Rise Relentless – My Journey of Struggle, Survival, and Redemption
Eventually, my choices led me to prison. To some, that sounds like the end of the story. But for me, prison was both rock bottom and the beginning of transformation. Stripped of freedom, I had to decide: would I let shame and regret define me forever, or would I rise again?
I was born and raised in a small town in Wisconsin, where life looked simple on the outside but felt complicated on the inside. I carried big dreams and a restless spirit, but like many people who seem “fine” to the world, I was fighting storms no one could see.
My early years were defined by searching, searching for belonging, for purpose, for something to quiet the chaos inside of me. That search led me to the military, where I thought I’d find discipline and a greater mission. But the fiercest battles I would fight weren’t on any battlefield, they were inside myself.
Addiction crept into my life, and before I knew it, everything unraveled. Eventually, my choices led me to prison. To some, that sounds like the end of the story. But for me, prison was both rock bottom and the beginning of transformation. Stripped of freedom, I had to decide: would I let shame and regret define me forever, or would I rise again?
The deepest pain of those years wasn’t incarceration itself, it was being separated from my two sons. My oldest, I haven’t seen since he was only a year and a half. My youngest I see when I can. They are both happy and healthy, and that’s the one thing that gives me peace. I hold onto the hope of embracing them again when they turn 18. That reality cuts deep, but it also fuels my determination to become the kind of mother they can be proud of, even from a distance.
Rebuilding wasn’t easy. It never is. In my thirties, I went back to school and am on my final semester to obtain my master's in Management Information Systems. That degree isn’t just an achievement, it's a declaration that I'm not broken beyond repair, that it’s never too late to start again.
Web design became my craft. Building websites for small businesses and entrepreneurs gave me a sense of creation and purpose. In a way, each site I build is a metaphor for my own life; taking raw material and shaping it into something functional, beautiful, and alive. You can see my work at www.kacieturley.com.
I’m also an artist, and painting has been another outlet for me to process emotion and channel energy. My work carries a cosmic, high-frequency feel, filled with sacred geometry and raw expression, reminders that beauty can be born even from struggle. Like my web design, my art is about transformation: taking chaos and reshaping it into something meaningful.
But my healing has never been just about career or education. It has been about reclaiming myself and learning how to love and live again. Fitness, art, and spirituality grounded me when everything felt uncertain. Tattoos also became part of my healing, each piece etched into my skin carries a story, a scar turned into art, a reminder of where I’ve been and the strength it took to keep going. They are living proof that pain can be transformed into beauty, that I can choose what stays with me and how I carry it.
And love gave me a new foundation.
Today, I share my life with my boyfriend Nick, a man whose strength and support remind me every day that love can be healing. With him came his two daughters, who have become family to me. I may not be raising my own boys right now, but I am grateful for the gift of being present in the lives of these two amazing young girls. Blending families isn’t simple, but it has shown me that family is not just about blood; it’s about love, presence, and the commitment to show up.
These experiences led me to writing. My first book, Rise Relentless, is a raw and motivational guide born out of pain and perseverance. It’s about refusing to stay down and learning how to rise stronger, no matter how many times you fall. https://a.co/d/13eutUy
But Rise Relentless is only the beginning. I’m now writing a full memoir that will tell the unfiltered story: addiction, prison, motherhood, military service, heartbreak, tattoos as healing, and the love that brought me into a new chapter. It won’t be neat, and it won’t be sanitized, but it will be real. Because our scars are not meant to be hidden; they are proof that we survived.
Today, I stand in a place I never thought I’d reach. I’m sober. I’m free. I create, I design, I write. I’m building businesses and books. I wear my art and my story on my skin. I’m part of a family. My life is not perfect, but it’s mine, and every day I choose to live it relentlessly.
I share my story not because it’s easy, but because it’s necessary. We all carry battles the world can’t see. And sometimes, hearing someone else’s truth is the reminder we need to keep going. If my journey inspires even one person to rise relentlessly, then every scar, every tattoo, and every setback has been worth it.
- Kacie Turley, Founder of Kinetic Takeover
Kacie’s book, Rise Relentless is available here:
INKED HEALING
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told I would need a mastectomy, I never imagined the profound journey that lay ahead…
When I was diagnosed with breast cancer and was told I would need a mastectomy, I never imagined the profound journey that lay ahead. What began as a medical necessity evolved into a transformative process of grief, healing, and self-discovery—one that found its expression in the art inked into my skin. My chest and back tattoo, created by the immensely talented Katie Mizuno, became the centerpiece of this journey, symbolizing not just survival but the reclamation of my identity and power.
From the moment I reached out to Katie, I knew she would play an integral role in my healing. Her artistry and intuitive understanding of the human spirit were evident during our first consultation. When she shared her initial designs, I felt an immediate connection. Her vision perfectly captured my story—an homage to my journey through loss and rebirth, a rite of passage, and an authentic expression of the woman I was becoming.
The tattoo process was far more than just creating beautiful artwork; it was deeply cathartic. During our initial three sessions in late 2023, Katie held space for me in a way that felt sacred. As the ink pierced my skin, it also unlocked the grief stored in my body—grief not only from the heartbreak of cancer, the loss of my breasts, an emotionally devastating end to a relationship but from 42 years of life, and even the weight of ancestral pain. It was the grief of silenced women, of constrained choices, and of existing under a patriarchal society. With each session, the tattoo gun became a tool of healing, and Katie’s presence, her questions, and her compassion allowed me to release layer after layer of that burden.
When I returned to Dark Water Ink nine months later for three sessions to complete the chest and back piece, the experience shifted. This time, I came not to grieve but to celebrate. These sessions, which coincided with my birthday, marked a turning point—a celebration of the woman I had become: a breastless, tattooed, unapologetic force of nature. Katie’s energy mirrored my intentions, and together we infused the tattoo process with joy, transformation, and connection.
The tattoo itself became a symbol of my rebirth. The design reflects strength, beauty, and authenticity—elements that Katie captured perfectly, honoring not just my body but my entire journey. On the final day, as she added the last strokes of ink, I cried tears of gratitude and joy. My healing felt complete.
Katie’s role extended far beyond being an artist. She was a healer, a friend, and a witness to my transformation. Her kindness and thoughtfulness were evident even after the sessions; when I went next door to celebrate my birthday with dinner, champagne and dessert, I discovered Katie and her husband had covered the tab. This simple act of generosity reflected the deep connection we’d forged throughout the tattoo process.
Today, I wear my chest and back tattoo as a badge of honor—a symbol of resilience, love, and freedom. I am no longer defined by societal expectations or my scars. I am a woman madly in love with myself and the life I live, embracing every moment with authenticity and gratitude.
To Katie Mizuna, my angel and artist, I owe more than words can express. Through her artistry and compassion, she helped me transform pain into power, grief into beauty, and loss into love.
But my tattoo journey with Katie is far from over. As I continue to grow and evolve, so too will the artwork that adorns my body. I look forward to collaborating with Katie on future projects, adding new layers of meaning and beauty to this living canvas that tells the story of my life, my healing, and my transformation.
This tattoo is more than ink on my skin; it’s a map of my transformation, a testament to my strength, and a celebration of the woman I’ve become—and am still becoming.
- Dr. Kallie Harrison DACM, LAc, LMT, RN
(Inside The Prospect Executive Suites)
2078 Prospector Ave., Suite 2
Park City, UT 84060
Cell: (801) 703-5280
No Bounds: Connecting Pieces
At 18, I discovered something liberating: the ability to take control of my pain. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first piece was a tribute to my dad, and I will always cherish the wave of freedom and relief that washed over me after getting it. It felt essential to mark the hurt and loss I experienced, transforming that pain into something visible…
What do my tattoos mean to me? They represent more than anyone could ever understand.
My name is Keyla, and I am so much more than my health conditions, tattoos, or life experiences. However, each of these elements has played a crucial role in my journey, including the permanent marks on my skin. For the past 12 years, I have navigated life with Crohn's Disease, which has led to my permanent ostomy bag. I am also a proud survivor of uterine cancer and a caregiver to a child facing similar challenges.
For as long as I can remember, I have experienced various pains—abdominal discomfort and emotional struggles that often remain hidden from others. There have been moments when my stomach pain felt like an enigma to doctors, a puzzle with no resolution. This confusion became exhausting and, at times, isolating. However, throughout this journey, I found peace in art, music, and dance—until I lost my father at 14, which introduced me to a deeper layer of emotional anguish. That experience shifted my coping mechanisms, often leading me down a path of self-destructive behaviors.
At 18, I discovered something liberating: the ability to take control of my pain. That’s when I fell in love with tattoos. My first piece was a tribute to my dad, and I will always cherish the wave of freedom and relief that washed over me after getting it. It felt essential to mark the hurt and loss I experienced, transforming that pain into something visible.
As my health journey progressed, I realized my tattoos became a beautiful tapestry of my story. I chose to tattoo my left side as my “dark side,” reminiscent of Jekyll and Hyde. Each piece symbolizes different aspects of my journey—pain, fear, strength, mental health, suicide awareness, peace, family, nature, and life. They serve as my means of healing, embracing my experiences, and demonstrating to the world that while pain is part of my existence, so is resilience. Every tattoo is a testament to my path—a reminder of my inner strength through art.
As I accepted my tattoos and the stories they represent, I began to feel a profound sense of empowerment. Each inked design became a source of confidence, reinforcing my resilience. This newfound self-assurance opened doors I never imagined, ultimately leading me to explore modeling. Through this journey, I not only celebrate my body and my experiences but also advocate for self-acceptance and the beauty of embracing our scars, both visible and invisible.
- KEYLA CABA, CONNECTING PIECES.