Friday, September 7, 2007

My Eccenctricities, Tattoos and Kettlebells

I got a new tattoo last week! I've known for a while now that I wanted to get a tattoo with an image of a kettlebell, I just wasn't sure how I wanted it translated into a more feminine design. So here it is! I don't need to get into all of the "meanings" behind every detail, but the butterfly is a classic symbol of transformation, that's kind of obvious! Since part of my personal transformation has been accomplished through Kettlebell training the tattoo artist, that I have the honor of working with (Robert Klem, of Samuel O'Reilly's in Santa Cruz, CA) came up with this interpretation. (It was my idea to place the KB in the wing, he just made it happen.......beautifully!) The placement of the tattoo was chosen by the artist, and I totally dig it!

But, while I was getting tattooed, the subject of KB training came up (of course!), and I realized, as I was talking about it, how eccentric the kettlebell is! It's hardcore.......it doesn't appeal to everyone. I think it takes a certain kind of person to look at it and "get it" (the KB), much less recognize that just because not everyone is doing it (in fact that's a bonus!) doesn't mean it's not a valid form of training. It's bad ass, and it kicks ass!


I've always considered myself an artistic, funky, creative type of person ( OK, and a little extreme!) that loves being "different" and I'll admit a little bit of an attention seeker! (I am a Leo after all!) I don't really give a care what anyone else thinks of me, or what I do, I live my life for myself. The fact that tattoos are permanent makes them more exciting to me, and another way of expressing my ability to commit to something I believe in...... in fact my very first tattoo was rosebuds and a heart (so "80's") with Mark's name, after knowing him only about 6 weeks (we were already engaged at that point!).

So, if anyone has ever had any doubts about my belief that the kettlebell has truly been a miracle in my life, this tattoo is a symbol of my appreciation. And it also represents the excitement and commitment to teaching, sharing, and leading by example, how it can be for others interested in changing their bodies, their health, and possibly their lives.

I'm not posting this for anyones approval or negative opinion, although if you have one (a negative opnion) I hope you have the balls to comment directly to me, via this venue, or shut the hell up!


Life is great. Live it.

34 comments:

KatrinaM said...

Why that many marks on your body? In Europe this is not often. What will you age like? Americans love to be loud.

Zorbs said...

I love your new tat!

Christine said...

Looooooove it! Love it!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! It's gorgeous! xoxo

christina said...

I have to say that while I am not a tatoo person myself I like the butterfly and more so I like the placement of it, kind of unique in a way.

Christine said...

Beautiful design! And really unique placement, too!

Kori Bliffert, NASM-CPT said...

Very cool! I love that it has special meaning with every part. I too want to get another tatoo but it has to have meaning and be special to me.

Carrie Beauchamp said...

I love the placement of your tattoos. I have been wanting to ask you about them. Thanks for sharing with everyone. What is the tattoo of on your shoulder?

Tracy Reifkind said...

Katrina M,

Why not????

We all age, I'll just do it in a much more colorful way!

And I guess I do like to be loud....but on an everyday basis, and especially when I travel, I'm very conservative, in fact most people never know I have tattoos.

The only reason why it's so public here, is because of my training, I, almost, have to wear a tank top to show body movement, and muscular development.

Thanks for your comment, Tracy

Tracy Reifkind said...

Zorbs, Christine, Jen,

Thanks for the compliment. I think I'm the first "chick" with a kettlebell tat!!!

Yea!!!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Christina & Christine,

The picture really doesn't do it justice....the placement is perfect! You'll (obviously) being seeing more of it!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Kori,

Sometimes, most times probably, tattoos do have special symbolism, but the back piece that I'm going to have done (next year), I'll give the artist full license to create his own art, I totally dig his style and trust him with my skin!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Moxie,

The tattoo on my shoulder is a snake with kind of a "Hawaiian" interpretation. My son Gabe was born in the year of the snake, and I wanted a feminine design to represent that.

leslie said...

LOVE IT!!! In a BIG way!!!

But who cares what I think? That you love it and Mark loves it -- that's what's important.

(but I DO love it!)

Royce said...

Holy shit!! I just checked your blog Tracy! Absolutely KICK ASS!! LOVE IT!!!!

carriebk said...

Hi Tracy!

This is my first time commenting on your blog... as soon as I saw your new tattoo, I had to comment. It is beautiful, the placement is perfect, and it is so YOU! Congratulations!

As someone who has known you throughout this journey, it is great to see how other people respond to what you have to say and what you have accomplished. You are truly inspirational in your creativity, dedication to your goals, and personal strength.

I loved your last post about being lucky, because it really captured the energy that you convey. You are so positive, and that positivity is infectious (in a great way lol). Keep it up, gril!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Leslie,

Of course I don't care what anyone thinks...but I certainly respect the opinions of the people I know....so thank you.

Since you know me personally, I know that you "get it"!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Royce,

C'mon now, you know I'm hardcore!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Carrie!!!!!

Talk about lucky, YOU are lucky!
And anyone that knows you story could easily say the opposite....but look where you are now!

You have such a bright PRESENT and future, you ARE bright!

I really want to eat at Tanglewood though, and I'm going to bug you until we do!!!

Anonymous said...

I love reading your blog, you crack me up! Your new tattoo is super cool. I like that the kettlebell is a part of the butterfly and not so in your face. Kinda like us kettlebellers ;) We've got that kettlbell spirit IN us, but don't always have to PROVE it to everyone else :) I saw on Renee's blog (Jasksonville KBs), that she has a kettlebell tattoo on the back of her neck. I think it's in her profile pic- of her holding a dbl press OH...Hate to burst your buble on that one :( You're still a female kettlebell innovator and totally at the fore-front of the movement. And kick ass, but you already knew that! :p Rock on sister girlfriend!

Zorbs said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Aaron Friday said...

I'm glad your artist got the peace symbol right. I've seen many pictures of peace activists who were unknowingly advertising for Mercedes-Benz.

You are a freak, but in a good way. You have a strong mind, a great body, and cool tattoos.

I thought of a new workout for you. You've done the Secret Service Snatch Test, but this one is different. How many snatches can you do in a year?

I call it the prison snatch test.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Sara,

My bubble will never burst! Mine may not be the first "chick" KB tatoo, but it's the best...LOL, you know I'm just kidding...right?

Does this mean I need a bigger one? (KB tattoo) You know how competitive I can get, lol....I'll do it! (not really)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Zorbs,

Why do you ask??? It's actually a common question, and I don't know why it is????(common) What difference does it make???

I'm assuming it has to do with the skin stretching???? Or "un" stretching? Kind of personal don't you think?

Another personal question that I get from people that don't even know me, that floors me everytime, is "Did you skin stretch back?" Or, after meeting me, people will say, "And you don't have any extra loose skin?"

I guess you hit a little nerve! (just a litle one)

Tracy Reifkind said...

Aaron,

That's funny, because I just saw a Mercedes symbol today in a magazine and I thought, WOW, I never realized it resembles a peace sign!

My next tattoo might be TGIF! (sorry, I couldn't come up with something more clever!)

As far as being a freak, I take that as a conpliment, of course.

And the prison snatch test, hmmnn....now that's hardcore!

ColeC said...

I LOVE your butterfly...and the other ones too. I just got my first tattoo in June...it's on my lower abs and it's about 6" of a flower and hummingbird.

Zorbs said...

I'm terribly sorry for offending you. I will think twice before commenting again.

Tracy Reifkind said...

Colette,

Lower abs? Ouch!

What's next?

Tracy Reifkind said...

Zorbs,

If your question meant something other than what I suspected, then please explain, and in that case I owe you an apology.

It's hard to convey "tone" in writing, and I'm sure you meant no harm or bad feelings, but neither did I!

If you would've asked my age when I got tattooed, instead of my size, that would've been different, can you see that?

But, I appreciate your interest in my blog...I'm always willing to educate and share. Tracy

Joe Sarti said...

Awesome across the board! You are real, true and pure and I have nothing but respect for you! Rock on Tracy!

Tracy Reifkind said...

Joe, I guess you'll see it in person tomorrow!

Franz Snideman said...

I'm not a tattoo person but I must say that the butterfly is beautiful!

Great post...thanks for being real and transparent! In an age when their is so much superficial baloney out there it is nice to come across a group of people committed to something positive, healthy and hardcore!!!

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Unknown said...

To each his own. If you don't like it, don't get them.