Trail Off Tuesdays: The Bizarre Life of Monsieur Mangetout

Send us a textYou might think you've heard every strange human feat possible, but the story of Michel Lotito will make you question everything you thought you knew about the human body's limitations. This isn't just about a man with an unusual appetite – it's about someone whose physiological makeup defied medical understanding.Born in 1950s France, Michel discovered his peculiar ability to consume glass as a child. What started as a curious habit evolved into something extraordinary when doctors discovered his stomach lining was twice as thick as normal and his digestive acids potent enough to break down materials that would destroy an ordinary person's system. Far from being deterred by his condition, Michel embraced it, transforming his extreme case of pica into a career that would earn him worldwide recognition.The centerpiece of Michel's legacy remains his consumption of an entire Cessna 150 airplane between 1978 and 1980. Methodically eating approximately two pounds of metal daily, he completed what remains one of the most outlandish records in history. Throughout his lifetime, he consumed everything from bicycles and televisions to chandeliers and shopping carts – yet bizarrely couldn't stomach bananas or hard-boiled eggs. As "Monsieur Mangetout" (Mr. Eat-All), he performed across three continents, astonishing audiences with his metal-munching abilities before passing away in 2007 from causes entirely unrelated to his metallic diet.Next time you're facing something that seems impossible to digest – whether a difficult situation or challenging news – remember Michel Lotito, who turned what should have been a debilitating condition into his superpower. Follow Trail of Tuesdays for more mind-bending true stories that remind us just how strange and wonderful our world can be.Support the show