Plymouth, England – Local 22-year-old fitness trainer, Reece Chadfield, has made headlines after a daring competitive eating stunt left him in hospital. The young man was rushed to Derriford Hospital after consuming a massive 2kg (4.4 lbs) rare steak in under 40 minutes at a local pub. What started as a dare between friends quickly turned into a medical emergency that required immediate attention.
Chadfield, a personal trainer known for his physical prowess and enthusiasm for challenges, took on the ‘beef challenge’ as part of a lads’ night out at the popular pub, The Iron Bull. The challenge? Finish the enormous steak in under an hour, a feat that was easily achieved by Chadfield—although the consequences were anything but easy.
A Dangerous Stunt
According to doctors, Chadfield’s attempts to down the colossal piece of meat resulted in significant swelling in his throat and stomach, preventing him from even drinking water. “The swelling was severe enough that he couldn’t swallow, and we were concerned that continued pressure could tear his esophagus,” explained Dr. Emily Barton, a gastroenterologist at Derriford Hospital. “It’s incredibly rare for someone to ingest such a large quantity of food so quickly, and while the steak was rare, it was still a serious health risk.”
Fortunately, after several hours of monitoring and medical intervention, Chadfield was stabilised and released from the hospital with no lasting damage. However, doctors are advising him to stick to smaller portions for the time being.
Viral Fame
The entire episode has since gone viral on TikTok, where footage of Chadfield devouring the steak has garnered millions of views. “I didn’t think it’d blow up like this,” Chadfield remarked in a brief video shared after his hospital release. “But I definitely won’t be doing that again.”
Chadfield’s followers have flooded the comments, some in disbelief, others in awe of his apparent resilience. “Who knew steak could almost kill you?” one commenter joked, while another added, “Guess it’s time to rethink my own steak consumption.”
Repercussions and Reflections
While Chadfield is recovering, he’s also received an outpouring of support from fans and the wider public. His fans have continued to joke about the situation, but others have used it as an example of the dangers of extreme food challenges.
Chadfield, who has built a career around fitness and health, has expressed mixed feelings about his new viral fame. “I definitely underestimated the risks,” he admitted. “It seemed like a fun dare at the time, but I didn’t realise how serious it could get.”
As for whether he’ll ever eat steak again? “I’m not sure,” he said, laughing. “But maybe I’ll stick to something a little more sensible next time.”
