Born in 1981 in Viborg, a small town in Denmark, Mads Kristensen had a turbulent childhood and upbringing. Although Mads is now a heavyweight professional boxer, and a serial entrepreneur operating businesses spanning from construction, bars, discos, hosting fight events to opening the largest tattoo parlor in the world, his path and journey to get there was not easy, as he shows us that no matter how much of a troublemaker you were when you were young if you work hard and dedicate yourself, you can live your dreams.
Following his turbulent childhood, Mads Kristensen found himself involved with the Hell’s Angels, a notorious biker group, after being kicked out of 11 schools. Riding motorcycles gave Mads a sense of freedom he hadn’t felt before, and helped him realize he wanted a life where he could call the shots for himself. “Angels in Aarhus, Denmark, always loved the “free life” and riding a motorcycle, so this was my first life adventure.” Mads reminisces.
With his connection to large biker networks, many of whom are tattoo aficionados, Mads saw an opportunity to launch his own business, and after leaving the angels in 2011 he started his journey down the path of entrepreneurship. He knew the tattoo market and how to serve its customers well and used his knowledge and experience to grow his tattoo parlor business, to operate across Europe in places like Denmark, Sweden, Germany & Spain.
Finding a way to channel his emotions, Mads eventually entered the ring as a professional heavyweight boxer. “I always looked up to guys like Tyson, Lennox Lewis, and Roberto Duran,” says Mads. Now a seasoned entrepreneur, Mads eventually launched a business in fight management and continues to do so to this day.
“My success comes from working my ass off every day and never giving up, and also of course I´m not afraid of jumping into deep water and swimming with the sharks, in life you have to take chances…” Mads Kristensen remarks. His advice resonates to troubled teens, much like himself to follow in his footsteps. As Mads Kristensen now donates to multiple charities following his success, his story can act as a model for finding a way to channel your feelings into something that can help the world. You can find Mad on his Instagram page.
