By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
What's The JamWhat's The Jam
  • Home
  • Latest News
    • UK News
    • World News
  • Super ViralHot
  • Lifestyle
    • Health and Fitness
    • Photography
    • Property
  • Humor
  • Celebrity
  • Weird
  • Videos
  • All Topics
    • Babies and Kids
    • Celebrity
    • Comedy and Humor
    • Documentary and Reportage
    • Fails
    • Health and Fitness
    • Holidays and Travel
    • Influencers and Models
    • Latest Videos
    • Life Hacks
    • Lifestyle
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Pets and Animals
    • Photography
    • Property
    • Real Life
    • Sport
    • Strange and Bizarre
    • Super Viral
    • UK News
    • World News
Search
  • Health and Fitness
  • Holidays and Travel
  • Nature and Wildlife
  • Pets and Animals
  • Photography
  • Babies and Kids
  • Comedy and Humor
  • Fails
  • Real Life
  • Strange and Bizarre
  • Submit News
  • Customize Interests
  • Bookmarks
  • Newsletter
  • Who Are We
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: ‘I’ve spent over £50,000 on my tattoo bodysuit – I started in my 60s because I don’t want to die with regrets’
Share
Notification Show More
Aa
What's The JamWhat's The Jam
Aa
  • News
  • World
  • Viral
  • Funny
  • Weird
  • Celebrity
  • DIY
  • Lifestyle
  • Sport
  • Videos
Search
  • Home
    • News
    • World
    • Super Viral
    • Videos
  • All Topics
    • Babies and Kids
    • Celebrity
    • Comedy and Humor
    • Documentary and Reportage
    • Fails
    • Health and Fitness
    • Holidays and Travel
    • Influencers and Models
    • Life Hacks
    • Lifestyle
    • Nature and Wildlife
    • Pets and Animals
    • Photography
    • Property
    • Real Life
    • Sport
    • Strange and Bizarre
  • Quick Links
    • Customize Interests
    • Bookmarks
    • Privacy Policy
    • Terms of use
    • Write For Us
    • Advertise
    • Contact
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Write For Us
  • Advertise
  • Contact
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
Experience the remarkable transformation of Drew Powell, who spent over $62,000 on tattoos and body modifications, embracing a new chapter in life at 67.
Real Life

‘I’ve spent over £50,000 on my tattoo bodysuit – I started in my 60s because I don’t want to die with regrets’

Grace Donohoe
Last updated: 2024/04/27 at 7:28 AM
Grace Donohoe
Share
8 Min Read
Drew Powell at at tattoo convention in Amsterdam. (Picture: Jam Press)
SHARE

A man has revealed incredible before and after shots after spending over $62,000,(£50,000) on tattoos and extreme body modifications..

Drew Powell first became interested in tattooed warriors from the South Pacific when he was younger.

But it wasn’t until his 60s that he decided to embrace his own ink journey.

READ MORE: Londoner spends £25,000 on extreme body modifications including ‘nightmare’ tongue split but says he’s ‘not a bad person’

- Advertisement -

Now 67, the retired telecommunications entrepreneur, has a unified bodysuit tattoo that covers ‘virtually every part of his body’, as well as 23 mm septum and nipple piercings.

“I have a Marquesan-inspired blackwork bodysuit tattoo that covers virtually every part of my body, with the exception of my hands, neck, head and face (for now),” Drew, from Washington D.C, US, told What’s The Jam.

“Starting [tattoos] later in life did have some advantages.

“I was fully funded (had the money), I had the time, I knew exactly what I wanted and being a “clean canvas” ended up with a unified bodysuit tattoo.

“Due to responsibilities and the stigma of tattoos and body mods during my younger years, I did not act on my desires.

- Advertisement -

“Eventually the world caught up to my way of thinking so I decided that it was now or never.

“I did not want to die with regrets.”

His appearance isn’t the only transformation he’s undergone either.

- Advertisement -

Ten years ago, Drew weighed 21 stone and claims his health was failing.

Experience the remarkable transformation of Drew Powell, who spent over $62,000 on tattoos and body modifications, embracing a new chapter in life at 67.
Drew Powell at 21 stone. (Picture: Jam Press)

He lost a whopping eight stone and says he is “heavily tattooed and modified… and loving life!”.

Drew said: “I have a 23 mm stretched septum that I pierced at age 13, but did stretch up until 2020.

“I also have 8 mm pierced nipples and other assorted piercings.

“The first time I saw images of tattooed warriors from the South Pacific and indigenous people with cultural modifications, I wanted these for myself.”

And, the tattoo fanatic has splashed out thousands on his love for the needle, spending hours in the chair and months to complete his inkings.

He said: “I have spent more than $62,000 (£50,000) on tattoos and body mods.”

My tattoo bodysuit took 14 months to complete.

“I did this by getting tattooed in eight hour sessions every two weeks.

“Total time for my bodysuit was 220 hours.

“For all of my life, I wanted to be tattooed and modified, but until recently these things were not done in the west unless you were crazy or a criminal.

“When someone asks me how many tattoos I have, I can honestly answer, “One.” So I do not have a favourite tattoo.

”My bodysuit in its entirety is my favourite tattoo.

“I can’t say I have a favourite piercing.

“I like them all.

“What I can say is that in transforming, I become more me every day.”

And, as for pain, he says that the sensation is only temporary, but the lasting effects are well worth it.

Experience the remarkable transformation of Drew Powell, who spent over $62,000 on tattoos and body modifications, embracing a new chapter in life at 67.
Drew Powell complete bodysuit. (Picture: Jam Press)

“There are two kinds of pain: the immediacy of piercing pain and the pain marathon that constitutes tattooing.

“My nipples were tattooed black then pierced two weeks later at 4 mm. As far as piercings go, my nipples hurt the most.

“My most painful tattoos were mysternum, nipples, ribs, back of legs just below my buttocks, and feet.

“For tattoos and body mods, the pain is transitory.

“The aesthetic and pleasurable sensations last a lifetime.”

Drew shares his love for tattoos on Instagram (@septumdan )and has amassed over 1,000 followers, who are eager fans of his body art.

He says reactions have been mostly positive, with only the odd negative Nancy dropping their opinion.

His loved ones have rallied round too, although initially some family members found it hard to accept his new normal.

“Most of the reactions come from members of the tattooed and modified community.

“Occasionally, non-tattooed/non-modified people leave negative
comments, but tattooing and body modification is something they will never understand or accept.

Experience the remarkable transformation of Drew Powell, who spent over $62,000 on tattoos and body modifications, embracing a new chapter in life at 67.
Drew Powell at a tattoo arts festival in Baltimore. (Picture: Jam Press)

“To each their own.”

“Although tattoos are not their thing, my partner was accepting, because they knew how important this was to me.

“And best of all for my partner is that while wearing long sleeves, I can still pass for “normal” (at least for now).

“Just remember while walking by people on the street, you never know what’s beneath.

“For some close family members, it was initially difficult to accept, because they were used to me with no body art for the first six decades of my life.”

Drew says that his tattoo artist Butch has been a pleasure to work with and his inkings have actually opened up new opportunities for him.

Experience the remarkable transformation of Drew Powell, who spent over $62,000 on tattoos and body modifications, embracing a new chapter in life at 67.
Drew Powell and tattoo artist Butch. (Picture: Jam Press)

“We both feel the same way about respecting indigenous cultures.

“My bodysuit is all about cultural appreciation and the celebration of the world’s indigenous peoples.

“Being heavily tattooed and modified has opened up other opportunities as well.

“I am now an ambassador for Ink Models International, a UK based venture that matches people with businesses that want to advertise with tattooed individuals, as tattoos gain greater acceptance in society worldwide.”

He added: “I even do the occasional human hook suspension, where large hooks are driven through my skin and am then taken
aloft on ropes to fly through the air.

“Suspensions, like tattoos and body modifications, are a kind of rite-of-passage, something missing in our western, “instant gratification” society.

“It’s quite freeing and beats waiting to die, while rocking on the porch.

“For anyone that has considered getting a tattoo or piercing… Just do it.

“Life really is too short!”

READ MORE: ‘World’s most tattooed’ man who is 97% covered in tattoos says he’s now spent almost £240,000 on ink obsession

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • X

Have a story to tell? Hello@whatsthejam.com
TAGGED: Lifestyle, shocking, tattoos, Transformation

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.
[mc4wp_form]
By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Share
What do you think?
Love0
Sad0
Happy0
Sleepy0
Angry0
Dead0
Wink0
Previous Article A mysterious glowing light descends into a smoking crater at Mexico's Popocatepetl volcano, captured on camera. Could it be an inter-dimensional portal? VIDEO: UFO spotted entering volcano ‘portal’
Next Article A leading workspace provider in the UK is expanding its global presence, appealing to young individuals seeking warmer climates and travel opportunities. Incspaces Expands to Barcelona, Dublin, and Amsterdam: Catering to Young British Workers’ Desire for Sunshine and Travel
Leave a comment Leave a comment

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Stay Connected

235.3k Followers Like
69.1k Followers Follow
11.6k Followers Pin
56.4k Followers Follow
136k Subscribers Subscribe
4.4k Followers Follow
- Advertisement -
Ad imageAd image

Latest News

A private collection of 68 rare Stone Age tools found in Kent by David Blake sold for £41,000, over four times its estimate, showcasing early human craftsmanship and history.
Rare Stone Age tools made by human cousins sell for whopping £41,000
UK News 6 August 2025
The Prodrive P25, a 450bhp road-legal tribute to the Subaru Impreza WRC, is now on sale for £700,000 after launching at £460,000 just three years ago.
Road-legal version of iconic Subaru rally car hits market for nearly DOUBLE original cost
UK News 6 August 2025
A volcano in Russia’s Kronotsky Nature Reserve erupted for the first time in 500 years, stunning tourists and guide Artem Sheldovitsky who captured the event from a helicopter.
Mountain guide gets birdseye view of HUGE volcano erupting for first time in 500 years
World News 6 August 2025
A 100-year-old cinema in Eastbourne, closed since 2020, has been found with seats, screens and projectors still intact, sparking nostalgia and ghostly vibes online.
‘Haunted’ 100-year-old cinema found abandoned with seats, screens and projector still intact
Property 6 August 2025

You Might also Like

A private collection of 68 rare Stone Age tools found in Kent by David Blake sold for £41,000, over four times its estimate, showcasing early human craftsmanship and history.
UK News

Rare Stone Age tools made by human cousins sell for whopping £41,000

6 August 2025
A volcano in Russia’s Kronotsky Nature Reserve erupted for the first time in 500 years, stunning tourists and guide Artem Sheldovitsky who captured the event from a helicopter.
World News

Mountain guide gets birdseye view of HUGE volcano erupting for first time in 500 years

6 August 2025
A 100-year-old cinema in Eastbourne, closed since 2020, has been found with seats, screens and projectors still intact, sparking nostalgia and ghostly vibes online.
Property

‘Haunted’ 100-year-old cinema found abandoned with seats, screens and projector still intact

6 August 2025
A £3 charity shop find turned into gold for Kyle Taylor, who discovered his quirky stone mask is a 1960s Italian terracotta piece worth over £900 online.
UK News

Lucky shopper finds out £3 charity shop ornament could be worth over £900

6 August 2025
Luke Simmonds flew to Marrakesh for quad biking and tagine in a 24-hour trip that cost less than a London night out, proving real adventure fits into one day.
Holidays and Travel

Brit who loves cheap EXTREME DAY TRIPS has been to 15 cities abroad THIS year ‘without breaking the bank’ – the latest cost ‘less than a night out in the UK’

6 August 2025
Holidays and Travel

Grown adults shove past kids in ‘sunbed war’ at four-star resort with holiday-maker shocked at ‘chaos’

6 August 2025
Best friends Caitlin and Tahlia pool their income 50/50 despite different jobs, sharing all expenses with no rules. Their setup has gone viral and sparked debate online.
Lifestyle

‘I split my salary 50/50 with my best friend – people think we’re crazy but it works’

6 August 2025
A Morrisons shopper was shocked to find Christmas sweets on display during a summer heatwave, sparking disbelief from his kids and a wave of early festive confusion.
UK News

Christmas comes early at Morrisons as stunned shopper spots festive display

6 August 2025
//

What’s The Jam is your one stop website for the latest viral and weird news from around the world.

 
Have a story to tell? Hello@whatsthejam.com

Quick Link

  • Customize Interests
  • Bookmarks
  • Write for Us
  • Newsletter
  • About Us

Top Categories

  • UK News
  • World News
  • Latest Videos
  • Lifestyle
  • Super Viral

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

[mc4wp_form]

What's The JamWhat's The Jam
Follow US
© 2023 What's The Jam. All Rights Reserved.
Go to mobile version
adbanner
AdBlock Detected
Our site is an advertising supported site. Please whitelist to support our site.
Okay, I'll Whitelist
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Lost your password?