Tattooed, Tested, and Touring: The Ripples Are Real

Showing off my battle wounds on the second day of Warped Tour

It’s been a long couple of years. And by long, I mean the kind of stretch where burnout doesn’t just visit — it moves in, redecorates, and makes itself at home. Where exhaustion seeps into your bones, and joy starts to feel like something reserved for other people. The things that used to fill your soul — live music, community, purpose — slowly started to feel more like items on a never-ending checklist.

You keep moving, keep doing, but the spark? That part of you that used to light up? It starts to flicker.

I’ve been in that place for longer than I’d like to admit. Pouring from an empty cup, pushing through the motions, doing the work because I know it matters — but feeling disconnected from the fire that used to make this all feel electric.

This month with Punk Rock Saves Lives gave me something I didn’t realize I was so desperate for — a reminder of why we do this. A reminder that community can be magic. A month that finally, finally filled my cup again.

We closed out May and kicked off June running. Rob hit the road with the Bouncing Souls while David and I headed to Never Early Fest in Baltimore. That fest has grown into one of our favorite new traditions — a scrappy, heartfelt celebration where familiar faces and new friends collide in all the best ways. It was the kind of weekend that immediately felt like a reset.

And then came the big one — a weekend with multiple Pride events, High Hopes Fest, Camp Punksylvania, Point Break Festival, Bonnaroo, and Warped Tour. Yeah, you read that right. The same weekend.

If you were watching the headlines, you already know that Bonnaroo was basically a rain-soaked heartbreak. We managed to swab over 160 people before the sky cracked open and the festival pulled the plug. Just like that — everything was done. No more crowd, no more conversations, no more chance to connect. Last year, we swabbed over 500 people at Bonnaroo. That weekend was a turning point for us, a massive push toward our goal. So to lose four full days of impact this year? It hit hard. Like, gut-punch hard.

There’s something uniquely brutal about watching your work — your momentum, your opportunity to save lives — literally get washed away in the mud. We prepare, we plan, we pack every swab kit with care, every banner with intention. And then nature reminds you how little control you really have.

We're still feeling that loss. Not just in numbers, but in morale. In the ache of knowing how many connections didn’t get made. And now, we’re scrambling — trying desperately to lock in other large-scale events that could help us make up the difference.

But then came Warped Tour's Return to Washington DC

Warped Tour DC brought the kind of high we haven’t seen since before the pandemic. We swabbed over 300 people in two days. We ran out of swabs. We scrambled to get more. The team was absolute fire — working together like we’ve been doing this for a decade (because, well… some of us have). I walked away with some gnarly scrapes from eating it on pavement, but honestly, that felt fitting. Punk rock, right? And somewhere in all the chaos, the spark came back. I danced in the rain to Avril Lavigne. I had deep talks with volunteers who radiated hope. I saw us — really saw us — making a difference.

And it didn’t stop there. Camp Punksylvania added 60+ new names to the registry. Point Break topped 100. These might sound like just numbers, but they’re people — potential lifesavers, folks stepping up, punks saying yes to something bigger than themselves.

Someone said to me recently that what we do is about creating ripples. Small actions that send out waves you can’t always see until much later. I’ve been clinging to that. Because even when it feels like we’re just treading water — answering the same questions, hauling gear, fighting burnout, dodging drama — those ripples are moving outward.

And they matter.

I’ve been dealing with a lot of behind-the-scenes heaviness — the kind that doesn’t show up in photos or Instagram recaps but weighs down every moment. There have been personal situations and drama from folks in the community that somehow ended up weaponized against the nonprofit, like PRSL was collateral damage in someone else’s storm. And when your heart is this invested in the work, it’s hard not to take that personally. It’s hard not to feel like maybe the cracks are starting to show.

Add to that the creeping anxiety about falling short of our goal — 10,000 swabs in 2025. It’s a massive number, and we’re not where we need to be yet. Every rained-out weekend, every empty calendar day in August, feels like a missed chance. I’ve spiraled more than a few times wondering if we’re doing enough, if I’m doing enough. The weight of it all can get so loud.

But June reminded me — the good outweighs it. The noise, the drama, the doubt — it’s all background static compared to the impact we are making. Compared to the volunteers showing up with full hearts. Compared to every person who steps up to join the registry. Compared to dancing in the rain and remembering what joy actually feels like. June didn’t fix everything, but it reminded me of the why — and that’s everything.

The joy is still there.

The work still matters.

The ripples are real.

So if you’ve felt like you’re losing the light — I see you. I’ve been there. I am there, some days. But maybe you just need your own version of June. A spark. A reminder. A rainstorm dance moment.

Keep creating ripples. Because somewhere down the line, those ripples save lives.

Much Love,

Tina

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Want to get more involved with Punk Rock Saves Lives but not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place. Below are some of the ways you can jump in and start making a difference with us. Join the community. Be part of the impact. Let’s do something powerful—together.

• Volunteer with Us – Hit the road, rep your city, or help behind the scenes. However you show up, we’re stoked to have you. 👉 Sign up to volunteer

• Join Our Mental Health Community – Find support, share your story, or just be in the room. No pressure, just connection. 👉 Join the mental health group

• Become a Bone Marrow Donor – You could be someone’s cure. It’s free, it’s simple, and it’s lifesaving. 👉 Join the registry

• Donate to Keep Us Moving – Every dollar helps us keep swabbing, handing out Narcan, and showing up for our community. 👉 Make a donation