Core Principles
Most people haven't been taught how differently others experience the exact same environment.
Amanda's mission is to help people show up - for themselves and for others - in the moments that matter most.
Most teams don't fail from big moments, they fail from missed small moments.
I've spent 25 years teaching women and children how to stay safe and defend themselves from dangerous situations.
What I realized over time is - those same skills apply everywhere.
In conversations.
In workplaces.
In leadership.
Because the moment you ignore something small is often the moment things start to escalate.
Years of Impact
Amanda Purdin is a speaker, instructor and former correction officer who brings rare, real-world perspective to conversations around psychological safety, workplace culture, and human behavior. At just 18 years old, Amanda began her career working inside a male correctional facility - an environment where communication, awareness, and trust weren't optional; they were critical. Over the next 15 years, she worked on the front lines, gaining firsthand insight into conflict, power dynamics, and the realities of human behavior under pressure.
During her time in corrections, Amanda became a defensive tactics instructor and later an instructor training, teaching and leading large groups across the state. Her work requires not only technical expertise, but the ability to connect, influence, and lead in high-stress environments.
Alongside her professional career, Amanda has trained Brazilian Jiujitsu since 2004 - long before it became mainstream for women - developing a deep understanding of both physical and psychological resilience.
After transitioning into healthcare as a nurse, Amanda continued to teach, speak, and train - expanding her work into personal safety, assault prevention, and human behavior in both clinical and real-world settings.
She went on to serve in leadership roles within the senior living industry, including Director of Nursing and Executive Director, where she led diverse teams, supported residents and families, and navigated complex, high-pressure environments - especially during the challenges of COVID.
These experiences deepened her understanding of human behavior, communication under pressure, and the critical importance of awareness and action in real-time moments.
Today, Amanda brings that unique combination of frontline experiences, leadership, and safety training into her work - helping individuals and teams better recognize, communicate, and respond when it matters most.
Every keynote is tailored to your organization's culture, challenges, and goals-while grounded in a proven framework for building stronger, safer workplace conversations
Amanda speaks to organizations about how to:
*Build safer, more aware workplace culture
*Understand human behavior under stress (including freeze and fawn responses)
*Improve communication and accountability across teams
*Building a workplace culture where everyone feels seen, heard and safe
*Engage everyone to create safer environments