The Dean Taylor Podcast
About the Dean Taylor Podcast
I'm a South African tattoo artist based in the UK with over 16 years of experience.
I travel the globe, tattooing and hosting unique podcasts where guests share their incredible stories while getting tattooed. This is a one-of-a-kind podcast that blends art and storytelling, offering an intimate glimpse into the lives of fascinating people from around the world.
Don't miss out on the captivating journey!
Subscribe to my YouTube channel and follow my adventures as I combine the art of tattooing with compelling conversations.
22
Pete Johnson
In this episode of The Dean Taylor Podcast, Dean sits down with Pete Johnson, a mental health nurse who has worked inside HMP Strangeways — one of the UK’s most well-known prisons.
Pete opens up about the reality of working with inmates, the mental health crisis inside prisons, violent incidents, addiction, trauma, rehabilitation, and the psychological toll prison life takes on both prisoners and staff.
This is a raw, honest conversation that gives a rare insight into life behind bars and the people trying to hold it together from the inside.
21
Richard Monckton
Richard Monckton opens up about addiction, trauma, and the moment he realised he needed to change.
From years of destructive behaviour to building Truth Retreats and helping others find clarity, Rick shares what really happens when you hit rock bottom — and what it takes to rebuild your life.
This is a raw conversation about honesty, responsibility, and transformation.
20
Ben J Butler
From a childhood shaped by abuse to becoming involved in extremist ideology, Ben opens up about the reality behind it all — the pain, the identity struggle, and what led him down that path.
Now, he speaks on growth, accountability, and what it actually takes to change.
This is not a story about labels. It’s about what creates them — and how people can break free.
Watch the full conversation and decide for yourself.
19
Matthew Morton
Gavin Dixon opens up about his battle with addiction, losing everything, and the moment he actually died. We talk about the reality of addiction, what it cost him, how it affected his family, and the long road to recovery.
This is one of the most honest conversations we’ve had on the podcast. If you or someone you know is struggling, this one hits hard.
18
Gavin Dixon
In this gripping conversation, Dean sits down with British bare‑knuckle fighter Matthew Morton to explore the darkest corners of his life and the light he’s fighting toward. From enduring sexual abuse as a child and falling into crack and heroin addiction at twelve, to channelling his pain through underground fighting and spiralling into despair, Matthew’s early story is one of survival against the odds. He speaks candidly about the mental battles fighters rarely discuss, the unprocessed trauma that weighed him down, and the moment he realised he had to face his pain. The episode then follows his path to recovery—through fatherhood, loss, self‑exile and ultimately plant‑medicine retreats—showing how ayahuasca and community helped him reconnect with himself and reclaim his future. Content warning: discussion of sexual violence and substance abuse.
17
Joe Murray
Joe Murray, also known as Weightvest Joe, joins the Dean Taylor Podcast to share his powerful story of resilience and recovery.
Growing up in a home surrounded by alcohol and violence, Joe faced a difficult childhood that eventually led him down a dark path of drugs, mental health struggles, and thoughts of suicide.
Today, Joe wears a weighted vest every day as a symbol of the weight we all carry in life — and the strength we can build by facing it.
16
Darren Harris
Darren Harris is a burn survivor who was clinically dead multiple times after touching a live wire during lockdown.
What followed was months of surgeries, sepsis, resuscitation, and a brutal fight to survive — not only physically, but mentally.
In this conversation with Dean Taylor, Darren opens up about losing his identity through fire, the reality of severe burn recovery, the care he received, and what kept him alive when everything was against him.
15
Billy Moore
In this episode of The Dean Taylor Show, Dean sits down with Billy Moore, a former boxer, author, and survivor of a brutal prison sentence in Thailand.
Billy speaks openly about the violence, isolation, addiction, and survival inside one of Thailand’s toughest prisons. He shares how Muay Thai became his lifeline and how his story later became the book and film “A Prayer Before Dawn.”
This is raw. No filters. No surface-level talk.
14
AARON ASHTON
Bare knuckle fighter and 1%er biker Aaron Ashton sits down with Dean Taylor for a raw conversation about fear, discipline, pain, and the mindset required to step into the ring with no gloves.
This isn’t about hype. It’s about what it really takes to live that life.
13
David smith
David Smith is a war veteran who opens up about life after combat, PTSD, and finding faith after war.
In this episode of The Dean Taylor Podcast, we talk about trauma, survival, masculinity, belief, and rebuilding life after everything falls apart.
This episode includes discussion of war, PTSD, addiction, and mental health.
12
Andrew Bakewel
In this episode of The Dean Taylor Podcast, I sit down with Andrew Bakewell, President of Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship UK, to talk about the realities of building a combat sports organisation from the ground up.
We get into the business behind BKFC, what it really takes to grow a fight promotion in the UK, the risks involved, and the mindset required to operate at the top level of combat sports. This is an honest, no-filter conversation about leadership, pressure, and vision in a brutal industry.
11
Alethea petrides
In this episode of The Dean Taylor Podcast, we sit down with an incredible woman who has been living with cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at just 15 years old. Doctors told her she wouldn’t make it, yet 15 years later, she’s still here, still fighting, and still defying the odds. This conversation goes far beyond medicine. We talk about resilience, survival, identity, and what it means to keep going when life keeps testing you. We also touch on the devastating loss of a sibling to suicide, and how one family continues to live with grief while holding onto hope. This is a raw, honest, and deeply human conversation, not just about illness, but about strength, love, and the will to live.
10
Androulla
In this deeply emotional episode, Androulla shares her powerful story as a mother of two extraordinary daughters, one who lost her life to suicide, and another who continues to fight for hers every single day. Her daughter Alethea lived with cystic fibrosis and received a double lung transplant at just 15 years old. Doctors told her she wouldn’t make it, but 15 years later, she’s still here, defying every odd. Andrula also opens up about the devastating loss of her other daughter, Sophie, who sought help for her mental health twice, only to be failed by the very system meant to protect her. Sophie tragically took her own life using poison she found on the dark web. This episode is about loss, resilience, and the strength of a mother’s love, and a reminder that mental health support systems must change.
09
Chris Booth
Chris Booth grew up in Telford and got caught up in a life that took everything from him. In his own words, six minutes of choices cost him fifteen years of his life. In this episode, we sit down, while I tattoo him, to talk about the mindset behind the madness, prison life, lessons learned, finding God and how he’s turning it all into something positive.
No filters, no glamorising, just truth, pain, and perspective.
08
Chanel O’Brien
Chanel O’Brien is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and competitor training out of Stealth Oldham. In this episode, we cover her journey into BJJ, the highs and lows of competing, injuries and recovery, mindset, and why more women should train in jiu-jitsu. We finish off by going into confidence, community, and why women benefit from BJJ, and Chanel leaves you with some advice for beginners and some brown-belt insights.
07
Weston Hughes
In this episode, I sit down with Weston Hughes, an unlicensed boxing coach, fighter, and survivor, for a raw and unfiltered conversation about life inside and outside the ring. We dive deep into the underground world of unlicensed boxing, what it takes to survive on the streets and in the ring, his battle with addiction and how he turned his life around, mental health struggles most men are afraid to talk about, and how boxing became more than a sport—it became therapy. Weston holds nothing back. This isn’t just about fighting, it’s about overcoming, rebuilding, and finding purpose when everything falls apart. If you're into real stories, raw emotion, and no-filter life lessons, this one's for you.
06
JOSEPH HAPGOOD
In this unique episode, I sit down with Joseph Haphgood, a bareknuckle KOTS (King of the Streets) no-rules fighter, to dive into the gritty and raw journey of his life and career in the underground fighting world. While tattooing him, we discuss the intense realities of bareknuckle fighting, his motivations, his toughest battles, and the mindset it takes to step into the ring with no rules and no mercy. This isn't just about fighting – it's a deep, unfiltered conversation that goes beyond the gloves, touching on resilience, sacrifice, and the unbreakable drive that fuels him.
05
Billy moore
LIFE IN THAI PRISON DEATH, DRUGS AND BEATING CANCER.
In this gripping episode, we sit down with Billy Moore, author of "A Prayer Before Dawn," to explore his incredible journey through life. From his harrowing experience surviving a brutal Thai prison to battling addiction and ultimately achieving sobriety, Billy shares his raw and unfiltered story. We also discuss his fight against cancer and how these experiences have shaped him. This is more than just a podcast about tattoos—it's about resilience, redemption, and the power of the human spirit. Don't miss this unforgettable conversation.
04
James Fabulous
MAGIC AND METALISM | LIFE WITH JAMES FABULOUS
Join us in this captivating podcast episode where I tattoo the incredible James Fabulous. We dive into his fascinating life story, including his adventurous travels and harrowing experiences like seeing dead bodies hanging while driving through El Salvador. James shares behind-the-scenes stories from the film industry, the celebrities he's performed for, and his exciting life in Dubai. Stay tuned until the end for an exclusive magic performance, and don't forget to subscribe to my channel for more amazing content!
03
Mohawk Matt
GANGS, DRUGS, AND SOBRIETY | MOHAWK MATT
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Mohawk Matt, a former gang member and drug addict. In this podcast, Matt opens up about his struggles with addiction, gangs, drugs, and violence, and his journey to sobriety. Now a positive role model and model for the world's largest tattoo clothing brand, Matt shares his story while getting tattooed. Don't miss this powerful episode, and be sure to subscribe to my channel for more amazing content!
02
Francois Van Coke
DEAN GUNTHER x FRANCOIS VAN COKE x WREDEKLOOF CENSORED
I got to tattoo the absolute legend, Francois van Coke.
I remember going to his gigs as a youngster, dying of alcohol poisoning in the gutters.
It was such a honour tattooing him and just talking about life. What a genuine awesome guy. Dankie my broer!
01
Jimmy Millar
BKFC Bare-knuckle fighter, debt collecting, MMA | Justice Jimmy Millar
Jimmy is a bare-knuckle fighter for BKFC who fights bare knuckle in the rugged mountains of Dublin and pretty much anywhere. Beyond his fighting career, he's had a stint in debt collecting. Our conversation covers a wide range of topics, including religion, health, diet, and the indomitable fighting spirit. We share moments of laughter and tears, making this an episode you won't want to miss. Join us for an in-depth look into the life of a true warrior.