Zachary Chen

What inspired your most recent tattoo?

My tattoo was inspired by a near-death experience that forever changed me. One night, I was assaulted outside a nightclub—an encounter that left me with a very real chance of not making it out alive. In the aftermath, everything shifted. I saw who truly stood by me and who disappeared. I realized how fragile life is, how quickly it can all change, and how not a single day is guaranteed. At the time, I was lost—partying, unstable, chasing the wrong things. That moment humbled me forev

If your ink could speak, what would it say?

If my ink could speak, it would whisper a truth older than time itself. We are but specks in a vast universe, bound by breath and purpose. Live with humility, grow with grace, and uplift with love. Life is fleeting—each moment a chance to learn, to heal, to soar. We rise by lifting others. Spread your wings, reach your full potential, and trust that everything happens for a reason. Time heals, kindness matters, and your presence can change the world. Make it count.

What would you do with the $25,000?

I’d invest in a mix of growth/purpose. First, I’d donate $5k to City Harvest to help fight hunger in NYC, another $5k to Girls Scouts of Greater NY to support youth leadership, and $5k to NYC H2O to fund environmental education. $5k would be used to take a transformative trip to places like Egypt, where I can explore ancient wonders and deepen my understanding of history and culture. The remainder would be used for a free tattoo for any who have their own purposeful story!