A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Interview with Toph

I just posted an interview with Toph about his amazing stretched piercings, which include a nearly 2″ lip plate. Click through the picture rm bmeto read the interview now, and then come on back to comment or discuss it here.

toph-interview.jpg

Comments

830 responses to “Interview with Toph”

  1. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    or maybe people have different aspirations?i for example can live pretty comfortably on say £170 a week an that includes all the family stuff,i just save for mods an stuff people worship money an the highest thing most people can imagine reaching is some shit fuckin job for the rest of their lives woohoo!!

  2. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    or maybe people have different aspirations?i for example can live pretty comfortably on say £170 a week an that includes all the family stuff,i just save for mods an stuff people worship money an the highest thing most people can imagine reaching is some shit fuckin job for the rest of their lives woohoo!!

  3. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    Shannon:

    I don’t think any government should give “welfare” away without requiring the recipient to earn it.

    Money should be in the form of a paycheck for training. When you are done, you should have a skill & be employable.

    Counseling also.

  4. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    Shannon:

    I don’t think any government should give “welfare” away without requiring the recipient to earn it.

    Money should be in the form of a paycheck for training. When you are done, you should have a skill & be employable.

    Counseling also.

  5. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    302:

    I aspire to eat & bathe and sleep at night.

    Beyond that, I couldn’t care.

  6. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    302:

    I aspire to eat & bathe and sleep at night.

    Beyond that, I couldn’t care.

  7. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    and why would welfare recipients need counselling?ive paid tax for like 10 years and i can honestly say i couldnt give a shit about people claiming the dole or what they spend it on,the goverment waste it on loadsa things i disagree with far more strongly,i also dont care if people work or not you get one life….

  8. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    and why would welfare recipients need counselling?ive paid tax for like 10 years and i can honestly say i couldnt give a shit about people claiming the dole or what they spend it on,the goverment waste it on loadsa things i disagree with far more strongly,i also dont care if people work or not you get one life….

  9. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    I have allready explained, I do not pay for my internet, it comes included in my flat.
    I did not buy this pc either. It was a gift quite a few years ago, my stepdad built it for me.
    It is not the fastest but it works.
    I do not upgrade it or spend money on it.
    I do not have a sattelite dish.
    I do not go out shopping every pay day.
    I do not go out drinking every pay day.
    My prorities in looking for a job is something to cover the rent.
    Or with hours that I can have a second job to cover the rent.
    I do not remember the last time I bought myself new clothes.
    And about the training thing.
    It takes 6 months unempluyed here before they will help you with training. I attend everyday when I am on a course, as well as looking for work.
    “Money should be in the form of a paycheck for training. When you are done, you should have a skill & be employable”
    I have no problems with that, I WANT to be more employable, I have a cv padded out as much as possible but how much padding can you put?
    Work experience is great but if thats all you have they question why you don’t have a job.
    Counselling why that?
    Oh and Bill basic for my age is $9.20 an hour roughly.
    it’s not the stress of the internet.it’s people who assume.
    For a supposedly open minded bunch of people a lot of you are narrow minded.
    Priorities very true.
    but also Situations.
    Not everyone is in the same one -_-

  10. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    I have allready explained, I do not pay for my internet, it comes included in my flat.
    I did not buy this pc either. It was a gift quite a few years ago, my stepdad built it for me.
    It is not the fastest but it works.
    I do not upgrade it or spend money on it.
    I do not have a sattelite dish.
    I do not go out shopping every pay day.
    I do not go out drinking every pay day.
    My prorities in looking for a job is something to cover the rent.
    Or with hours that I can have a second job to cover the rent.
    I do not remember the last time I bought myself new clothes.
    And about the training thing.
    It takes 6 months unempluyed here before they will help you with training. I attend everyday when I am on a course, as well as looking for work.
    “Money should be in the form of a paycheck for training. When you are done, you should have a skill & be employable”
    I have no problems with that, I WANT to be more employable, I have a cv padded out as much as possible but how much padding can you put?
    Work experience is great but if thats all you have they question why you don’t have a job.
    Counselling why that?
    Oh and Bill basic for my age is $9.20 an hour roughly.
    it’s not the stress of the internet.it’s people who assume.
    For a supposedly open minded bunch of people a lot of you are narrow minded.
    Priorities very true.
    but also Situations.
    Not everyone is in the same one -_-

  11. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    302 I too could live very comfortably on £170 a week after tax!
    heck I’d consider myself rich if I ever earnt that!

  12. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    302 I too could live very comfortably on £170 a week after tax!
    heck I’d consider myself rich if I ever earnt that!

  13. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    why are you justifying yourself corpse?its a waste of finger muscle

  14. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    why are you justifying yourself corpse?its a waste of finger muscle

  15. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    go to royal mail!!!!

  16. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    go to royal mail!!!!

  17. theNOTHING Avatar

    #49, never mind kissing i’m wondering how he goes down

    don’t get me wrong I’d love a lip plate that large one day (onlt 1″) for me but I want to eat a lot more girls first hah 😉

    but really a very good interview, I’ve had a few internet chats with toph and he’s lovwely, and it seems that he really does heal very quickly for stretching, more power to him, the amount of times i’ve upsized and had to downsize my lip 🙂

  18. theNOTHING Avatar

    #49, never mind kissing i’m wondering how he goes down

    don’t get me wrong I’d love a lip plate that large one day (onlt 1″) for me but I want to eat a lot more girls first hah 😉

    but really a very good interview, I’ve had a few internet chats with toph and he’s lovwely, and it seems that he really does heal very quickly for stretching, more power to him, the amount of times i’ve upsized and had to downsize my lip 🙂

  19. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    305:

    Your system only works as long as some people actually “work”.

  20. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    305:

    Your system only works as long as some people actually “work”.

  21. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    true but there will always be people that work,there wont always be a welfare system though thats for sure,ive generally worked but ive had long terms of not doin so sometimes through choice and sometimes not,meh

  22. 5kem5 Avatar
    5kem5

    true but there will always be people that work,there wont always be a welfare system though thats for sure,ive generally worked but ive had long terms of not doin so sometimes through choice and sometimes not,meh

  23. Herger Avatar

    what i really like about those comment forums is the fact, that everyone in here seems to know exactly which way in life is best for everyone else…

    one could just accept the fact, that Toph has thought about- & made his decisions.

    one could as well appreciate the fact, that he is willing to share his story.

    but that would be way too easy, wouldn’t it?

    feels so much better, to give everyone who’s ‘different’ a hard time, doesn’t it?

    ‘why should he be able to live his dream, if i’m not strong enough to even try to live my own?’

    always a real pleasure to read comments in here!

    @Toph: thank you very much for sharing your story & big respect for your mods + the way you chose!

    i definitely wouldn’t be polite enough to walk in your shoes! 😉

  24. Herger Avatar

    what i really like about those comment forums is the fact, that everyone in here seems to know exactly which way in life is best for everyone else…

    one could just accept the fact, that Toph has thought about- & made his decisions.

    one could as well appreciate the fact, that he is willing to share his story.

    but that would be way too easy, wouldn’t it?

    feels so much better, to give everyone who’s ‘different’ a hard time, doesn’t it?

    ‘why should he be able to live his dream, if i’m not strong enough to even try to live my own?’

    always a real pleasure to read comments in here!

    @Toph: thank you very much for sharing your story & big respect for your mods + the way you chose!

    i definitely wouldn’t be polite enough to walk in your shoes! 😉

  25. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    I like typing 🙂
    royal mail? love that place.

  26. CorpseEsproc Avatar

    I like typing 🙂
    royal mail? love that place.

  27. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    I keep thinking about an old Kinison routine about People starving in the desert:

    You shouldn’t feed them, you should move them to where the food is.

    This Toph guy though. I give him a lot of credit for accomplishing what he has. He’s got a tough road ahead.

  28. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    I keep thinking about an old Kinison routine about People starving in the desert:

    You shouldn’t feed them, you should move them to where the food is.

    This Toph guy though. I give him a lot of credit for accomplishing what he has. He’s got a tough road ahead.

  29. G.C. Avatar

    corpseEsproc i agree with you and mr 295 is being totaly unreasonable and the comment “Folks that wish to render themselves into a subfunctional state should be prepared to have a hard time with it.” just speaking for myself here i belive i was born with the desire to modify myself in the way that i have just the same way as a homosexual is born with their inclination (best comparison i could think of) it just takes us time to figure it out some do it sooner than other’s, since i have realised the way i wanted to look i have never been so happy and confident in myself. why cant people just let people be if you dont like something fair enough but there is no reason to be an ass about it im damn sure i dont go out in the street and start shunning society’s “normal people” so why should the modified have to deal with it i expect in in the street but not here. i bet half the people on here bitching that have mods to their prefurance get shit in the street also, so you would think they would have the respect not to do it to others who they deem to have gone to far if they do in my opinion they are no better than the next biggot sorry this kinda turned into a rant but its a subject close to my heart so i find it hard to stay composed

  30. G.C. Avatar

    corpseEsproc i agree with you and mr 295 is being totaly unreasonable and the comment “Folks that wish to render themselves into a subfunctional state should be prepared to have a hard time with it.” just speaking for myself here i belive i was born with the desire to modify myself in the way that i have just the same way as a homosexual is born with their inclination (best comparison i could think of) it just takes us time to figure it out some do it sooner than other’s, since i have realised the way i wanted to look i have never been so happy and confident in myself. why cant people just let people be if you dont like something fair enough but there is no reason to be an ass about it im damn sure i dont go out in the street and start shunning society’s “normal people” so why should the modified have to deal with it i expect in in the street but not here. i bet half the people on here bitching that have mods to their prefurance get shit in the street also, so you would think they would have the respect not to do it to others who they deem to have gone to far if they do in my opinion they are no better than the next biggot sorry this kinda turned into a rant but its a subject close to my heart so i find it hard to stay composed

  31. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    What I like about the comment forum is that no one really knows much about much of anything.

    I sure don’t.
    I’m an f’ing idiot.

  32. Scienkoptic Avatar
    Scienkoptic

    What I like about the comment forum is that no one really knows much about much of anything.

    I sure don’t.
    I’m an f’ing idiot.

  33. Fran Avatar

    man, I started to read all the comments, but, really, there’s so much “close-minded” thoughts that it just seems everyone wants to start an arguement here…
    like if you guys also don’t get a crusty piercing sometimes…
    and he looks quite hot just like this!

    by living in Brazil I would say that my experience is completely different; unless you work with body modification, it is very unlike that you’ll have any visible mod…
    but I quit my “future” as a body piercer to do university and, well, it’s true that if one gets into know you, this person won’t be bothered by your mods, but, unfortunately, this takes time… a lot of time!

    I’m the same age as Toph, but I still don’t have this courage to go further on my facial mods because I’m afraid of how my family would react and how would employers see me as portuguese teacher… I know that’s silly, but that’s my choice.

    to Toph: you’re really a rock star to manage to live your life like this and be proud of it; I can’t even tell how I look up to you!

  34. Fran Avatar

    man, I started to read all the comments, but, really, there’s so much “close-minded” thoughts that it just seems everyone wants to start an arguement here…
    like if you guys also don’t get a crusty piercing sometimes…
    and he looks quite hot just like this!

    by living in Brazil I would say that my experience is completely different; unless you work with body modification, it is very unlike that you’ll have any visible mod…
    but I quit my “future” as a body piercer to do university and, well, it’s true that if one gets into know you, this person won’t be bothered by your mods, but, unfortunately, this takes time… a lot of time!

    I’m the same age as Toph, but I still don’t have this courage to go further on my facial mods because I’m afraid of how my family would react and how would employers see me as portuguese teacher… I know that’s silly, but that’s my choice.

    to Toph: you’re really a rock star to manage to live your life like this and be proud of it; I can’t even tell how I look up to you!

  35. Heron Avatar
    Heron

    Did any of us ever modify our bodies expecting the world to be kind?
    Personally, I feel if you do not care for something you see or read about on this blog, then walk away from it-it is not only rude but really a waste of the time of all here to leave condescending and brutal critiques.
    Something I truly feel would be of benefit to all who could consider themselves as a part of a modified culture to take a stance of someone akin to an anthropologist.
    To bring something analogous to ethnocentrism to the table does nothing at all for understanding ourselves, what we have in common through present day modification, or what type of relationships it holds to the past.
    Think about it people, where do you draw the line? Are we not a culture? Let us judge ourselves for ourselves, and not by appeasing assumptions based on a spreading global mono-culture that would surely attempt do away with your right to express, modify, and enjoy your body as you see fit, if a price tag couldn’t be attached.

  36. Heron Avatar
    Heron

    Did any of us ever modify our bodies expecting the world to be kind?
    Personally, I feel if you do not care for something you see or read about on this blog, then walk away from it-it is not only rude but really a waste of the time of all here to leave condescending and brutal critiques.
    Something I truly feel would be of benefit to all who could consider themselves as a part of a modified culture to take a stance of someone akin to an anthropologist.
    To bring something analogous to ethnocentrism to the table does nothing at all for understanding ourselves, what we have in common through present day modification, or what type of relationships it holds to the past.
    Think about it people, where do you draw the line? Are we not a culture? Let us judge ourselves for ourselves, and not by appeasing assumptions based on a spreading global mono-culture that would surely attempt do away with your right to express, modify, and enjoy your body as you see fit, if a price tag couldn’t be attached.

  37. Fran Avatar

    –I wouldn’t want my money to go to someone who made a thought out decision to modify themselves in such a way they become mostly unemployable.–
    The problem is that HE IS NOT unemployable, some people would consider him unemployable because they’re not confortable with his figure, but he has nothing that would make him uncapable to work…

  38. Fran Avatar

    –I wouldn’t want my money to go to someone who made a thought out decision to modify themselves in such a way they become mostly unemployable.–
    The problem is that HE IS NOT unemployable, some people would consider him unemployable because they’re not confortable with his figure, but he has nothing that would make him uncapable to work…

  39. Tom For Real Avatar
    Tom For Real

    To be honest,this isnt really my cup of tea,but i admire his determination to go big 😀
    The white looks pretty bad ass too =D

  40. Tom For Real Avatar
    Tom For Real

    To be honest,this isnt really my cup of tea,but i admire his determination to go big 😀
    The white looks pretty bad ass too =D

  41. inkmanlarry Avatar
    inkmanlarry

    I am a completely tattooed 78 year old man. I am tattooed from my neck to my fingers to my toes. My ear lobes were stretched to 1-3/8 inches. I got most of my stares from older caucasians. I am leaving my plugs out because I can’t keep them. I reached accross my car seat, and the left plug popped out. It was too hard to put back in. I would get the plug in, then put the o-ring on. Then the plug would pop out. I am currently recovering from a mild stroke. I was hospitalized for two weeks, and not driving right now. As soon as I start to drive again, I will go to Black Hold in Portland, and have some smaller plugs inserted. I admire Toph for having the guts to do what he wants to do. His plugs look great. Best wishes to all. InkManLarry

  42. inkmanlarry Avatar
    inkmanlarry

    I am a completely tattooed 78 year old man. I am tattooed from my neck to my fingers to my toes. My ear lobes were stretched to 1-3/8 inches. I got most of my stares from older caucasians. I am leaving my plugs out because I can’t keep them. I reached accross my car seat, and the left plug popped out. It was too hard to put back in. I would get the plug in, then put the o-ring on. Then the plug would pop out. I am currently recovering from a mild stroke. I was hospitalized for two weeks, and not driving right now. As soon as I start to drive again, I will go to Black Hold in Portland, and have some smaller plugs inserted. I admire Toph for having the guts to do what he wants to do. His plugs look great. Best wishes to all. InkManLarry

  43. nyne Avatar

    YES it is harder to get a job with any visible “unusual” modification than a tiny dainty nose stud. I don’t think anyone is arguing that. YES there are some jobs that won’t accept you. I don’t understand why these comments are even being suggested; I’m pretty positive EVERYONE recognizes these difficulties. Especially people who choose the heavier mods.

    I believe discrimination against modifications is extremely racist. I feel modifying yourself to the point where you’re having difficulty finding employment is a lot like being born into a discriminated population. Sure, you don’t have a choice of ethnicity, culture, disability (etc), but for a lot of us who get modified, we’re doing it for a reason bigger than “to look cool” or “because it’s a fad” or whatever. I know personally I feel more complete now (with the work that I have done) than I ever have before. For me, getting modified is a lot more than just for “fun” — it’s a huge part of who I am.

    Criticize me for that all you want; I don’t care, but for some of us, being modified isn’t a choice as much as it’s a drive from within. Sure, I could conform to what society tells me is acceptable and get the retail job (or whatever is so coveted), but I’d feel horrible with myself. And the acceptance and security that I have within MYSELF is worth a million times more than some pay cheque.

    To those of you so against someone on their personal journal through modification: I honestly truely hope you are able to find that comfort in your paycheques. Really, I do. And, on the same note, I’m glad you’re able to forfeit dreams of [whatever mod] due to your career choices. Congrats. But on the same note, you have to realize some people don’t hold the same values as you; some people would rather feel free to be themselves than to chase the dollar at any cost.

  44. nyne Avatar

    YES it is harder to get a job with any visible “unusual” modification than a tiny dainty nose stud. I don’t think anyone is arguing that. YES there are some jobs that won’t accept you. I don’t understand why these comments are even being suggested; I’m pretty positive EVERYONE recognizes these difficulties. Especially people who choose the heavier mods.

    I believe discrimination against modifications is extremely racist. I feel modifying yourself to the point where you’re having difficulty finding employment is a lot like being born into a discriminated population. Sure, you don’t have a choice of ethnicity, culture, disability (etc), but for a lot of us who get modified, we’re doing it for a reason bigger than “to look cool” or “because it’s a fad” or whatever. I know personally I feel more complete now (with the work that I have done) than I ever have before. For me, getting modified is a lot more than just for “fun” — it’s a huge part of who I am.

    Criticize me for that all you want; I don’t care, but for some of us, being modified isn’t a choice as much as it’s a drive from within. Sure, I could conform to what society tells me is acceptable and get the retail job (or whatever is so coveted), but I’d feel horrible with myself. And the acceptance and security that I have within MYSELF is worth a million times more than some pay cheque.

    To those of you so against someone on their personal journal through modification: I honestly truely hope you are able to find that comfort in your paycheques. Really, I do. And, on the same note, I’m glad you’re able to forfeit dreams of [whatever mod] due to your career choices. Congrats. But on the same note, you have to realize some people don’t hold the same values as you; some people would rather feel free to be themselves than to chase the dollar at any cost.

  45. nyne Avatar

    …and to all of you who are so terrified of the choices this guy is making, I wonder: what are you so afraid of?

    Seriously. Because somehow I doubt that you’re so caught up in the drama out of fear that you’re going to be losing precious tax dollars to someone who is “beyond work due to mods”.

    So why do you fight this so horribly? I’d think people would be more receptive to the thought of others following their dreams.

  46. nyne Avatar

    …and to all of you who are so terrified of the choices this guy is making, I wonder: what are you so afraid of?

    Seriously. Because somehow I doubt that you’re so caught up in the drama out of fear that you’re going to be losing precious tax dollars to someone who is “beyond work due to mods”.

    So why do you fight this so horribly? I’d think people would be more receptive to the thought of others following their dreams.

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