We recently connected with Tina Rushing and have shared our conversation below.
Tina, so great to be with you and I think a lot of folks are going to benefit from hearing your story and lessons and wisdom. Imposter Syndrome is something that we know how words to describe, but it’s something that has held people back forever and so we’re really interested to hear about your story and how you overcame imposter syndrome.
Have I ever really overcome imposter syndrome? Honestly… no, not entirely. I’m not sure anyone does. I work extremely hard in an industry I never really imagined myself in. Sometimes I’m working so hard I forget to come up for air, and if you’ve ever been in that place, you know—it’s easy to lose sight of the process. To question if you’re doing anything right. Am I actually meant for this job? How did I end up a director of anything?
And then I catch my breath.
I take a step back.
And I look at the road that brought me here.
I’ve survived immense grief. I’ve battled cancer. I’ve ridden the daily rollercoaster that is life and somehow, I’m still standing. Maybe not always gracefully, but standing nonetheless. My background is in technical theatre—a world where “the show must go on” isn’t just a slogan, it’s a survival tactic. It’s ingrained in me to keep pushing forward, to find solutions in the chaos.
And community service? That’s been in my DNA since I was a kid. Growing up in the Kiwanis Family—starting in K Kids, then Builders Club, Key Club, and eventually becoming a Kiwanian—community work was second nature before I even realized it. It was always about showing up, even when it was hard.
So when I start doubting myself, when that little voice creeps in whispering “You’re just faking it”—I look at my history. I remind myself I’m not here by accident. I’m here because I’ve put in the work, because I care deeply, and because this music community believes in what we’re building together
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I’m Tina Rushing, the Director of Punk Rock Saves Lives—a nonprofit dedicated to making positive change in the punk rock community and beyond. Our mission is to focus on mental health, harm reduction, and inclusive activism, while signing people up for the national bone marrow registry, in the hopes of saving lives. We show up where the people are—at shows, at festivals, in the spaces that feel like home to so many of us—and we offer connection, resources, and hope.
I’m most passionate about our mental health initiatives because they focus on breaking the stigma and addressing the negative perceptions surrounding mental health. Mental health has always been deeply personal for me. I grew up in a household shaped by Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Living in that environment meant navigating constant hyper-vigilance, many different rules, and an undercurrent of anxiety that never really went away. As a kid, I didn’t always understand it—why certain things had to be a specific way, or why there was so much pressure to keep things “under control.” But over time, I realized how much that shaped me: the way I carry stress, the way I overthink, and how hard I can be on myself.
Because of that, mental health isn’t just an abstract idea or a checkbox on a list for me—it’s survival. It’s understanding how crucial it is to have support, to have safe spaces, and to talk openly about things that too often get buried. It’s why I’m passionate about Punk Rock Saves Lives and the mental health resources we bring to shows and festivals. I want to create the kind of community I wish I had growing up—one where people feel seen, heard, and supported exactly as they are. Because no one should have to carry that weight alone.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Looking back, three qualities that were most impactful in my journey were adaptability, relationship-building, and a willingness to keep learning. My advice for those early in their journey is to stay curious, stay open, and never assume you’ve learned it all—because the best leaders and professionals are always evolving.
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
When I’m feeling overwhelmed, I go through my checklist of grounding techniques—like the 5-4-3-2-1 method—to bring myself back to the present. This technique helps by engaging the senses:
5 things I can see
4 things I can touch
3 things I can hear
2 things I can smell
1 thing I can taste
After grounding myself, I make a list of every little thing I need to complete, even the smallest tasks, because crossing things off helps me process what needs to get done and makes everything feel more manageable. I also give myself permission to restart. Sometimes that means taking a moment to just breathe, watching a show to reset my mind, or stepping outside for a walk. Those small resets help me come back with a clearer head. And if that doesn’t work – I legit just scream somewhere. It makes a huge difference.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.punkrocksaveslives.org
- Instagram: punkrocksaveslives
- Facebook: prsl-usa
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