I've always approached tattooing differently.

I'm a self-taught tattooer, and that shaped everything about how I work.

From the beginning, I treated tattooing like a course of study. I would hear something, test it, document it, and then question it. Rather than relying on being shown the "right way," I focused on figuring things out for myself and understanding why they worked. I assumed no one was coming to save me, and I had a family to feed.

Over time, this turned into a much deeper level of experimentation and observation. I've spent decades working with machines, pigments, paints, and technique- trying to truly understand the underlying principles.

At the same time, I've always been interested in learning outside of tattooing.

Subjects like health, performance, language, business, and psychology have all shaped how I think and work. A lot of what I've learned has come from books, articles, and personal experimentation, along with insights picked up from working alongside other skilled tattooers over the years.

That broader perspective led me to notice a gap in tattooing.

On one side, there's a tendency toward outdated information, superstition, and skepticism toward anything new. On the other, there's an increasing reliance on tools, convenience, and shortcuts—often at the expense of fundamentals and logic.

Many tattooers end up somewhere in between, without a clear framework for improving their craft or building a sustainable career.

The Upgraded Tattooer was created to bridge that gap.

The goal is to bring together principles from both inside and outside of tattooing and apply them in a practical way. This includes areas like: workflow, discipline, physical health, psychology, and mindset.

Tattooing is still a craft, and it ultimately comes down to the tattooer behind the machine.

The goal of this platform is to help tattooers develop clarity, independence, and longevity in their career.