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 Counseling and Intervention Specialist, Q.P.R. for suicide prevention trainer.

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.

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.

Courage,

Compassion,

Connection

My story is powerful. I am an advocate for student mental health education, eating disorder recovery and suicide prevention. When I'm not creating and serving others, I'm investing in my own healing journey from childhood trauma, thriving, growing and learning new ways to love myself.

Education & Experience

Speaking
Engagements

Training

Dance

Education

Education & Experience

Higher Education

Current Graduate Student at Capella University studying Clinical Social Work
Bachelors in Human Services, University of Phoenix, 2008
National Certification in Massage Therapist, 2001

Certifications

Certified Online Counseling and Suicide Intervention Specialist, 2022
Youth Mental Health First Aid Trainer, 2017
Q.P.R. Trainer, 2016
NAMI Ending the Silence Facilitator, 2017

Awards

Love Warrior Award, 2018; Recognized by Eating Disorder Recovery Support (EDRS), Non-Profit

Memberships

Mental Health American Advocacy Network
Suicide Prevention Council of San Luis Obispo
Stamp Out Stigma Speakers Bureau
Member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness

Boards/Advisory

Teens 4 Teens Help Advisory Board
Hunger for Awareness
Eating Disorders Suicide Prevention Committee Chair

Partnerships

Prevention Alliance SLO County Office of Education
Community Action Partnership Teen Task Force
Alliance for Mental Wellness
Stamp Out Stigma Speakers Bureau
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Transitions Mental Health Association, 2017-2020
- 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.
- ALEC Action Plan, suicide prevention action plan for youth 12-18

Specializations:

Youth Mental Health Education & Presentations
Dance community, Mental Health Advocacy and Eating Disorder Awareness
Eating Disorder Prevention
Suicide Prevention Training for School Staff & Parents of Youth
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

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.