Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this heartfelt episode, I sit down with Sara Jacklin, a mom whose son Mitchell was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at nine years old. Sara shares the family’s incredible journey — from early signs and diagnosis during the holidays, to balancing sports, school, and diabetes management without missing a beat. You’ll hear how their family’s calm mindset, teamwork, and open communi...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In today's episode, I talk about the importance of mental health on blood sugar stability. Every person living with diabetes has dealt with challenges within their mental health. But do you know how to navigate these complex feelings and emotions? That's what I hope to share with you today... 💡 Key Takeaways: The importance of giving yourself grace.You have a choice to take actio...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this episode, I sit down once again with returning guest and college athlete Jaci Carpenter for an honest conversation about the realities of navigating diabetes care as a young adult. From frustrating endocrinology visits and inflated medical costs to learning how to advocate for yourself and manage nutrition beyond “just taking insulin for what you eat,” this episode shines ...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In today's episode, I sit down with Jax & his mother Ashley, who share their candid and heartfelt journey of living with type 1 diabetes. Jax & Ashley open up about the mental, emotional, and physical challenges of managing T1D, the importance of authenticity, and how self-awareness can become a source of empowerment. The conversation dives into how vulnerability, communi...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for managing blood sugar—but it can also be one of the most frustrating. In this solo episode, Coach Ken continues the 42 Factors That Affect Blood Sugar series with Part 6: External Triggers. In today's episode, I break down the different types of external factors that impact your BS. These factors are what I call silent killers...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In today's episode, I sit down with Erika Buenaflor. Erika is a speech pathologist and group fitness instructor who was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2018 and properly diagnosed with type 1 in 2021. She’s been adapting to her diagnosis ever since. Driven to build representation in fitness for those with chronic conditions, she’s passionate about fostering community and inc...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for managing blood sugar—but it can also be one of the most frustrating. In this solo episode, Coach Ken continues the 42 Factors That Affect Blood Sugar series with Part 5: Biological Factors. In today's episode, I break down the different types of biological factors that impact your BS. These factors are what I call silent kill...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this episode I sit down with Emma & Sam, who shares their story of having a young type 1 diabetic while navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood. Emma opens up about their son's diagnosis, the impact of T1D on pregnancy and postpartum life, and the ways she’s learned to balance her health with raising a family. Emma & Sam also talks about the emotional side of ...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this episode, I sits down with Renee Puleo, who shares her powerful story of living with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at a young age, Renee has faced the highs, lows, and daily challenges of T1D while also carving her own path toward resilience and strength. Renee opens up about the importance of mindset, how her approach to health and life has evolved, and what she’s learned ab...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this solo episode,I dive deep into one of the most debated topics in diabetes care: A1C versus Time in Range—and why both still fall short without focusing on what I call Diabetes Stability. I shares my perspective on why A1C alone doesn’t tell the whole story, how time in range can (and should) be customized to your needs, and why identifying your personal target number inste...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this episode, I sit down with Jenna Smith, who was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at the age of 26. Jenna shares her powerful story of living with T1D for nearly two decades, navigating the challenges of motherhood, divorce, intimacy, and dating, while also facing a breast cancer diagnosis in 2023. Jenna’s openness about the emotional and physical toll of managing both T1D and...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for managing blood sugar—but it can also be one of the most frustrating. In this solo episode, Coach Ken continues the 42 Factors That Affect Blood Sugar series with Part 4: Fitness & Activity. In today's episode, I break down the different types of exercise that impact blood sugars, why insulin on board is often the hidden c...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In today's episode, I sit down with Jeffery Miglicco (CEO), Omar Almidani and (Co-Founder), and from PureWay, a company leading the charge in safe sharps disposal and recycling solutions. Together, we explore: Why proper disposal of syringes, pens, and lancets is critical for safety and public health.How PureWay is creating accessible and affordable sharps disposal systemsRecycli...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In this inspiring episode, I sit down with twin sisters Lisa and Lindsay Rusch, both living with type 1 diabetes, alongside their older brother who also has T1D. Beyond their personal diabetes journeys, the sisters are co-owners of Brekkie Shack, a health-focused restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. This episode is packed with wisdom, entrepreneurial spirit, and practical tips for anyon...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. In today's episode, I sit down with Mark Brezzel T1D author and clinician who shares his powerful story of diagnosis, the mental and physical challenges he faced, and how his faith and passion for fitness shaped his outlook. We discuss strategies for navigating burnout, building balance, and staying grounded in what matters most while living with T1D. Key Takeaways Diagnosis stor...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Cecily Lopez is a wellness advocate, visual storyteller, and the founder of Trinity Grace Photography, LLC. She has been living with Type 1 diabetes for nearly nine years, and a few years into that journey was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Facing both conditions taught her how strong and capable the body can be and inspired her passion for advocacy. Cecily is dedicated to s...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. What’s it like to be newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult? In this episode, I talk with Jessica Barber, who was diagnosed in February 2024. Jessica opens up about what the first year of life with T1D has been like, how she’s learning to understand her body in new ways, and why conversations about women’s health and diabetes are so important. Key Takeaways Early diagno...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. You may have heard of Adam Brown’s popular article from Diatribe, “42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose”—a game-changing guide for anyone living with Diabetes. But how do those 42 factors show up in real life? And are there other variables we should be paying attention to? In part 3, I compare Adam's list and my list of dosing strategies and the medications that affect blood gluc...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. What does it look like to fully own your story with Type 1 diabetes and stop letting the condition define you? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Howe—former professional basketball player, creator of Diabetics Doing Things, and passionate advocate for the T1D community. Rob shares how sports shaped his relationship with diabetes, why storytelling matters in this space, and wha...
Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. What does it take to climb some of the world’s tallest peaks while managing Type 1 diabetes? In this episode, I sit down with mountaineer and T1D veteran Luis Freitas, who has lived with diabetes since the age of two. Luis shares the highs, lows, and lessons from 28 years of managing diabetes—including his solo attempt to summit the tallest mountain in South America. We explore t...