Rachael Stickles started The Chronically Illest because, as Rob puts it, diabetes had absolutely no swag. People with diabetes get beige meter cases and T-shirts that don’t inspire daily wear. Rachael wanted to change that. So she and her partner turned their studio apartment into a workshop and taught themselves how to make stickers, screen printing, and web design, all while working full-time jobs. Her partner asked "So what have you done on the business this week?" every single Sunday until it became a reality. Now, this year it's Rachael's full-time work.
Getting there wasn't the glossy quit-your-job story. Diagnosed with type 1 at twelve, Rachael spent her teens and college years sneaking food, skipping doses, and taking just enough insulin to get by. She thought she was the only one, until she posted about it and hundreds of people replied: me too. As an adult she always held at least one job just for the insurance, and in this episode she's honest about what finally let her leave her corporate role.
Rob and Rachael also push back on the "you can do anything with diabetes" message. You can, Rachael says, but often with extra steps, and being honest about those steps matters. They get into finding community when you don't see yourself in the room. Rachael started posting online because she wanted to find people that looked like her and had similar experiences. Rachael is half-asian, half-white, and queer. She wanted to find the other T1D’s that were bolusing for rice! In this episode, we are redefining success away from A1Cs and follower counts, and explaining why a meetup with two people is still a meetup.
If you've ever felt like the diabetes community was a room you couldn't quite fit into, this one's for you.
Chapters
00:00 Rob introduces Rachael and The Chronically Illest
02:01 Twenty years with T1D, diagnosed at twelve
04:35 Skipped doses, DKA, and a secret shame
07:12 Why the teenage years hit hardest
09:40 Finding community online before the DOC existed
12:55 Why one connection is worth it
17:25 The Chronically Illest starts with zero swag
19:44 A studio apartment becomes a sticker workshop
21:44 Learning to say no as an entrepreneur
22:28 The myth of "diabetes can't stop you"
23:31 Insurance, partnership, and quitting the nine-to-five
31:34 How to keep your heart open in hell
34:46 Redefining success: A1C, followers, and money
39:15 Giving back through copay giveaways and picnics
42:08 Advice for anyone who doesn't fit the mold
Resources:
The Chronically Illest shop
