Published on May 6, 2026 at 06:00 AM
It snowed a little, and a frigid wind blew on the road as I drove to the Black Bear Tattoo shop where my brother Alex was waiting for me. I was filled with stress for hours before my appointment, but when I lay down on the table, an uncharacteristic calm came over me. I confidently relinquished control and trusted my brother to pour his artistic talent onto the canvas of my legs.
Most people rush to the tattoo parlor to get a bright red “M-dot” logo after getting their first Ironman done. Not me. It took me nine years and three Ironman finishes to get here. I didn’t realize how much this trip to the tattoo parlor taught me about the permanent realities of life.
My first Ironman
It is common after completing an Ironman race to receive a token Iron man logo tattooed On your leg. In 2017, after several years of racing shorter distance triathlons, I committed to training for a full Ironman. Fate has called me to one race: a quiet lake.
When I was a kid, my family and I would vacation there. I vividly remember the first time I saw Whiteface Mountain, and the sense of awe I felt as I watched it emerge from behind a stand of trees. It sparked a deep desire within me to challenge myself.
Later in life, my father and I went on hikes in the highlands, where I would push my physical limits. I credit those trips with inspiring belief in myself and my abilities to overcome adversity.
My training for my first Ironman brought back memories of those days. That’s when I first thought about inking myself. There was nothing so important or that spoke to me so deeply that I would consider wearing it on myself forever. If I can complete an epic challenge like Ironman Lake Placid, maybe I’ll join those who proudly wear that iconic logo on their legs.
Competing in Ironman is much more than just a race. It takes at least a year of preparation, at least six dedicated months of training, and if all goes well, an epic day on the course. There may be a medal waiting at the finish, but the reward that lingers long after the soreness and pain of race day have faded is the transformative experience.
For me, finishing Ironman Tranquil Lake It means so much more than that. My lifelong relationship with the Adirondack Mountains has shaped my personality. Every inch of the race course gave me a direct connection to the mountains I love. Crossing the finish line on the Olympic oval track, the sound of Mike Reilly calling my name ringing through the crisp mountain air, was a surreal experience.
Completing the Lake Placid project changed my perception of myself and my belief in what is possible. I went to additional successful Ironman Finals in 2019 in Mont Tremblant and in 2024 again in Lake Placid.
But despite the profound impact triathlon has had on my life, I couldn’t settle on a tattoo design that focused strictly on the sport of triathlon.
More than a triathlon
Since 2024 ended in Lake Placid, I have consciously embraced greater balance in my life, making time to truly appreciate my other interests and fully invest in the people who are most important to me.
When I finished my ninth 70.3 race last June in Mont-Tremblant, the call to join the M-dot Tat Club began again. But this time, my vision for ink began to evolve, and I shifted from focusing solely on triathlon. I started thinking about everything that makes me who I am, and the most important things to and about me: my love of the outdoors and the mountains; The peace of paddling in the remote wilderness; Love and companionship from my Golden Retrievers, Richard and Douglas; And all the wonderful dogs I’ve ever loved. All of these themes are connected and intertwined with the love and partnership I have with my wife, Nicole, whose support and belief in me has enabled me to become the person I am today. If I wanted something to be with me forever, these were the topics for sure.
I’ve had conversations with my brother who has been a tattoo artist for 4 years. He took my ideas and primitive sketch design and skillfully crafted them into a seamless, beautiful display: a calm lake, a man and woman paddling their canoe, gliding across its waters, and a wanderer on the shore with his golden savior at his side. Surrounded by mountains and pine trees, the Iron Man symbol shines like the sun behind the mountains.
He combined everything that mattered most into one perfect scene. It was exactly what I asked for.
As I lay there contemplating the calm that washed over me, I asked myself, “Why don’t I feel more stressed?” It occurred to me: This is me, in the deepest recesses of my identity. I would be proud to display it for all to see and let the world understand what is most important in my life.
Don’t miss the flight
The next morning, as Jeremy Richard and I took our morning walk, I thought about the permanence and impermanence of life. As Richard and I sat quietly, enjoying our natural moment along Cayuga Creek, gentle snow fell around us. We were overwhelmed by the beauty of that moment. I’ve been very hesitant to get a tattoo because it’s a lifelong commitment. But what is truly permanent?
Richard leaned toward me, a perfect crystal flake falling onto his fur. It lived long enough for me to marvel at its beauty and uniqueness before it melted away. I thought about my new tattoo and how it stays with me permanently, but I also stopped to consider how fleeting my life is in the context of the universe. The creek and its trees will continue to function long after I am gone.
Even the ancient mountains that inspired me as a child and now decorate my legs are temporary. They are witnesses to dinosaurs, glaciers, and the rise and eventual fall of life itself. It, too, will one day erode and disappear into nothing. In the end, nothing material will last forever.
Perhaps, though, in the immaterial, we find eternity. I am grateful for the time I spent planning my tattoo. Within it, forever in my soul, I can see the things that matter most. These are the things that will transcend life and remain in my soul forever. Connecting these personal principles to triathlon has taught me a lot about myself. Not only did this give me the opportunity to challenge my physical and psychological limits, but it also helped uncover and reveal my identity on a much deeper level.
It can be very easy to get lost in the hyper-focus of training, racing, or pursuing any major goal in life. When I started my Ironman journey, one of my triathlon club members told me, “Enjoy every moment of race day. You only get one Ironman.” I took that seriously. I think it has a great truth that goes beyond just race day.
As you pursue your goal, don’t miss this process. Enjoy every moment in life and always strive to find the beauty around you. Don’t lose yourself along the way. There is great meaning in our accomplishments, but this meaning can be lost if we do not stop and reflect on the journey that brought us to the finish line.
As Richard and I sat on the creek bank, my gaze became fixed on a slice of water glistening in the sun before disappearing beneath the ice. I knew this moment would only exist this very second, but I would carry it with me, like the feelings of my tattoo, forever.
