For many, eating pizza everyday for one year seems like a dream. Who doesn't love pizza? What's not to love? But for Kyle Feeney, pizza everyday for one year has a more meaningful reason; not just a dare or a bet.
Last January 1, 2016, he successfully fulfilled his vow of eating pizza for each day of the year, eating 356, no more no less. Well, maybe there's more.
The 23 year old shared the story of how he ended up with his promise: "Every time I would come visit [New York City] I would end up eating pizza like three or four times over the weekend," Feeney told Business Insider. "One thing led to another and the 'pizzagram' was born."
Welcome to the Pizzagram!
'Pizzagram' was his official Instagram profile serving as his journal for his one-year pizza adventure. His first video was taken January 1st, 2015 where he can be seen enjoying every bite of his pizza with some wine while he was in the shower.
He admitted that initially, he did it just for fun, to be different and exciting if you must say. But soon enough, he thought that if he was serious and was going to eat pizza every day for a year religiously, it is just rightfully to do it with a noble cause.
"Once the second video was made, I figured there should be a reason for doing it," says Feeney. "That's when I called my aunt and decided to involve Autism Speaks for my cousin Robert."
Eating Pizza for a Cause
Through a Go Fund Me page, Feeney decided to raise funds for his chosen charity - Autism Speaks. The goal was to raise $10,000. If he succeeded, he pledged that he would have himself inked of a pizza slice.
There were times he wanted to give up, but since he felt that he is not only doing it for himself, but in behalf of all the beneficiaries of Autism Speaks, he was determined and stayed diligent eating and documenting. There would be no excuse. He would eat pizza every single day, no matter what day it is, no matter where he was or no matter what was going on.
I Heart Pizza
Many people would think that at some point, he would get sick of pizza, that he will eventually see the food as something unappetizing-but he proved them wrong. His love for pizza never faded, if all, he loved it even more.
"I didn't get sick of pizza, surprisingly," says Feeney. "I guess I really love pizza."
If there's one thing that is harder to continue, it was the making of creative videos. According to him, one day in June, he really thought of dropping the project. Thank God his mother talked some sense into him and told him failure was not an option.
Pizza's Toll to his Health
Feeney says he was not aware if his pizza diet had a very big impact on his health, except that he did gain a little weight.
"I've put on a couple pounds, that's for sure," he says.
Christmas Pizza Miracle
Towards the end of November 2015, Feeney had raised $7,155 - almost $3,000 short of his goal.
But, just like what happens in Christmas themed movies, miracles happen. A happy hour fundraising round pushed him over the original goal of $10,000 with more than two weeks left to spare!
On December 31st 2015, Feeny officially ended his year of pizza, eating one slice and being sprayed with champagne.
Two days in to the new year, he stayed true to his promise of getting a tattoo.
"I had never been to a tattoo parlor before, but it was actually a fun time," says Feeney. "Explaining that I wanted a slice of pizza tattooed onto my butt was... interesting, but Levi at Psychotic Ink did a tremendous job. All my friends got to watch it happen and he even worked in a Autism Speaks puzzle piece into it."
New Year, New Challenge, New Cause?
Unlike the previous year, Feeney says he is not making any rash promises this 2016.
"I suppose it's the Year of Fitness," he says. "Pizza kind of took over the whole working out thing the last six or so months of the year. Maybe by 2017, I'll be jacked. Who knows?"
His 2015 takeaway however, was really something he can be proud of for a very long time-he was the man who ate pizza every day for a year.
"I've learned a lot about myself - primarily how difficult it is to try to come up with a silly new video every single day," says Feeney. "I can proudly say that I ate pizza every day."
