When Chris “Capt. Stab-Tuggo” Steele and Elaina “Maybelle” Steele began sideshow performing, they had to consider the effects it would have on their two girls, Payton and Ava. They sat down with Payton, the older of the two, and explained that the crazy things she’d been watching Mom and Dad do for years at home would become a stage act. After some thought, she told them to “go for it!”

Chris and Elaina met 13 years ago, and maintained a friendship that eventually evolved into a partnership that includes two children, a happy marriage of five years, a home in Douglasville, snakes, swords, hammers and more. They consider each to be the other’s best friend and every night, after the girls have gone to bed, work on their acts.
Chris has worked full time at Psycho Tattoo for almost a decade now. He enjoys his weekends off with the family immensely. Elaina will typically plan out the week’s activities and menu. She cooks at home as much as possible, and enjoys shopping at the neighborhood Publix.

Payton is in sixth grade at Fairplay Middle School and is an accomplished Junior Black Belt in TaeKwon Do. Ava attends pre-K at Sike’s School, the same private program her big sister attended eight years ago. While the kids are in class, so is Mom. Elaina attends West Georgia Technical College and is working toward her associate’s degree in marketing management.

The family enjoys living in Douglasville. Elaina has lived there for 18 years and Chris spent much of his youth in the area as well. Once a small town, Douglasville went through tremendous growth when Arbor Place Mall was built. Chris and Elaina love that Douglasville is close enough to Atlanta that they can enjoy the city’s attractions, but far enough away that they don’t have the “big city” feel.

In addition to working and studying, this couple also performs sideshow stunts together many evenings and weekends. He sword swallows, lies on a bed of nails while she smashes cinderblocks on his chest, eats glass, and more. Sideshow performing has opened doors for the family that they may not have had otherwise. Traveling to Ripley’s! Believe it or Not! every February for National Sword Swallowers Day is an event they all look forward to. And bringing Dad to school for Career Day is also quite entertaining.

The family recently moved to a larger home in a more secluded area of town and now live on a quiet cul-de-sac in their neighborhood. After living on a busy street without a place for the girls to play outside, the family knew immediately they would be here for years to come. With a large, fenced back yard, and a flat area for bikes and scooters in the front, they knew they were home.

Parent’s names, ages, and occupations?
Chris Steele, 36, body piercer and shop manager of Psycho Tattoo, sideshow performer; Elaina Steele, 31, marketing management student, sideshow performer

Children’s names, ages?
Payton Ansley, 12 years; Ava Jolie, 4 years

Neighborhood you live in?
Sutton Place subdivision in Douglasville

How would you describe your parenting style?
We have set rules and expectations of our girls that we always expect to be followed (good manners, respect, hygiene). But we also allow them freedom to be kids. They are rewarded for doing well in school, and we enjoy giving them the things they want. We do not hesitate to take away privileges if the situation merits it. Overall, we are firm, yet very fun parents.

How are you different from other parents?
Given the career and lifestyle paths that we have chosen, we draw a lot of attention to our family when we are in public. This brings many positive experiences for us and provides our girls with opportunities and activities they may not have otherwise.

How are you the same?
We are giving Payton and Ava the guidance needed to be successful, responsible adults.

Most surprising thing that “cookie cutter” people have said or done to you?
Many people assume that we get negative reaction due to our appearance, but in reality, it’s just the opposite. It’s very rare that someone is disrespectful, mostly they are just curious.

What do you do for fun with the whole family?
Family (board) game time, traveling, camping

What do you do for fun individually?
Elaina: reading on my Kindle, cooking
Chris: ongoing projects ranging from mini bikes to hot rods to building props
Payton: painting, baking, playing piano
Ava: dressing up and performing original shows

Favorite rainy day activity?
Sleeping in late and staying in our pajamas all day

Favorite Dad and kids thing to do?
Fishing, hiking and just playing outside

Favorite Mom and kids thing to do?
Pedicures, going to the theater

Favorite playground?
Six Flags! We get season passes every year and the girls really enjoy our time there.

Favorite event of the year?
For mom and dad, definitely Drive Invasion! For the girls, Christmas holidays. It’s the one month of the year that they see all of their extended family and simply enjoy being together.

Favorite family board game?
Far too many! Trouble, Uno, Monopoly and everything in between.

Children’s favorite CD/music?
Both girls love Johnny Cash! Payton likes Gretchen Wilson, Reba and Pink. Ava loves anything musical (we’ve moved on from The Wiz to Annie!).

If you were a book, what is the one thing you wouldn’t guess from your cover?
Elaina: I don’t speak Spanish!
Chris: That even though I love entertaining and performing, I’m actually quite a homebody and would rather stay in than go out to bars or clubs.

Any words for the families that look at you funny for being tattooed/alternative?
Keep acting like idiots, it makes it easier for us to identify you!

What kinds of pets do you have?
Sully the beta fish; Ezra, our 12-foot albino Burmese python; Sin, our 7-foot red tail boa

How do you feel about your kids following your career paths?
We encourage our kids to think independently and make choices based on what makes them happy. We hope that they apply themselves earlier in life than we did, so that they may enjoy success longer. Honestly, it would be surprising if they chose anything we have!

Any words for families that live a tattooed/alternative lifestyle similar to yourselves?
You get in return what you put out there. Keep in mind that you’ve chosen this path and people are going to be naturally curious. It’s how you handle the situations that can affect society’s perceptions of people like us.