Episode 056 - Diabetics Doing Diabetes Education with Melissa Gaynor

Have you ever wanted to talk to a Diabetes Educator (CDE) who was also a T1D? Well Melissa Gaynor (@mybroknpancreas on Instagram) was that person for me. Besides being a super dope person, Melissa is an incredible person because she went BACK to college to get a second bachelors degree to become a CDE. 

We talk about how to distill junk science, what she learns from her patients and what they're dealing with, the confusion of nutrition labels in health and diet. She also talks about the difference between a Nutritionist, and a Certified Diabetes Educator with an emphasis on nutrition because of the science base (you can also go through your insurance for a CDE, which is a pretty nice benefit). 

Melissa and I also talk about the importance of being proud of who you are with your T1D and the emergence of the "Diabetes is cool" movement, which I attribute to BeyondType1. We also talk about Libby Russell, who just happens to be one of Melissa and I's favorite people. 

We also talk about how important it is for T1Ds to see other people doing amazing things, like being NFL quarterbacks, pageant queens, pop stars, etc. which of course made me so proud to be able to tell the stories of all the amazing Diabetics Doing Things. Melissa is so great and our conversation has been one of my favorites. Shout out NYC for some of the best T1Ds out there.

This post was written in support of Beyond Type 1’s Power Up Campaign that’s engaging a global T1D community to help educate, advocate and cure Type 1 diabetes. 

Episode 055 - Diabetics Doing Acting and Advocacy with Anita Nicole Brown

Anita Nicole Brown (@anita_nicole_brown on Instagram) joins the podcast to share her incredible story of a life with T1D. Diagnosed during her annual physical before her senior year of High School, Anita had been concerned with consistent weight loss despite a very strong appetite from her background in athletics and sports. She learned that there were "two kinds of Diabetes" as she was diagnosed, and was forced to face the realization that many T1Ds face that they now have a disease they've never heard anything about. 

Anita's glucose levels were over 1,000 mcg/dl and suffered from diabetic nerve damage as a result, and lost the ability to walk for 1 year. However, Anita was able to recover and walk again, and she takes us through her mindset during this especially difficult time. 

Anita lives in Chicago and works as an actress, if you follow her on Instagram you can keep up with her career as she currently is preparing for multiple roles in both stage and screen performances. 

This post was written in support of Beyond Type 1’s Power Up Campaign that’s engaging a global T1D community to help educate, advocate and cure Type 1 diabetes.

Episode 054 - Diabetics Doing Athletics and Sport with Dan Allison

Dan Allison (@the_athletic_diabetic on Instagram) joins the podcast from Beverly, England to talk about his Diagnosis at age 10 and how athletics and sport have played such an instrumental part for him in living a successful life with Diabetes. 

Besides having so much in common from an athletics perspective, Dan and I both attribute much of our success with Type 1 to our Mothers. Dan's mom is a nurse, my mom taught nutrition and fitness for over a decade, and both of them were instrumental into forming our lives with T1D. 

We also talk about how important it is to be open about your T1D, especially in athletics, because it gives you a sense of belonging to have other people who know what you're going through. So get involved! Reach out and comment, message, email! It'll be worth it. 

This post was written in support of Beyond Type 1’s Power Up Campaign that’s engaging a global T1D community to help educate, advocate and cure Type 1 diabetes.

Episode 053 - Diabetics Doing Strange Diagnosis Stories with Kayla Chorley

Kayla Chorley (@instakay.14 on Instagram) joins the Podcast from Canada to talk about her journey with T1D. Diagnosed when she was 12, she shares her particularly funny, and very unique diagnosis story before diving deep into how she's overcome her diagnosis to live a full life with T1D. 

Despite her rocky diagnosis, Kayla's prognosis has always been positive. She and I take a deep dive into the importance of the rhetoric of doctors, nurses and Diabetes educators at diagnosis and (without any direct research) the effect it has on the success of the patient living with Type-1 Diabetes. 

Kayla and I are very like minded, and she and I talk at length about taking T1D one day at a time and to not expect perfection. We even talk about T1International, and all the great work Elizabeth and her team are doing globally for Insulin reform #insulin4all. 

This post was written in support of Beyond Type 1’s Power Up Campaign that’s engaging a global T1D community to help educate, advocate and cure Type 1 diabetes.

Episode 052 - Diabetics Doing an Active Life with Rowena Gander

Rowena Gander (@type1active on Instagram) joins the podcast from the UK to talk about living an active life with T1D and some of her stories, tips and tactics she uses with her clients. 

Diagnosed with T1D while at university three years ago, Rowena started an Instagram to chronicle her T1D Journey. In that time she's found the amazing Diabetes Online Community to be incredibly supportive, and when people began to message her about training, nutrition and fitness, she started her online Diabetes coaching business. 

We speak at length about fitness and the online community and I'd encourage you to reach out to Rowena whether you're in the UK, US or anywhere else in the world. She's a great resource and I'm grateful she came on the podcast. 

This post was written in support of Beyond Type 1’s Power Up Campaign that’s engaging a global T1D community to help educate, advocate and cure Type 1 diabetes.

Episode 051 - Diabetics Doing Life in a New Light with Erika Cavallo

Episode 051 features Erika Cavallo (@erikacavalloo on Instagram) a former Division 1 Lacrosse player at Towson University. Erika had been feeling under the weather towards the end of her Freshman season, and was diagnosed with T1D prior to one of her team's games. 

Erika takes us through her diagnosis that derailed a promising season, adjusting to life with T1D as a student after her diagnosis, facing the reality that while her life had changed, her outlook and work ethic didn't have to, and how she has found a new passion fighting for T1D advocacy following her diagnosis. 

Erika also gives us a firsthand account of what many T1Ds go through, in that many of their peers and social circles change after they are diagnosed and they begin to feel alienated or alone because of their disease. Erika's attitude and determination are truly inspiring, and I hope you all enjoy a very candid look at life with Type 1. 

Episode 50 - Diabetics Doing Call to Congress with Basma Adams

Hard to believe we've reached 50 episodes! I'm super grateful to each and every listener, guest and supporter over the last 18 months. We couldn't do it without you. 

My 50th guest is Basma Adams (@bastheboss on Instagram). Don't let her age fool you, Basma is leading the charge for T1D advocacy on multiple fronts, including the steps of Capitol Hill. Basma represented T1Ds in 2017 during the ADA's "Call to Congress" in Washington, where she spent her time meeting face to face with representatives from across the country, in a day where she was focused on "making diabetes a priority." 

Basma and I talk about her diagnosis, experience during her 10+ years of advocacy work and the launch of her new blog. It's a great conversation, and we look forward to seeing what's next for the 2014 ADA National Youth Advocate. 

Episode 049 - Diabetics Doing Everyday Victories and Celebrating Them with Nicole Colson

I knew from the first email I received from Nicole Colson (@type1nicole on Instagram) that we were going to get along. "I desire to be that voice of normal in the T1D community." she told me. She had a point, and one that Diabetics Doing Things was founded on, that the everyday victories of T1D largely go uncelebrated, and that's a problem. To quote Nicole, "There are so many T1Ds that are rockstars...and that's great, but there are tons more of us winning everyday battles while facing the same highs and lows as the athletic T1D champs and celebrities." 

Nicole and I also talk about her looking forward to hosting the #BikeBeyond crew and Sid Sharma in Louisville on their way across America. It's a must listen and I hope you enjoy celebrating the everyday victories with us! 

Episode 048 - Diabetics Doing International Friendships with Noemie Bvn

Noemie (@noemiie.t1d on Instagram) joins the podcast from the French Alps to talk about her life in France with T1D. 

Noemie has been T1D for 21 years, after she was diagnosed at the age of 5, and while she doesn't remember the exact circumstances around her diagnosis she does have a vivid memory of growing up with Type-1. From her mom visiting her at school to test her blood sugar, or struggling with being normal while also maintaining control of her diabetes. 

Noemie is good friends with Sid Sharma, who we interviewed on Episode 20, who she met through Instagram. Noemie also recently got to meet him in person for the first time while Sid was riding across the USA with #BikeBeyond. Noemie has been a huge supporter of the podcast for a long time, so be sure to give her a shout out after you listen to her episode. 

Episode 047 - Diabetics Doing Worldwide Adventures with Anna Pintsuk

Anna Pintsuk (@onnepe on Instagram) joins the podcast from Vienna, Austria to talk about her life with T1D abroad. I love doing interviews with international guests because we get to see how similar we all are despite language barriers, measuring mmol/L or mg/dL or how our insurance works. 

Anna was diagnosed with a blood sugar reading of over 1300, and noticed it because her eyesight had deteriorated! 

Anna takes us through basic T1D education  in Austria, the T1D community in Austria, misconceptions about being vegan and how grateful she is for the technology we have access to in 2017 to treat our T1D. She even gives us a behind the scenes look at Austrian culture, which was super fun to learn about. 

Anna is such an inspiring person and I'd encourage all of you to reach out to her via social media and give her a follow because her content is awesome and check out her blog at www.onne-pe.com. 

Episode 046 - Diabetics Doing Lifelong Journeys with Jen Stilson

Jen Silson (@stilsonator on Instagram) joins the podcast to talk about her amazing journey with Type-1 Diabetes all over the country. She's worked with just a few household names in her awesome career, David Letterman and Jon Stewart just to name a few. Jen was diagnosed at age 16 in her home city of Spokane Washington, before attending school at the University of Washington. 

Jen tells us what it was like working in the 24/7 newsroom environment with Jon Stewart and David Letterman, especially since Letterman is a lover of Hershey's chocolate bars! Jen and I have an amazing conversation about how technology over the years has made it easier to be open with T1D, but how important early experiences with how you view your T1D can influence your relationship with the disease throughout your life. 

We also talk about how BeyondType1 is changing the voice of the T1D community, humanizing the disease and growing awareness for T1Ds worldwide.  Jen also tells a very cool story on BeyondType1 co-founder Nick Jonas, which you can here at about 27 minutes into the episode.

Jen serves on the Leadership Council of BeyondType1 and lives in New Jersey with her husband Greg and her two fur children Gerard and Pepita Consuela. 

Episode 045 - Diabetics Doing Happy Cooking with Chef Robert Lewis

Chef Robert Lewis (@happydiabetic on Instagram) joins the podcast to talk about his journey with Type 2 diabetes, healthy cooking and how Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetics can benefit from understanding more about what they're eating and how they prepare it. 

Chef Lewis and I discuss his journey in becoming a chef, how helping people and following his passions opened him up to the amazing world of the Happy Diabetic, and dive into his ideologies and tactics of how to live and thrive as a Type 2 and Type 1 Diabetic. 

Check out Chef Robert Lewis online at happydiabetic.com  and be sure to check out Chef Lewis' cookbooks as well. He also has a podcast, which you can find on Itunes here

Episode 044 - Diabetics Doing Bikini Competitions 2 with Courtney Lillich

Courtney Lillich (@cornut34 on Instagram) joins the podcast from California to talk about her 31 year journey with T1D. Courtney is a physical therapist and bodybuilder, participating in the bikini division on a regular basis. During our conversation, she was preparing for a competition which she recently completed. 

Courtney gives awesome insight of what it’s like to be diagnosed with T1D at an early age, and all the hurdles her parents had to go through, from chasing her around with needles to having to explain to Courtney why she had to test her blood sugar, while her twin sister didn’t. 

We talk preparing for competition, overcoming lows at the gym and even mention our good friend Phil Graham! Give it a listen, and if you missed part 1 of Diabetics Doing Bikini Competitions with Devean D’Silva, check it out!

Episode 043 - Diabetics Doing Diabetic Dabs with Elizabeth Sacco

Elizabeth Sacco (@diabeticdabs on Instagram) joins the podcast for the first of its kind interview on Diabetics Doing Things, as she is the mother of a Type-1 Diabetic. Her son David was diagnosed at age 9, and thrust Liz and her family into the world of Type-1 Diabetes. 

Liz takes us through what it was like from diagnosis through the first 6 years of her family's journey with T1D. We even cover "spidokas" (sp?) which is a term which references the phenomenon where before you are made aware of something, you never notice it, but once you are made aware of it, you see it everywhere. 

Elizabeth hasn't stopped at successfully treating T1D as a parent, she's the founder of Diabetic Dabs, a disposable, inexpensive, convenient breakthrough for blood glucose testing. Not only are Diabetic Dabs a convenient and simple solution to testing, they also donate a portion of the proceeds to improve the lives of those living with T1D. 

Big shout out to Liz for her patience in me posting this episode, and a huge shout out to all parents of T1Ds out there. We would not be where we are without you. 

Episode 042 - Diabetics Doing Muscle & Fitness with Phil Graham

Phil Graham (@PhilGraham01 on Instagram) joins the podcast from Belfast, Ireland, to talk about his diagnosis with T1D and everything from his career in the fitness industry, success as a professional bodybuilder and his journey with T1D along the way. 

Phil is a nutritionist, podcast host, public speaker, bodybuilding coach and the author of The Diabetic Muscle & Fitness Guide. Phil is an extremely valuable resource on all things Diabetes and Fitness related, and hundreds of people with Type-1 Diabetes rely on his expertise on nutrition and exercise related to T1D. 

I love Phil’s outlook and approach to everything he does, and I’m lucky and grateful to have him as a guest on the show. Something really stuck with me, Phil attributes his focus on health and fitness to his diagnosis with Type-1 Diabetes. It’s changed his life in more ways than one, and I’m glad he was able to share that story with us. Give him a follow for extra inspiration! 

Episode 041 - Diabetics Doing Sugarless Clothing with Cody McChesney

Cody McChesney (@sugarlessclothing on Instagram) joins the podcast from the Bay Area to talk about his diagnosis, being T1D and also trying to be a regular kid and his brand Sugarless Clothing, who makes apparel to raise awareness for Type-1 Diabetics. 

Sugarless Clothing's mission is to raise awareness for T1D and dispel some of the misconceptions associated with Type-1 Diabetes. They even donate a portion of their proceeds to help provide Diabetes supplies for those in need. 

Cody's diagnosis story is particularly harrowing, going through misdiagnosis as a Type-2 diabetic, which caused him to lose over 100 pounds in 6 months (220lbs to 113lbs)! Cody takes us through his approach through the dark times, and how that turned him into a T1D warrior. 

I really enjoy Cody's interview and his passion for helping other T1Ds is inspiring. He also is a particularly great example of being firm with your doctor if you think there is a misdiagnosis. Check out his story, and be sure to give Sugarless Clothing a look! 

Episode 040 - Diabetics Doing Swedish with Sara Moback

Have you ever wondered what it's like to live with T1D in another country? We've had guests from the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, New Zealand and many others, and adding to that list is Sara Moback (@easytype.se on Instagram) from Sweden!

Sara has an amazing perspective on living with T1D, and we have a great conversation about overcoming the challenges associated with living in Sweden compared to my life here in the U.S. Sara also has an interesting story about her father, who came to her one day asking to test his blood sugar, because he felt he was having symptoms of T1D. Turns out, he was Diabetic after all! Sara gives a little insight on how T1D has brought her closer to her father, and how much more they have in common because of the disease. 

Sara has one of the top T1D blogs in Sweden, and offers inspiration on living with T1D on Easytype.se. It was great to chat with someone for the first time, halfway across the world, and find so much in common. I know you're going to enjoy her interview. 

Episode 039 - Diabetics Doing Candid Stories About T1D Life with Janet Dyer

Janet Dyer (@redsyren on Instagram), a 22-year Diabetic joins the podcast from Calgary, Alberta. Janet was diagnosed just before her 16th birthday, so of course we talk about the all-to-common struggle of T1Ds and birthday cake. ;)

This is one of the most raw interviews ever on the podcast, as Janet takes us through the emotions associated with misdiagnosis, tells a powerful story of how difficult a T1Ds life can become when health insurance isn't affordable and how her relationship with Diabetes has been challenging but that the Diabetes Online Community has her feeling more empowered than ever. 

If you are particularly inspired by Janet's incredible story, or have had a similar experience with healthcare, please reach out! I want to hear your story and help share it to show what life with T1D is really like. 

Episode 038 - Diabetics Doing Aviation with Jeremy Robertson

Jeremy Robertson (@Type_1_Pilot on Instagram) joins the podcast from Sydney, Australia, to tell his amazing story of his diagnosis at age 30 and how his life drastically changed as a result. Growing up, Jeremy always dreamed of becoming a pilot, and made it his life's mission to fly. He was successful, and became a commercial airline pilot for Qantas Airlines, flying routes all over the world including routes from Sydney to Los Angeles regularly. 

Though Type-1 Diabetes is always challenging, many of us continue on with our day-to-day lives & careers with few adjustments. But that wasn't the case for Jeremy. Type-1 Diabetics are not able to fly commercially (except in 2 countries), so Jeremy was forced to change careers in the middle of his life. He chose to enter the medical field in order to give back to the community and how he's helping to push change in aviation medicine, which is typically very conservative. 

Jeremy and I talk in-depth about what it's like to fly a commercial aircraft, how he was able to press on after his diagnosis took away his life's dream of flying, the journey through medical school and how he's been able to apply his skills as a pilot, a doctor and a Type-1 Diabetic to help push for reform around the rules for Type-1 Diabetics to fly aircraft. Jeremy is now able to fly smaller aircraft in Australia along with some other T1Ds, and has promised me a flight if I ever make it to Sydney (which I'm determined to take him up on). 

This was one of my favorite interviews, and Jeremy is one of the smartest, kindest and most giving people I've ever met, and I'm so fortunate to have met him. I hope you enjoy his interview. Jeremy also mentions a man named Douglas Cairns, who founded an organization called Flying With Diabetes, which I encourage you all to check out!  

Episode 037 - Diabetics Doing Happy Tummys and Travel with Whitney Lewis

Whitney Lewis (@HappyPancreas on Instagram) joins the podcast to discuss her journey with T1D over the past 4 years. Diagnosed at 26, Whitney takes us through a traumatic diagnosis experience, dealing with denial, adjusting to life with T1D as an adult and the realities of misdiagnosis that many T1D adults deal with in the early days of the disease. 

Fast forward to today, Whitney is living and thriving with T1D and her blog focuses on healthy living with T1D, maintaining proper gut health, exercising with T1D as well as many recipes she shares via Instagram. Whitney is an amazing member of the T1D community and sharing knowledge with her over the past few months has been super rewarding. I encourage you to follow her and utilize her as a resource! She has put a lot of time and effort into really understanding her body, and if you check out her website you can benefit from all the work she's done. I know you'll enjoy her episode!