Olympic ink: 40 tattoos on the world's best athletes

Read the full story here:
http://darkroom.baltimoresun.com/2012/07/olympic-ink-40-more-tattoos-on-the-worlds-best-athletes/#24

British athlete Nicholas Robinson Baker's Olympics tattoo.

Wife, mother, photographer, honoring loss and love.

I have two tattoos. One to remember and honor the loss of our first baby, and one to honor the love of my life, my husband. People get tattoos for all kinds of reasons, not just to be tough. Look around, tattoos are everywhere, on everyone. Instead of judging someone for their body art, why not ask them why they got it instead?

Nonprofit founder, grandma, Christian, never been in trouble

I was 50 years old when I got my first tattoo. Since then, I have had four more.

It wasn’t something that I would have ever thought of doing, but once I received the first (as a birthday gift), I really thought it was a way to express those things most important in my life. I love my tattoos.

This particular tattoo on my foot is special to me because I founded a nonprofit organization to help refugees and underdeveloped communities in East Africa. It reminds me to continually walk as Jesus would have me to walk – forward with faith, with strength, with purpose and to follow His mission.

I have never been in trouble. I was a good student, wife and the mother of two summa cum laude students; both professionals. My husband and I have been married for 39 years, dated for six and had children six years after marriage.

We go to Africa twice a year to serve the underserved and overlooked in the world.

Utembeye na imani – means “walk by faith” in Swahili.

Tattoos help define who I am.

60-year-old outdoorsman, Christian, humanitarian, family man

“I ink, therefore, I am.” Perhaps stretching Descartes a bit before "Die Horse" (famous project named at HP in the '80s), the statement still has some ringing truth to it.

The artwork on my right arm captures two main themes in my life: my love for the out of doors, plus my love for humanity. The top portion is my favorite mountain range, which can be seen from my home, that being Long’s Peak. Summiting it six times with several rivers flowing down the foothills is the metaphor of my life as a constantly changing river, yet flowing constantly with much energy and with the ability to adapt to any situation necessary to keep moving. The two main confluences of the river are my children and their lives. Clearly, this is a work in progress and will continue. And centerpiece is a Celtic cross, depicting our love of Ireland and our rich faith in Jesus.


Below is an armband with the Swahili word Mzee emblazed across my small bicep. I was given this
name from the Ugandan people during one of our many trips to work distributing malaria nets working as volunteers for our NGO, Think Humanity, Inc. Again, centering this is a spaded cross pointing, once again, to my faith.

On my left hand are two Greek letters, Alpha and Omega, which stand for the Beginning and The End, the Genesis of my faith. Below that is the Hebrew word for Jaweh, which means God will provide. These gentle reminders are with me constantly and force me to exercise my faith by living it, testing it and seeing it in action with my own hands.


Both of these two ink-works are personal to me and have deep and significant meaning to my life and others that are aware of significant events within my personal life. The other benefits from having such ink is that it provides to others a potential opportunity to share one’s faith, their experiences and how they managed through some of the tougher moments in life.

This is not to say that all tattoos have significance, but at least in my life, being 60 years old and retired, my inking has only just begun! My rule of thumb is that when pondering a tattoo, give that idea one year’s worth of consideration, then if you still want it, you’ll have made the right decision!

Husband, firefighter, EMT

I am a 33-year-old husband, firefighter, and EMT. And yes, I have tattoos. I feel that tattoos are a way for someone to express who they are, where they have been, and tell the story of their life. I have a Star of Life on my right arm. It is something I am proud of, and can be proud of to tell my grandkids someday about what it means and what I did. This tattoo also has a deeper meaning than some my realize, as it was still healing on September 11th, 2001. I also have a Manx Crest on my left arm, which has the Manx Gaelic "Whichever Way You Throw Me, I Will Stand." I say to everyone out there, express yourself. And no matter what life may throw at you, stand.

Jewelry-maker, crafter, blogger, married 23 years

My friend sent your blog. I would like to be a part of educating others that I am "not a bad person" just because I have ink on my body.

My husband's mom and my mom both died this year, February and March. They were both unmarried, lived alone in their own mobile homes, one in California, one in Las Vegas. They chose to just sit alone and do nothing with their lives, just sit and watch TV or sit on the computer, only going out to get groceries. Both were overweight, one obese. They could have done so much more with their lives.

 

My tattoo says "Get busy living, or get busy dying." It is a powerful statement, and I want to see it everyday to remind me to live life to the fullest. I could think of no better way then a tattoo. I have always been artisitic and creative. Tattooing is the best way to display your favorite artwork and it will be with you forever!

Animal lover, humanitarian, honor student with multiple college degrees

In 2005, fresh out of high school and newly introduced to university life, I got my first tattoo. In memory of a dog I grew up with, I got two large paw prints on my back.

 

In 2009, I got my second tattoo and I got it for a cause. Each tattoo purchased bought nets for refugees in Africa to prevent malaria. The artists and individuals receiving the tattoos were interviewed the show was broadcast to support the cause.

 

Shortly thereafter, I got the tattoo that changed my life. In 2008, a 14-year-old family friend went missing. Tagged as a runaway, her parents searched for her endlessly and the public slowly forgot who she was. In early 2009, they found her body. Longing for a tattoo that represented myself, as well as the life that was lost, I made my way down to the tattoo parlor, picturing something simple and elegant. Rather, I ended up with a beautiful scene on my side that reads "No more tears in Heaven."

 

I am a college graduate with a degree in veterinary technology. I worked in the veterinary field for three years helping to save the lives of animals. I went back to school and got my bachelor degree in business management. I graduated as a member of the Delta Mu Delta honors society. All of tattoos are hidden beneath my clothes and without mentioning them, I've never met anyone who anticipated the tattoos before seeing them. I find that adults are pleasantly shocked to see the tattoo on my side and children are delighted by the colors.

 

My tattoos seem to be the same as art found on walls: conversation pieces. These will definitely not be my last conversation pieces.

Mother of three girls, business owner, married to the love of her life

I am 33 years old and have been married for 12 years, to the love of my life. We have three beautiful girls whom I adore more than anything and love to spend time with. I started my own business, Neat Freaks Cleaning, six years ago and I am currently in school as a business major. In my free time I enjoy spending time with my family, laughing, reading, camping and traveling.

I am so fortunate to have so many blessings in my life, but I have also had to endure severe heartache. Losing my son Joshua when I was 20 weeks pregnant and finding out that my father had Lymphoma opened my eyes to just how fragile and short life can be. 

I have two tattoos. My most recent, a cherry blossom branch that wraps my shoulder, helps  remind me to celebrate the gift of life and cherish every single day, as if it were your last.

Father, lover, gentle giant, artist.

I will be 30 years old in a couple months. I am the father of the most precious 2-year-old girl in the world named Bettie. I am the husband of the most beautiful woman I could ever lay my eyes on. Not everyone knows me, but those who do know me as such. At 6 and a half feet tall with and athletic 230-pound build, I have been told I can be intimidating. In fact, a few weeks ago one of the neighbor kids told my wife, "Bettie's dad is scary."

This is the same kid who now runs up to my car every day when I get home from work to borrow my skateboard.

The point is once he got to know me, he found out I wasn't all that scary. In fact my wife, should be the one you're afraid of. I'm just a push-over. I have a laid-back demeanor and a kind and gentle heart. I shed tears at Disney movies. The only fights I have ever been in were fights for other people, standing up for my friends.

I have been called a hoodlum, a punk, even white trash. Maybe it's my big frame, or baseball cap, or maybe it's my tattoos. That's right, I am tattooed. But I want you all to know something: You can be afraid or intimidated. You can judge me and call me a white trash. You can tell me I am not welcome in your home, and you don't have to hire me. It won't bother me, because at the end of the day my wife will not be afraid to embrace me, my daughter will still call me daddy, I will make my own home, and the job? I plan on opening my own business in the coming months. So keep your job, I am a tattoo artist.

I am tattooed.
But it's OK if your not.

English teacher, GED coordinator and loving mother

I am a high school english teacher currently working as a GED coordinator for College America. I help folks of  all ages get their GEDs for free so they can improve themselves and their lives. I am a loving mother of two very talented teenage boys. As a Colorado native, I love the outdoors and enjoy rivers and mountains and camping and hiking. I am very active in my community as a mother and a teacher. And I have tatoos.

This delinquent could save your life.

Here's a Facebook forward worth passing along.

This came from the Facebook page, "Tattoo Acceptance in the Workplace" (https://www.facebook.com/ThINKequality), which has more than 1.1 million likes.

Here are some of the stories from this page:

I am a cop with over 40 tattoos.

I'm covered in tattoos and I have a corporate office job that not only hired me but lets me wear what I want without hiding them.

I'm a social worker for the local authority- i have two half sleeves (one lower) and a chest piece...clients that notice them usually compliment me.

Im a Paramedic in Pa. I have a full sleeve on 1 arm, and a large tat on other arm between wrist and elbow. My 2 current employers welcome them.

I am a dental assistant in NY, have 9 tattoos, 1 of which is on my wrist, a bracelet with a cross and roses for my deceased grandparents.

I work for the US federal govt and the public loves my tats. A good number of folks in my office have tattoos and none of us worry about covering them up.

I have a full sleeve, full thigh..I used to manage accounts for a boutique wealth management firm, assets totaling 500 million. All under my oversight. Now i'm starting up my own financial firm, 6 employees so far.

I run an assisted living business for elderly people with dementia. I wear short sleeve polo shirts everyday. Before this endeavor, I worked as a financial planner, same attire choice. Knowledge trumps most people's reservations about my tattoos.

I'm a teacher at KinderCare. Visible tattoos and piercings - not a problem!

I'm a mechanical engineer at W. L. Gore and Associates, and I have half sleeves on both arms.

I work in a law office with 2 attorneys now in their 70's & they had absolutely no problem hiring me with my visible tattoos & piercings.

I work for one of the major banks in Canada and there is absolutely no problems with my visible tattoos.

I work in an IT department for a govt contract company with two full sleeves.

I have visible back/arm tattoos and my employer has no problems - I'm a Senior Business Analyst at a UK University - I work with the executive and people on the boards as well as other business users. My boss said "you're more memorable which is great for networking".

T-shirt from  http://steadfastbrandclothing.com

Inspiration-Maker, Daughter, Human Resources Professional.

 

I'm a 30-year-old professional woman working in health care human resources who got my first tattoo when I was around the age of 23.  Using white ink, the tattoo artist scribed the word "inspire" in small letters on the inside of my wrist.  Though it is not noticeble usually to anyone but me, it is a brand of sorts that reminds me each day to inspire the people around me as I go about my day to day activities. 

 

On Dec. 31, 2011, my incredible 60-years-"young" father passed away after a 14-month battle with pancreatic cancer. Cancer ravaged his body, but never seemed to crush his spirit... even on his sickest days. He and my mother had an epic love story and in testament to that, he passed away at the exact time on the exact date that they had married 29 years before. Days after they first met in the early 1980's, my suave daddy sent my beautiful mom flowers with a card saying he would love to get to know her... with his very beautiful signature on the back. 

This year, on what would have been his 61st birthday, my mom and I got tattoos of this exact signature to honor his life and the impact his love had on our family and friends.

 

I have tattoos.

Cancer survivor, English professor, mother, Christian and tattoo addict

I am a cancer survivor, English professor, mother, Christian, and tattoo addict.

I got my first tattoo when I was 16. When I was getting chemotherapy, I asked my father if, when I finished, I could get a tattoo. He said yes, if the oncologist said it was OK – believing the oncologist would back him with a no. Instead, we all ended up at a small tattoo parlor near the Children’s Hospital, getting a small butterfly on my ankle. It was my transition tattoo; just as caterpillars become beautiful butterflies, I had beaten cancer and come out the other side changed. I was the butterfly. That was just the start.

Being through something so life changing, so very young, makes you grow up very fast. For my entire young adult life, I felt out of place. I didn’t do the partying thing – as a matter of fact, I made it through high school without attending a single party or having a single underage drink. I had learned the very hard way that the body is a very special organ and needs to be treated correctly to run efficiently. I also felt old because when I looked at my friends drinking and smoking, I felt sorry that they did not see the end result was what I had just went through for no reason at all. I did not like the fact that so many people I knew, and people around me that I didn’t, took so little care – they invited cancer into their bodies willingly, on a daily basis, but tattoos – that was wrong, according to them.

Upon graduating high school, and then college – summa cum laude (apparently tattoos
do not damage your IQ score), I went to Ireland to help a church start up. While I was there, I decided this moment in time needed to be permanently recorded, too. It was special to me. I had changed again, from a young adult, under her parents' wings, to a new person, in a new country, starting a new church, as my own person. So I added to my tattoo. I added the trinity. I figured, being in Ireland, the tattoo should be Irish in format and show why I was there, what my beliefs are. So, now I had two tattoos.

When I came home from Ireland, and got my first teaching job, I learned very quickly that the world looks upon people with tattoos differently than they do people without them. Now, I am teaching college. My students are young adults -- they are on the cusp of becoming their own beings, stepping out from under their parents' wings. I have a great rapport with my students. They come to me with everything; I know of their trials and tribulations, their life issues, things they would never share with most other adults. I firmly believe this is because of my ink. They know I will not judge them; I love each and every one of them. I have walked them through abortions, miscarriages, cancer, and death. Things most other professors have no clue are going on in their student’s lives. This because I have an open heart and mind, and I think they see this because of the tattoos.

I now have six tattoos, each representing a change or important moment in my life (the birth of my son, the death of my grandfather, the expression of my faith -- in more than one way). People look at me differently when I have them on display than when I do not. I can be out and about in a nice dress with no tattoos showing and get excellent service at stores; I can return to the same store in shorts and a shirt with tattoos on display and get followed as if I am a shoplifter, not a valued customer. This is just wrong. It is a new form of prejudice, one that people do not want to address or admit they even have.

I have inked to cover cancer scars; I have inked to cover pain of loss and to express great joy; but I have not inked to decrease my standing in life. I am still me. I am still a mother, survivor, professor, Christian. Having tattoos does not change that. 


These tattoos are my memories, permanently and beautifully painted onto my body. My body, which has had so much done to it, that I finally feel comfortable again in it, because of the tattoos. They represent me. 

The prejudice is there. However, would I ever get rid of my tattoos? Would I ever go back in time and start over? That’s like asking me if I would go back and not have cancer. Never. I like who I am and I think having cancer, and having my tattoos, has made me who I am. An English professor, a Christian and mother.

And I have tattoos.

Father, husband, artist, donor to the Ovarian Cancer National Alliance

I'm a father, husband, tattoo artist and shop owner.

My love for art started when I was 4. My grandmother, who I lived with at the time, would give me a pencil and paper to draw on while sitting through Catholic mass. After that, I never put my pencil down. I went to a junior college for commercial art, but after learning that I would only be making art on the computer, I decided it wasn’t for me. I liked illustrating. After getting a couple of tattoos and watching my artist, I decided I wanted to be a tattoo artist. From there, I learned to tattoo, and I am now a successful shop owner.

When I’m not at the shop, you can find me fishing, hanging out with my wife and kids or at a sport event watching my son. My shop has donated to charitable events, one being Ovarian Cancer National Alliance. 

Daughter, Humanitarian, Photographer, Traveler

I am a driven, bright, optimistic woman, dedicated to making positive shifts in the world with my time here. I graduated from college on a full-ride academic scholarship with a degree in International Development and Spanish. I have ran my own successful photography business since I was 18 years old, combining it with other jobs to remain completely debt-free to this day.

I have multiple tattoos -- two are my favorite. One is a Swahili verse, running the length of my upper back with the words "Uwe nguvu na juhudi," meaning "Be strong and courageous." This tattoo was inspired by my work in a refugee camp in Uganda -- the reminder that despite the obstacles I am bound to face in humanitarian work, to always work for the betterment of others.

The second is morse code script that wraps around my left rib cage. It's a tattoo that my mother also has. The tattoo means "Oceans of Love." This very meaningful phrase is a term of endearment that my mother and I have used with each other since I was little, meaning our love for each other is bigger than all of the water in the ocean. When she was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer when I was 17, I wanted us to share something even more symbolic that we would always wear.

As I get older and my education continues to grow, my desire to get more tattoos grows along with it. I will continue to do good things in the world. I will continue to get tattoos.

Corrections officer with degree in criminal justice, mother of two

I love tattoos! They are not for everyone, but the people who do have them are just as beautiful as the ones who don’t.

My name is Jodi and I’m a mother of two. I’m a corrections officer (I have my degree in criminal justice), and during my free time, I’m with my roller derby family. My tattoo is of cherry blossoms being pulled in by the wind. It’s an ongoing tattoo that I have yet to finish. It will soon be a finished sleeve.

I am lucky enough to have family, not only as my inspiration, but as my tattoo artist, as well.

Wife, mother, daughter, registered nurse.

My name is Monica.

I’m a wife, a mother and loving registered nurse. During my free time, you can find me playing with my children, hanging out with my friends and our families, or you might catch me trying to find a way to brighten someone’s day.

When I’m working, my tattoos are covered under my scrubs. When outside of work, you’ll see my colorful art displayed on my chest and foot. The fairy on my foot was my first tattoo, I got it in 1997 when my father was given three months to live. Together, as a gift from him, we went and got tattoos together (my dad was always against tattoos), because he knew it would be a gift of a lifetime. My fairy is sprinkling magic dust to remind me that life is precious and magical, so magical that 15 years later, my dad is still with us.

The koi fish on the left side of my chest remind me of what I’ve been through over the last six months and to remind me to never give up. No matter how hard life gets, I need to keep swimming. It reminds me of my aspiration, strength and perseverance. The right side of my chest displays the spirit of an owl with a gypsy woman who has an American Indian appearance to her. It’s to remind me to always follow my intuition and gut instinct. To treat all mankind with kindness and love.

I have tattoos.

Mom, book nerd, lover of art, survivor.

I am a mom and a happily married wife. I stay up late reading classic literature and drinking tea. I have been successfully employed as an award-winning journalist for more than a decade, after graduating summa cum laude with degrees in journalism and German/international media. I have traveled around the world for my job, writing about humanitarian efforts in Haiti and Africa, as well as natural disasters, such as Hurricane Katrina.

I was a cheerleader, sorority girl and straight-A student my entire life. I'm on the board of directors for my parents' nonprofit that I helped start, which provides health care, clean water and mosquito nets to refugees in Uganda. We have literally saved tens of thousands of lives. We are all tattooed. In fact, I got my first tattoo, a matching one with my mom, grandma and aunt, on my mom's 50th birthday. 

I believe we are on Earth to inspire others, to create (which is why I love art so much and married a tattoo artist), to authentically be ourselves and to encourage others to authentically be themselves. I got a thorn bird tattoo on my arm after I lost 70 percent of my blood and nearly died in childbirth, but through the true grace of God, I am here. The legend of the thorn bird is that is creates the most beautiful song ever sung while it is on its deathbed. My daughter is my most beautiful song. And the art on my arm is a daily reminder that even in our darkest hours, we can create light. My bird is my symbol not that I almost died, but that I lived. 

I have tattoos.