He hits the gym to train … to eat hot dogs

Over the past two and a half years, James Webb’s life has taken an unexpected turn beyond his imagination.

“After earning a business economics degree and working in sales, marketing, and corporate jobs, I decided to switch gears,” Webb shared. “Now, I trade in suits for stretchy pants and baggy t-shirts.”

Webb’s new career path? Competitive eating.

“Twice a day, seven days a week, you’ll find me at the gym, but not for workouts,” Webb explained. “I’m training to eat hot dogs.”

Known as JWebby Can Eat, Webb boasts a significant following on Instagram with over 81,000 followers and 101,000 subscribers on YouTube. His journey has taken him from Australia to North Texas to prepare for the Nathan’s Famous Fourth of July International Hot Dog Eating Contest in Coney Island.

“The Fourth of July hot dog contest is like our Super Bowl,” Webb enthused. “So, I’m currently in Dallas, essentially in my own training camp—gym, hot dog eating practice, sleep, repeat every single day.”

Webb’s career in competitive eating began unexpectedly during a day trip to an Australian vineyard, thanks to a burger challenge. “My wife bribed me to go on the trip, and I ended up eating Australia’s biggest burger in just 23 minutes. It went viral on social media and caught the attention of professional eaters who invited me to compete,” Webb recalled.

After dominating contests in Australia, Webb set his sights on America, home to the biggest eating competitions. This year marks his third appearance at Coney Island.

“Believe it or not, competitive eating requires some fitness—you get winded,” Webb admitted. His regimen includes weight training, treadmill walks, and an hour daily strengthening his jaw with a green trainer.

“Leading up to a contest, it’s all about rhythm. I aim to eat two hot dogs in four bites,” Webb detailed. “During training, I’m usually focused and not chatting.”

Webb’s preparation involves buying 50 hot dogs and buns, a sight that draws curious looks at checkout. “It’s not just about fitting them in; I need to eat five hot dogs a minute for ten minutes straight. It’s all about technique,” Webb emphasized.

His strategy includes a unique dunking method. “I use cranberry juice to dunk my buns—it resets my taste buds,” Webb shared. “In ten minutes, I aim for at least 50 hot dogs. Afterwards, it’s all about managing the ‘meat sweats’ with a cold shower and possibly a nap.”

With his wife by his side, Webb heads to New York soon, aiming to become the first Australian to win the prestigious contest. “If I can hit around 55 hot dogs, I’m definitely in the running for a top two finish,” Webb said optimistically.

Last year’s champion devoured a record-breaking 62 hot dogs, according to the competition’s website.