Breaking Records on Live TV: My Appearance on Spain’s “El Hormiguero”
I flew to Spain where to appear on El Hormiguero which means The Anthill, one of the country’s biggest and wildest live TV shows. It’s known for mixing science, technology, and a sense of humor that makes it an absolute blast to be part of. Over the years, the show has hosted nearly every major Hollywood actor you can think of, but this time, it was my turn to bring a little engineering flair to the stage.
As someone who’s been promoting STEM education for over 15 years, I couldn’t imagine a more fitting platform. El Hormiguero celebrates curiosity and invention, and that’s exactly what drives everything I do, from engineering innovation to breaking Guinness World Records titles in the name of science.
The Record: Most Cucumbers Snapped in 30 Seconds
The challenge? Break the Guinness World Records title for “Most Cucumbers Snapped in 30 Seconds.”
Sounds simple, right? Not exactly. Each cucumber had to meet strict minimum weight and length requirements. Before the cameras rolled, I carefully weighed and measured every cucumber on camera, sorting them so that I’d be snapping the thinnest ones that still met the official criteria.
The number to beat was 50 cucumbers in 30 seconds. That’s almost two per second. So, after a quick practice run, and realizing this was going to be broadcast live to the entire country, I stepped up in front of the audience, ready to make history.
The Show, The Countdown, The Snap
When the countdown started, adrenaline took over. My hands moved faster than I thought possible, cucumbers were flying, the crowd was cheering, and the on-screen counter couldn’t even keep up. By the end of the 30 seconds, the live count said 67… but when Guinness did their official review, the final number came in at 65 cucumbers snapped.
That’s not just breaking the record, that’s shattering it.
As the audience erupted, I threw my arms up and shouted, “Come on!” the perfect celebration for a moment that was part science, part spectacle, and pure fun.
Why It Matters: Engineering Meets Entertainment
Every time I take on a record attempt, it’s about more than just numbers. It’s about showing students, and everyone watching, that STEM can be exciting, hands-on, and even a little crazy. Whether it’s building robots, designing sensors, or yes, snapping cucumbers at world-record speed, it all ties back to creativity and problem-solving.
That’s been my mission for the last 15 years: to use world records as a vehicle to promote STEM education, inspire curiosity, and show that engineering is anything but boring.
What’s Next
The full video is now live, and I can’t wait for everyone to see the chaos, precision, and joy that went into this record. I’m already hearing that some news outlets will be covering the story, so keep an eye out for those updates here and across my social channels.
Breaking a Guinness World Records title live on one of Europe’s biggest shows? That’s one for the books.