
Boom, boom, boom, boom, boom.
45
00:01:35,472 --> 00:01:38,183
And it's pure agony
while you're riding this thing.
46
00:01:38,975 --> 00:01:40,727
Oh, my God,
this is the most pain
47
00:01:40,727 --> 00:01:42,020
I've ever felt in my life.
48
00:01:43,563 --> 00:01:46,358
Endorphin dump, too much endorphin dump.
49
00:01:46,816 --> 00:01:49,152
BOBBY: I start to feel like
I'm leaving my body,
50
00:01:49,152 --> 00:01:52,072
and that's just my body sending out drugs
51
00:01:52,072 --> 00:01:53,865
because it thinks it's dying. [laughs]
52
00:01:53,865 --> 00:01:55,325
♪
53
00:01:56,159 --> 00:01:58,787
That's what the chiliheads long for,
54
00:01:58,787 --> 00:02:00,372
that pepper high.
55
00:02:02,582 --> 00:02:04,584
NARRATOR:
Chasing that pepper high
56
00:02:04,584 --> 00:02:07,003
is what being a chilihead is all about,
57
00:02:07,003 --> 00:02:09,506
and it's the fuel that pushes
superhot creators
58
00:02:09,506 --> 00:02:12,676
to grow gnarlier and gnarlier peppers.
59
00:02:12,676 --> 00:02:15,011
BOBBY: I can't believe I get to watch you
eat one of my peppers finally.
60
00:02:16,137 --> 00:02:17,264
Look at that.
61
00:02:18,557 --> 00:02:20,183
Wow, it smells wicket hot.
62
00:02:20,183 --> 00:02:22,269
So pretty.
Alright, here's to your health.
63
00:02:22,269 --> 00:02:23,478
And what's the name of this thing?
64
00:02:23,478 --> 00:02:25,772
Um, I'm calling it the Orange Gusher.
65
00:02:25,772 --> 00:02:27,065
Good name.
[Bobby laughs]
66
00:02:27,607 --> 00:02:29,442
NARRATOR: Pepper grower
Bobby McFadden believes
67
00:02:29,442 --> 00:02:31,987
he's created one
that redefines gnarly.
68
00:02:32,529 --> 00:02:34,573
Alright.
BOBBY: Good luck. [laughs]
69
00:02:36,408 --> 00:02:38,910
NARRATOR: Of course,
that's up to chili kingmaker
70
00:02:38,910 --> 00:02:40,412
Johnny Scoville to decide.
71
00:02:40,412 --> 00:02:41,830
♪
72
00:02:42,330 --> 00:02:43,164
Good?
73
00:02:45,375 --> 00:02:46,334
It's hot.
74
00:02:46,334 --> 00:02:49,045
[laughs] Good.
75
00:02:49,671 --> 00:02:51,965
If you say it's hot,
then I know it's hot.
76
00:02:51,965 --> 00:02:54,718
Him doing that was like
a stamp of approval.
77
00:02:54,718 --> 00:02:58,889
If Johnny eats my peppers
and people see that I grew them,
78
00:02:58,889 --> 00:02:59,890
it works out for me too,
79
00:02:59,890 --> 00:03:02,267
because more people come
to see me and ask for my peppers.
80
00:03:02,267 --> 00:03:04,102
So we all kind of work together.
81
00:03:04,436 --> 00:03:05,896
The taste is really good.
82
00:03:06,730 --> 00:03:07,564
It's got a nice little burn,
83
00:03:07,564 --> 00:03:09,149
the burn on the sides
of my cheek and my mouth
84
00:03:09,149 --> 00:03:10,025
on the tongue.
- Yeah.
85
00:03:10,025 --> 00:03:11,401
- Super flavorful, though.
- That's good.
86
00:03:11,401 --> 00:03:13,570
- Orange Gusher, great name for it.
- Yeah.
87
00:03:13,570 --> 00:03:14,696
It's got potential.
88
00:03:14,696 --> 00:03:16,281
To me, it's one of those peppers
89
00:03:16,281 --> 00:03:18,241
that's right on the cusp
of having the potential
90
00:03:18,241 --> 00:03:21,286
to be a real, like, a threat
to the top pepper,
91
00:03:21,703 --> 00:03:22,829
right on the cusp.
92
00:03:23,330 --> 00:03:26,333
♪ dramatic orchestral music playing ♪
93
00:03:30,795 --> 00:03:36,968
♪
94
00:03:36,968 --> 00:03:39,638
[flames hissing]
95
00:03:41,473 --> 00:03:45,268
[crowd cheering]
96
00:03:45,268 --> 00:03:48,939
♪ suspenseful music playing ♪
97
00:03:48,939 --> 00:03:51,441
NARRATOR:
Every bull rider needs a bull.
98
00:03:52,776 --> 00:03:56,071
And in many ways,
every bull needs a bull rider.
99
00:03:56,071 --> 00:03:57,030
[bull growls]
100
00:03:58,156 --> 00:03:59,532
[gate clatters]
[bell rings]
101
00:03:59,532 --> 00:04:00,659
[crowd cheering]
102
00:04:00,659 --> 00:04:02,244
NARRATOR:
One tries to hold on.
103
00:04:03,245 --> 00:04:04,496
The other tries to buck.
104
00:04:05,580 --> 00:04:07,332
Both are out to best the other.
105
00:04:07,916 --> 00:04:09,376
In the world of peppers,
106
00:04:09,376 --> 00:04:13,046
the bulls are superhots,
created by top growers,
107
00:04:13,046 --> 00:04:15,257
and the bull riders, well,
108
00:04:15,257 --> 00:04:16,925
they're another breed of chilihead,
109
00:04:17,217 --> 00:04:18,969
the competitive eaters.
110
00:04:18,969 --> 00:04:20,178
♪
111
00:04:20,178 --> 00:04:23,390
Bein' a pepper eater
is kinda like riding a bull.
112
00:04:23,390 --> 00:04:25,392
You're gettin' ready
for the ride of your life.
113
00:04:25,976 --> 00:04:28,562
Same exact thing, gettin' on a stage,
114
00:04:28,562 --> 00:04:30,897
you're about to eat peppers,
you need to tighten up that rope.
115
00:04:31,731 --> 00:04:34,276
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
[crowd cheering]
116
00:04:34,276 --> 00:04:35,110
[bull rider grunts]
117
00:04:39,573 --> 00:04:41,783
NARRATOR:
This weekend in Dallas, Texas,
118
00:04:42,909 --> 00:04:46,705
those chili eaters are in
for the ride of their lives,
119
00:04:48,623 --> 00:04:51,334
as the pepper world descends
on an annual convention
120
00:04:51,334 --> 00:04:53,003
known as Zest Fest.
121
00:04:53,003 --> 00:04:55,005
ANNOUNCER [over speakers]:
The League of Fire,
122
00:04:55,005 --> 00:04:57,883
chili championships began in the South.
123
00:04:57,883 --> 00:05:00,427
So much more,
welcome to Zest Fest.
124
00:05:00,427 --> 00:05:02,512
NARRATOR:
Zest Fest is a three-day event,
125
00:05:02,512 --> 00:05:04,973
celebrating all things spicy,
126
00:05:04,973 --> 00:05:07,517
and this chilipalooza is capped off
127
00:05:07,517 --> 00:05:11,479
by the largest chili eating competition
on the continent.
128
00:05:11,855 --> 00:05:14,190
It's tasty and it's zesty.
129
00:05:14,190 --> 00:05:16,902
[crowd chattering]
♪ playful music plays ♪
130
00:05:32,500 --> 00:05:34,669
NARRATOR:
The official competitive eating circuit,
131
00:05:34,669 --> 00:05:36,630
known as The League of Fire,
132
00:05:36,630 --> 00:05:39,883
will kick off the North American
Chili Eating Championship
133
00:05:39,883 --> 00:05:42,093
in less than an hour.
134
00:05:42,093 --> 00:05:44,471
The league has hand selected
these contestants
135
00:05:44,471 --> 00:05:48,308
based on past performance,
the best of the best.
136
00:05:48,308 --> 00:05:51,645
And among the elite is
former champion Mike Jack,
137
00:05:51,645 --> 00:05:54,147
dressed, as always, for the occasion.
138
00:05:57,400 --> 00:05:58,735
Yeah, I get ya, I get it.
139
00:05:59,903 --> 00:06:03,490
♪ playful music continues ♪
140
00:06:03,490 --> 00:06:05,992
NARRATOR:
This unlikely Canadian hero
141
00:06:05,992 --> 00:06:09,496
is considered by many
as the favorite to win back the belt.
142
00:06:09,955 --> 00:06:12,457
So my very first superhot pepper
143
00:06:12,457 --> 00:06:14,584
was a dried Carolina Reaper.
144
00:06:14,584 --> 00:06:16,962
I handled it a lot better
than I thought, and I was like,
145
00:06:16,962 --> 00:06:19,339
"Oh, like,
maybe I can eat three of 'em."
146
00:06:19,881 --> 00:06:22,759
I set up, like, a charity event
at a local pub.
147
00:06:22,759 --> 00:06:25,887
[crowd cheering]
148
00:06:25,887 --> 00:06:29,683
I set up another event, and I broke
my first, uh, Guinness record,
149
00:06:29,683 --> 00:06:32,310
like fastest time to eat
three ghost peppers.
150
00:06:32,686 --> 00:06:36,231
[crowd cheers, applauds]
OFFICIAL: 9.75.
151
00:06:36,231 --> 00:06:38,567
Kept trying more and more records,
breaking more and more.
152
00:06:38,567 --> 00:06:40,151
ANNOUNCER: That's it.
[crowd cheering]
153
00:06:40,151 --> 00:06:43,238
Started doing competitions and winning
154
00:06:43,238 --> 00:06:45,782
and stuff like that,
so yeah, it just kinda escalated.
155
00:06:47,659 --> 00:06:48,660
NARRATOR:
While Mike Jack is looking
156
00:06:48,660 --> 00:06:51,621
to, once again, reach the summit
of the chili eating world,
157
00:06:52,455 --> 00:06:57,168
rival competitor Zach Goot
is hoping to shock everyone.
158
00:06:58,003 --> 00:06:58,920
How's everybody doing?
159
00:06:59,671 --> 00:07:00,755
[bell dings]
160
00:07:01,882 --> 00:07:05,010
I never ever wanted,
161
00:07:05,010 --> 00:07:06,469
wanted to go through my life
162
00:07:06,469 --> 00:07:08,763
as a little blip on the radar
in this universe.
163
00:07:08,763 --> 00:07:10,307
I want people to know me.
164
00:07:10,307 --> 00:07:13,018
I want people to see
these things that I can do.
165
00:07:13,018 --> 00:07:15,186
Everything I do, zero to 100,
166
00:07:15,186 --> 00:07:18,565
zero to 100, go hard or go home.
167
00:07:19,274 --> 00:07:20,650
Straight nerves right now.
168
00:07:21,735 --> 00:07:23,653
Let's go. Let's go.
169
00:07:25,447 --> 00:07:26,323
Let's go.
170
00:07:27,032 --> 00:07:27,949
Ha!
171
00:07:29,492 --> 00:07:31,036
NARRATOR:
Zach is a fire brand
172
00:07:31,036 --> 00:07:33,246
well known on
the competitive eating circuit
173
00:07:33,246 --> 00:07:36,291
as a pepper-obsessed underdog.
174
00:07:36,291 --> 00:07:38,168
Today, he's dreaming of an upset
175
00:07:38,168 --> 00:07:40,212
and looking to ruin Mike Jack's day.
176
00:07:40,837 --> 00:07:43,048
[crowd cheering]
177
00:07:43,048 --> 00:07:46,218
This is such an honor
for me to be here today,
178
00:07:46,218 --> 00:07:48,970
hosting this event and to take part
179
00:07:48,970 --> 00:07:52,224
in The League of Fire
America's title belt match.
180
00:07:52,224 --> 00:07:54,059
CONTESTANT 1: Yeah!
- Who's gonna eat a lot of peppers?
181
00:07:54,059 --> 00:07:55,352
CONTESTANT 2: We are!
- Who's gonna win?
182
00:07:55,936 --> 00:07:56,937
CONTESTANT 1:
We are.
183
00:07:58,230 --> 00:08:00,523
ANNOUNCER: Alright, everybody,
are you ready for this?
184
00:08:00,523 --> 00:08:02,692
[crowd cheering]
185
00:08:02,692 --> 00:08:04,361
ZACH:
Get hyped up, dude. [clapping]
186
00:08:04,361 --> 00:08:05,320
Let's go!
187
00:08:05,987 --> 00:08:06,988
Let's go!
188
00:08:07,405 --> 00:08:10,909
Get in the zone,
start getting your body loose,
189
00:08:10,909 --> 00:08:13,411
start feeling the vibes around you.
190
00:08:13,411 --> 00:08:15,538
SHAHINA WASEEM [on microphone]:
Alright, contestant number 10
191
00:08:15,538 --> 00:08:18,500
is here all the way from Canada.
192
00:08:18,500 --> 00:08:21,086
I'd like to welcome Mike Jack
onto the stage.
193
00:08:21,086 --> 00:08:21,920
[crowd cheers]
194
00:08:21,920 --> 00:08:25,048
Don't think
about nothin' else but you,
195
00:08:25,048 --> 00:08:27,884
that stage, and those peppers.
196
00:08:27,884 --> 00:08:29,010
SHAHINA:
Brandon,
197
00:08:29,010 --> 00:08:33,014
Tanny Boyd Collins from Colorado.
198
00:08:33,014 --> 00:08:33,974
[crowd cheering]
199
00:08:33,974 --> 00:08:35,475
And this is the biggest thought,
200
00:08:35,475 --> 00:08:38,603
through every person on that stage's head,
201
00:08:38,603 --> 00:08:41,606
the biggest thought
that they're gonna have
202
00:08:41,606 --> 00:08:45,193
is "I cannot be out first."
203
00:08:45,193 --> 00:08:46,736
SHAHINA:
Contestant number nine
204
00:08:46,736 --> 00:08:49,990
is a guy I hold very close
to my heart,
205
00:08:49,990 --> 00:08:51,866
Zachary Goot.
206
00:08:51,866 --> 00:08:54,077
[audience cheers, applauds]
207
00:08:55,537 --> 00:08:57,414
Let's go, Zest Fest!
208
00:08:59,416 --> 00:09:02,252
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
209
00:09:02,252 --> 00:09:06,047
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
Okay, let's get this show on the road.
210
00:09:06,673 --> 00:09:09,676
[audience cheering, applauding]
211
00:09:09,676 --> 00:09:12,012
This is it, this is the moment.
212
00:09:12,554 --> 00:09:13,471
Ah!
213
00:09:13,471 --> 00:09:16,016
NARRATOR:
All eyes in the chili world
214
00:09:16,016 --> 00:09:19,352
are focused on the main stage
at Zest Fest,
215
00:09:19,352 --> 00:09:21,938
as the biggest competitive
chili eaters in North America
216
00:09:21,938 --> 00:09:25,150
prepare to binge
the hottest peppers on Earth.
217
00:09:25,901 --> 00:09:28,862
Has everyone got the peppers
in front of them?
218
00:09:28,862 --> 00:09:30,447
Can you please hold them up?
219
00:09:31,740 --> 00:09:34,200
NARRATOR: In case this is,
in fact, your first rodeo,
220
00:09:34,200 --> 00:09:36,703
♪ gentle twinkling music plays ♪
221
00:09:38,246 --> 00:09:40,540
Here's veteran chili eater Mike Jack,
222
00:09:40,540 --> 00:09:44,377
to explain the basic rules
of League of Fire events like this one.
223
00:09:47,797 --> 00:09:52,010
Wayne Gretzky,
Michael Jordan, Tom Brady,
224
00:09:52,010 --> 00:09:54,137
these are the greatest of all time.
225
00:09:54,721 --> 00:09:56,389
In the world of chili eating,
226
00:09:56,389 --> 00:09:59,351
you don't have to be strong
or tall to be great.
227
00:09:59,976 --> 00:10:03,521
As long as you finish
the entire pepper each round
228
00:10:03,521 --> 00:10:07,525
without throwing up or going
for the milk, you advance.
229
00:10:07,525 --> 00:10:10,111
The final round is about speed,
230
00:10:10,111 --> 00:10:11,613
and that's my specialty.
231
00:10:12,239 --> 00:10:15,533
If you're the last one standing, you win.
232
00:10:15,533 --> 00:10:20,205
Win enough and you add your name
to the list of legends.
233
00:10:21,206 --> 00:10:26,211
Wayne Gretzky, Tom Brady, Mike Jack.
234
00:10:26,211 --> 00:10:27,754
I like the sound of that.
235
00:10:28,588 --> 00:10:32,175
♪ gentle cheerful music plays ♪
236
00:10:32,175 --> 00:10:33,176
[exhales]
237
00:10:33,677 --> 00:10:37,013
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
238
00:10:37,013 --> 00:10:38,098
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
One, two, three!
239
00:10:38,098 --> 00:10:40,725
ALL:
Eat that chili!
240
00:10:40,725 --> 00:10:45,522
♪ playful energetic music playing ♪
[crowd cheering]
241
00:10:45,522 --> 00:10:47,524
NARRATOR: Now why do
pepper-crazed maniacs like these
242
00:10:47,524 --> 00:10:50,026
subject themselves
to this unique brand of torture?
243
00:10:51,236 --> 00:10:54,781
Well, each traveled their own road
to reach this moment,
244
00:10:54,781 --> 00:10:56,449
and for their own reasons.
245
00:10:56,449 --> 00:10:58,868
Let's take a moment to step back
246
00:10:58,868 --> 00:11:02,706
and step inside the mind
of the competitive chili eater.
247
00:11:03,248 --> 00:11:07,419
♪ dramatic music plays ♪
248
00:11:07,419 --> 00:11:10,881
JAIME:
Swallow it! Go, go, go, go, go.
249
00:11:10,881 --> 00:11:12,924
Go. Go. Chew, chew, swallow.
250
00:11:12,924 --> 00:11:13,884
[Mike crunching]
251
00:11:13,884 --> 00:11:14,968
Chew, chew, swallow.
252
00:11:14,968 --> 00:11:15,927
Swallow it, head back.
253
00:11:15,927 --> 00:11:18,430
Go, go, go! Swallow it.
254
00:11:22,225 --> 00:11:24,227
- How'd I do, Coach?
- Fifty-one seconds.
255
00:11:25,145 --> 00:11:26,855
NARRATOR:
Zest Fest favorite Mike Jack,
256
00:11:26,855 --> 00:11:29,065
was once the champion of North America,
257
00:11:29,691 --> 00:11:32,485
but he was recently forced
to vacate his title
258
00:11:32,485 --> 00:11:36,031
when a family trip kept him
out of the last main event.
259
00:11:36,740 --> 00:11:38,867
Since then, he's been counting the moments
260
00:11:38,867 --> 00:11:41,077
until his shot to reclaim the belt.
261
00:11:41,745 --> 00:11:43,914
The first belt match I did, um,
262
00:11:43,914 --> 00:11:47,751
the first time I won, uh,
The League of Fire, America's belt,
263
00:11:47,751 --> 00:11:49,794
was in a competition in Ottawa.
264
00:11:49,794 --> 00:11:52,839
And after doing that, I think
that's where people were like,
265
00:11:52,839 --> 00:11:55,926
"Oh, like, you know,
Mike Jack is, like, for real."
266
00:11:57,677 --> 00:12:00,931
NARRATOR: People have indeed noticed
Mike Jack is for real.
267
00:12:01,765 --> 00:12:03,516
Over the past few years, he's ascended
268
00:12:03,516 --> 00:12:06,728
to the very pinnacle
of the chili eating world,
269
00:12:06,728 --> 00:12:08,897
and his wife and trainer, Jaime,
270
00:12:08,897 --> 00:12:10,357
is intent to get him back there.
271
00:12:10,357 --> 00:12:11,524
[hands swishing]
272
00:12:11,524 --> 00:12:14,778
Just get myself...
warmed up here.
273
00:12:14,778 --> 00:12:17,447
NARRATOR: She's putting Mike
through an extra intense regimen
274
00:12:17,447 --> 00:12:19,574
before the Zest Fest belt match.
275
00:12:19,574 --> 00:12:21,243
[slapping]
276
00:12:21,243 --> 00:12:22,619
[hollers] Woo!
277
00:12:22,619 --> 00:12:24,329
One, two, three, go!
278
00:12:24,913 --> 00:12:28,500
Go, go, go, go, go.
Swallow! Go, go. Swallow.
279
00:12:28,500 --> 00:12:32,629
Like, obviously, you can't be
speed-eating peppers alone.
280
00:12:32,629 --> 00:12:33,713
That's, like, super dangerous.
281
00:12:33,713 --> 00:12:35,215
So we kinda developed
this thing where, like,
282
00:12:35,215 --> 00:12:38,134
I would be his coach.
Going. Go, go, go.
283
00:12:38,134 --> 00:12:39,803
Chew, chew, swallow. Swallow.
284
00:12:39,803 --> 00:12:41,429
I'm picking up on things
285
00:12:41,429 --> 00:12:43,139
that a lot of people don't understand.
286
00:12:43,139 --> 00:12:45,934
Is he sweating? Does he have boogers
coming out?
287
00:12:45,934 --> 00:12:47,477
Like, that's the stuff where I'm like,
288
00:12:47,477 --> 00:12:51,064
"Okay, now he needs
to, like, be, like, coached."
289
00:12:51,648 --> 00:12:52,607
Swallow it.
290
00:12:53,316 --> 00:12:54,150
Fifty-five.
291
00:12:55,193 --> 00:12:56,486
[Mike exhales sharply, groans]
292
00:12:57,737 --> 00:12:59,698
[sighs]
I could have done better, but--
293
00:13:01,116 --> 00:13:02,158
I don't know.
- They were big.
294
00:13:02,158 --> 00:13:04,661
That was good, you didn't, um,
choke or anything.
295
00:13:04,661 --> 00:13:06,204
- Yeah.
- So that's good.
296
00:13:06,204 --> 00:13:10,125
Right now, the thing
that I would like the most
297
00:13:10,125 --> 00:13:13,336
is to win in the League of Fire.
298
00:13:13,336 --> 00:13:15,839
You know, that would push me
to the next level.
299
00:13:15,839 --> 00:13:17,048
I'm not sure how-- [laughs]
300
00:13:17,048 --> 00:13:19,843
I'm not sure how this is gonna
turn out for me later. [laughs]
301
00:13:19,843 --> 00:13:21,553
Do you need to eat a sandwich or...?
302
00:13:22,762 --> 00:13:26,266
Um... yeah, maybe,
maybe I should.
303
00:13:26,266 --> 00:13:28,059
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
304
00:13:28,059 --> 00:13:30,103
NARRATOR: All competitive chili eaters
find their way
305
00:13:30,103 --> 00:13:32,314
to this unusual sport
for their own reasons.
306
00:13:32,314 --> 00:13:33,148
Ooh.
307
00:13:33,148 --> 00:13:36,067
NARRATOR: Some simply discover
a talent for consuming heat
308
00:13:36,067 --> 00:13:40,030
while others gravitate
to peppers to fill a need.
309
00:13:40,030 --> 00:13:42,198
It turns out many current pepper addicts
310
00:13:42,198 --> 00:13:45,076
were once addicted
to far more dangerous substances.
311
00:13:46,286 --> 00:13:49,706
There's a direct connection
between the chemical high they used to see
312
00:13:51,207 --> 00:13:53,543
and the natural sensation peppers provide.
313
00:13:54,628 --> 00:13:59,674
I know 10,000
former junkies, drug addicts,
314
00:13:59,674 --> 00:14:03,970
alcoholics, meth heads
that are straight-edge,
315
00:14:03,970 --> 00:14:05,597
straight as an arrow
and live for peppers now.
316
00:14:05,597 --> 00:14:08,934
Well, you know, I had
my addictions, you know, pills,
317
00:14:08,934 --> 00:14:11,019
drinking, other drugs.
318
00:14:11,019 --> 00:14:13,855
I was addicted to methamphetamines.
319
00:14:14,564 --> 00:14:15,941
I was using needles.
320
00:14:16,483 --> 00:14:17,901
I was smokin' it, snortin' it,
321
00:14:17,901 --> 00:14:19,903
hangin' out with
the worst people in the world.
322
00:14:21,071 --> 00:14:23,823
You know, I've done all the drugs
there is, I just have.
323
00:14:24,532 --> 00:14:26,993
When you get a really good,
strong endorphin rush from peppers,
324
00:14:26,993 --> 00:14:29,746
it's like shoving a plunger down
on an opiate hit.
325
00:14:29,746 --> 00:14:33,458
I know there's some correlation
between sobriety and capsaicin.
326
00:14:34,000 --> 00:14:35,418
[pepper crunches]
327
00:14:35,418 --> 00:14:38,338
You know, you got signals
shootin' in your brain
328
00:14:38,338 --> 00:14:42,300
that probably have never shot before,
and you feel it.
329
00:14:42,300 --> 00:14:47,556
It's a physical, actual high
of your endorphins
330
00:14:47,556 --> 00:14:50,225
just rushing to not feel that pain.
331
00:14:50,225 --> 00:14:51,059
[pepper crunching]
332
00:14:52,936 --> 00:14:56,606
Once I realized and figured
that out, it was over.
333
00:14:56,606 --> 00:14:58,316
I, I didn't have to touch
a drug again.
334
00:14:58,316 --> 00:15:01,403
I just needed to do somethin' spicy
to get my fix.
335
00:15:03,154 --> 00:15:05,115
NARRATOR:
Chasing that spicy fix
336
00:15:05,115 --> 00:15:07,784
is the road that led underdog Zach Goot
337
00:15:07,784 --> 00:15:09,661
to the Zest Fest stage.
338
00:15:09,661 --> 00:15:12,622
He has never won a major competition,
339
00:15:12,622 --> 00:15:15,333
but that hasn't stopped him.
340
00:15:15,333 --> 00:15:17,544
As with all things Zach does,
341
00:15:17,544 --> 00:15:21,298
he's turned it up to 11
and snapped off the dial.
342
00:15:21,298 --> 00:15:23,925
♪ rock music playing ♪
343
00:15:23,925 --> 00:15:26,177
Hello, everybody!
344
00:15:26,678 --> 00:15:29,723
Well, this is my studio.
345
00:15:31,099 --> 00:15:34,978
When I first started with the spicy stuff,
346
00:15:34,978 --> 00:15:36,730
straight out of boredom.
347
00:15:36,730 --> 00:15:39,900
I got a bunch of tinct, bro,
bunch of hot sauces,
348
00:15:39,900 --> 00:15:42,360
everything hot, League of Fire challenges.
349
00:15:42,360 --> 00:15:43,778
This is what I'm lookin' for.
350
00:15:43,778 --> 00:15:45,238
Yeah, those are all my tinctures.
351
00:15:45,238 --> 00:15:46,531
Beginning of COVID,
352
00:15:46,531 --> 00:15:48,408
I was so bored.
353
00:15:48,408 --> 00:15:50,410
I got laid off,
and I didn't have a job,
354
00:15:50,410 --> 00:15:53,997
and I came across
spicy content,
355
00:15:53,997 --> 00:15:55,373
and it thrilled me
356
00:15:55,999 --> 00:15:58,585
to see the people freakin' out
and jumpin' around
357
00:15:58,585 --> 00:16:00,754
and, "Oh, this is spicy,"
and sweatin' and throwin' up.
358
00:16:00,754 --> 00:16:04,049
And then I ordered a Death Nut,
tried out the Death Nut,
359
00:16:04,049 --> 00:16:07,052
and I was addicted since that day.
360
00:16:07,052 --> 00:16:08,803
Most people, when they take tincture,
361
00:16:08,803 --> 00:16:10,222
they'll come in
and grab a little bit of it
362
00:16:10,222 --> 00:16:11,681
and take a drop or two.
363
00:16:11,681 --> 00:16:13,266
But that's not what we do.
- Yeah.
364
00:16:13,266 --> 00:16:15,143
So what you do is
you tip it upside down,
365
00:16:15,143 --> 00:16:18,063
you squeeze it, you bring it back.
[Brandon Collins coughs]
366
00:16:18,063 --> 00:16:20,690
And you let it go and it starts
suckin' it all the way up.
367
00:16:20,690 --> 00:16:22,108
- Oh, yeah.
- Do it again.
368
00:16:22,108 --> 00:16:23,610
Take it down, let it go...
- I'm ready.
369
00:16:23,610 --> 00:16:25,946
...and you'll know it's filled
when you do that, it's full.
370
00:16:28,031 --> 00:16:29,616
Cheers, brother.
ZACH: Cheers, bro.
371
00:16:30,033 --> 00:16:32,369
♪ dramatic music plays ♪
[both swallowing]
372
00:16:32,369 --> 00:16:34,454
NARRATOR:
Full droppers of spicy tincture
373
00:16:34,454 --> 00:16:35,497
were just the beginning.
374
00:16:35,497 --> 00:16:36,581
BRANDON:
Woo!
375
00:16:36,998 --> 00:16:38,208
Ooh.
376
00:16:38,208 --> 00:16:39,459
[Zach gags]
[Brandon laughs]
377
00:16:39,459 --> 00:16:42,212
NARRATOR: It wasn't long
before Zach's chilihead obsession
378
00:16:42,212 --> 00:16:43,380
completely took over.
379
00:16:44,256 --> 00:16:45,507
Hello, everybody,
380
00:16:46,091 --> 00:16:48,260
welcome to The Texas Hot Spot.
381
00:16:50,387 --> 00:16:54,015
NARRATOR: He created an alter ego,
called The Texas Hot Spot.
382
00:16:54,724 --> 00:16:58,979
This is the eight-lobe
7 Pot Brain Strain pepper.
383
00:16:58,979 --> 00:17:01,189
NARRATOR:
And started creating online content
384
00:17:01,189 --> 00:17:02,857
to chronicle his exploits.
385
00:17:02,857 --> 00:17:05,235
[coughs] Wow.
386
00:17:05,235 --> 00:17:07,529
NARRATOR:
As The Texas Hot Spot gained steam,
387
00:17:07,529 --> 00:17:10,365
Zach's addiction expanded
beyond just peppers.
388
00:17:10,365 --> 00:17:14,119
If you could go to
the bottom of this pa-- uh, video
389
00:17:14,119 --> 00:17:16,329
and click subscribe to become part
390
00:17:16,329 --> 00:17:18,748
of the growing family
at The Texas Hot Spot--
391
00:17:19,457 --> 00:17:22,961
NARRATOR: Turns out,
you can be addicted to attention too.
392
00:17:22,961 --> 00:17:27,007
I slowly started to get subscribers,
fans, viewers.
393
00:17:27,007 --> 00:17:29,968
The views created serotonin in my head.
394
00:17:30,552 --> 00:17:31,678
[pepper crunching]
395
00:17:32,137 --> 00:17:34,222
And it made me feel loved and wanted.
396
00:17:34,222 --> 00:17:35,974
[crunching]
397
00:17:35,974 --> 00:17:38,727
That's what really
addicted me to keep goin'.
398
00:17:38,727 --> 00:17:40,854
Four. [crunching]
399
00:17:40,854 --> 00:17:41,688
Number five.
400
00:17:41,688 --> 00:17:45,358
It's almost like using
a drug, but not.
401
00:17:45,358 --> 00:17:46,484
You know, drugs will kill ya.
402
00:17:46,484 --> 00:17:48,653
[notifications pinging]
403
00:17:48,653 --> 00:17:51,656
But, man, you give me
a thousand views on a video,
404
00:17:51,656 --> 00:17:53,909
you might as well have
given me a hit of crack.
405
00:17:53,909 --> 00:17:55,201
Woo, that one was good.
406
00:17:55,201 --> 00:17:56,745
BRANDON:
You've got some good stuff here, bud.
407
00:17:57,412 --> 00:17:59,664
ZACH: We're gonna definitely eat more
before the competition.
408
00:17:59,664 --> 00:18:00,749
Yeah, right?
[coughs]
409
00:18:01,082 --> 00:18:03,960
NARRATOR: Zach's twin addictions
to heat and online fame
410
00:18:03,960 --> 00:18:07,005
paved a road to
the brightest spotlight he could find,
411
00:18:07,005 --> 00:18:09,341
the world of competitive chili eating.
412
00:18:10,091 --> 00:18:12,719
ZACH: When they do the
"One, two, three! Chomp them chilies,"
413
00:18:12,719 --> 00:18:14,554
and that crowd starts yellin',
414
00:18:16,056 --> 00:18:18,808
it's-- it's a--
it's a complete euphoric feeling.
415
00:18:18,808 --> 00:18:20,602
You're, you're in it.
You're in the moment.
416
00:18:21,394 --> 00:18:23,438
NARRATOR:
And now, this weekend at Zest Fest,
417
00:18:23,438 --> 00:18:25,690
this underdog is gunning for Mike Jack
418
00:18:25,690 --> 00:18:28,902
and anyone else who dares
to turbo scarf superhots.
419
00:18:29,736 --> 00:18:30,946
Mike Jack is the--
420
00:18:32,239 --> 00:18:35,992
he's the epitome
of a pepper eating competition.
421
00:18:35,992 --> 00:18:37,911
Not only can he handle the spice,
422
00:18:37,911 --> 00:18:39,621
not only can he handle the taste,
423
00:18:40,372 --> 00:18:42,707
but he can eat those peppers fast, boy.
424
00:18:43,250 --> 00:18:46,920
When the time comes,
this challenge is not goin' down lightly.
425
00:18:50,131 --> 00:18:52,509
♪ dramatic upbeat music playing ♪
426
00:18:52,509 --> 00:18:55,262
NARRATOR: Some people need
a pep talk before a big moment.
427
00:18:55,929 --> 00:18:57,681
Others meditate.
428
00:18:57,681 --> 00:18:59,307
Not Zach Goot.
429
00:18:59,307 --> 00:19:01,268
He has his own ritual
to get ready
430
00:19:01,268 --> 00:19:04,271
before he steps on to
the big stage at Zest Fest.
431
00:19:05,647 --> 00:19:09,442
ZACH: So the hair is the biggest tell
when you know it's me.
432
00:19:09,442 --> 00:19:11,403
The Texas Hot Spot is a character,
433
00:19:11,987 --> 00:19:14,322
whether the-- whether you like to,
uh, admit it or not.
434
00:19:14,322 --> 00:19:17,200
It's, it's a character,
it's an act I put on
435
00:19:17,200 --> 00:19:18,493
when I go live.
436
00:19:18,493 --> 00:19:19,744
Gettin' out of the Army,
437
00:19:21,162 --> 00:19:22,956
I was set in my ways,
438
00:19:23,540 --> 00:19:25,458
and they did it,
they brainwashed me.
439
00:19:25,458 --> 00:19:26,543
Keep your hair high and tight.
440
00:19:27,544 --> 00:19:30,171
Keep your face shaved, always.
441
00:19:31,006 --> 00:19:32,632
And when I got out of the military,
442
00:19:32,632 --> 00:19:35,176
I forgot that nobody was telling me that.
443
00:19:35,886 --> 00:19:39,347
For years, I was so set
in that way, and then I met Anna.
444
00:19:40,348 --> 00:19:42,767
And Anna's a hairdresser.
445
00:19:43,977 --> 00:19:48,481
And she opened my eyes
to be how you wanna be.
446
00:19:48,481 --> 00:19:50,817
And I realized the very first time
447
00:19:50,817 --> 00:19:52,235
I dyed my hair, I was hooked.
448
00:19:52,235 --> 00:19:53,778
It's intimidation too, really.
449
00:19:53,778 --> 00:19:57,282
It's a-- maybe somethin'
for the com-- the opponent to just,
450
00:19:57,282 --> 00:19:59,075
you know, be distracted by
when I'm on stage,
451
00:19:59,075 --> 00:20:01,119
eating peppers, you know,
"Look at my flaming hair."
452
00:20:01,119 --> 00:20:03,955
- Yeah, you are--
- You have no chance in Hell against me.
453
00:20:04,706 --> 00:20:09,044
NARRATOR: With a new fire-red do,
Zach's lookin' spicy.
454
00:20:09,044 --> 00:20:12,881
He's primed to binge heat
at The League of Fire belt match,
455
00:20:12,881 --> 00:20:14,633
and he's pinning a lot to the outcome.
456
00:20:15,675 --> 00:20:18,678
Me personally, my whole life
has been a challenge,
457
00:20:18,678 --> 00:20:20,013
and I'm still in it,
458
00:20:20,013 --> 00:20:21,932
and I'm still pushing
towards the end of it.
459
00:20:22,641 --> 00:20:24,267
Will I win? I don't know, we'll see.
460
00:20:24,267 --> 00:20:26,019
We'll come out on top when the times comes
461
00:20:26,019 --> 00:20:28,021
to see if I won this challenge or not.
462
00:20:28,021 --> 00:20:30,232
I'll tell you right now,
I'm kicking its ass.
463
00:20:31,066 --> 00:20:32,692
Thank you so much.
- You're welcome.
464
00:20:32,692 --> 00:20:34,027
I can't wait.
465
00:20:34,027 --> 00:20:35,570
It's gonna help me win, I promise you.
466
00:20:36,112 --> 00:20:37,989
ANNA GOOT: I hope so.
ZACH: We are gonna get this done.
467
00:20:37,989 --> 00:20:40,075
[birds chirping, squawking]
468
00:20:41,201 --> 00:20:43,536
NARRATOR: Zach is ready
to kick ass at Zest Fest,
469
00:20:43,536 --> 00:20:46,081
but that's easier said than done.
470
00:20:46,081 --> 00:20:47,624
He and the rest of the bull riders
471
00:20:47,624 --> 00:20:50,544
will be facing a nasty bull,
472
00:20:50,544 --> 00:20:53,338
one of the most brutal
superhots on Earth,
473
00:20:53,338 --> 00:20:54,756
grown by a pepper legend
474
00:20:54,756 --> 00:20:57,717
right here on the back bayous
of Louisiana.
475
00:20:57,717 --> 00:20:58,885
- Look at that. Hey, Troy.
- What?
476
00:20:58,885 --> 00:21:00,637
Look at that woodpecker
up in the tree.
477
00:21:01,179 --> 00:21:02,764
Redheaded woodpecker
TROY: Yeah, redheaded woodpecker.
478
00:21:04,140 --> 00:21:06,726
That's my mascot, man. [chuckles]
479
00:21:06,726 --> 00:21:09,104
Primeaux's peppers,
hotter than the Devil's pecker.
480
00:21:09,104 --> 00:21:11,022
That must be the Devil's pecker
up there, man.
481
00:21:12,566 --> 00:21:14,859
NARRATOR: This easy-going guy
is considered by many
482
00:21:14,859 --> 00:21:16,903
to be the king of heat.
483
00:21:16,903 --> 00:21:18,572
It's the reason
his peppers will be featured
484
00:21:18,572 --> 00:21:21,741
at the Zest Fest
North American championship bout.
485
00:21:22,659 --> 00:21:25,912
His name is Troy Primeaux.
486
00:21:25,912 --> 00:21:27,789
♪ dramatic music plays ♪
487
00:21:27,789 --> 00:21:28,873
INTERVIEWER:
So are you all good?
488
00:21:31,209 --> 00:21:33,044
TROY:
Check, one, two. [chuckles]
489
00:21:33,044 --> 00:21:34,045
INTERVIEWER:
Yeah, I think we're good.
490
00:21:34,588 --> 00:21:36,047
Alrighty.
491
00:21:36,047 --> 00:21:37,632
So--
- Alright-- [shushes]
492
00:21:44,139 --> 00:21:46,516
A guy painted this back
in the day, you know.
493
00:21:46,516 --> 00:21:49,227
This was during th-the music days,
the rock and roll daze,
494
00:21:49,227 --> 00:21:51,605
D-A-Z-E.
And he painted it,
495
00:21:51,605 --> 00:21:52,981
and I was like,
"What am I gonna do with this?"
496
00:21:52,981 --> 00:21:54,232
He gave it to me.
497
00:21:54,232 --> 00:21:56,067
Then gradually I started winnin' awards.
498
00:21:56,067 --> 00:21:59,279
These are awards
for, for the hot sauces we've done
499
00:21:59,279 --> 00:22:00,530
and Zest Fest awards.
500
00:22:01,156 --> 00:22:04,451
And I jokingly said,
"I made an altar to myself
501
00:22:04,451 --> 00:22:06,286
that I pray to daily."
502
00:22:06,286 --> 00:22:07,662
[laughs]
503
00:22:07,662 --> 00:22:10,040
Trust me, I'm not that full of myself.
504
00:22:10,040 --> 00:22:13,752
Everybody has a little bit of pride,
but this is a joke, so,
505
00:22:13,752 --> 00:22:16,338
um, but it's kind of
a reminder too, you know?
506
00:22:16,338 --> 00:22:17,297
That, you know,
507
00:22:18,089 --> 00:22:20,717
what you have then
you won't have later.
508
00:22:20,717 --> 00:22:22,719
Don't take it for granted, you know?
509
00:22:22,719 --> 00:22:24,638
Now I've got more hair
on my ass than my head.
510
00:22:24,638 --> 00:22:27,849
♪ bright playful music playing ♪
511
00:22:27,849 --> 00:22:28,808
Let's see.
512
00:22:30,018 --> 00:22:31,102
Alright.
513
00:22:33,063 --> 00:22:35,065
That's kind of,
that's out of frame, huh?
514
00:22:38,985 --> 00:22:39,903
Alright.
515
00:22:43,365 --> 00:22:44,199
No, I'm just,
516
00:22:45,283 --> 00:22:47,410
I'm just a quiet guy
who talks a lot,
517
00:22:47,410 --> 00:22:48,828
grows peppers.
518
00:22:48,828 --> 00:22:49,788
I just got lucky
519
00:22:50,497 --> 00:22:54,042
with a little bit of know-how,
520
00:22:54,042 --> 00:22:55,961
a little bit of luck,
and a lot of passion.
521
00:22:56,753 --> 00:23:00,757
My love for, for peppers comes
from the horticulture side,
522
00:23:00,757 --> 00:23:01,758
the science side.
523
00:23:01,758 --> 00:23:04,219
I didn't think my pepper would be
this big, man, you know?
524
00:23:04,219 --> 00:23:05,679
No way in hell.
525
00:23:05,679 --> 00:23:06,555
No way.
526
00:23:06,555 --> 00:23:08,807
♪ dramatic orchestral music playing ♪
527
00:23:08,807 --> 00:23:11,351
NARRATOR: Troy Primeaux is best known
as the grower and creator
528
00:23:11,351 --> 00:23:14,312
of a superhot called
the 7 Pot Primo.
529
00:23:14,980 --> 00:23:16,731
Many believe it's a contender
for the title
530
00:23:16,731 --> 00:23:19,067
of hottest pepper on Earth.
531
00:23:19,067 --> 00:23:22,779
Troy Primeaux! Man, oh man,
that dude's a legend.
532
00:23:22,779 --> 00:23:26,575
You know, I stand on the shoulders
of giants, you know what I mean?
533
00:23:26,575 --> 00:23:29,995
And one of the shoulders of the giants
I stand on is Troy Primeaux, man.
534
00:23:29,995 --> 00:23:31,788
Troy Primeaux is like the pepper god.
535
00:23:31,788 --> 00:23:34,749
Uh, he created
the coolest pepper on the planet.
536
00:23:34,749 --> 00:23:37,294
AUREA DE GUZMAN: When I pray
for the success of my process,
537
00:23:38,253 --> 00:23:41,715
um, I say, uh,
"Troy Primeaux, bless this."
538
00:23:41,715 --> 00:23:43,967
[laughs] "Bless this pod."
539
00:23:44,551 --> 00:23:46,845
[laughs] 'Cause he's,
uh, he's the pepper god.
540
00:23:48,054 --> 00:23:50,515
♪ cheery music playing ♪
541
00:23:50,515 --> 00:23:53,435
NARRATOR: For years, Troy's been respected
throughout the industry
542
00:23:53,435 --> 00:23:56,271
as a heavyweight in the art
of pepper growing,
543
00:23:56,271 --> 00:23:59,232
but that respect hasn't translated
into retirement money.
544
00:23:59,900 --> 00:24:02,027
Zest Fest and
the North American championship
545
00:24:02,027 --> 00:24:04,863
marks a new chapter for Troy,
546
00:24:04,863 --> 00:24:07,574
one in which he's determined to, at last,
547
00:24:07,574 --> 00:24:11,244
turn red hot peppers
into serious, cold, hard cash,
548
00:24:11,244 --> 00:24:12,996
and for good reason.
549
00:24:12,996 --> 00:24:14,247
Alright, we're gonna turn, you ready?
550
00:24:14,247 --> 00:24:15,040
Turn, Huds.
551
00:24:16,541 --> 00:24:18,460
[Hudson yells playfully]
552
00:24:18,460 --> 00:24:19,377
First of all,
553
00:24:20,712 --> 00:24:22,547
I spent many years
554
00:24:24,299 --> 00:24:25,842
trying not to get
a girl pregnant.
555
00:24:25,842 --> 00:24:27,385
[laughs]
556
00:24:27,385 --> 00:24:28,220
Many years.
557
00:24:28,220 --> 00:24:30,096
When are you gonna pick some peppers?
558
00:24:31,514 --> 00:24:32,682
Now?
559
00:24:32,682 --> 00:24:35,852
And having Hudson at 48,
now I'm 51,
560
00:24:36,603 --> 00:24:38,021
i-it's challenging.
561
00:24:38,021 --> 00:24:41,733
It's challenging because money
wasn't important to me in the past,
562
00:24:41,733 --> 00:24:45,904
but now and specifically,
money is gonna be needed.
563
00:24:45,904 --> 00:24:48,323
Hudson needs to go
to school, Hudson--
564
00:24:49,991 --> 00:24:51,117
College,
565
00:24:51,826 --> 00:24:52,827
everything.
566
00:24:53,578 --> 00:24:55,205
When are you gonna eat some peppers?
567
00:24:57,082 --> 00:24:58,041
A little later, huh?
568
00:24:58,875 --> 00:25:00,001
Too hot?
569
00:25:00,001 --> 00:25:01,419
I'm not letting Huddy down.
570
00:25:02,587 --> 00:25:06,007
I'm not gonna let the people that believe
in the 7 Pot Primo down.
571
00:25:07,092 --> 00:25:08,677
I can't stop.
572
00:25:10,679 --> 00:25:14,391
♪ gentle music playing ♪
573
00:25:14,391 --> 00:25:17,185
♪
574
00:25:17,185 --> 00:25:18,937
NARRATOR:
To vie for a championship belt
575
00:25:18,937 --> 00:25:21,815
and chili eating glory at Zest Fest,
576
00:25:21,815 --> 00:25:26,152
pepper-eating professionals will binge
some of the hottest superhots on Earth.
577
00:25:26,778 --> 00:25:29,698
Those scorchers are all grown right here.
578
00:25:29,698 --> 00:25:32,325
In the northwest corner of Louisiana,
579
00:25:32,325 --> 00:25:35,537
in a hidden nook, among the Cypress trees,
580
00:25:35,537 --> 00:25:39,082
this is Troy Primeaux's
central grow operation.
581
00:25:39,583 --> 00:25:42,878
On a remote farm belonging
to longtime friend and collaborator,
582
00:25:44,045 --> 00:25:45,171
Gary Montcalm.
583
00:25:48,800 --> 00:25:50,051
TROY:
Eating one of these?
584
00:25:50,051 --> 00:25:51,678
You want the censored
or uncensored version?
585
00:25:52,387 --> 00:25:53,889
[Troy and Gary Montcalm laugh]
586
00:25:53,889 --> 00:25:57,142
Um, well, eating one
of these 7 Pot Primos
587
00:25:57,142 --> 00:25:59,811
is like, uh, cocaine and a car wreck,
588
00:25:59,811 --> 00:26:01,479
both of which I don't do anymore.
589
00:26:01,479 --> 00:26:02,814
[laughs]
590
00:26:02,814 --> 00:26:04,399
The combination together, you know,
591
00:26:04,399 --> 00:26:07,152
it's like about, you know, 30 minutes plus
592
00:26:07,152 --> 00:26:11,364
of, uh, just vasodilation,
a bear's chasing you,
593
00:26:11,364 --> 00:26:14,034
you know, you're deer in headlights.
GARY: Right. [laughs]
594
00:26:14,034 --> 00:26:15,660
Uh, did I say that right?
595
00:26:15,660 --> 00:26:17,621
GARY: Yeah, for me,
it's a spiritual experience
596
00:26:17,621 --> 00:26:21,333
'cause I'm begging Jesus
to please just make it stop
597
00:26:21,333 --> 00:26:22,292
this one last time.
598
00:26:22,292 --> 00:26:23,835
And I'll never do it again.
599
00:26:23,835 --> 00:26:25,212
[laughs]
600
00:26:25,212 --> 00:26:27,547
Put your toilet paper
in the refrigerator.
601
00:26:27,547 --> 00:26:30,050
Put your toilet paper in the freezer,
for Christ's sake.
602
00:26:30,050 --> 00:26:30,926
[laughs]
603
00:26:31,551 --> 00:26:35,639
You know, you need to cool it off
before you use it after eating my pepper.
604
00:26:36,723 --> 00:26:39,768
NARRATOR: Frozen toilet paper,
cocaine, and car wrecks.
605
00:26:39,768 --> 00:26:40,977
Got it.
606
00:26:40,977 --> 00:26:42,187
Sounds pretty hot.
607
00:26:42,187 --> 00:26:43,313
But let's put a number on it.
608
00:26:44,439 --> 00:26:48,610
Now's as good a time as any
to dive into the Scoville scale.
609
00:26:49,277 --> 00:26:51,571
You've heard of it but probably
don't know much about it.
610
00:26:51,571 --> 00:26:54,824
Scoville heat unit, well,
Wilbur Scoville thought,
611
00:26:54,824 --> 00:26:59,412
you know, that he could dilute
the heat in a pepper with water,
612
00:26:59,412 --> 00:27:00,956
and that's how
they came up with this number,
613
00:27:00,956 --> 00:27:02,999
like how much water was needed
614
00:27:02,999 --> 00:27:06,962
to where you could subjectively
not taste the pungency anymore,
615
00:27:06,962 --> 00:27:08,713
and that became the Scoville heat unit.
616
00:27:08,713 --> 00:27:12,467
Now it's done with computers
and machinery.
617
00:27:13,176 --> 00:27:14,886
HPLC they call it.
618
00:27:14,886 --> 00:27:18,640
But Scoville heat is the amount
619
00:27:18,640 --> 00:27:21,101
of capsaicin in a pepper.
620
00:27:21,768 --> 00:27:23,270
NARRATOR:
To add a little more context,
621
00:27:23,270 --> 00:27:27,065
the jalapeno averages
approximately 3,000 Scovilles.
622
00:27:27,065 --> 00:27:29,776
The habanero, about 300,000,
623
00:27:29,776 --> 00:27:32,320
and the ghost pepper is about a million.
624
00:27:32,862 --> 00:27:34,114
Troy's 7 Pot
625
00:27:34,114 --> 00:27:36,950
and a pepper Gary's created
called the Nova Brain
626
00:27:36,950 --> 00:27:39,077
both score well over that,
627
00:27:39,077 --> 00:27:40,620
in the neighborhood
of the Reaper's
628
00:27:40,620 --> 00:27:46,209
1,641,183 Scoville heat units.
629
00:27:48,211 --> 00:27:51,256
Theirs are so hot, they were requested
by The League of Fire
630
00:27:51,256 --> 00:27:54,509
for their championship belt match
this weekend at Zest Fest.
631
00:27:55,427 --> 00:27:57,470
TROY:
They had some issues with supply.
632
00:27:57,470 --> 00:27:58,471
They needed some help.
633
00:27:58,471 --> 00:28:02,350
But I thought, man, we could--
Gary could bring the Primos.
634
00:28:02,350 --> 00:28:05,061
How many rounds we got?
Ten rounds, you know?
635
00:28:05,061 --> 00:28:06,062
GARY: Right.
- Ten rounds
636
00:28:06,062 --> 00:28:07,939
with all these various peppers,
637
00:28:07,939 --> 00:28:10,567
all over a million Scovilles in heat,
638
00:28:10,567 --> 00:28:12,861
and they're going to battle.
639
00:28:13,153 --> 00:28:14,529
It's a legitimate sport.
640
00:28:14,529 --> 00:28:17,157
It is. I admire it,
but I wouldn't do it.
641
00:28:17,157 --> 00:28:20,368
But I love watching it,
I love watching it.
642
00:28:20,368 --> 00:28:22,579
And I-I'm-- we're proud
to be a part of it.
643
00:28:22,579 --> 00:28:24,372
♪ upbeat rock music playing ♪
644
00:28:24,789 --> 00:28:26,708
NARRATOR: Troy and Gary
have loaded up an arsenal
645
00:28:26,708 --> 00:28:28,960
of superhots destined for Zest Fest.
646
00:28:29,794 --> 00:28:32,923
The kind of prime-time event
where Troy can gain notoriety.
647
00:28:33,924 --> 00:28:38,220
One more step towards solidifying
a legacy for his family.
648
00:28:39,137 --> 00:28:44,851
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
649
00:28:44,851 --> 00:28:49,814
♪
650
00:28:52,484 --> 00:28:54,861
As Gary arrives in the Zest Fest building
651
00:28:54,861 --> 00:28:58,240
with their chest of 7 Pot Primos
and Nova Brains,
652
00:28:58,240 --> 00:28:59,491
the chili eaters know
653
00:28:59,491 --> 00:29:02,702
that they're in for the ride
of their lives.
654
00:29:02,702 --> 00:29:06,248
A hundred bite-sized angry bulls
just entered the arena.
655
00:29:08,124 --> 00:29:10,794
Oh, my God, are those
the weapons of mass destruction?
656
00:29:10,794 --> 00:29:12,295
- Yes, yes.
- [laughs] Fantastic.
657
00:29:12,295 --> 00:29:13,463
Are you ready for 'em?
658
00:29:13,463 --> 00:29:16,424
Yes, absolutely, absolutely.
Let's do this.
659
00:29:16,883 --> 00:29:19,427
This is the one, I call it Nova Brain.
660
00:29:19,427 --> 00:29:21,054
I'm glad I'm not eating them on stage.
661
00:29:21,054 --> 00:29:22,138
[laughs] I know.
662
00:29:22,138 --> 00:29:23,598
What else have you got here?
663
00:29:23,598 --> 00:29:24,891
GARY:
Primos, of course.
664
00:29:24,891 --> 00:29:25,976
SHAHINA:
Let's have a little look.
665
00:29:25,976 --> 00:29:27,978
GARY: Disintegrate--
- They're pretty crisp when you hold them.
666
00:29:27,978 --> 00:29:30,230
Oh, my God.
[both laugh]
667
00:29:30,230 --> 00:29:32,357
Wow, they are stunning.
668
00:29:32,899 --> 00:29:33,733
Alright.
669
00:29:34,317 --> 00:29:36,278
Hi, Johnny. Fantastic.
670
00:29:36,278 --> 00:29:38,029
JOHNNY: How are you?
I just wanna take a peak in here.
671
00:29:38,029 --> 00:29:39,364
SHAHINA: Look at them.
JOHNNY: Whoa.
672
00:29:39,364 --> 00:29:41,157
GARY: Look at the stinger on 'em.
SHAHINA: They're stunning peppers.
673
00:29:41,616 --> 00:29:42,784
They look so fresh and crisp.
674
00:29:42,784 --> 00:29:46,204
Imagine the first time a farmer grew one
of those, he just went, "What?"
675
00:29:46,705 --> 00:29:47,706
Golly.
676
00:29:48,206 --> 00:29:50,458
NARRATOR: You can find
chili kingmaker Johnny Scoville
677
00:29:50,458 --> 00:29:53,044
wherever a superhot can be found.
678
00:29:53,044 --> 00:29:55,297
So he's here today
as the celebrity judge
679
00:29:55,297 --> 00:29:57,090
of the championship bout.
680
00:29:57,090 --> 00:29:57,966
JOHNNY:
Oh, wow.
681
00:29:59,634 --> 00:30:00,719
You trust me with these?
682
00:30:00,719 --> 00:30:01,636
[Shahina laughs]
- No.
683
00:30:01,636 --> 00:30:03,054
[laughs] Right?
684
00:30:03,680 --> 00:30:06,474
If you have a pepper contest
with League of Fire,
685
00:30:06,474 --> 00:30:08,184
you know, they're just, they're absurd.
686
00:30:08,184 --> 00:30:09,144
They're just on a different level.
687
00:30:09,144 --> 00:30:11,813
The idea is you start small
with a group of people,
688
00:30:11,813 --> 00:30:12,856
and everybody eats one pepper.
689
00:30:12,856 --> 00:30:14,316
You hold up a stem to prove you did it
690
00:30:14,316 --> 00:30:15,442
and then throw the stem down.
691
00:30:15,442 --> 00:30:17,110
And then they'd come around
with the next hottest pepper,
692
00:30:17,110 --> 00:30:19,029
and eventually what happens is,
someone's gonna go,
693
00:30:19,029 --> 00:30:20,697
at some point, "If I eat another one,
I'm gonna throw up,"
694
00:30:20,697 --> 00:30:22,032
or somebody might throw up
or whatever,
695
00:30:22,032 --> 00:30:23,700
and they-they're gone, they tap out.
696
00:30:23,700 --> 00:30:26,328
Then what's gonna happen,
it comes down to two people.
697
00:30:26,328 --> 00:30:28,997
And then, well, inevitably,
somebody's gonna be able to tolerate
698
00:30:28,997 --> 00:30:30,749
more pain than the other person
699
00:30:30,749 --> 00:30:32,125
And that person is victorious.
700
00:30:32,125 --> 00:30:34,419
[crowd chattering]
701
00:30:34,920 --> 00:30:36,213
ANNOUNCER [on microphone]:
Alright, Zest Festers,
702
00:30:36,213 --> 00:30:37,923
we're about ready to fire up things,
703
00:30:37,923 --> 00:30:40,967
and I mean that literally.
[crowd cheering]
704
00:30:40,967 --> 00:30:42,510
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
I see a few smiles.
705
00:30:43,595 --> 00:30:45,972
Okay, guys, I've been given
the green light to start,
706
00:30:45,972 --> 00:30:48,058
so please one more time, contestants,
707
00:30:48,058 --> 00:30:50,060
put your peppers up in the air.
708
00:30:50,060 --> 00:30:52,437
[crowd cheering]
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
709
00:30:54,481 --> 00:30:55,565
SHAHINA:
One, two, three!
710
00:30:55,565 --> 00:30:58,193
ALL:
Eat that chili!
711
00:30:58,193 --> 00:30:59,611
[crowd cheering]
712
00:30:59,611 --> 00:31:01,905
PERSON:
Go, go, go!
713
00:31:01,905 --> 00:31:03,365
NARRATOR:
This convention hall in Dallas
714
00:31:03,365 --> 00:31:05,951
is the epicenter of the pepper universe.
715
00:31:06,409 --> 00:31:10,163
For today, the spiciest place
on the planet.
716
00:31:10,497 --> 00:31:12,874
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
Absolutely, this is how we do it.
717
00:31:13,416 --> 00:31:15,502
NARRATOR:
And it's time for Mike Jack,
718
00:31:15,502 --> 00:31:18,880
Zach Goot, and all the rest to eat fire
719
00:31:18,880 --> 00:31:22,384
and claim that North American
championship belt.
720
00:31:35,814 --> 00:31:37,357
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
No!
721
00:31:40,110 --> 00:31:42,404
SHAHINA [on microphone]:
So, here we go again.
722
00:31:43,738 --> 00:31:44,990
One, two, three!
723
00:31:44,990 --> 00:31:47,659
ALL:
Eat that chili!
724
00:31:47,659 --> 00:31:48,827
[bell dings]
[audience cheers]
725
00:31:48,827 --> 00:31:50,495
PERSON:
Go, go, go, go, go--
726
00:31:50,495 --> 00:31:52,539
NARRATOR: When the top chili eaters
on the continent
727
00:31:52,539 --> 00:31:54,124
meet on the same stage,
728
00:31:54,124 --> 00:31:56,835
challenged by the hottest of superhots,
729
00:31:56,835 --> 00:31:58,753
it's must-see for all pepper people.
730
00:31:58,753 --> 00:32:01,047
Come on, baby!
[clapping hands]
731
00:32:01,047 --> 00:32:03,300
NARRATOR:
Fans watch the faces contort
732
00:32:03,300 --> 00:32:04,676
like a twisted ballet,
733
00:32:04,676 --> 00:32:06,678
truly admiring the conquering of heat
734
00:32:06,678 --> 00:32:08,513
as a superpower all its own.
735
00:32:09,222 --> 00:32:11,725
♪ dramatic music plays ♪
736
00:32:11,725 --> 00:32:13,518
ZACH:
It's not all about your mouth,
737
00:32:13,518 --> 00:32:16,646
it's not all about your stomach,
it's up in here too, man.
738
00:32:19,566 --> 00:32:20,859
Start pushing your limits.
739
00:32:20,859 --> 00:32:24,029
That's one of the hardest things
that people can't get around.
740
00:32:28,909 --> 00:32:31,995
ZACH: That pepper knows it's hot
and if you're not making any faces,
741
00:32:31,995 --> 00:32:33,246
we're gonna make it a little hotter.
742
00:32:34,080 --> 00:32:35,582
♪
743
00:32:35,582 --> 00:32:37,334
SHAHINA:
Round number three.
744
00:32:37,334 --> 00:32:38,585
[bell ringing]
745
00:32:38,585 --> 00:32:41,922
NARRATOR: Each round of the competition
puts another pepper from Troy Primeaux
746
00:32:41,922 --> 00:32:43,632
and Gary's arsenal in the spotlight.
747
00:32:43,632 --> 00:32:47,636
It's a chance to demonstrate
just how violent their heat can be,
748
00:32:48,470 --> 00:32:51,723
and the kind of platform
the 7 Pot Primo needs
749
00:32:52,349 --> 00:32:53,475
to make its mark.
750
00:32:54,059 --> 00:32:54,893
♪
751
00:32:54,893 --> 00:32:58,855
SHAHINA:
Guys, the next round, 7 Pot Primo.
752
00:32:58,855 --> 00:33:02,901
[bell dings]
[audience chattering]
753
00:33:02,901 --> 00:33:06,571
[cheering]
754
00:33:06,571 --> 00:33:08,907
MIKE: When I started
the whole competition thing,
755
00:33:08,907 --> 00:33:11,076
I kinda got, like, over-competitive,
756
00:33:11,076 --> 00:33:13,703
you're, like, trying to be the best
and trying to beat everyone.
757
00:33:13,703 --> 00:33:16,665
I just wasn't, I just wasn't happy,
you know, like, doing that.
758
00:33:17,165 --> 00:33:20,085
In a way, like, it kind of,
kind of got, like,
759
00:33:20,085 --> 00:33:23,380
into, like, just, uh, Buddhism
and Buddhist philosophy
760
00:33:23,380 --> 00:33:27,133
and just, like, kinda, like, you know,
trying to manage desire, I guess.
761
00:33:27,801 --> 00:33:32,264
So I think now, it's more
just challenging myself.
762
00:33:33,765 --> 00:33:35,058
SHAHINA:
They've got this.
763
00:33:36,309 --> 00:33:37,519
They've got this.
764
00:33:37,519 --> 00:33:39,980
[crowd cheering]
765
00:33:39,980 --> 00:33:41,106
SHAHINA:
They've got this.
766
00:33:43,233 --> 00:33:44,067
For the clout.
767
00:33:45,068 --> 00:33:47,362
I do it for the clout,
I do it for the glory,
768
00:33:47,362 --> 00:33:50,615
I do it for the, the attention.
769
00:33:50,615 --> 00:33:52,242
I do it to prove others wrong,
770
00:33:52,242 --> 00:33:53,702
'cause sometimes
there's people out there
771
00:33:53,702 --> 00:33:54,953
that think I can't do this.
772
00:33:56,413 --> 00:33:59,165
♪ dramatic music playing ♪
[crowd chattering]
773
00:33:59,165 --> 00:34:00,709
[cheering]
774
00:34:01,793 --> 00:34:02,878
SHAHINA:
They've got this.
775
00:34:13,972 --> 00:34:15,765
[audience cheers]
776
00:34:24,316 --> 00:34:26,109
Zach, you've got this,
you've got this.
777
00:34:26,109 --> 00:34:28,653
You've got this.
- Come on, baby, you got this.
778
00:34:28,653 --> 00:34:29,571
Woo!
779
00:34:29,571 --> 00:34:33,533
[audience cheering, applauding]
780
00:34:33,533 --> 00:34:36,036
Go, Zach!
781
00:34:36,036 --> 00:34:39,080
Woo!
782
00:34:40,415 --> 00:34:44,169
ZACH: When you're on that stage,
ninety percent of what you're doing
783
00:34:44,169 --> 00:34:46,463
is you're pushing yourself
beyond your limits
784
00:34:46,463 --> 00:34:47,839
of what your body can handle.
785
00:34:48,340 --> 00:34:50,717
You have to push past that limit.
786
00:34:50,717 --> 00:34:52,677
You have to tell your body to keep going.
787
00:34:53,595 --> 00:34:56,223
You have to. You cannot stop.
788
00:34:56,765 --> 00:34:59,517
SHAHINA:
Come on, Zach! Come on, Zach!
789
00:34:59,517 --> 00:35:01,978
[chanting] Zachary! Zachary!
790
00:35:01,978 --> 00:35:06,608
You have to motivate yourself
to just keep going.
791
00:35:07,400 --> 00:35:09,653
ANNA:
Yes, it's alright. Hold it.
792
00:35:09,653 --> 00:35:10,570
[Zach heaves]
ANNA: Hold it!
793
00:35:10,570 --> 00:35:12,697
No, hold it, baby.
794
00:35:13,156 --> 00:35:14,366
You've got this.
795
00:35:14,866 --> 00:35:16,368
[Zach heaves]
ANNA: You got it.
796
00:35:16,368 --> 00:35:17,953
Let's go!
797
00:35:18,620 --> 00:35:21,039
♪ suspenseful music playing ♪
798
00:35:21,039 --> 00:35:23,291
ANNA:
Yes, it's alright, hold it.
799
00:35:23,291 --> 00:35:26,044
Hold it. No, hold it, baby.
800
00:35:26,461 --> 00:35:29,297
[echoing] Hold it!
801
00:35:31,550 --> 00:35:35,679
♪ dramatic upbeat music playing ♪
802
00:35:35,679 --> 00:35:39,558
♪
803
00:35:58,118 --> 00:36:00,120
[whistling]