We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nancy Rizk. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nancy below.
Nancy, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
I grew up in a big, loud family. Five siblings, and I’m the youngest. So I learned early on how to speak up, watch closely, and grow up fast. I saw friends and family go through tough times. I remember watching my sister get bullied and just feeling this need to protect her, even though I was the baby of the family.
One moment that’s always stayed with me is hearing my mum say to my sister, “You need to be strong.” I took that literally. Like, right, noted. Be strong. No excuses. My mum was the definition of resilience. She held it all together, and being around that kind of strength every day just embedded it in me.
When I started carving my own path, I really had to draw on that strength. I left school and quietly started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser. I remember challenging the academy and finishing what was meant to be a three-year apprenticeship in two. I was relentless and a forward thinker. Back then, the hair industry was cut throat. You had to move fast. It was get up and go. You survived off instinct.
Then I packed up and moved to LA. It was tough. I was challenged in every way. Emotionally, mentally, financially. But that fire in me never died. If someone said I couldn’t do something, I’d double down and prove them wrong. I wasn’t booking as an actor because I didn’t fit the typical mold, and diversity wasn’t really a thing yet. So I created my own work. I wrote, shot, and released a series on no budget that ended up getting picked up by Amazon and winning awards around the world.
Resilience isn’t something you’re just born with. It’s something you build, choice by choice. For me, it’s always been simple. If I want something, I’ll do whatever it takes to make it happen. Full stop.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m all about protecting the actor, first and foremost. That’s really the heartbeat of everything I do.
Being an actor myself, I’ve walked through the confusion, the silence, and the challenges that come with trying to build a career, especially as someone moving from Australia to L.A. I had such a traumatic experience trying to navigate the Aus & U.S. industry with no support, no roadmap, and a lot of closed doors. I remember thinking, Why is no one talking about this? Why is everything so gatekept?
That experience shaped everything for me. I made it my mission to be the person I needed back then, someone who pulls back the curtain, tells the truth, and actually helps other actors find their way with confidence.
That’s how The Hollywood Initiative came to life. It’s a space I created to guide, support, and empower actors, whether they’re transitioning to the U.S., building a career back home, or just feeling stuck and unsure of their next move.
What makes it special is that we bring in some of the best in the industry, coaches, mentors, casting directors and other working professionals, but we do it in a way that’s real, approachable, and actor-focused.
I also bring my background as a former talent agent into the mix, which I think gives me a really unique perspective. I’ve seen both sides of the industry, the creative and the business and I believe understanding both is essential. It’s not just about learning your craft. It’s about understanding how to navigate the industry, how to market yourself, and how to stay grounded while doing it.
The Hollywood Initiative is about more than just workshops or training, it’s about community, clarity, and giving actors the tools and knowledge they need to make empowered choices. It’s the kind of support I wish I had when I started, and now I get to offer that to others. That’s what keeps me going.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
Looking back, I’d say the three biggest things that helped me were resilience, instinct, and curiosity.
Resilience is number one, hands down. This industry will test you in ways you can’t even imagine. I had to fight for every opportunity, especially early on when diversity wasn’t being celebrated the way it is now. I was told “no” a lot, and instead of letting that stop me, I used it as fuel. My advice? Learn to bounce back fast. Feel the hit, but don’t sit in it. You’ve got to build thick skin without losing your softness or love for the craft.
Instinct is another one. I came from a big family, and growing up, you survived off gut feel. I carried that into my work. Whether I was on set, navigating new countries, or even challenging the hairdressing academy to finish my apprenticeship a year early, I always trusted my gut. My advice to anyone starting out? Tune in. Your instinct is a muscle. The more you use it, the sharper it gets. Don’t be afraid to go against the grain if it feels right for you.
Curiosity. I never stopped asking questions. I didn’t grow up with industry connections or a blueprint, so I had to figure it out as I went. I learned about every part of the business, from acting to producing to what agents look for, because I was hungry to know. My advice? Stay curious. Learn beyond your craft. Understand the business side, ask questions, shadow people, soak up everything. The more you know, the more empowered you are.
At the end of the day, talent is one thing, but mindset, hunger, and heart? That’s what keeps you in the game.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I feel overwhelmed, and trust me, that happens more often than I’d like to admit, breathwork is my go-to tool. I’m actually a certified breathwork facilitator, and it’s been a total game changer for me, both personally and professionally.
What I love about breathwork is how simple and accessible it is. When everything feels like too much, slowing down and tuning into your breath can instantly bring you back to center. It helps me clear the noise in my mind, reconnect with my body, and reset my energy so I can face challenges with more clarity and calm.
Over the years, practicing breathwork has shifted how I handle stress and pressure. Instead of pushing through in a frantic way, I’ve learned to pause, breathe deeply, and ground myself. It’s like pressing the reset button on your nervous system.
My advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed? Start with your breath. Even just a few intentional, deep breaths can make a difference. If you want to dive deeper, there are so many breathwork techniques out there, and I’d love to guide people through them because they truly transform how we show up, whether on set, on stage, or in life.
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