Too legit to quit tattoo11/30/2023 I ended up with a cane, then a walker, then an emergency discectomy of my L4L5. For the year prior to this surgery I had been suffering from major back pain, to the point where the pain affected my good leg the worst. However, this time I had lost all function below the waist. A little over a year after my leg surgery, I found myself in the hospital again. The infection destroyed most of the muscle, so they had to remove it in order to save my leg and my life. The surgeons removed most of my inner thigh to the bone. When I was 34 I ended up in the ER due to a infection in my leg, which had turned into sepsis. It affects most of my joints, ligaments, skin, hyper extensions, etc… By the time I was in my early 20’s I already had arthritis in both knees, among other health issues. KATIE: Thank you so much! Well, I was born with a mild form Elhers Danlos Syndrome Type 3, which is an inherited connective tissue disorder. What can you tell us about the health challenges you faced years ago. I am so thankful my trainer lead me to the IPL.īEN: You have such a positive outlook on all of this. Anything is possible with the right motivation, mindset and support. Even if it seems like a long or impossible road. I thought, even if I don’t place, I can still show everyone the experience and journey to stage in hopes of inspiring others to follow their passions. The only limits we have are self-limiting beliefs. I knew nothing about it, but I thought maybe it would help other people see that if you put your mind to something and put the work in, you can surprise yourself with what you are capable of. So one day I was thinking, wouldn’t it be great to give competing a try. The more I worked out the more friends, family and even strangers would tell me to keep going. I watched my cousin Hilary train, compete and win and I thought I could never do what she did. Everyone was so encouraging to keep going. It felt good to workout, so I would post small clips and photos of me working out. I did it for my mental and physical health. Then I started working out again a few years ago. Years flew by and I went through my life challenges. KATIE: You are very welcome! Well, it has been something I always thought about doing, but I knew nothing of the process. Very powerful.īEN: Wow! Thank you for such amazing words! That really means the world to me! So, let’s talk about your history and background You shared with me some of your journey and some of the challenges that you have faced and overcome. So I guess I’m a ham for being the center of attention! In all honesty, it was an experience that is wonderful and really hard to put into words. After the shoot was amazing as well because it opened up the opportunity for discussion with strangers. While we shot I felt like it was just you and I there. And like tattoos, photography is such a beautiful form of expression. Rather someone representing their life’s journey and being able to express it to interested people. So for me, I guess I didn’t feel like the center of attention. So being out there and being the center of attention gave me the opportunity to meet new people, to talk about the league and experience. You know, I loved every second of it! I’m proud of where I have come from in life. The photos! Thank you! I love them all! You are a true talent, Ben! I had an amazing time on the shoot! You are a true artist! So laid back, fun, funny! You made it easy! And wow! What a huge compliment to me! Thank you so much! KATIE: Thank you so much! I can tell that you put your heart and soul into these events, athletes, magazines and shoots! It shows! And we can all feel how genuine and passionate you are.
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