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Woman Who Earned $200,000 Selling Fart Jars Hospitalized by Her Work
What happens when a quirky side hustle becomes a six-figure phenomenon only for the human body to say enough? This is the real-life story of a reality TV personality whose offbeat business venture brought her international attention, loyal buyers, and eventually a health scare that forced her to shut it down. What started as a humorous experiment turned into a powerful example of the toll viral fame can take on physical well-being.
From Reality TV to an Unconventional Enterprise
Stephanie Matto, a Connecticut-based personality best known for her appearance on 90 Day Fiancé, discovered an eyebrow-raising way to transform internet fame into real earnings: selling jars of her flatulence. The idea originated in late 2021 after a fan on an adult content platform made the unusual request. To her surprise, demand surged. Priced at $1,000 each with occasional holiday discounts, her jars quickly sold out, earning her more than $200,000 within just a few weeks.
At the height of production, Matto was reportedly filling up to 97 jars over the course of just two days, personally packaging and shipping them to customers around the world. Her unexpected business became a talking point across social media and news outlets, igniting debates about the boundaries of influencer culture. While some admired her entrepreneurial creativity, others questioned the implications of monetizing such a personal and physiological product.
The Diet That Fueled a Fortune Then Sent Her to the ER
What does it take to sustain a business built on flatulence? For Stephanie Matto, it meant reengineering her diet to meet demand—one gas-producing meal at a time. Her kitchen became a lab, and her body, the engine. She began consuming black beans, hard-boiled eggs, yogurt, muffins, and protein shakes in heavy rotation. Each ingredient was chosen with purpose: to maximize output and keep orders flowing.
“I found that cabbage was producing the absolute nastiest farts… it was not just on brand for me, so I was testing out different formulas and I really liked what I was getting with protein and beans,” she shared in a YouTube interview. Beans and eggs became her staples, while she passed time reading and waiting for her digestive system to do its part. She later added that protein shakes made the odor even more intense, a detail she believed elevated the customer experience.
But what started as a calculated formula for success soon became a physical risk. As the orders increased, so did the strain on her body. The constant influx of dairy, fiber, and protein supplements began to overwhelm her system. Within two months, her gut could no longer keep up.
One evening, Matto felt an unfamiliar heaviness take hold in her abdomen. It was followed by sharp chest pressure, a pinching near her heart, and a growing difficulty in breathing. With each inhale, discomfort escalated. She later revealed she thought she was having a heart attack because the symptoms were so severe. Hence, she rushed to the hospital, fearing a cardiac emergency.
Doctors ruled out heart disease, diagnosing her instead with acute gas retention. The culprit? Her high-protein, high-bean diet. The excessive gas had built up in her digestive tract, pressing against her diaphragm and mimicking symptoms of a heart attack — a condition that, while not uncommon, is rarely associated with influencer business models.
The ordeal forced her to step back. Physicians prescribed gas-relief medications and advised her to change her diet immediately. But for Matto, it wasn’t just a shift in nutrition. It marked the end of her viral business. She shut down the fart jar operation entirely, recognizing that no trend or paycheck was worth risking her health.
Rebranding the Viral Hustle: Sweat, NFTs, and a Smarter Play
Stephanie Matto’s hospital scare might have ended one chapter but it did not end her entrepreneurial streak. Determined to maintain momentum without risking her health, she launched a new product that offered shock value without digestive strain: jars of boob sweat.
Sold at around $500 each, the jars catered to the same loyal fan base that made her original business go viral. The novelty remained, but this time her body was no longer under pressure. Matto had found a way to keep the brand alive on her own terms.
She also took her creativity digital by launching a Fart Jar NFT collection. Non fungible tokens, or NFTs, allow people to purchase unique digital assets, and Matto offered some with the option to redeem physical jars. Her cheeky tagline, “Be part of history with the first ever generative Fart Jar NFT collection. Imagine the smell,” grabbed attention and proved that her flair for headlines was far from over.
The NFT project was more than a novelty. It included fan perks such as private online communities, mentoring sessions, and digital collectibles that created a sense of exclusivity for her most dedicated followers.
By blending digital entrepreneurship with low risk physical products, Matto successfully reinvented herself. Her pivot raised fresh conversations about how internet fame can evolve without sacrificing health. In the age of viral attention, she showed that reinvention is possible and sometimes necessary for long term survival.
When Diet Becomes Dangerous
Stephanie Matto’s story might invite laughter, but beneath the viral oddity lies a serious health lesson. Her experience reveals the real risks of manipulating diet for extreme or unconventional purposes. Eating large quantities of gas-triggering foods like beans, dairy, and eggs combined with protein shakes and supplements can put more than just your comfort at risk. It can compromise digestion, heart health, and long-term metabolic balance. Here are some of the documented effects:
- Severe bloating and abdominal pressure can push upward against the diaphragm, restricting breathing and causing discomfort with every inhale
- Chest pain, anxiety, or panic attacks may occur when trapped gas mimics symptoms of a heart attack, often prompting urgent medical visits
- Disruption of the gut microbiome results from repetitive and imbalanced eating, reducing microbial diversity and impairing digestive function
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance can arise from high protein and salty foods without enough water, placing stress on the kidneys and intestinal system
- Nutrient deficiencies become likely when the diet is restricted to gas-producing ingredients, crowding out essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber
- Acid reflux or indigestion may develop as gas pressure pushes stomach contents upward, leading to discomfort and burning sensations
What makes these outcomes particularly concerning is how easily they can be overlooked in the pursuit of social media trends or niche business ventures. The body thrives on diversity, balance, and moderation, qualities that often get sacrificed in favor of attention-grabbing stunts. For anyone tempted to follow similar extremes, Matto’s experience serves as a cautionary tale about the hidden costs of going viral at the expense of your health.
Smart Ways to Care for Your Gut and Health in the Age of Internet Trends
Turning a viral idea into income might sound exciting, but as Stephanie Matto’s story shows, not all side hustles are good for your body. Whether you are trying a trendy diet, experimenting with supplements, or simply navigating the pressures of modern life, your digestive health matters more than likes or clicks. Here’s how to stay well while keeping up with the pace of today’s fast moving world:
- Listen to Your Body’s Early Warnings
Bloating, discomfort, or unusual fatigue are not things to push through. These are early signs that your gut may be overwhelmed. Pay attention, pause if needed, and let your body reset. - Avoid Eating the Same Things Every Day
Eating large amounts of the same foods, especially high protein or gas producing ones, can upset your digestion. Add variety through fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and fermented foods to keep your gut balanced. - Drink Plenty of Water
If you are eating more protein or salty foods, your body needs more hydration. Water supports smoother digestion and helps prevent constipation, fatigue, and kidney strain. - Be Careful with Protein Shakes and Additives
Supplements might seem like a shortcut to results, but too much can do more harm than good. Aim for balance and moderation. Whole food sources of protein are easier on your system. - Keep Gut Friendly Foods on Hand
Foods like yogurt, oats, bananas, kimchi, or leafy greens naturally support digestion. Even small daily amounts can make a big difference in how you feel. - Remember That Health Is Not a Trend
Online fame comes and goes, but your health is long term. Before trying anything extreme, ask yourself if the benefits are worth the potential risks. A balanced body supports a clearer mind, more energy, and a stronger foundation for any success you pursue.
The Real Cost of Going Viral
Stephanie Matto’s journey may read like a headline made for clicks, but behind it is a deeper commentary on what it means to build a brand from the body. In a culture that rewards novelty, shock, and instant engagement, her story is a reminder that the human body is not a machine for profit—it has limits, and when ignored, they will speak louder than any trend.
But her pivot also shows something else. Reinvention is not weakness. It is wisdom. Matto turned a health scare into an opportunity to redefine her business in a way that served both her audience and herself. That choice is what gives her story staying power.
In the end, the lesson is not just about fart jars or NFTs. It is about knowing when to shift, when to pause, and when to protect your well-being in a world that rarely asks you to. Because the most valuable asset you have is not what you sell. It is how well you can keep showing up for your work, your audience, and your health.
Featured Image from @stepankamatto on Instagram