Diabetics Doing Things with Dex Geralds T2D Fitness Trainer

[00:00:00] Rob Howe: What's going on ladies and gentlemen? You may have noticed that I changed the intro to this show up a few months ago. Now I say instead of people living with type 1 diabetes, I say people with diabetes. I don't say diabetics anymore. And that's not because I have anything against the word diabetic, but I wanted it to be more inclusive of people with type 2 diabetes. because there's some amazing people that I've met and I know all across the world with type 2 diabetes who are living and thriving and living beyond. That description perfectly fits my next guest, Dex Geralds, calling from Los Angeles, California. He's a type 2 diabetic, but you look at him, the man is ripped. So there's some serious type 2 diabetes stereotypes that go right out the window from the top. He's a personal trainer and a remote fitness trainer, as well as an actor and a model. He and I met for the first time last year at the Myabetic Awards in Los Angeles, and he and I dig into a lot of the stigma breaking around type 2 diabetes that he does, as well as how he addresses conversations about type 2 diabetes in the community. So very excited to take you through this very cool interview with a very cool guy, my friend Dex Geralds. This episode is sponsored by Type Zero Health. Type Zero is the most powerful sugar-free and stimulant-free. yes, that means no caffeine, pre-workout on the market today. For people with diabetes, you can get the boost and the pump you need to crush your workout without having to worry about spiking your blood sugar. Type Zero is packed with robust, all-natural ingredients designed to do one thing, give you a massive pump without all the added crap. There are tons of pre-workout products on the market, and they all will get you going, but most are filled with junk that is bad for your body and your blood sugar. Type Zero is proof that all natural ingredients and a powerful pump don't have to spike your blood sugar or taste bad. I use Type Zero before I play basketball, go on a run, hit the weight room, and lately, since we've been quarantined, I've been using it to help me shift into workout mode while I'm at home. It works, and I've got the CGM charts to prove it doesn't spike your blood sugar. You can order Type Zero on Amazon or visit typezerohealth.com for more information. Type Zero is a T1D-owned business, and you know I love T1D-owned businesses. So check out episode 132 for my interview with Type Zero founder, John Jensen. Remember, you can order Type Zero on Amazon or visit typezerohealth.com. So let's get to it. Welcome back to another episode of Diabetics Doing Things. We are telling the amazing stories of people living with diabetes all across the world. I'm super excited for today's episode because my very special guest is my friend Dex Geralds. Welcome to the show. And first of all, you know, obviously this is primarily, I guess, started as a podcast for people with type 1 diabetes, but as it has grown and evolved, I've learned that not all diabetes is created equal and certainly doesn't always fit in the exact archetype of type 1 or type 2. So I'm really excited to kind of hear your perspective on that. But first of all, welcome to the show, man.

[00:03:06] Dex Geralds: Thank you for having me. I'm excited to talk about diabetes with you.

[00:03:11] Rob Howe: Yeah, man. I laughed earlier before we started recording. You were like, yeah, I really know my story inside and out. So it's like, yeah, great. I'm super excited to hear it. So for those who are listening to the podcast and aren't as familiar with you, tell us who you are, where you're from, and how you ended up being a part of this diabetes family.

[00:03:31] Dex Geralds: All right. Well, I'm Dex Geralds. I grew up in Michigan, moved out to LA in 2013 or 14, somewhere around there. Right now I am a fitness trainer, specifically in CrossFit, but also do personal training as well. I also moved to LA to pursue a dream of acting and modeling, and that's been going pretty well for me the last, I want to say I've been here six years almost so that's been great and I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2013 while living in Boston and for me that was a weird time I was probably the fittest I've ever been at that time I was doing CrossFit competitively training two times a day five to six times a week and my diet was pretty much on point one day I was watching CrossFit videos I do that quite often and they were, it was actually a type 1 diabetic on there and he was talking about his symptoms he had before he realized he was type 1 and he was thirsty all the time, he was in the bathroom a lot and it clicked in my mind that I was doing exactly the same thing. So a week later, I make an appointment, I go see the doctor and get some blood tests done and he comes back and tells me I have type 2 diabetes, which kind of blew my mind since I'm pretty much grown up in the world of type 2 diabetes. with family members. My grandma passed away because type 2 diabetes. Just recently before that, I had an aunt passed away because of complications with type 2 diabetes. And so it was always, always made an effort to stay healthy through fitness and eating well. And so that day the doctor told me I had type 2 diabetes. It was kind of a shock. First, I think my first reaction was kind of like fear because knowing the symptoms of what happens when you don't manage it well. I have family members who have no legs right now like eyesight's gone so that was kind of a fear from the first start and then later on I like I realized I've always been able to kind of take control of what I do in my life so I mean kind of stupid I went to a bookstore and I brought type 2 diabetes for dummies and I ran through that to try to figure out what was the best course for me to conquer this and I pretty much was always on this straight path medication something I don't really like to use too much but I do use metformin at times when diet and exercise alone I can't seem to get my blood sugar down so that's something I use every now and then but for the most part I like I just want to show people that like this is a manageable thing and it's like it doesn't have to be a death sentence or you don't have to get depressed and think of think of the negative things that people do think about when um type 2 diabetes is brought up so yeah so like now I guess my biggest thing is I just want to help people I've had good success in the world of this modeling and acting and I love the success that I have but nothing feels quite as good as getting a dm or a text from someone who says hey I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and I didn't know what to do and then I found you on YouTube and reached out to you and you responded and helped me out and thank you so much for that like that's the gratitude I get like that's just I don't know it's just something about helping people that brings me so much joy and it's the The only kind of joy I think is everlasting because success is great, but success is a big thing. And sometimes when you don't match that success that you had before, it can kind of get you down. But when you help someone, like that's an everlasting thing. That's you made someone better or healthier, live longer kind of thing. So it's kind of cool.

[00:07:27] Rob Howe: Yeah, it's really interesting, like the power of getting outside yourself, you know, and like you talk about success or whether it's money or whether it's a job or fame or whatever, you know, setting goals. you know, those things are for you and those are good. But when you get outside yourself and you're able to, you know, pour into somebody's life and help them solve a problem or help them make their life better, help them find success. I think that's what, you know, at least in my experience has, you know, gives back so, so much more than when you're just doing something for yourself. So yeah, totally, totally here, there. Let's, let's kind of go back a little bit to your diagnosis because you said something that's really interesting. You said you were the, probably the most fit you've ever been in like great shape diet was on point you know really working out and you know that's saying a lot because you are a shredded dude you're you're a fake guy so you know people would look at you at face value and be like wow that guy's ripped there's no way he has type 2 diabetes so let's let's talk about some misconceptions about type 2 diabetes because I think even in the type 1 world most people with type 1 diabetes don't know all there is to know about the different variances and different factors that go into a life with type 2. So let's talk a little bit about what that was like for you and, you know, kind of what you've learned since then.

[00:08:42] Dex Geralds: Yeah. So, yeah, it was pretty, pretty crazy because, again, like the what most people think is when you get type 2 diabetes, first you have a poor diet, you don't exercise. And because of those combinations, then you cause this on yourself. But for myself, because of genetics and my mom having type 2 diabetes and my father, who passed away about a year ago, he had type 2 diabetes as well. So for me, it was a 50% chance I was going to get it anyway. So flip of a coin and boom, I had type 2 diabetes. But I didn't understand that right at that moment. Like my doctor didn't explain that, oh, this could be brought on by genetics. He was actually pretty confused when he came into the office and wrote and told me I had type 2 diabetes because, you know, you don't really see anyone with a six pack who works out regularly have type 2 diabetes. So, like, for the biggest thing for me, it was just genetics. I was going to probably end up having it anyway. I didn't think it would be this early. I believe I was 25 when I was diagnosed. 33 now. So 26 when I was diagnosed. 33 now. So, yeah, like even now, like sometimes I go on social media and like I feel bad because it's so much confusion in the world, like not even just on the side of a type 1 diabetic or type 2 diabetic, but just the people who don't live with that. It may know someone and kind of talk to them about it, but I always get, do you have the good diabetes or the bad diabetes? Like diabetes is bad all the way around. I don't think there's really a good side to it. Sure. So yeah, like, so, um, yeah, and then, and then I usually have to educate people, especially because I work at a gym and some people come in pre-diabetic and, uh, not really understanding what diabetes is. Like some people walk in pre-diabetic and think they have type 1 and then I have to explain to them that type 1 is, it's not, it's not, uh, like really brought on by like, like um because the factors of of what you ate and uh the way you live it's more of uh like genetics and and uh your body just doesn't produce insulin that way um versus the type 2 where your body does produce insulin it just doesn't receive it as well as uh a person with a normal pancreas so um i go through yeah i go through that quite a bit and yeah i mean i guess I said just without rambling on, it's just a learning thing or a teaching moment I usually have with people when I have to explain to them how I got type 2 diabetes because a lot of times people do think, and if people who do know about the two types, type 1 and type 2, they usually think I have type 1 or like surprise when I tell them I have type 2 and how that goes.

[00:11:40] Rob Howe: One thing I think is really, no, no, no, you're fine. One thing I think it's really interesting about when I have conversations like this with people like you is we, as people with diabetes, have the same conversations over and over again with people who aren't familiar or not in the diabetes community or just curious about what we're going through. What's that thing on your arm? Or why are you testing your blood sugar? What's all that about? for you I'm sure you have like the same conversation over and over and over it's like how do you have type 2 diabetes you're a super fit dude does that ever wear on you or get to you like you know even when it comes from from a good place from people um not really I like I took the

[00:12:25] Dex Geralds: time to understand that I mean I guess we use the word ignorance um not in a negative way right but we don't learn too much about diabetes in school if at all a lot of people especially with type 2 we don't discuss their diabetes with other people because of the stigma that that they're lazy or something or ate really bad and got that so yeah so it's never really been an issue for me always just use it as a chance to educate someone and hopefully once I educate them they can go on and tell other people and then through time we'll have the ability where people would know actually the differences between diabetes, the two types of diabetes. Yeah. I think it's interesting. You

[00:13:10] Rob Howe: said something, um, you know, about, about ignorance. Right. And I, I feel like, you know, when I was told I had type 1 diabetes, I didn't know what that meant. I, and I think I was, I responded in a very fearful way as well before I got all the information that ultimately helped me. but yeah I think you know if if you don't have diabetes as a part of your life or someone in your family or a close friend you basically don't know anything about it so I always try to put myself in those situations even when I get like oh the same question over and over and over is this could be that person's first day with diabetes they have in you know just because you've had that conversation a million times doesn't mean that that person doesn't you know really isn't just curious or is trying to understand and you know that's really an opportunity, like you said, to just educate them. Exactly. I did want to focus on something that you mentioned is like, you know, people maybe aren't as open because of the stigma around type 2 diabetes. And I think that especially applies to men. And I want to ask, you know, if I can a little bit more directly, like around, you know, black men, like African American men, like sharing weaknesses is not necessarily something that is, you know, as open in black culture, I would I suppose, or at least like male, masculine culture.

[00:14:26] Dex Geralds: Yeah, that's 100% correct, yeah.

[00:14:27] Rob Howe: So how do you approach those conversations? Do you ever find like, you know, that you, I mean, your voice in that community is really broken through and kind of help people be a little bit more open? What do you find there?

[00:14:40] Dex Geralds: Yeah, so growing up, like emotions wasn't something that we really showed that much. I mean, I can remember a handful of times crying, but only crying when no one was around. And when I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, it took a little bit of time for me to actually share it with people. I didn't want people to know that I was kind of scared that I had this diagnosis. And not too long ago, maybe three years ago, I started to open up about it. And that's when I started posting about it on Instagram and sharing my story with people. and now I do get messages from not even African-American men but Africans who told me they were diagnosed with type 2 diabetes one of them right now is actually doing really well he's managing the type 2 diabetes well but he's terrified the terrorists tell his parents that he has type 2 diabetes because he thinks it's gonna be a burden on them I've had other people come up to me and tell me the same thing not as in it's going to be a burden to people but just that it's just a sign of like it could be a weakness or something that they're going to get looked down on look down upon when they want to be a leader of the family and i just usually let them know like when you take charge of something like this something in your life that is definitely be definitely capable of doing that you feel more empowered and that's only gonna like resonate through everybody else that you meet and touch in life. Yeah. I mean, it's really interesting. Like

[00:16:22] Rob Howe: the power of vulnerability, I think like when I try to talk to people who are outside of the diabetes space, like it's easy for me and you to get up on stage in a room full of people with diabetes and talk about diabetes, right? It's much more difficult to people who aren't as familiar to talk about what we go through. And I think it's like diabetes at a higher level, right? Like what really is going on. And when I talk to people about the diabetes online community, I really talk about it as like vulnerability culture. It's really just people who are willing to talk about something that's deeply personal and open up about the struggles, highs and lows, no pun intended, of a life with diabetes and then find community in that vulnerability. So within the type 2 community, just because I'm not as familiar, I know there's a lot of stigma and a lot of people who say ignorant in a negative way and like hurtful things. How is it different? Have you seen, how is the diabetes community different for someone with type 2 versus someone with type 1 from your perspective?

[00:17:22] Dex Geralds: So just social media wise, there seems to be a lot more connection in the type 1 world versus the type 2 world. And I think it's, it seems like people are more willing to talk about their type 1 diabetes, but like because of that stigma in type 2 doesn't really seem all that connected and like I said I have people I chat with all around the world and like the one guy I talked to and he can't even tell his parents that he has type 2 definitely not going to share it out on social media or I think it's brave for him to reach out for a community of people to try to do it but at the same time um even doing that like i feel like it needs to be more like he should take well i would like him to take his diagnosis and share it with the world and show how he's controlling it so that stigma can be broken down and then we can all come together a little bit more instead of having these small pockets of people together and uh talking about diabetes when we should be out there just breaking down those stigma walls.

[00:18:33] Rob Howe: Definitely. So let's talk a little bit about like your – sorry, I just had a – my blood sugar is a little bit low, so I'm just having like a brain fart after brain fart here. Yeah, yeah, don't worry. That's for the people who are listening who get those sweats when they're on phone calls at work. Like that's just part of the gig when you get diabetes. So talk a little bit about your day-to-day life with type 2. And obviously, you're a CrossFitter. You're a trainer. You're very active and fit. You're an actor and model. What's life with diabetes like for you on a daily basis? Give us behind the curtain. Give us a little bit of a tour of what's Dex's life like on a day-to-day.

[00:19:17] Dex Geralds: For the most part, it's not too bad. But usually, though, in the morning, I always wake up high, way higher than I usually want to be, usually in like the 200s or so. So, yeah, I start my day, I wake up around 4 a.m. My first client is usually 5.30. So I usually don't eat until, I don't know, probably 9 a.m. And then around that time, I usually take a metformin. my blood sugar is usually about stable around then after that I have one crossfit class maybe one more client and then at one o'clock one to two thirty to three o'clock that's when I start to work out myself one thing I learned from working with the glucose zone is where my blood sugar beat should be when I start working out so for me if I'm a little high I usually kind of start my workout off with just like a slow cardio usually like a row machine or using a soul bike kind of thing and then after that did not start my workout but one of the biggest things is usually in that morning time when I'm a little high I could be a little difficult to want to communicate with people I get a little bit irritable when I'm high so in the morning time I don't talk as much as I do later on throughout the day when I'm when my blood sugar levels are stable but usually after working out probably have two or three more classes after that and that's when I'm a little bit more positive pushing people a little bit more and around 8 o'clock 830 9 o'clock some days I finally get to go back home and I have one more meal and I take one more metformin before I go to bed. So that's usually my day with diabetes for the most part. I never really had too many high times, mostly because I am that active and I watch my food for the most part. I cook almost everything I eat. It just makes it a lot more simple to know what ingredients is going in to the food. It's hidden sugar everywhere. Yeah, it's pretty much my day-to-day. I've been lucky enough to be dating someone the last three months. So, uh, hanging out with, hanging out with her has been fun. Um, discussing diabetes with her. It's been a great time too. She's a baker. So.

[00:21:47] Rob Howe: Oh, nice dude. That's, that's a major, that's a major key with, uh, like a big value add with a,

[00:21:54] Dex Geralds: with a partner, right? Is, uh. Exactly. And, and, and she makes me like sugar-free snacks and stuff. So it's nice to be able to include that stuff back into my diet and know it's not going to like kill

[00:22:04] Rob Howe: kill my blood sugar. Well, let's talk a little bit about dating. I think that's a very popular topic that people on social media always ask. I feel like girls, and there's a lot of perspective from the women's side of things, but not always as many perspectives offered from the male side. So how did you approach talking about diabetes with your new girlfriend? How did that go about?

[00:22:29] Dex Geralds: I wish she was my girlfriend. We're still just dating now.

[00:22:31] Rob Howe: Okay, sorry, sorry. Didn't mean to ouch you like that. No labels here. With this new person you're dating, how did that come about?

[00:22:41] Dex Geralds: So, I mean, after I've been, I've had diabetes for the last almost seven, eight years now. So at first in dating, I didn't really talk about it too much unless we like went somewhere and I tested my blood sugar and I was kind of high and then I bring it up that I couldn't have this dessert or something like that. But now, usually on the first date, I let them know right away, like, hey, I have type 2 diabetes. There's certain things that I don't do or drink. So for diabetics out there or type 2 diabetics, I only drink tequila because tequila doesn't affect your blood sugar. So when I go out on a date and we do have drinks, that's usually what I have. And I explain to them why I only drink tequila. So that's usually how I bring up the type 2 diabetes. and then from there like if we continue to date it's just kind of like the education thing like I just continue to inform them on things that I can't do and see if they're okay with it I mean most of the time people are okay with my lifestyle I mean I usually go to sleep early I wake up early I don't go out all that much but I do on occasion so as long as they're okay with that and because that's one of the ways I control my diabetes. Dating is usually not too bad of a problem. Plus, it's always something I can talk about that I know about. So if there's ever a moment where it's like that eerie silence when you're on a date, I can just bring that up.

[00:24:12] Rob Howe: Yeah, I think if you're on a date and you have that awkward silence, that's obviously one of those things that's like, okay, well, I guess this is over now. Yeah, pretty much.

[00:24:25] Dex Geralds: But I guess other things, too, it's like just being social with diabetes, not even just like going on dates. But with my friends, like we get together and almost everything you do when you get together with people has food. So like that's kind of been a challenge. It's still a challenge to show up to an event and have a bunch of things that I just don't include in my diet. Like I don't I'm not keto, but I eat low carb for the most part. So, like, I get together with my friends, and the last thing they think about is me having diabetes. I mean, I was blessed enough to have all my high school best friends move to L.A. We all moved here at different times, but we're all here. And they don't think of me as Dex or diabetes. Like, they just think of me as Dex. So I show up to these kind of – I show up to these get-togethers or events or something like that didn't know have to prepare myself to like tell people no i can't eat that or just not eat anything and still try to make the best uh most out of the event yeah that's gonna been a struggle it's a struggle sometimes sometimes i give in and then i get my blood sugar goes high but um but yeah just yeah being social with diabetes can be kind of challenging yeah because you never

[00:25:44] Rob Howe: know when you're going to show up right to uh you know i think like a super bowl party is always the one that's tough. It's like, you can be, and I think it's tough for anybody who's watching what they're eating or has a certain diet that they're following. Cause you show up and it's like, you know, at first you're like, yeah, okay, I'll just get some protein and I'll use some of the veggies. And then like, as the night goes on, there's like those chips and there's like some sweet stuff. And it's like, yeah, okay. I can bolus for some of this, but for you, obviously you're not an insulin dependent type 2, uh, diabetic. So, you know, how, how do you adjust, you know, your, your treatment for, you know, things like that or like cheap meals with your metformin? How do you adjust, uh, how do you adjust for that, you know, those moments where you're a little bit off or, you know, you're just trying to have a cheat meal or a night on the town where you're, you know, just not worried so much about what you're eating. Yeah. So usually, so

[00:26:32] Dex Geralds: most of the time, most of the time of the year, I don't use metformin. I just control my diabetes with, uh, fitness and, um, nutrition, but there are all those times where I do go out and I kind I would substitute it with the metformin, which is not the way I want to think of using metformin, or I don't want people to think that, oh, because you have metformin, you can go out and eat all these things. So it's just a very rare time for me if I know I'm going to go out and enjoy dessert, like going out and getting ice cream and stuff like that, then I would use metformin. But before, I decided to start using metformin because, one, metformin usually gives me upset stomachs, stomachs, upset stomach. And recently, I got so sick that I vomited. But before that, I would just go on long runs after the event. So I go run a 5K. And usually within 30 minutes after a 5K, my blood sugar would be back to normal. But that's not always fun. It's something I want to do every time I go out and have, I don't know, a piece of dessert or some ice cream.

[00:27:43] Rob Howe: yeah and i mean it's interesting right like even you know myself for example i'm trying a little bit more like i guess the the diet is like more plants it's like not a hard fast rule but i'm just definitely subbing uh you know some of the you know meats that i would eat prior to with you know more vegetable options and just seeing how i feel with that and sometimes that means a little bit higher carb than i normally eat but just trying it for a time but at the time at the same time you want to make sure that your life has balance and you want to be a normal person. So I'm always interested to see people with different types of diabetes, how do they adjust to those things? And so it's really interesting. And I've also heard a lot of people who take metformin have similar issues with you in terms of side effects is like makes your stomach just a wreck sometimes, which

[00:28:27] Dex Geralds: is never very much fun. Yeah, like sometimes I'm coaching a class, and my stomach can be so upset, but I can't really show the class that like, I'm going through this, I got to be positive after like teaching the movements, getting through the hour of working out, all while like having these stomach issues or like counting the minutes until I can get to a bathroom or something like that when I'm taking my form. So like if I can, I won't take it. But like you said, I do want to be able to go out sometimes and feel like a normal person who doesn't have diabetes. So sometimes I just sacrifice the stomach ache to feel that normalcy.

[00:29:07] Rob Howe: Let me ask you this. What advice would you give to somebody who's listening to this podcast or, you know, just somebody who's out there living with type 2 diabetes and it's kind of in the background and they aren't really, you know, as open with it and they're wondering, you know, what they can do to kind of improve their life with diabetes? What advice would you give them?

[00:29:28] Dex Geralds: I think the first piece of advice, because I think exercising is a big key, is to find a program or some kind of activity that you enjoy. I think a lot of times people think about exercise and how they felt when they took gym class or the couple times they try to go to the gym and not realizing that's not the only way to do fitness. There's a bunch of different ways to do fitness, and fitness should be something that brings joy to you, something you get excited about. And once you find that, then I think that's when you start to think of nutrition because fitness and nutrition go hand in hand. If you do one well, then you're probably going to do the other one well as well. It's a lot of well. Sorry about that. So, yeah, and then nutrition-wise, like I kind of got lucky. I met a nutritionist in South Pasadena, Sarah Lynn, who helped me with my diet for the most part. She is a keto specialist. And after getting together with her, she made everything really simple for me, shopping list and everything like that. But finding a nutritionist who can break things down for you, who knows about diabetes, because there's a lot of people out there who pretty much don't know much more than the normal person. Like not to change the subject, but I lived with a doctor for a little bit, and he almost had no clue about diabetes at all except for what medications they give people. So after finding a fitness plan, then look for a nutritionist. Make sure you do your background search on them. Make sure they know about diabetes. work with them for a little bit i don't think even as a personal trainer i don't want people to be with me the entire time like i want you to learn um from what i give you so learn from your nutritionist take that and then the best way to always apply it is by helping others i feel like so helping others with the knowledge of fitness um your knowledge of nutrition and how you live day to day and control your blood sugar yeah i totally agree it's always interesting like

[00:31:45] Rob Howe: Like, you know, I'll give you a little bit of a background regarding, like, the personal training piece. It's like I had this great – I found these great movement specialists. I'm a really tall dude. You know, we met in L.A. at the Myabetic Awards. And I was an athlete for many years and still, you know, recreationally participate in, you know, pretty competitive basketball at least. And, you know, for a while I was having a tough time just with my hips and just my body was brittle. and I really wasn't as mobile as I needed to be and had developed some unhealthy habits, like sitting all day at a desk at work and, you know, not really focused on my mobility. And I found this great mobility coach and I was with them for like six to eight months. And I was thinking about the other day, um, I just developed the habits that they, you know, and workouts that they were giving me in the, in the regimen that they were working with me on. And now I don't go to them as much because I don't have the problems that I used to have. And I was just trying to find the balance of, you know, hey, as a trainer, truly your best results are your best case studies are people who don't need to see you anymore. And do you find that that's challenging ever with some of your clients is like, you know, they're so good and your program works so well that they don't really need you anymore?

[00:32:59] Dex Geralds: No, I mean, that's always my goal is I don't want my clients to have to be with me for an extended amount of time. And then usually if my program works really well, the best advertisement you can get is word of mouth. So all my clients, for the most part, anyway, is someone's friend or coworker that was told about me and then they come work with me. So I think if you do really well with someone, there's almost going to be a guarantee that even if you lose that person, they're probably going to send two or three other people your way. And you would definitely be able to work with at least one of those people. So, yeah. So, like, I kind of – I think everything is just a learning experience. And, like, I want to teach while I do things. and if I teach someone well, then they're probably going to, again, teach someone else what I taught them and just like an everlasting way to help people.

[00:34:00] Rob Howe: And you mentioned earlier that you have clients, so I know you see clients face-to-face and I also know that you've worked with Glucose Zone and you mentioned that as well. For people who are looking to contact you to get more information on either your programs, online coaching, is that an option or personal training in person? You know, what is, what's the best way for people to learn about what you do and some of the programs that you offer?

[00:34:24] Dex Geralds: I think the best way is I'm on Instagram probably way too much. But my Instagram page at Dexgeralds is probably the best way to just DM me. I'm usually on there anyway. I'll probably see your message pop up and I can get back to them. As long as I'm not in session with a client or in class, I usually get back to people right away. So, yeah, Instagram would probably be the best way. Or my email at DexFit.com or DexFit38.com. I answer those pretty regularly as well. So those two ways are probably the best way. I'm a terrible texter, so definitely don't want to call or text. But yeah, email or IG would probably be the best way.

[00:35:09] Rob Howe: Yeah, I saw this meme the other day or viral tweet. It was like, it's amazing that I still have friends that understand that I'm going to have to get back to them via text in three to five business days. And I was like, yeah, I feel very seen. That's me from time to time for sure.

[00:35:25] Dex Geralds: Yeah, I need to see that mean because that's definitely me. All my group chats with friends, they have these whole conversations. And then three days later, I'll probably pop in and say something. And then it'll be another three days before I'll pop in again.

[00:35:39] Rob Howe: Yeah, I think that sounds like balance to me. I don't know about you, but that sounds like a healthy balance.

[00:35:45] Dex Geralds: Exactly, exactly. I'm naturally an introvert. So what I do now, it drains me by the end of the day. So by the end of the day, I'm not texting anyone. I've already contacted everyone that I need to contact for the day. So after that, I'm just done. I can't do any more being social with anyone after that, for the most part, if I don't see them face-to-face.

[00:36:11] Rob Howe: Totally get it. Yeah, I'm an extrovert by nature. but at the same time you know I'll go to an event or you know Myabetic Awards for example diabetes awards is like being on all day and like interacting with people is exhausting and I like get I do this event it's like wall to wall you know interacting with people get a lot of energy from that and then like the second that I like board the plane and sit down my body is just like all right we're tired

[00:36:36] Dex Geralds: we're done here you did awesome at the Myabetic Awards by the way I was there nervous super nervous because again I'm an introvert so didn't know how many conversations I would have to have with people but uh yeah you killed it you're funny like you made me like engage the whole time so it was kind of cool to uh see you do your thing oh thank you man I appreciate that that was uh

[00:36:58] Rob Howe: and I it was my first event kind of doing that style of hosting um in a long time I kind of in college I I hosted this very small kind of dumb award show and I just made tried to make it fun And man, what an awesome crowd. I was like, man, I can't fail here. This is like all my people here, just people with diabetes here to have a good time. So yeah, thank you, man. That means a lot to me. Thank you so much.

[00:37:20] Dex Geralds: Yeah, no problem at all. I really meant it.

[00:37:22] Rob Howe: And I also want to say congratulations to you. You are joining the leadership council on the spokesperson side for Beyond Type 1. And I was having a conversation because I am the chair of that group. I was having a conversation with somebody else on the council. and they were saying, you know, you represent a very new voice in that community as a person with type 2 diabetes, especially on the male side. So I wanted to give you major props for that, man. Like you're trailblazing in a space that, you know, not a lot of people have gone before in terms of, you know, being a big-time advocate for type 2 within a type 1 started community. So I just wanted to give you major props for that and looking forward to working with you.

[00:38:03] Dex Geralds: Thank you. Thank you. Yeah, it's exciting. yeah like um i think i was contacted by someone at no actually crystal crystal um gave me information on beyond type 2 and then got connected with them so and like that's how like helped change me because like i look at their instagram and a lot of people that i talk to uh and try to get them to share are like the people who are sharing on the type 2 ig platform form so um that seeing that has been awesome and then be able to be um on the spokesperson community for beyond type 1 is like an honor and i'm like i really can't wait to get started

[00:38:49] Rob Howe: and help in any way i can yeah i'm really excited as well i know a lot of work has gone into kind of reforming some of the beyond type 1 councils and i'm really excited to get together with everybody and hopefully meet everybody in person here really soon so um but hey man i really wanted to just say and express some gratitude to you for coming on the show and sharing your story and obviously kind of living out loud with diabetes and also sharing some great workout videos. I'm like, oh man, Dex is in there getting those Olympic lifts on. I need to get my clean and jerk game way up. I got to get back to it. So for those of you who are listening and want to know where to follow you, obviously plugged your Instagram at Dex Geralds. So we'll tag you in the show notes as well. But man, really looking forward to continuing to get to know you and work together uh and man uh any parting words for the audience kind of before we uh close up the

[00:39:39] Dex Geralds: interview um i guess i mean if you take anything from this interview and thanks for having me by the way it's just um kindness can go a long way um basically just continue to help people if that's something um that you do and if that's something that you haven't done i think try it you're gonna see that it's a lot more fulfilling than some of the things that we do. Sorry, I'm going to start rambling on. Just be a great person and help as many people as you can because it really goes a long way.

[00:40:19] Rob Howe: Thanks so much for listening. Just a reminder, this episode is sponsored by Type Zero Health. Type Zero is the most powerful sugar-free and stimulant-free, yes, that means no caffeine, pre-workout on the market today. For people with diabetes, you can get the boost and the pump you need to crush your workout without having to worry about spiking your blood sugar. Type Zero is packed with robust, all-natural ingredients designed to do one thing, give you a massive pump without all the added crap. There are tons of pre-workout products on the market, and they all will get you going, but most are filled with junk that is bad for your body and your blood sugar. Type Zero is proof that all-natural ingredients and a powerful pump don't have to spike your blood sugar or taste bad. I use type zero before I play basketball, go on a run, hit the weight room. And lately, since we've been quarantined, I've been using it to help me shift into workout mode while I'm at home. It works. And I've got the CGM charts to prove it doesn't spike your blood sugar. You can order type zero on Amazon or visit type zero health.com for more information. Type zero is a T1D owned business. And you know, I love T1D owned businesses. So check out episode 132 for my interview with Type Zero founder, John Jensen. Remember, you can order Type Zero on Amazon or visit typezerohealth.com. So let's get to it.