Raymond Benton

Connect What inspired your most recent tattoo?

I wanted to get them for awhile. I lost my son and wife back to back and lost my way. I survived that ordeal and later was in a trauma unit with double pneumonia, multiple plural effusions, osteomyelitis, prostate infection etc all in my body unable to move with tubes in me. I somehow survived that and was in an assisted living facility and started walking on day 30. I slowly hit the gym gained 40 lbs and fought my way back. I’ve trained for 45 year and I don’t have quit in me.

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

It would say never quit, never lay down, never say die. Trials and tribulations in life are there to forge you like iron and you remember to surround yourself with like minded people. Keep pushing through every adversity in life no matter the circumstances. My favorite quote is the Man in the Arena. I try to live it.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I would probably fix my old Escalade A/C and mechanical problems and get it back in shape and improve my living conditions since I’m 65 and on SS semi retirement. I’m going back into personal training so I need a base. I’ve had a few homeless spurts after my illness because I couldn’t do home construction anymore and I lost my new Tundra and apt. I make do in my old truck and with my gym memberships. You just push on man. Better things are coming ! 💪