Dena Larsen Gazeley

Dena Larsen Gazeley, eating disorder expert, body relationship educator, and Health At Every Size advocate, intentionally combines strategic storytelling, passionate presentation, and investment in authentic and trusted relationships, pursuing, professionally and personally, to save those lives afflicted by addiction and disorder.

Originating from a small town in Northern California, Dena’s international education and upper management work experience, including a Bachelor of Arts, Communication, Arts & Science, from the University of Southern California, bilingual training in Social Work from the Universidad de Colima, Mexico, and directorship positions within England, Mexico and aboard cruise ship throughout the Eastern Caribbean, has resulted in her ability to connect, relate and exchange with sensitivity, awareness and intention.

Through transparency and authenticity, Dena draws from her lived experience, sharing openly the perspective of the child, adolescent, university student, wife and mother, having lived in her eating disorder from the age of 8 to 39.  With more than a decade recovered from her eating disorder, Dena offers the education, insight, tools and techniques that have strengthened her personal eating disorder treatment and recovery.  Having experienced all levels of eating disorder treatment, including inpatient hospitalization, residential, PHP, IOP and outpatient care, Dena attributes her successful recovery journey to the combination of quality, eating disorder specialized and expert care with her commitment to and work within Twelve-step recovery based programs.

Traveling nationwide, Dena has publicly presented, coached, and consulted with individuals of all ages, within schools, universities, private workshops and treatment centers, additionally lobbying both Congress and Senate in eating disorder education and reform.  Currently serving as Chair of Sponsorship for the International Association of Eating Disorder Professionals (iaedp) Phoenix Chapter, Dena’s professional roles as an Arizona Certified Teacher, fitness professional with nearly 30 years of experience, Body Positive Fitness and Yoga Coach, and, as a trained facilitator for The Body Project, Dena continues to talk and walk the promises gifted by living recovered from her eating disorder.

Dena’s personal story of recovery and professional expertise has been shared worldwide through print, television and social media, including People.com, The Bump, Why Arizona, Voyage Phoenix, National Eating Disorder Association (NEDA), PHOENIX (3 TV/CBS 5), The Every Body Is Beautiful Project, Rosewood Ranch Centers and SuperFit Hero.