Let my story be your guide.
About Amy
Amy Kathleen Lee (formerly Amy Waddle) is a former pre-professional classical ballet dancer, eating disorder, and suicide survivor. Her lifelong battle with bipolar two disorder and triumph over suicide inspired her advocacy work.
She is an award-winning eating disorder recovery advocate, and motivational speaker, Certified Online Counselling and Intervention Specialist, Q.P.R. for suicide prevention trainer, and member of the National Speakers Association.
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Amy founded the nonprofit organization, Dancing with ED, Inc. in 2013 to inspire all members of the dance community to love and care for their bodies through eating disorder awareness, outreach and education.
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Her powerful testimony of triumph over suicide and living with a mental health condition has been heard by over 5,000 young people across the Central Coast of California. Amy speaks nationally for middle and high schools, colleges, forums, churches, and conferences.
“Tell the story of the mountain you climbed. Your words could become a page in someone else's survival guide.”
- Morgan Harper Nichols
Education & Experience
Higher Education
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Current Graduate Student at Capella University studying Clinical Social Work
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Bachelors in Human Services, University of Phoenix, 2008
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National Certification in Massage Therapist, 2001
Certifications
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Certified Online Counseling and Suicide Intervention Specialist, 2022
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Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, 2017
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Q.P.R. Trainer, 2016
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NAMI Ending the Silence Facilitator, 2017
Awards
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Love Warrior Award, 2018; Recognized by Eating Disorder Recovery Support (EDRS), Non-Profit
Memberships
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Mental Health American Advocacy Network
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Suicide Prevention Council of San Luis Obispo
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Stamp Out Stigma Speakers Bureau
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Member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness
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National Speakers Association
Boards/Advisory
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Teens 4 Teens Help Advisory Board
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Hunger for Awareness
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Eating Disorders Suicide Prevention Committee Chair
Partnerships
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Prevention Alliance SLO County Office of Education
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Community Action Partnership Teen Task Force
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Alliance for Mental Wellness
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Stamp Out Stigma Speakers Bureau
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National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
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Transitions Mental Health Association, 2017-2020
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New Perspectives, mental health curriculum for youth 12 -18: New Perspectives is an original mental health curriculum. The curriculum provides each student with an overview of the most common mental health diagnoses for adolescents, self-care options, the ability to recognize when peers are in distress, and how to make a simple plan of action. A modified, age-appropriate version of New Perspectives is available for Middle School students as well.
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ALEC Action Plan, suicide prevention action plan for youth 12-18
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Specializations:
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Youth Mental Health Education & Presentations
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Dance community, Mental Health Advocacy and Eating Disorder Awareness
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Eating Disorder Prevention
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Suicide Prevention Training for School Staff & Parents of Youth
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Healing & Recovery from Trauma & Abuse
Over
650
Faculty, Counselors & Administrators were trained in either QPR or YMHFA
Student Leaders were trained in QPR
160
Over
Over
3,600
students experienced the New Perspectives curriculum & ALEC action plan
schools or school districts throughout the Central Coast
20
Spoken at
Dance
Amy founded her nonprofit organization, Dancing with E.D. (Eating Disorders), Inc. in 2013 to raise awareness of eating disorders in the dance community and inspire dancers to love and care for their bodies. Dancing with E.D. is where Amy gives back and uses her passion and creative energy to create projects, including a dance show, workshops, a camp for young dancers. She wants dancers to know they don't have to dance through their struggles alone.
Events & Workshops
Dance Show - Stages of Change: A Dancer’s Body Journey 2019
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Workshop Series:
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Sharing Space As We Shelter In Place, 2020
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Voting for Me .... during the election and beyond, 2020
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I am Enough: A Body Journey Workshop, for dancers, 2016
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I am Enough: A Body Journey Workshop, for ED treatment professionals, 2017
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Body Talk, workshop for dancers of all ages, 2016
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Camps
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Mind. Body. Heart. A Mindfulness, Movement and Expressive He’arts Camp 2020
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Other projects:
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Pointing to Recovery Project
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Share My Story, Social Media Project, 2021
