Secrets of a Competitive Eater: Nela Zisser

Competitive eater Nela Zisser will head to New York this week to take part in Nathan's Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest on July 4.

Before she takes on the likes of defending women's champion Miki Sudo, who ate 34 hot dogs and buns in 10 minutes last year, we caught up with the stunning 23-year-old former Miss Earth New Zealand to see what it takes to be true weapon of mass digestion.

1. How did you get into competitive eating?
My mother actually convinced me to enter the Sal’s Pizza contest in 2014, I ended up sitting an amazing time for my qualifier and then beating all 19 men I was up against.

2. What do you enjoy about competitive eating?
I love the feeling I get when I reach a new goal or set a really good time for something! Also you meet so many awesome people, I've made heaps of good friends in other countries and everyone is really supportive of each other. It's such an amazing community!

3. What are the worst things about it?
You can sometimes feel a bit sick for a couple of hours, especially after long competitions, but it's never that bad.

4. What's been a career highlight so far?
Being signed by Major League Eating is definitely my highlight but winning my first eating contest was also really amazing, it's the reason I fell in love with the sport and I'll never forget that day.

5. Any setbacks that have made you reconsider your choices?
Nothing so far, I don't have any regrets.

6. How do you prepare for a competition?
I water train and also sometimes I'll train with the actual food I'm eating if I know I'm going to be up against tough competition.

7. How do you stay so thin?
I'm a very active person, and I also eat healthy most of the time.

8. Can you tell us some details about your next competition?
I'm super excited and can't wait to compete against my idols! I'll be happy with any achievement, just getting there to compete has always been a dream of mine.

9. What do you eat in a normal day?
I eat high fat and high protein foods mostly. I also cook a lot of ethnic food at home. If I go out, it's normally Japanese as that's my favourite!

10. How do you feel after undertaking a challenge?
I feel amazing! It's a huge rush of adrenaline, especially when you win something.

Best of luck Nela, we're sending you speedy, bottomless pit vibes all the way to NY.

Got a story tip? Send it to tips@yahoo7.com.au

Want more celebrity, entertainment and lifestyle news? Follow Be on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Instagram