Today we’d like to introduce you to TJ Rumler.
Hi TJ, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I grew up in West Greenville and graduated from Carolina High School (go Trojans!). Growing up there, I had the opportunity to interact with a diverse group of friends and see the way generational poverty and trauma affected people.
I saw friends drop out of school early and find a path that lead to jail or early death. I saw substance abuse affect families in negative ways. When I was young I didn’t really understand the way all those factors intersected, or the long term effects-but they were preparing me for a career serving others.
After high school, I had a non-linear path to my current career. I went to multiple universities from 18-30 and had majors ranging from Journalism to Education to Political Science. I knew I wanted to do something that involved serving others. I’ve always been addicted to the human experience.
A major time period in my life was 2001-2005. In September of 2001, exactly two weeks after 9/11, I enlisted in the US Army. Shortly after my training, I deployed to Iraq. My combat deployment lasted a little over one year. That year changed me forever. Without getting into specifics, I saw or personally experienced several examples of poor mental health care. At that point, in the middle of Iraq, I realized I wanted to work in the area of mental health treatment.
Once home from Iraq I went through the hardest period of my life. Adjusting to normal life after a year in combat is tough. Transitional services for Veterans are still far from perfect, but there are much better resources available now than in 2004 when we returned. I felt alone and numb, and without purpose. After working a few jobs in the service industry, I eventually found work in car sales. I never fancied myself a car salesman, but I enjoyed the work. For five years, I was able to build relationships with customers and took pride in being an honest worker in a field often seen as dishonest. And although I was making more money than I ever had, I was still searching for the purpose I had previously felt in a military uniform.
I heard the term “kairos moment” when I was in church as a kid. It was used to describe a significant moment in time. One of the clearest kairos moments in my life came at high school graduation. I attended a Carolina High School graduation to see a family member graduate and ran into my old guidance counselor, Barbara Seaborn. While catching up and asking me all about my life, she got a look only a mother figure can.
It was that look of “I believe in you and you are capable of so much more.” She told me how much she had always believed in me, and didn’t want to see me waste potential doing something I didn’t love. She gave me information about a Human Services program at Southern Wesleyan University. It was in line with my passion for serving people, and met at night-which meant I wouldn’t have to give up my current job.
I was nervous. Looking back, it’s kind of funny because I remember thinking “TJ, you’re in your late 20s-it’s too late to go back to school.” If you’re reading this, it’s never too late. Go do the thing you want to do. You are going to continue to age. We can’t control that. We “can” have a say in what we accomplish during that time. I made the decision I’d rather age with a degree. The next day, I enrolled at Southern Wesleyan University (SWU).
During my time at Southern Wesleyan, I secured jobs at Greenville Health System (now PRISMA) and Project Care. These jobs were amazing opportunities early in my career, and I worked both concurrently for around five years. Between the two positions, I was able to serve people from five years old to adulthood. I gained experience working with inpatient psychiatric disorders as well as chronic homelessness. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I was incredibly blessed to have those opportunities.
After graduating from SWU I immediately enrolled in a Masters in Social Work program at USC-Columbia (go Cocks!). I attended the Greenville program and enjoyed having adjunct professors that were actively working in the field. The program content was great, as well as the internships I was able to complete), but more than anything I value the friendships and colleagues I developed over those three years.
Upon completion of the MSW program, I was hired with Greenville County Schools to serve as part of the OnTrack Greenville program, which is a wonderful partnership with United Way Greenville and PRISMA. While I left for a year to serve at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), I came back to Greenville County Schools where I still serve as a Trauma-Informed Specialist. Working with kids is my true passion.
Along with my role at Greenville County Schools, I wear two additional hats. I own TJ Rumler Consulting, where I work with organizations that want to be trauma-informed and need assistance in that area. I also provide individual psychotherapy through BetterHelp. Lastly, I serve on the Board of Directors for Pendleton Place as well as Vice-Chair of Education for Hispanic Alliance.
I love my community, and I love being one piece of our collective healing. WE can do great things together!
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
*loud audible laughter*
No way-my path has been anything but smooth. I’ve had several struggles, and although I was the designer of many of my own struggles, it’s been an uphill battle.
My biggest struggle has been really getting to know myself. As I mentioned earlier, after my tour in Iraq I started dealing with mental health issues. At first, I let them get the best of me, but I’ve done a ton of work on myself.
I’ve seen several therapists and learned the importance of a healthy diet, regular exercise, yoga, and meditation. Keeping a positive mood is hard work, but I try. There are still days where it’s a struggle to just get out of bed due to my own brain-but I thank god for friends and family that support me through it all.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about TJ Rumler Consulting?
I specialize in working with organizations very personally and intimately to help make your culture trauma-informed. We will make sure you are informed on what trauma is, who is affected and how, and how that affects your organization. This also includes self-care and balance with your staff.
I’ve worked with schools, non-profits, and entrepreneurs. My passion is helping people help people, and I believe we do that best through a collective approach.
I believe what sets me apart is my passion and my experience. I’ve had personal and professional experience with trauma and recovery, and I take pride in making my services relevant to your organizational needs.
Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
I see people in the helping profession (educators, mental health, medical professionals, etc.) really starting to take their own health seriously. People are setting boundaries and keeping them. They are carrying less guilt over using sick days and taking vacations.
We’re finally starting to understand that if we aren’t well, we can’t help others.
I also love how younger generations are leading the charge to reduce (and destroy) the stigma around mental health care. I’ve really noticed a difference as a therapist. Younger people will brag about seeing a therapist, while my generation came up in a time where it was often hidden.
Contact Info:
- Email: tj@tjrumler.com
- Website: www.tjrumler.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tjrconsulting/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tjrconsulting
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/tjrum
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCH6_YwogBx_GU9rx8pbLeuQ
