That Adds Up

The Boy Beneath The Ink

• Kristina Richie

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0:00 | 59:10

A tattoo artist who shot a man, survived a childhood of abuse, and built a life around helping others - LJay’s story is as chaotic as it is unforgettable. If you’ve ever wondered how someone goes from poverty, violence, and betrayal to fatherhood, business ownership, and a serious mission to give back, this conversation hits hard.Kristina Richie sits down with LJay, the Fresno tattooer behind some of Kristina and her sister’s ink, for a brutally honest, deeply human look at the life that shaped him. From growing up bounced between Stockton and Fresno, to living in an RV in a driveway, to navigating addiction in the family, gang violence at school, and a home life defined by instability, LJay opens up about the kind of childhood that teaches you to stay ready at all times.You'll hear how he started tattooing at 14, why he never developed a drug addiction despite being surrounded by it, and how a chance encounter with a tattooed woman in high heels and Daisy Dukes pulled him into the world of tattooing and piercing. Kristina and LJay also get into the wild rise of his career, the years he was making serious money, the notorious “panty checks” at his house, and the messy relationships, marriages, and betrayals that came with that life.But this episode is not just about survival or wild stories. It’s about what happens when a man who had to fight for everything starts thinking about legacy. LJay talks candidly about his desire to build a community center, support kids who were never shown the basics, and create something that helps the next generation avoid the same pain. He also opens up about the emotional cost of being the one everyone leans on, the heartbreak of fractured family relationships, and why helping other people is the only thing that reliably gets him choked up.

Perfect for listeners who love raw, unfiltered interviews, tattoos, redemption stories, and conversations about trauma, loyalty, masculinity, and what it really means to build a better life after a brutal beginning.

Guest Credibility:
LJay is a tattoo artist and piercer based in Texas, known for turning a rough, chaotic upbringing into a long career in body art and an ambitious vision for community outreach and education.