zimmern has a stomach of steel.rom -- you're such an adventurous eater. >> no. the only thing that's ever happened to me in terms of my wellness -- i picked up a virus about ten years ago in central morocco from tainted cumin. i carried medication in case it flares up. there's only a handful of people in the world that have it. >> reporter: i'm surprised of all of the things you ate, that gives you some kind of problem. >> the irony is not lost on men. >> reporter: in his younger days, he didn't just reserve his try anything attitude for food. >> i was kicked out of college a couple of times and went overseas and cook and cooked in new york and along the way i developed a horrific drug and alcohol problem that almost killed yaúá÷me. >> reporter: zimmern went to rehab and has been sober 23 years. >> once i sobered up and i got a little time under my belt, i realized that the thing that actually gave me the most peace of mind was the idea that in doing something for other people, you feel better about yourself in your