154. The Hardest Part of Being Diagnosed with T1D Later in Life

Reclaim Your Rise: Type 1 Diabetes with Lauren Bongiorno

In today’s episode, I’m joined by DCB graduate Barbara Nichols who was met with a shocking Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis in her retirement years. Barb is candid about her initial resentment towards diabetes education and how she just wanted to be told what to do which led to codependency on medical staff. Barb talks about how Risely filled a major gap for her in building self-reliance, as well as the vital role of having “diabuddies” to travel and do life with, including her adventures with the Diabetes Travelers Network.

Time Stamps:

01:43 Reclaiming Her Rise

03:17 Barb’s Retirement Diagnosis

06:01 “Fumbling Through”

08:12 “Is this what having diabetes means?”

10:17 What Was the Hardest Thing About Being Diagnosed Later in Life?

11:39 The Red Tent for Diabetes

12:52 Resentment and Outsourcing Responsibility vs. Being in the Drivers Seat

15:55 Diabetes Travelers Network

18:49 Diabuddies: Focusing on Community vs. Problems

21:36 What gap did Risely fill?

26:50 How She Found Balance

29:29 Educational Empowerment and Self Reliance

32:21 Barb’s Advice

34:56 Her Personal Goals Now That DCB is Over

What to do now:

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Doors are open for the January 2025 round of our signature group coaching program. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.

Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on the Reclaim your Rise podcast should be a substitute for personalized professional medical advice. Please always consult your physician or other medical professional before making any changes to your diet, insulin dosages, or healthcare plan.