He Spent $80,000 on Body Modifications to Become a Dragon – Here’s What He Looked Like Before

Richard Hernandez once lived what many would consider a “normal” life. He worked in the conservative world of finance, held a stable job at a bank, had a family, and was even a father. From the outside, everything seemed in order. He had achieved success by traditional standards and followed the expected path of adulthood—career, stability, responsibility. But inside, Richard felt like he was living someone else’s life. Since childhood, he felt different. Not just in the typical way that people feel unique or unusual—Richard sensed a deeper disconnect between who he was on the inside and how the world saw him.

He often felt confined by society’s rules and limited by the expectations placed upon him by his profession, community, and culture. For decades, he suppressed this inner voice. He dressed in suits, worked long hours, fulfilled social roles, and smiled politely. But behind that professional exterior was a person dreaming of something radically different. He longed to break free from the human shell he was born into and transform into something mythical, powerful, and entirely of his own making. That dream? To become a dragon.

The turning point came when Richard turned 40. With middle age came clarity. He realized he could no longer live a lie, confined by societal norms and other people’s opinions. He decided it was time to embrace his true identity and start his long-awaited journey of transformation. And so began one of the most extreme and widely-discussed body modification journeys in the world.

The Start of the Transformation

At first, it started with piercings. Richard had already accumulated a total of 79 piercings all over his body—many of which were hidden due to his professional lifestyle. But after leaving the finance world behind, he no longer needed to hide them. He began adding more modifications, this time visible and deliberate.

He covered his face and body with tattoos that mimic reptilian scales, creating a skin-like pattern that gave him a more dragon-like appearance. These tattoos, done over multiple sessions, took time, money, and immense pain tolerance. But to Richard, now known as Tiamat Legion Medusa, this was not suffering—it was becoming.

He went on to split his tongue to give it the appearance of a snake or lizard, creating a forked shape that he could move independently. Then came subdermal implants—horn-like shapes embedded under the skin of his forehead to resemble dragon horns. He had his ears removed in a surgical procedure, reshaping the side of his head to make it more streamlined and less human.

As the transformation continued, Tiamat went even further—tattooing the whites of his eyes (a process known as scleral tattooing), creating a more alien and animalistic appearance. These procedures came with risks, pain, and permanent consequences. But for Tiamat, they were necessary steps on the path to authenticity.

The Philosophy Behind the Transformation

Many people ask, “Why would someone do this to themselves?” But for Tiamat, the answer is simple: this is not just a visual transformation—it’s a personal revolution. Tiamat doesn’t view these changes as superficial or attention-seeking. Instead, she describes her body modification as a form of self-liberation, a way to fully embody who she feels she truly is. Becoming a dragon isn’t just about the aesthetic—it represents strength, transformation, resilience, and freedom from societal expectations.

“I wasn’t living my truth before,” she says. “I was hiding behind a version of myself that others expected me to be. It wasn’t until I fully embraced my identity that I felt alive.” To date, Tiamat estimates she has spent around $80,000 on tattoos, piercings, implants, surgeries, and other body modifications. And she has no intention of stopping. For her, this is a lifelong journey, a spiritual and physical evolution.

Tiamat Legion Medusa is now a prominent figure in the global body modification community. Her striking appearance garners attention everywhere she goes. Some people are shocked. Others are fascinated. Many are inspired. She regularly shares her story on social media platforms and speaks at public events where she discusses the importance of self-expression, identity, and challenging norms. Her message is one of empowerment: that we all have the right to live as our true selves, no matter how unconventional that might look.

Although not everyone understands or agrees with her choices, Tiamat believes that the conversation her appearance sparks is valuable. “I know I’m not for everyone,” she admits. “But if my story helps even one person feel brave enough to be who they are, then it’s worth it.” Her transformation has become a symbol—not just of change, but of freedom, individuality, and the courage to defy the ordinary.

Conclusion: A Life of Authenticity

Tiamat Legion Medusa’s journey is extreme, personal, and undeniably unique. From a banker bound by expectations to a dragon embodying self-defined beauty, her story challenges what we think we know about identity, expression, and transformation. Whether you admire her bravery, question her choices, or simply observe in awe, one thing is certain: she is living her truth. And in a world that often demands conformity, that in itself is a kind of power—perhaps even a kind of magic.