Student Pays Bills With Competitive Eating

A University of Wisconsin student with a nickname of "Silo" is eating his way through school—competitively. Computer engineering student Eric Dahl now ranks third in the world of competitive eating as determined by All Pro Eating rankings, though he once held the top spot. Dahl has earned more than $18,000 in prize money or merchandise to help pay for his education. "I'm eating for my education," he says. "It helps me get through."

The 6-foot-3 Dahl said he walks a few miles a day, lifts weights twice a week, and plays intramural soccer and hockey to maintain his 220-pound weight. The State Journal reports that he eats no more than 3,100 calories a day, mostly vegetables to avoid increasing his waistline, and stretches his stomach by eating 10 pounds of cabbage or broccoli in a single sitting followed by a lot of water. "I really get pumped when the crowd starts cheering," he says. "I'm friends with other competitive eaters, but once I'm on stage I don't have any friends." (More competitive eating stories.)