MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Adrenaline can be defined as a chemical compound that increases the heart rate. At a shop in Walker's Point, this compound stretches from the tip of Josh Ebert's tattoo gun to his canvas.
“It gives me purpose, it gives me a sense of self-worth,” Ebert said. “I started when I was in high school, when I was drawing all over myself.”
When ink penetrates the skin, it's more than just a permanent art form.
“It’s almost like scars, you know, like battle scars,” Ebert said.
It is a reminder of a painful past.
“I was in the Army for 12 years,” Ebert said. “Immediately after finishing my training I went to Afghanistan and when I came back I was a little lost, I didn't know what to do.”
Although it is difficult to return from war, it is almost impossible to forget it.
“I was pretty young and stupid and when you come back from a situation like war, it's really hard to adjust back to a normal way of life,” Ebert said.
With each needle mark, Ebert stitches up an old wound.
“I don’t know what it is, man – the physical pain takes away the emotional pain,” Ebert said. You know, it's therapeutic to tattoo, it's just an art form.
It’s never enough to feel the adrenaline just once.
“There's a risk of dying and I think for veterans, it's like, I want to do this,” Ebert said.
So, with a tattoo gun in tow, Ebert set out on a new journey to Mt. Kilimanjaro.
“We got hit by this nasty storm, so we're dealing with 50 mile an hour winds. Negative 30 degree temperatures,” Ebert said.
The five-day trip now holds a permanent place in his memory and in his body.
“The second we got to the top I got out my backpack and got all my supplies out real quick and I just enjoyed tattooing myself and I tattooed someone else while I was up there just to get it over with,” Ebert said.
19,341 feet.
“It started as an idea for me and now it has turned into words and then actions,” Ebert said.
It was a climb with a goal bigger than Ebert himself.
“I think this represents the start of something for Epic Vets,” Ebert said.
Epic Vets – a non-profit he now runs for veterans like himself.
“Being able to impact people’s lives in a positive way means so much more than the accomplishment of climbing a mountain,” Ebert said.
For those seeking the same feeling, the same chemical compound that Ebert found through art and adventure.
“Facing a fear and now I have a deep love for it. It’s super peaceful,” Ebert said.