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This is Our American Stories, and we tell stories of all kinds here on our show, including your stories. Send them to Our

American Stories.com. That's Our American Stories.com. They're some of our favorites. And today,

we have Lindsay Galant telling her story. Lindsay is a student of one of our regular contributors,

teacher and author Leslie Layland Fields.

Today, Lindsay will be sharing a story about a time she was challenged to an eating contest.

I had somewhat of a reputation for being a big eater.

I was a slim thing, so no one expected it.

But in the college cafeteria, when they called for seconds, I jumped up quicker than anyone.

I was always hungry.

Where do you put it all?

My big guy friends asked.

You must have two hollow legs.

I only shrugged and smiled. Fast metabolism, I guess.

I enjoyed the element of surprise. In high school, I had been dubbed the stomach, after I was challenged by my youth group leader to pack down a 19-ounce burger at Red Robbins.

I did it, fries and all, much to the astonishment of my friends.

I had told this story to my music team, and I think they believed me.

But my friend E.J., a stocky Filipino with an appetite of his own, wanted proof.

That day in the church basement, he challenged me to an eating contest.

The rules were simple.

Match plate for plate. Keep eating until your opponent could eat no more.

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