Sometimes, the biggest transformations in life come from the smallest inspirations. For Ethan “ModBoy” Bramble, a 24-year-old father from Australia, that inspiration was his young daughter. Known for his extreme body modifications and full-body tattoos, Ethan spent years expressing himself through ink and surgery. But now, he’s choosing a different path — one that’s driven by love and a desire to be seen differently for his daughter’s future.
From ModBoy to Dad Mode
Ethan began his body modification journey at just 11 years old. His first change was stretching his ears, and it didn’t stop there. Over the years, he underwent numerous procedures — from splitting his tongue to even removing his belly button. Alongside these changes, he added more than 200 tattoos to his body, transforming himself into a walking canvas. All in all, these modifications cost him around $60,000 AUD (approximately $39,000 USD).
While tattoos can be a powerful form of self-expression, Ethan admits he took things a little too far — especially with the tattoos on his face.
Starting to See Things Differently
In an episode of No Filter on LadBibleTV, Ethan opened up about his evolving mindset. He shared that although he doesn’t fully regret his tattoos, he wishes he could be perceived differently.
“I guess you could say I regret some tattoos,” Ethan said. “Not just regret — I think there’s a difference between regret and wanting to be perceived differently.”
He explained that when he’s out in public, especially with his daughter, he often feels the judgmental stares of others. That’s when he realized that his appearance could affect how his child is treated or perceived in the future.
“The face is a big thing… I probably wouldn’t want my daughter to have to deal with [the reactions] until she was a bit older,” he added. “I wish that I had not gone as hectic as I did on my face.”
Clearing the Canvas
In an effort to change how people view him — and to feel better mentally — Ethan began the process of laser tattoo removal. It’s a slow, painful journey, but one he’s committed to for the long haul.
“I’ve been getting laser for pretty much 12 months… We do it in sections, but I’ve probably gone over the full thing six or seven times,” he shared.
He admitted that the tattoos on his face contributed to his feelings of anxiety. While he still embraces who he is, he looks forward to having a clearer, less intense appearance in the years ahead.
“I’m happy with the way that I look, but I’m also happy with the mentality that over the next two years, my face tattoos are going to become less and less and less. I’m just clearing the canvas.”
A Powerful Message of Growth
Ethan’s story is a reminder that we all grow, evolve, and change — especially when it comes to the people we love. For him, becoming a father gave him a new lens through which to view the world — and himself. His decision to step back from extreme body modification shows just how powerful love and parenthood can be.
What do you think of Ethan’s transformation?
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Why are the whites of his eyes black?