In the seventh season of Tournament of Champions, Guy Fieri opened up about the intense and emotionally charged atmosphere that happens behind the scenes of the popular culinary competition series. During an appearance on the April 9 episode of Rob Lowe’s Literally! podcast, Fieri described the show as a life-changing experience, noting the immense pressure that the chefs endure. According to Fieri, the show provides a platform to showcase some of the best chefs in the world, but it also demands a lot from them. “You gotta really have a backbone about you. You gotta really have truth and belief in yourself to go and do this because it’s scary,” he said.

The stress of the competition runs deep, and Fieri even suggested that some contestants suffer from what could be described as PTSD after the show. The pressure, he explained, can become overwhelming, and the intensity of the experience is “gnarly, gnarly, gnarly.” The behind-the-scenes environment is filled with highs and lows, as emotions run high, and the stakes are always elevated. Fieri described a range of feelings that the chefs go through during the competition, from frustration and anger to joy and a sense of empowerment. Some chefs even turn to their loved ones for support, calling their wives or husbands in the heat of the moment. “People find their higher power,” he remarked, emphasizing the emotional toll the competition can take on the participants.

The intensity of the show is not just in the cooking but also in the atmosphere that surrounds the chefs. Fieri described instances where contestants have been so stressed out that they have destroyed parts of the set. “Tears, holes in the wall, kicked-over things, people getting pissed, people getting happy,” he listed, reflecting the raw emotion that is sometimes unleashed during filming. These moments, while never aired on television, paint a vivid picture of the mental and emotional strain the contestants face while competing for the coveted title and the grand prize.

Despite the drama and chaos, Fieri has a deep appreciation for the chefs he works with on Tournament of Champions. He sees the show as a chance to celebrate the people he admires and respects in the culinary world. “It’s a chance to celebrate the people that I love and I respect and I admire, and to be the ringleader of this is an amazing opportunity,” he said, expressing his genuine admiration for the competitors and their resilience. For Fieri, being the host of this intense competition is both fulfilling and rewarding, and it’s something that he’s passionate about.

If it weren’t for his love of the culinary world, Fieri admitted that he might have moved on from television a long time ago. He explained that he is deeply satisfied and fulfilled by his family life and his philanthropic work, but his connection to the food industry keeps him grounded and motivated to continue. Fieri and his wife, Lori, share two sons, Hunter, 29, and Ryder, 19, and despite his fame, his family remains his priority. He also finds fulfillment in his other shows, such as Flavortown Food Fight, which premiered on March 4, and his long-running Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives. These shows allow him to spotlight local restaurants and chefs, showcasing the diversity and talent within the culinary community.

Season 7 of Tournament of Champions premiered on March 1, with 32 chefs competing against each other in a high-stakes kitchen battle. Over the course of eight weeks, the chefs are pushed to their limits as they face off in increasingly difficult challenges. The winner of the season will walk away with the coveted Tournament of Champions belt and a $150,000 cash prize. Fieri has stated that the level of competition has only intensified in recent years, with chefs continuously upping their gameplay and strategies to secure the win.

“This year, we put four industry icons in the top seed, immediately putting targets on their backs for the win-hungry competitors. And that alone is the secret ingredient for the most epic season yet,” Fieri said in a release shared with PEOPLE ahead of the season premiere. The addition of top-seeded chefs adds another layer of excitement and unpredictability to the competition, making this season one of the most thrilling yet.

For Fieri, the intense and often chaotic environment behind the scenes is part of what makes Tournament of Champions such a compelling show. The emotional rollercoaster, the pressure to perform, and the drive to win create a competition like no other. It’s a life-changing experience for the chefs involved, and while the viewers may only see a small fraction of what happens behind closed doors, Fieri believes that the emotional stakes are what truly set the show apart. If the unseen footage of shattered walls, tears, and shattered egos ever made it to air, the audience would be shocked by the raw intensity that defines the competition. But for Fieri and the chefs, it’s all part of the journey, one that they take on with determination and heart, pushing the boundaries of what it means to be a top chef.