"I have reconsidered everything in my life. Lord Jesus!"
Those were words I never imagined I'd be saying over a plate of vegan chicken wings, but BABY, life has a funny way of humbling you! After spending nearly two weeks traveling throughout the DMV area for work, I had finally returned home to Los Angeles. I was excited to settle back into my routine, but before I could get too comfortable, I had one more adventure waiting for me. PETA had personally invited me to their Vegan Hot Wing Challenge, and as someone who loves discovering new vegan experiences, there was absolutely no way I was missing it.
Now, here's where things get interesting. I hadn't planned on filming a YouTube video today. In fact, it had been quite some time since I'd filmed a traditional vlog, and normally, I like to have everything prepared before turning on my camera. But something about this experience made me want to document it from beginning to end. No script, no elaborate production plan, just me, my camera, and five vegan hot wings that were apparently determined to take me OUT!
Five Wings, Five Levels of Heat, and One Very Confident Vegan
When I arrived, I was greeted by the lovely Leah from PETA, who explained how the challenge worked. Participants would make their way through five vegan chicken wings, each coated in a different hot sauce that increased in intensity. The event brought together animal advocacy, delicious plant-based food, and a little friendly competition, which sounded like the perfect afternoon to me. After all, I've always enjoyed spicy food, so how difficult could five little wings really be?
The vegan chicken was prepared by the team at Crossroads Kitchen, and I was especially excited to experience another creative way to enjoy plant-based food. Before getting started, Leah was sweet enough to help arrange my wings so I could capture some photos and video. Listen, I might be preparing to participate in a hot wing challenge, but that doesn't mean we're forgetting about the aesthetic! Once everything was looking fabulous, I stepped away to get my pictures before returning to the table to face my destiny. What yall think of them?!
I confidently announced that I was going to complete all five levels. Looking back, I wish someone had warned me that my confidence was about to be tested in ways I couldn't have imagined.
When the Heat Started Heating!
The first wing seemed innocent enough. I took a bite, enjoyed the flavor, and thought to myself that this challenge might actually be a piece of cake. I've eaten plenty of spicy food over the years, and initially, I wasn't particularly concerned. However, it didn't take long before I noticed a little something happening. The heat was beginning to creep up on me, and suddenly, I wasn't quite as comfortable as I'd been a few moments earlier.
By the second wing, things were getting interesting. The spice was building, but I was still determined to maintain my composure. I reminded myself that I had committed to finishing the challenge, and there was no way I was going to give up after only two wings. Then came Level Three, and honey, that's when I started realizing that these sauces were not here to play games! I had already heard that the third level was giving people a difficult time, but naturally, I assumed I'd be different. Before I knew it, I was sweating, taking breaks, and wondering exactly how much hotter things could possibly get.
And then came Level Four.
BABY!
I don't know what was happening in that moment, but I can tell you that I was experiencing emotions I didn't even know existed. The heat was so intense that I had to get up from the table and walk around to collect myself. My mouth was on fire, my body was sweating, and every ounce of confidence I'd walked into that event with had officially disappeared. At one point, I looked into my camera and declared, "I have reconsidered everything in my life. Lord Jesus!" And I meant every single word.
Despite the chaos, I kept reassuring myself that everything was perfectly fine. "I'm fine. I'm fine. I'm having a moment, but I'm fine." If you've watched the video, you already know that I was absolutely NOT fine! But one thing about me is that once I've committed to something, I like to see it through. I had made it this far, and I wasn't about to let a little hot sauce defeat me. Although, at that particular moment, I wouldn't exactly describe what I was experiencing as a little hot sauce.
The Final Wing and a Much-Needed Glass of Soy Milk
After surviving the fourth level, I still had one final wing standing between me and completing the challenge. By this point, I had already questioned every decision that brought me to that table, but I knew I couldn't stop now. I gathered whatever strength I had left and prepared myself for the final round.
Let's just say that Level Five was an experience I won't be forgetting anytime soon. Between the overwhelming heat, my dramatic reactions, and my desperate appreciation for water and soy milk, I was going THROUGH IT! I don't think I've ever been so grateful for something as simple as a refreshing drink. Whoever decided soy milk should exist deserves a special place in my heart, because honey, I needed every bit of relief I could get.
But after all the sweating, walking around, and questioning my existence, I DID IT! I successfully completed all five levels of PETA's Vegan Hot Wing Challenge and earned my prize. Was it easy? Absolutely not. Would I willingly put myself through that experience again tomorrow? Let's not get carried away! But would I do it all over again for the memories, laughter, and opportunity to connect with the vegan community? Without hesitation.
A Little Fun With a Bigger Message
Beyond the hilarious reactions and unforgettable heat, what I appreciated most about this experience was the opportunity to celebrate vegan food in such a fun and approachable way. As someone who has been vegan for more than six years, I've always believed that compassion for animals and enjoying incredible food can go hand in hand. Choosing not to consume animal products doesn't mean missing out on familiar experiences, whether that's enjoying a delicious burger, discovering a new restaurant, or participating in a hot wing challenge.
Events like this are wonderful reminders that plant-based food can be exciting, flavorful, and accessible to people from all walks of life. You don't have to sacrifice the foods or experiences you love to make more compassionate choices. Sometimes, all it takes is being open to trying something new. And if that something new happens to involve five increasingly spicy vegan wings, just make sure you have a glass of soy milk nearby!
I'm also incredibly grateful for the opportunity to continue connecting with organizations like PETA that advocate for animals and encourage people to consider the impact of their everyday choices. Being invited to participate in this experience meant a lot to me, especially as I continue using my platform to showcase the many different sides of vegan living.
Watch the Full Adventure on YouTube
One of my favorite things about this experience is that I decided to film it completely on a whim. There was no carefully planned introduction, no detailed script, and absolutely no way for me to predict how ridiculous things were about to become. What started as a spontaneous afternoon turned into one of the funniest videos I've filmed in quite some time, and I'm so excited to share it with you.
If you want to see exactly how I handled all five levels, including the sweating, the dramatic declarations, and my desperate attempts to convince myself that I was perfectly fine, you'll have to watch the full vlog. Trust me, reading about it is one thing, but seeing my reactions is an entirely different experience!
A special thank-you to PETA for personally inviting me to participate in this unforgettable event, and to Leah for always being so welcoming and helping me capture the experience. I'm also grateful to everyone who helped bring the challenge together and make the afternoon so memorable. It was the perfect way to welcome myself back to Los Angeles after my travels, even if my taste buds might disagree!
As I continue exploring vegan food, attending community events, and documenting my adventures, I hope these experiences encourage you to discover just how exciting compassionate living can be. There are so many incredible people, places, and experiences waiting to be discovered, and I'm grateful to have the opportunity to share them with you.
Until our next adventure, stay compassionate, stay fabulous, and remember that sometimes the best memories come from the moments you never planned.
With love, Travis 🫀
