We recently connected with Kelly Pfleider and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Kelly , thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

From a young age, I was drawn to the stage. I felt comfortable and confident in front of a crowd, but as I worked to figure out who I was, I often silenced myself. I mistook compliance for courtesy—listening, following, and staying quiet because I thought it was the polite thing to do.

As I grew in this field, I immersed myself in learning everything I could. But the moment that truly carved my path came during a five-week residency workshop in Brazil. I found myself among artists and activists from around the world, all with different backgrounds, languages, and experiences. We were encouraged to create art, conduct community workshops, and perform ‘life’ literally and figuratively together. But the task was far from simple. We didn’t all speak the same language, and often, we weren’t even talking about the same things.

One moment that stands out; we were having a discussion on ‘different forms of oppression’. Someone mentioned “being fired,” and so we created silent images to express our interpretations. Some images reflected what I understood—losing a job. Others, however, were far more intense, with participants rolling on the ground in anguish. It was only later that I realized the profound difference. For some, “being fired” meant losing employment; for others, it meant being set on fire by law enforcement—a brutal reality faced by the homeless in certain parts of the world.

This experience opened my eyes to the incredible diversity of human interpretation. I realized that there is no single way to tell a story and yet despite communication barriers we all recognize pain, oppression, love, and joy, thus we will always share a universal connection to one another.

In 2015, I founded Pure Praxis, a company built around storytelling and interactive training with a mission to help people. But the journey wasn’t easy. Early on, individuals that I had considered mentors dismissed my ideas, telling me they were weak or that I was better suited to be a “great partner” than a leader. That could have crushed me, but instead, I refused to accept their limitations.

Starting my company was more than just building a business—it was an act of defiance against the expectations others tried to place on me. I was done following and ready to lead. It was a leap of faith, but it was also a declaration: I believed in my vision and my ability to create something meaningful, no matter what anyone else said.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Kelly Pfleider, and I am the CEO and founder of Pure Praxis. My journey into performance began in 2005 when I was first introduced to Performance Studies, and I haven’t stopped learning since. In 2012, I graduated from the University of Southern California with a master’s degree in Applied Theater Arts and Therapy. Over the past 19 years, I have devoted myself to training and performance, combining education, creativity, and impact to create meaningful experiences.

Theater is central to my methodology and the foundation of Pure Praxis. My company specializes in creating realistic scenarios tailored to the needs of our clients, performed by skilled actors who seamlessly weave humor and seriousness into engaging, thought-provoking scenes. These scenarios build to a moment of conflict, after which the audience is encouraged to analyze, discuss, and propose intervention strategies. A key feature of our program is allowing participants to practice these strategies in improvised scenes with the actors, fostering an immersive learning environment that promotes active engagement and critical thinking.

Pure Praxis is more than a training program—it’s a catalyst for change, designed to leave participants equipped with practical tools and a deeper understanding of complex issues whether in their personal or professional life. Since its inception, Pure Praxis has traveled globally, inspiring over 472,000 participants through nearly 3,650 training sessions across various sectors, including private organizations, academia, and the military. My company gained significant recognition as the primary provider of sexual assault prevention training for the US Navy and Marine Corps from 2015 to 2019, leading to collaborations with key military commands and invitations to the Pentagon.

I have partnered with several important organizations, including Cal Poly Pomona’s Office of Equity and Compliance to enhance Title IX awareness for students, faculty, and staff. This includes targeted sessions for athletics and Greek life, addressing cultural nuances in those areas.

Pure Praxis has also partnered with UCI Health to develop an empathy-based training program focused on managing patients’ discriminatory behavior conflict resolution strategies. By integrating these key principles, the training not only aims to protect staff dignity but also enhances the overall quality of care provided to patients.

Through these collaborative efforts, Pure Praxis envisions a world where everyday people become everyday heroes, striving to inspire rather than merely inform through the transformative potential of the arts.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Throughout my career, there have been so many moments that stick with me, but one pattern stands out. After any Pure Praxis performance, audience members love to come up to my team and shake our hands, ask follow-up questions, and even share their personal story however it may be related to what they have just seen. It’s awesome. We line up for this time and time again and I’m sad to say that it is not all that uncommon for a man to approach my team and instinctively shake the hands of the self-identifying men in my company first. It’s a small gesture, but it reflects a larger societal norm—one that still equates leadership with male presence. Instead of letting those experiences frustrate me, I use them to double down on my mission to empower others. I’ve learned that true leadership isn’t about whose hand gets shaken first —it’s about the impact you make and the lives you touch.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

I think humor and humility are two of the most important traits for a boss, especially in my line of work, where the topics we cover are extremely serious and sensitive. Laughter helps us/me stay grounded and connected, which is why I encourage my team to find moments to laugh—even at my own expense. One of the running jokes during our live trainings is how often I fumble my words. I’ll trip over something simple, accidentally combine words, or just completely make up a new one on the spot. It happens so often that some will even cheer if I manage to get through an entire show without a slip-up. Spoiler alert: it’s rare! But those moments remind me to stay flexible, not take myself too seriously, and embrace imperfection. It also helps me approach challenges with a lighter heart, which makes problem-solving feel a little less daunting.

Humor within my company supports an environment where my team can feel comfortable making mistakes and being themselves. When you can laugh at yourself, it’s amazing how much easier it is to tackle tough situations.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.purepraxis.com
• Instagram: @purepraxis
• Facebook: @purepraxis
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pure-praxis
• Youtube: @purepraxis

Image Credits

the head shots are taken by @archerinspired