Type 1 on 1 | Diabetes Stories

This one's for you, friends! You're not alone.I know it, because 100,000 downloads of this little baby podcast say it's so, and I know for a fact that's not just my mum downloading her own episode 100,000 times.This bonus episode, the finale of season 9, is a celebration of you doing everything in your power to get through each day with type 1 diabetes, as you adapt to the fact that every day means something entirely different. Sometimes it's big and bright and bold and powerful, and sometimes it's muted and exhausted. Sometimes it's really lonely. We feel all of it.This episode is a dive into what I believe is one of the fundamentals of being human - what it means to feel connected, to feel part of something. And therefore, what it means to be alone. And this is SO pertinent to type 1 diabetes, because for me at least, it forces me to confront being alone, to be alone within the experience of our daily lives, each and every day.Which is also the reason this podcasts exists.And yet. Look what you made me do, type 1 diabetes. We built a thousands strong collective of people saying 'I get it'. 'I feel it too'. HOW COOL IS THAT?! Thank you, all of you <3 and thanks to my amazing guests, and lovely Ami who features in all of The Diaries episodes. This one's for you if you feel overwhelmed, alone, tired, frustrated, alone. But also if you feel calm, proud, resilient, strong. You can be 'and' as well as 'or', especially when it comes to a condition as complicated and contradictory as type 1 diabetes. I am, and I'm so thankful that you're here with me, figuring it out alongside me.I get it. I feel it too. You're not alone. Come and say hi on Instagram.SPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. Pod Therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days.Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.

Miriam Santori spent years fighting with her type 1 diabetes, frustrated and burnt out by the condition and lacking the support she needed to help prevent regular DKA hospital admissions.Diagnosed at a pivotal age in her teens in 2004, the condition altered the course of her education and she entered the gruelling demands of the corporate world for more than a decade. While Miriam thrived in her career, she had a feeling it was at the cost of her health and wellbeing. The pandemic allowed Miriam to start seeking answers, and to finally get the professional advice she'd been lacking since she was 15. Miriam was so empowered by the results that came from taking care of her own health that she underwent a complete career change to become a certified health coach, specialising in diabetes to helping others better understand their conditon on their terms.‘You have to make a lot of mistakes before you can start to find out the good stuff,' she told me, and Miriam is living proof that it is possible to get to the good stuff and truly thrive with diabetes. This episode is not only a powerful personal story, but it's packed full of advice if you're looking to make some shifts in the grip diabetes has over your life. There's a lot of heart and a lot of help in this episode - I hope you enjoy it!RESOURCES MENTIONED:Diabetes UK - who should qualify for a CGM on the NHS?Diabetes UK - explaining flash glucose monitors and CGMsDAFNE online mini-course (BERTIE) from Bournemouth Type 1 Diabetes Education ProgrammeCONNECT WITH MIRIAM:Follow Miriam on InstagramSPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. Pod therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days.Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.

This is an episode of two parts. The main episode was recorded in September 2023, as my guest, 24-year-old medical doctor Mohammed Seyam was excitedly packing to move from his home in Gaza to London, to start a masters degree in Global Healthcare Management.Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11, Moe is a global diabetes advocate and educator. We spoke about the incredible work he’s done to change not only the cultural perception and stigma of type 1 diabetes, but to help the world live a better life with diabetes. This included playing an instrumental part in creating policy change that provided everyone living with type 1 diabetes in Palestine access to insulin pens.We discussed Moe’s life growing up in the Gaza Strip, his family, his siblings, his joyful Zoom background full of the faces of diabetes. Moe spoke about how this work to change people’s lives through advocacy has shaped his professional goals - away from clinical medicine and towards policy making - to ensure changes that he makes are not only sustainable in the long-term, but are beneficial to as many people as possible.Just weeks after we recorded, a humanitarian catastrophe began to unfold in Gaza, and as of December 2023, millions of people are displaced without access to basic needs.It would have been remiss to publish the episode in its original form, and Moe joined me again this week to ensure that the voices of those living with type 1 diabetes in Palestine are heard, particularly at this time of crisis. He speaks at the beginning of this episode four months after we originally recorded to highlight the current issues facing the people of Gaza, particularly those living with type 1 diabetes, before the original episode is played in full.This is an ongoing, developing situation, everything stated here is as of December 2023.Thanks to Moe for his time, courage, and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of others living with type 1 diabetes.CONNECT WITH MOE:Follow Moe on InstagramHUMANITARIAN ORGANISATIONS YOU MAY WISH TO SUPPORT:Life For A ChildUnicefThe British Red Cross AppealUNRWA (UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine)

'I didn't want people to notice my diabetes, so I'd go to the music room very often at school, to have my insulin and eat my lunch where no one could see me.'Until last year, 25-year-old singer Tom Ball was busy spreading his passion for music as a secondary school teacher in his home county of West Sussex. Then he decided to audition for Britain’s Got Talent - and he went all the way to the final.Going from teaching a classroom of students to performing in sold out venues, to say Tom's life has changed in the past year is an understatement. Tom is not only adapting to life in the spotlight, he's bringing his type 1 diabetes with him - after he was diagnosed at the age of 8.Despite his day-to-day routine being thrown out the window for all the right reasons, Tom's managed to navigate his chronic condition with the help of his fab support system and some useful diabetes technology. But more than that, life as a singer has given him confidence to accept his type 1 diabetes, and he's now talking about it publicly in a bid to help others, after years of not speaking about it at all.Tom also happens to be one of the nicest people I've ever had the pleasure of interviewing. If you haven't heard his phenomenal voice, I can only urge you to seek out his music immediately. CONNECT WITH TOM:Follow Tom on InstagramCheck out Tom's Website for Music and Performance Dates, including his debut album and 2024 tour dates!Check out My Diabetes Story on Instagram.SPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. Pod therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days.Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.

Today’s guest is self proclaimed 'international drag pooper star' Grace Shush, also known as Timothie. 9-year-old Timothie was already dealing with more than most when they were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2000. We talk about how they dealt with the diagnosis alongside undiagnosed ADHD and hormonal issues, as well as growing up non-binary in 90s Midlands. Fast forward to 2023 and as a drag artist Grace has performed all over the world, alongside the likes of Chaka Khan and Melanie C. But for years their type 1 diabetes 'just didn't exist', and it went largely unmanaged while Timothie was developing the drag scene in their university town - and bringing Grace Shush to life.It wasn't until Covid lockdown that Grace decided it was time to take control of their health. After self-funding a CGM for a year, they're now insulin pumping, pouting and proudly shouting about their type 1 diabetes on Instagram and TikTok as well as in real life.I live for podcast episodes like this. It’s an honest, heartfelt, real and very funny chat that feels like you're catching up with an old friend - something all too rare when it comes to the ins, outs, tears and triumphs that are life with type 1 diabetes. Listen, enjoy, and then go and send Grace your love:CONNECT WITH GRACE:Grace's InstagramGrace's TikTokGrace's Website and Show InfoSPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. Pod therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days.Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.

Can we have a little moment for Molly please?A burst of vitality, humility, candour and humour - achieving the dreams she once feared type 1 diabetes would prevent, AND keeping it @cutenchronic in the process!The TikTok account that Molly started in lockdown gave her a whole new sense of purpose, and allowed her to turn her lack of self-confidence around. Molly has had two lifelong dreams - to dance professionally and to live abroad - for as long as she can remember, and for a while type 1 diabetes threatened to take that away. Now she is doing both simultaneously, and her diabetes management is better than its ever been.In this episode we discuss the gruelling schedule of a dancer and how she manages her condition in the heat of Sharm El-Sheikh, the isolation she felt from her friends around the time of her diagnosis aged 12, the confidence she's developed from owning her type 1 diabetes throughout her dance training, what finding the right type of support has meant to her, keeping it real on TikTok, and her next dream of showcasing type 1 diabetes across stage and screen.It's impossible not to fall in love with Molly, enjoy the episode!SAY HI TO MOLLY:Molly's TikTokMolly's InstagramSPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod. Pod therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days. Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes. Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.

‘2 hours after giving birth, it was insinuated that I was responsible for my son being in a special care unit.’Illustrator Suzie Byatt fell pregnant just months after being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in 2022. Still reeling from a type 2 misdiagnosis in the middle of the pandemic, Suzie carefully nurtured her developing son within strict blood glucose parameters alongside getting to grips with type 1 diabetes amidst the fluctuating hormones that come with pregnancy.She also found herself repeatedly facing unhelpful and judgemental interactions with medical professionals, just when she needed help the most. Originally from London but now living in Melbourne, Australia with her husband Adam and her one year old son Desmond, Suzie recalls feeling like she didn’t have a voice when it came to her condition, or her birth. Suzie’s experiences have led to her launching the gorgeous Type 1 Writers global penpal club.Alongside her sister Zoe, who also lives with type 1, the pair are connecting people living with type 1 diabetes around the world through handwritten notes from carefully matched penpals - helping others connect while helping Suzie to process her experiences, one letter at a time.This episode is packed full of so much, so please do hit play and then immediately go and send Suzie some love, especially if you’re looking for a penpal!CONNECT WITH SUZIESuzie’s InstagramType 1 Writers InstagramType 1 Writers WebsiteSPONSOR MESSAGE: Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom.Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes.They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at https://www.dexcom.com/

Hello lovelies! In honour of World Diabetes Day on 14th November, please enjoy this special solo episode where I talk through 14 lessons that have helped me to live better with type 1 diabetes.I've gone from 'surviving' (just) with type 1 diabetes to really living in vibrant, messy technicolour, and while I still have my frustrating diabetes days, I have come a very long way in terms of the tools, structures and understanding I have of my chronic condition.This episode is designed to be delivered as a big encouraging hug, because we're all doing enough if we're trying - you are enough and you are not alone. There is no actual medical advice in here, but I hope this episode finds the people who need it.I'll be back next week with another fabulous guest, but let me know on Instagram what you think of this one as it's very different from the usual. And Happy World Diabetes Day for everyone doing their best to gobble up everything that life has to offer despite this chronic chaos. I appreciate you being on this journey with me!FIND ME ON INSTAGRAM <3SPONSOR MESSAGE: Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom. Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes. They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at https://www.dexcom.com/

'This is a life long process, you’re going to keep tinkering.'Mila Clarke knows all too well how damaging the stigma that surrounds diabetes is, having been repeatedly undermined both inside and outside of the medical profession through multiple diabetes diagnoses. Mila was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2016, and after four tough years of managing her condition without the right medication and without a voice within the medical system, she was rediagnosed with type 1 LADA in 2020. In a bid to reduce the shame and stigma that surrounds the condition, Mila gave up the medical benefits and stability of full-time employment to focus on helping other people with diabetes find their voice, which in turn also allowed her to focus on her own health.She advocates via her blog The Hangry Woman, her Instagram of the same name, coaching services and app The Glucose Guide, which builds community within a judgement-free zone for anyone living with diabetes, as well as caregivers of those with diabetes.Through helping others, Mila has discovered the joy of cooking while reclaiming her health, career, purpose and ultimately her life, small step by small step. HOW TO FIND MILA:Follow Mila on InstagramCheck out The Hangry Woman blogTake a look at The Glucose Guide AppSPONSOR MESSAGE:Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom.Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes.They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at https://www.dexcom.com/

It’s not everyday you meet someone with a heart like Jay James. The X Factor finalist, one quarter of platinum-selling group The Overtones, songwriter, radio presenter, artist manager and former Royal Navy physical trainer, it’s fair to say that Jay has experienced a lot of what life has offer. Jay’s first introduction to type 1 diabetes had come early in 2022 when he started to manage singer and fellow type 1 diabetic Tom Ball, after he shot to recognition on Britain’s Got Talent. But nothing could have prepared Jay’s family for the shock of his son Franklin’s rollercoaster type 1 diabetes diagnosis just a few months later. There’s a lot of emotion in this episode, as Jay openly admits to still processing not only the diagnosis itself but the longevity of the condition and what it means for Franklin, now 4. But there’s an incredible amount of hope too, as between the dad guilt, the grief and the pressure to get things right, Jay continues to lead with heart while taking a practical approach to making things better - not only for his family, but for others in the community. And today, Jay is launching mydiabetesstory.org to do just that - a platform designed to bring people together and show the power of community. FIND JAY AND THE OVERTONES: Get tickets to see The Overtones Christmas 2023 UK Tour (use code GOODTIMES23 for a discount!)Check out My Diabetes Story on Instagram.Follow The Overtones on Instagram.Follow Jay on Instagram. SPONSOR MESSAGE: Thanks to my episode sponsors Dexcom. Pioneer and leader in Real-Time continuous glucose monitors, Dexcom's goal is to simplify and improve diabetes management for every possible person with diabetes. They have a choice of systems, so you can find the right one for your lifestyle at https://www.dexcom.com/