Tattoos are a way to express yourself and a Prince George woman is looking to share her ink with the world.
Amanda Espenhain is in the running to become the next cover model of Inked Magazine, as well taking home a cool $25,000.
The 23-year-old motorcycle enthusiast will be up against thousands of other entries worldwide, but that isn't stopping her.
"Inked Magazine Cover Model Search is a competition I’ve always wanted to be a part of, just never had enough courage to put myself out there," Espenhain tells PrinceGeorgeMatters.
"So this year, I decided it was a perfect way to step out of my comfort zone. [...] It would mean the absolute world to me to be on the cover! It’s a way for me to put myself out there and express who I truly am, while hopefully bringing more awareness to mental health and hopefully empowering other women along the way to walk and own their authentic paths."
She's also a large mental health advocate, which she says tattoos are self-care steps in her regimen.
Four of 16 (approximate) of her tattoos are related to mental health; her first-ever tattoo was when she was 16 when she got the words "strength" and "respect" on each of her forearms.
She wants to finish her leg sleeve for her next project.
"Tattoos are definitely a form of therapy for me for my own mental health," Espenhain says.
There are those who may not agree with tattoos for many reasons, whether they be religious, personal, moral or any other reason, but Esphenhain says people shouldn't be afraid to show who they are because of what someone else might think.
"I would say, we only have a limited time on this planet and I don’t think we should spend it being watered down versions of ourselves, just so people can like us," she says.
"If your body is a temple, you might as well decorate the walls."
Amanda Espenhain of Prince George is looking to become the next cover model on Inked Magazine. (via Amanda Espenhain)There are nine voting rounds Espenhain must get through in order for her to win the competition.
The first votes are cast Feb. 11-20, the next seven rounds follow in between, eliminating contestants along the way, and the last round of voting goes Apr. 3-9, which will determine the winner.
Espenhain feels confident despite the long process with the support of Prince George behind her.
"It means the world knowing that people in the community are supporting me! I’m speechless to have this much support! It feels very empowering!," she says.
If she won the $25,000, she says she would use the money to travel and cover the rest of her body in tattoos.
"As well, I would love to put a down payment on a home so that I would be able to rescue a Pitbull from Hugabull Advocacy & Rescue and give him/her the best life," she continued.
Tattoos can also be painful, depending on one's sensitivity, and the one spot Espenhain says was the most excruciating so far was the back of her legs.
The winner of the competition will have their photoshoot done between May 1 to 30 with a specific date to be determined.
Amanda Espenhain of Prince George is looking to become the next cover model on Inked Magazine. (via Amanda Espenhain)
