Episode 036 - Diabetics Doing The Sugars with Libby Russell

At long last, the much anticipated interview with Libby Russell (@ihavethesugars on Instagram) is here! Libby joins the podcast from NYC to talk about the inspiration for ihavethesugars which is one of my favorite Diabetes communities (and also super well designed, which makes me love it even more). We talk about Libby's diagnosis at 17, bond over our respective tiger moms as well as discuss how our parents took on the challenge of a T1D child, address the challenges of playing high level athletics as a T1D, and how technology, social media (specifically BeyondType1 has changed the way T1Ds and their families interact. 

Libby is such an amazing T1D ambassador, and has really paved the way for T1D conversations online since launching The Sugars in 2010. I think you'll really enjoy this interview with someone who not only knows T1D and living with T1D intimately, but also really knows the T1D community as a whole and what we go through. Be sure to reach out to her on Instagram, follow her blogs and even check out her sweet (oh no, more puns) T1D T-Shirt shop. 

Episode 035 - Diabetics Doing One Drop with Mary Adams

Mary Adams (@maryeradams on Instagram) joins the podcast from the East Coast. I met Mary a few months ago through OneDrop, a very cool company with a new (very cool) meter and prescription free test strip subscription service. They're doing great work, and you should check them out. 

Mary and I discuss her diagnosis during the summer after 3rd grade and the challenges associated with being young with T1D, the importance of family but also doctors on overall outlook of a successful life with Type-1, stepping outside of our comfort zone and what to do when it works out. Mary also flips the script on me and asked me some questions, most notably what my doctors told me about the likelihood of a cure. We also talk about how low blood sugars can scramble your brain, what it's like working for a T1D focused organization and where her T1D inspiration comes from. It's a fantastic interview and Mary is such a positive influential voice for the T1D community. Enjoy!

Episode 034 - Diabetics Doing Hollywood with Derek Theler

Whether you've seen him on Freeform as one of the leading men of "Baby Daddy," or remember him from his Hollywood debut on The Hills, chances are you've run into Derek Theler. Derek has been a T1D since he was three years old, and from the very start he was determined that it would not keep him from living the life he wanted. Derek was actually on track to become an endocrinologist, before a trip to LA with some friends changed everything. 

Derek was incredibly gracious with his time, and we had a great conversation about what it's like to be a T1D in Hollywood. It starts with the story of his younger sister, who was also diagnosed with T1D at the age of three. Derek talks about how important it was to grow up with someone who knew what you were going through, and why that's what makes him so motivated to be a figurehead in the T1D community for others. She even inspired him to try a CGM! We talk about playing sports and the challenges associated with travel, and Derek opens up about how and when he initiates conversations with others about his T1D. 

It took me a little while to get in my groove because I was a little nervous but Derek really knocked this interview out of the park. He certainly made me a fan and I'm grateful that we have someone like him in the T1D community to look up to. He was even a good sport when I jumped him with a question about who holds the title for most handsome T1D leading man!

Hope you enjoy the interview as much as I did, and major props to Derek for joining the show. If you don't already, be sure to follow Derek on Instagram. 

Episode 033 - Diabetics Doing Adventures and Beyond with Dana Howe

Dana Howe (@danahowe on Instagram) joins the Podcast for one of my favorite interviews ever. Dana's story is unique for many reasons, starting with the fact that she's a third generation T1D in her family! She and I cover a variety of topics like the importance of having someone close to you with T1D that you can relate to, moving cross country to join Beyond Type 1, running point on Bike Beyond and interacting with incredible T1Ds from across the globe, mindfulness and even a little Drake! 

It's rare to have a conversation with someone you have so much in common with (including last names), but Dana is awesome and I know you'll enjoy her interview. 

Episode 032 - Diabetics Doing Inspiration with David Mina

David Mina, a 9 year Type-1 Diabetic from California, joins the podcast to talk about the role the online T1D community in his life. David is the brains (and heart) behind @Type1Livabetic, a community he started in 2014 to showcase what life is really like with Type-1 and to inspire others to live their best life with T1D. 

David is also a vegan, as well as involved with @Lyfebulb, and we talk in-depth about his decision to life a plant-based lifestyle, and all the cool things lyfebulb is doing in the T1D community. David is an awesome example for T1Ds everywhere, and some of the stories he shares from the people he’s impacted are especially inspiring. He also talks about how being involved in the community has helped him on his journey as a T1D, and what he’s hopeful for in the future. 

Be sure to check him out on Instagram and let him know that you listened to his episode! 

Episode 031 - Diabetics Doing Bikini Competitions with Devan D'Silva

Devan D'Silva, (@ddevdev on Instagram) a T1D since she was 16 months old, joins the Podcast from Chicago to talk about why all great diagnosis stories start at McDonalds, what parents go through when their child is diagnosed with T1D at a young age, the importance of having a T1D trainer while prepping for Bikini Competitions and the very real, very serious challenge of dealing with Diabetes bullying in school. 

Devan's interview has such a great flow to it and she gives us an in-depth look at her life with Type-1. From a 16-month-old learning to test her blood sugar, to a 3rd grader overcoming bullies to a 25-year-old placing in bikini competitions, Devean is a great example of how a T1D diagnosis is not a valid excuse to not chase your dream. 

Episode 030 - Diabetics Doing Social Work with Shelley Clark

Shelley Clark (formerly Green & @missshelley on Instagram) joins me from Seattle Washington, and after my first ever on-air blood sugar check we talk about her life as a T1D and a nurse. Shelley was diagnosed at age 6, after her father's intuition led her to a late night hospital visit.

We talk about the use of scare tactics at diagnosis, to the evolution of T1D awareness and research and the truth about life with T1D from childhood to adulthood (hint: there's so much to be excited about). 

Shelley also brings up how important going to Diabetes camp was for her at a young age, and I think it's super relevant now because school is out across most of the country, so go to Diabetes camp, volunteer at a Diabetes camp, support your local Diabetes camps. They make a difference! 

Episode 029 - Diabetics Doing Yoga and so much more with Lauren Bongiorno

It’s nearly impossible to be involved in the Type-1 community without coming across the work of the amazing Lauren Bongiorno (@Lauren_Bongiorno on Instagram). A division-1 soccer athlete turned Yogi, Lauren talks about the challenges of growing up playing competitive sports with T1D, and how her type-a personality played into her success. Lauren is a very active Diabetic Health Coach, and works with top brands like Nike as a fitness influencer. Lauren is extremely involved in the T1D community, and frequently volunteers with JDRF as well as sitting on the Beyond Type 1 Global Ambassador Council. Don’t miss this candid interview with one of my favorite T1Ds. 

Episode 028 - Diabetics Doing Voice Acting with Kristen McGuire

I was very excited when Kristen McGuire (@KrisComics on Instagram and Twitter) reached out to me, because she’s a trained voice actor. Before she shared some pro-tips on how I could improve my podcast audio (thanks Kristen) she talks about her journey with T1D that is particularly interesting, having joined the T1D family during pregnancy. She talks about the tricky side to diagnosis during pregnancy, her second pregnancy (after she had Type-1) and what it’s like to play beloved anime & cosplay characters in her professional life. She even gives us a little preview of one of her characters. A must-listen! 

Episode 027 - Diabetics Doing Transformation with Alexa Pearlmutter

Alexa Perlmutter (@a.pearls on Instagram) joins the Podcast to talk about her transformative journey to find balance as a T1D. She is very open about overcoming the challenges associated with T1D, and provides insight into how her Yoga practice, mindfulness and meditation carved a path for living a healthy, fun and fulfilled adult life with T1D. Alexa is extremely supportive and positive, and I’m glad she was able to share her story. 

Episode 026 - Diabetics Doing Balance with Jamie Lowe

Jamie Lowe (@JamieLoweTV on Instagram) joins the Podcast from the U.K. to share his T1D story. Diagnosed after he graduated University and started his professional career, Jamie and I talk about the challenges of addressing the symptoms of T1D diagnosis as an adult, his career as a TV journalist in Bristol and how sometimes you need the help of a friend or co-worker to encourage you to go to the doctor. 

Jamie has great insight on the challenges of handling the stress and anxiety of a hands-on career along with the additional worry caused by T1D, and how he keeps himself at 100%. His search for balance is inspiring and it was so refreshing to hear his perspective on how he manages his relationship with Type-1. 

Episode 025 - Diabetics Doing Openness and Honesty with Veronica Urbanowiecz

Veronica Urbanowiecz (@veebombz on Instagram) joins the podcast from NYC to talk about her life with T1D. She gives a particularly personal, open and honest interview about the struggles that often accompany Type-1, the exhaustion that can go alongside the anxiety about blood sugars, and how she works through them all on a daily basis. Her interview speaks to the entire T1D online community's willingness to share the truth about T1D and the challenges that go along with it, and I encourage you to reach out and talk to another T1D if you're having a tough time. Shoot me a note if you need someone to talk to! 

Episode 024 - Diabetics Doing Good Vibes with Erika Arff

Episode 024 features Erika Arff (@eearff on Instagram) a T1D since she was 8 years old. We have a refreshing conversation about adjusting to living your best life with T1D, talking travel, skiing, navigating the real world after college and the challenges that come with it and above all being mindful about your life with T1D. 

Erika is very open about how she and her family adjusted to living with Type-1 over the last 16 years and how positive outlook was the biggest part of working towards acceptance of her diagnosis. Her interview is super open and honest, and I'd encourage you all to reach out to her on Instagram if you have questions. 

Episode 023 - Diabetics Doing Community with Mary Lucas

Mary Lucas (@maryalessandraa on Instagram) joins the podcast to discuss what it's like being on the forefront of the T1D social media community. Mary is the Community Partners and Programs Manager at BeyondType1 so chances are you've chatted with her on the @Beyondtype1 or @BeyondType1Daily Instagram accounts. 

We talk about what it's like to be on the forefront of the T1D community at BeyondType1, Mary's favorite stories from the T1D community, Diabetes and design and what we're hopeful for as T1Ds in 2017. Mary has an amazing perspective and this is a can't miss episode. 

Episode 022 - Diabetics Doing Outreach with Tanya Conovaloff

Tanya Conovaloff is a nearly 41-year T1D who works as the Outreach Manager for JDRF Dallas, and has been a huge supporter of Diabetics Doing Things since I met her early in 2015. We sat down for a rare face-to-face recording of the podcast where we discussed living for 4 decades with T1D (despite being only 29), what it was like to treat T1D in the 1970s, the importance of getting involved in the T1D community, and highlight some of the amazing work that JDRF is doing for T1Ds in the U.S. and across the world. 

We're very lucky to have someone as committed and enthusiastic as Tanya for our Dallas Outreach Manager, and so many of the amazing T1D community successes are a direct result of her and the JDRF Dallas staff's amazing work. When I was looking to get more involved with the T1D community, I sent an email to a general JDRF Dallas email address, and Tanya responded the same day. That conversation has led to so many opportunities to connect with other T1Ds in Dallas and across the U.S. So reach out! Get involved with your local JDRF chapter and if you don't have one, reach out to JDRF and they'll give you the resources to start one. 

www.jdrf.org 

Episode 021 - Diabetics Doing Glitter Glucose with Paloma Kemak

Paloma Kemak, perhaps better known as GlitterGlucose on Instagram joins the podcast to talk about how she went from being recently diagnosed with no diabetic friends or "diabuddies" to launching GlitterGlucose.com and getting connected to T1Ds all over the world! 

We cover the pressures of being a "good Diabetic," living outside the box of Type 1 Diabetes, raising funds and awareness, as well as overcoming challenges and inspiring others along the way. Paloma has been a big supporter of the podcast for a long time and I'm so glad we were finally able to connect for this interview. 

Episode 020 - Diabetics Doing Bike Beyond with Sid Sharma

Sid Sharma (@sid_t1d on Instagram) joins the podcast and takes us on a fantastic journey since his Diagnosis in late 2015. We talk about misdiagnosis, picking up cycling as a way to stand up to Type-1 Diabetes, taking the leap to join Bike Beyond and bike across the United States and he and I bond over sports & hypothyroidism. Sid is an awesome, energetic interview and we cover a ton of topics in a very short time. 

Bike Beyond is amazing, be sure to check it out and support them! 

Episode 019 - Diabetics Doing Fitness Activism with Adriana Mendez

Adriana Mendez, (@theonetype on Instagram) joins the podcast to talk about growing up with Diabetes and not remembering life without it, preparing her body for long distance rides for T1D in the Arizona heat, why she's hopeful for the future of Diabetes technology, the process of learning how your body responds to medication and being willing to work with your doctor to find the right mix. 

Adriana's interview offers insight into a life lived completely with Diabetes, overcoming fear of needles and getting support from the community. 

Episode 018 - European Diabetics Doing America with Barbara Saemann

Barbara Saemann joins the podcast from Minnesota, where she has moved recently to be with her husband after growing up in Germany. 

We talk about the process of working up the courage to come to America and study abroad in a new culture, the challenges of planning 6 months ahead with Diabetes supplies, the differences between Diabetes coverage in Germany and the United States, and the things Barbara learned about herself along the way. 

Barbara is very active in the T1d community, and writes about her experiences on Sweethearts4diabetes.com. You can follow Barbara on Instagram as well. 

Episode 017 - Diabetics Doing Body Positivity with Rebecca Ryan

Rebecca Ryan joins the Diabetics Doing Things podcast from Wellington, New Zealand to talk about her journey with T1D. We talk about living with her diagnosis following her first year of University (or “Uni” as they say in NZ), and going through various phases of acceptance. 

Rebecca gives one of the most energetic interviews ever on the podcast, and provides us a very personal look at the struggles she went through with body positivity, diabulemia, lifestyle changes, diet & exercise, all while balancing her personal life & career. We discuss photography, musical theatre, the importance of community, difference between Diabetes measurements in the U.S. vs. the rest of the world and everything in between. 

You can follow Rebecca Ryan on Instagram if you’d like to learn more about our 17th guest.