We’re looking forward to introducing you to Amanda Hardin. Check out our conversation below.
Amanda, really appreciate you sharing your stories and insights with us. The world would have so much more understanding and empathy if we all were a bit more open about our stories and how they have helped shaped our journey and worldview. Let’s jump in with a fun one: What are you most proud of building — that nobody sees?
A team! Since I’m an educator, people think I handle my business solo when in fact I have a team of four full time employees behind the scenes making sure we deliver as promised and stay booked out with events, classes, speaking engagements and meetings.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m Amanda Hardin, founder of Lipstick Tactical and the Mind and Safety Institute. I deliver high-impact corporate events and private safety trainings that teach people how to move through the world with confidence, awareness, and control.
My programs combine real-world self-defense, de-escalation, and mindset training with approachable medical skills. Every event is interactive and empowering, built to strengthen teams, improve situational awareness, and leave participants with tools they can use in daily life.
Before launching my companies, I worked as a registered nurse and later became a certified USCCA and NRA instructor. That mix of medical training and defensive education shaped how I teach today: practical, evidence-based, and designed for everyday people, not tactical experts.
From boardrooms to conferences, I help organizations and individuals understand that safety isn’t just physical it’s psychological. My goal is to help people think clearly, act decisively, and never live in fear.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
In my twenties, I worked as a palliative care nurse, spending my days with people at the end of their lives. That experience completely changed how I see the world. When you sit beside someone taking their last breaths, you realize how fragile time really is and how much courage it takes to truly live while you have it.
I saw people facing death with grace, regret, humor, and fear, and I learned that safety and peace of mind aren’t just about survival, they’re about quality of life. That understanding shapes everything I do now.
Was there ever a time you almost gave up?
All the time. Doubt is part of the process. There have been plenty of moments where I’ve questioned everything; whether I was making an impact, whether I could keep the momentum going, whether the work was worth the sacrifice. When I talk with my friends who are also entrepreneurs, we remind each other that this is what the journey looks like. Some days you’re on fire, others you’re just trying to keep the flame alive. The difference between those who make it and those who don’t usually comes down to one thing, commitment. You keep moving forward, even when it’s hard, because the mission matters more than the moment.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, absolutely. What people see publicly is exactly who I am. I don’t have a “stage version” and a “real-life version.” The woman who walks into a corporate event to teach awareness and mindset is the same one who rides her Harley, raises her kids, and keeps learning every day. Authenticity is the foundation of everything I do. I teach people to trust their instincts and stand confidently in who they are and I can’t do that if I’m not doing it myself.
Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. If you expect external validation to keep you going, you’re cooked. I’ve learned that real purpose has to come from within, not from applause or recognition. The work I do teaching safety, confidence, and mindset only has power if I live it, even when no one’s watching. Praise fades, but integrity doesn’t. While it feels good to receive validation, you can’t rely on it or expect it. You’ll be let down and disappointed every time. You are responsible for your happiness, motivation and sense of self worth.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lipsticktactical.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lipsticktactical/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanda-hardin-lipsticktactical
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lipsticktactical
- Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/@LipstickTactical
