How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? 

I was an athlete first, and then a diabetic, and I have never let my diabetes stop me from doing something. I use exercise to help me control my diabetes and this benefits in a number of way I think; lower insulin levels required, I can consume some extra carbs when training, good general health and fitness is important and keeps me in a good frame of mind. All of which are important for my diabetes management. I love all endurance events: triathlon, running, cycling or mountain biking. I love the competition and the personal challenges of these types of events. 

What is your biggest accomplishment? 

2015 Melbourne Ironman - 9hrs 28 minutes. I had a number of challenges leading into this race and it was my first full Ironman. Not only to finish but with such a competitive time was a huge accomplishment.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion? 

For 2016 my main goal is to qualify for the Ironman 70.3 World Championships which are being held in Australia. I have run into a few hurdles on my road to achieving this goal (broken collarbone) but I am determined to get there and am working super hard to achieve this. My long term goals for triathlon include breaking 9hrs for the Ironman and 4hrs 10minutes for the Ironman 70.3.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? 

Diabetes should never dictate what you can achieve. Dream of whatever you want and then figure out how you can do it with diabetes. Anything is possible, just with a little planning and preparation. 

Click HERE for more on Alex!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I use football and all the weight training to manage diabetes by staying active all year long to help lower blood sugars.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Playing D-1 football in the ACC conference

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal would be to try and bring an ACC Championship back to Georgia Tech.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Know your numbers! It's very important to know your numbers especially before you get ready to exercise.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I’ve always been a very active girl, but when I got diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes I found that when I stand up paddle surf, race or windsurf, my insulin intake is lower and my energy levels higher. Being outdoors and breathing fresh air makes me feel more alive, which I think is the same for everyone. But when you have Diabetes, feeling strong and confident with yourself is very important. So when I go out and have fun with my sport, I feel confident about myself, which makes me feel more confident when it comes to my diabetes.

What is your biggest accomplishment?  

My biggest accomplishment isn’t some trophy I’ve won or race I’ve finished, it’s me being happy with my body and being able to do what I love, even if I have a pancreas that doesn’t work quite right.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

This year I am coming into the race season ranked #3 in the World for Women’s Stand Up Paddle Racing (http://www.supracer.com/rankings/#women). I would love to be able to increase my ranking to move even higher up. Also, I just competed in the first Stand Up Surf contest of the year and placed 2nd. I hope to have another good result in the next sup surf contest to do well for the overall World Tour ranking. Besides contests, I am looking forward to many travel trips all over the world and sharing the love for my sports with the people I meet and informing people that you can do anything, even if you have something like Type 1 Diabetes!

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Follow your dream! No doubt diabetes is hard, but if you keep track of your blood sugar and maintain a healthy lifestyle, diabetes becomes a whole lot easier. However, don’t freak out if you have a day where you have high or low blood sugar, it happens to everybody!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

By swimming on a swim team, and training in biking and running it helps me keep my blood sugars regulated, and often lower than normal.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment is becoming the 14 year old age group USA Triathlon Youth National Champion 2016.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to race in the ITU Pan Am Cup and qualify for the Olympics in 2020 or 2024. My goal also includes inspiring other kids, and teens especially, those living with diabetes.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Keep exercising, make healthy choices when eating, stay on top of your blood sugars, and never give up!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I have found that a dedicated training schedule aids in greatly decreasing my insulin resistance. The lower body fat and the more lean body mass I have allows me to more efficiently store what carbs I do eat, so I need less insulin.

What is the biggest challenge that diabetes brings for you?

I have to time everything concisely to allow for proper training performance. If my blood sugar is too high I run the risk of dehydrating, and if it's too low I can’t focus and have to stop to eat. Every nutrient is weighed and calculated to get the correct ration of insulin to prevent this from happening.

How do you overcome or prevent this challenge?

After 28 years of living with Type 1 Diabetes I have an understanding of how my body is going to react to certain foods. I set up when I’ll eat my carbs so that going into training I have enough fuel with a good glucose reading.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

I have to say that loading a 290 pound atlas stone onto a fifty two inch platform is probably the single greatest achievement I have made so far in strongman. I had ripped both of my hands badly on the last event earlier in the day, so grabbing onto the stone hurt. Loading this stone was a personal goal of mine that was two years in the making. I gritted through the pain and got it to my lap. Once there I got my breath and exploded up with it, it hit the front of the platform hanging. I had to lean into the stone with all my weight and work my hands around to the front of the stone to push it the rest of the way up. I managed to get it onto the platform but just barely. The cluster of other competitors around me roared in appreciation of what it took to do that lift. It was a very fulfilling moment in my strongman career.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I have two major goals for this year. I am traveling to Raleigh, North Carolina to compete in the toughest strongman contest I’ve ever done. I want to put in a respectable performance with some of the best in the nation. Also, I held the first ever Bolus and Barbells event coming in June 2016. This will allow T1Ds a meetup and community building experience while sharing our love of barbell sports.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

This disease does not define you. While it may take more work or effort you are just as capable as any non-diabetic out there. I am a strongman first and a diabetic second.

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?

My passion for yoga has helped me immensely learn to let go of expectations and to accept what is. Before I started practicing yoga I thought it was just a form of stretching. But I learned quickly that the most important reward from yoga was being able to practice strengthening my mind so that when I go through life I can better deal with the challenges that arise. Unexpected high blood sugars in the middle of a run, low blood sugars during circuit training, waking up in the middle of the night to find your pump wire got knotted, waking up in the morning because you accidentally ate the entire jar of glucose tabs to treat a low at 3am... in all of these instances that come up I practice letting go of control and knowing that the feeling is temporary and the best I can do is learn and move forward.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

In early July, 2016 I launched my new line of Low Glycemic Protein Bars. I set out to create a snack bar that would keep me full in between meals, fuel my body with plant based ingredients, and give me the energy I needed to support my active lifestyle. The bars have 12 grams of protein, 6 grams of fiber, under 10 grams of sugar and fat and 11-18 carbs once you subtract the fiber. They are organic, non gmo, gluten-free, and vegan, and they do not have any preservatives, sugar alcohols or artificial flavorings. I'm pretty pumped to share this with the world and all the Type 1 athletes and beyond!!

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I just completed an 11 mile tough mudder recently and it was so thrilling. I went in with a 164 blood sugar and came out at 106 which was awesome! Right now I'm all about just becoming stronger and stronger each day with using my own body as a machine. I am a big fan of nature and climbing and in my 5 year plan is to hike the top mountains around the world. My grandpa was born in Peru so I would love my first to be the Inca Trail/ Machu Picchu.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Control what is in you control and let go of the things you can't. Figure out how to have your numbers in range 90% of the time, but know that there will be fluke unexplainable out of range blood sugars, and to not get attached to those.  You are never a failure, you are more than a number. Keep on pushing through with a 'decide and conquer' mentality and always do the best you can.

Click here for more on Lauren! www.laurenbongiorno.com 

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running helps to keep my blood sugar steady throughout the day, and it also keeps me healthy in general.

What is your biggest accomplishment? 

My biggest accomplishment was running varsity in every race on a highly competitive and successful team. I also did so as only a freshman and won Rookie of the Year for my performance on the team.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to make it as far as possible in our tournament series during track. I would also love to run a time near 11:30 in the 3200 sometime this season.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

My biggest piece of advice is not to sell yourself short when competing with diabetes. You can be just as competitive and successful as the person next to you, if not even better than them. Don’t let diabetes slow you down.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running is a critical part of my diabetes management. If I'm having a tough day, a quick run helps to get my blood sugars back under control and makes everything a little bit more predictable. Longer workouts extend that benefit and help make it easier to handle a big meal that could cause problems if I had sat around all day.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Finishing my first 50 mile race in 9:38:48. Miles 42-47 were brutal both mentally and physically but I pushed through and managed to finish running strong!

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to run well at my first Boston Marathon (Spring 2017). I just qualified and running Boston should be an incredible experience! Longer term, I'd love to run a 100 miler.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Figure out what works for you. Everyone manages their diabetes a little differently and the only way to discover what works best for you is to experiment. A lot.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running helps control my blood glucose levels; it also helps me unwind and deal with the mental side of T1D. Sometimes, it’s an outlet to release frustration trying to run as fast as I can. Other times it’s just to get outside, get fresh air and clear my head. Having had T1D for the majority of my life, I have at times felt like my body has broken down on me, and it is now feels amazing to have it respond to my efforts, getting faster and getting stronger.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest achievement is not getting disheartened by mistakes, and continuing to look to challenge myself and seek improvements. The first step is always the most difficult, whether signing up for a first race or trying something new, and it would be easy to use T1d as an excuse. After 18 years of struggling with my control, I recently achieved my best A1c through running and I’m eager to keep working on it.

What is your next big goal?

I ran my first marathon in Paris in April. I have been inspired by other runners and T1D athletes and after this challenge, I want to continue to push myself with longer distances and faster times - A 50km ultra marathon and a sub 1hr 30min 13.1 are next on my list! Through this, I hope to show that whilst there are many things that may stop you from running, Type 1 Diabetes isn’t one of them.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don’t get down on yourself from one mistake or a bad blood sugar level. Learn from the experience and prevent it next time around. A mistake is only failure if you don’t learn from it, and continue to repeat it.

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?

In order to control my diabetes I need to have constant exercise which is where golf and cycling come into play. I love to do anything that consists of being outdoors.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment was completing two JDRF Ride to Cure Diabetes events. I completed the Ride to Cure Lake Tahoe (77 Miles) and the Ride to Cure Tucson Arizona (110 miles).

What is your next big goal?

My next big goal is to compete in a triathlon and to be able to finish the whole event. My overall goal when I am older is to compete in an Ironman event. I hope to send a message to other people such as kids and adults living with Type 1 Diabetes to let them know that nothing should stand in their way from competing in sporting events.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

I think that the one piece of advice that I can give is to make sure to check your blood sugar often and to not let it go low while competing in a sporting event. Low blood sugar causes athletes to perform at a lower level than they are actually capable of.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Exercise is medicinal. Running has certainly helped me tighten my control because not only do I need to closely watch my sugar during a run, but preparing and recovering from a run become equally as important.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Probably finishing my first ultra. It was a 50k in Golden, CO that neither my MI-grown lungs or legs were properly trained for. I ran the last half mile or so with legs as straight as popsicle sticks because they were so cramped up. While it wasn't pretty or fast, that feeling of accomplishment and exhaustion made for one tasty post-race beer.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My hope is to hit my BQ (Boston Marathon qualifying time) this year. I haven't made any plans beyond that, so we'll see.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don't shy away from help. I let my own pride get in the way all the time, but asking for, accepting, or seeking help is a sign of humility and prudence.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

It has been a challenge, that's for sure. In the long run, I have found that it actually forced me to focus on my nutrition and meal plan more which has been beneficial in maintaining a good blood sugar level. Although I use much more energy in a given day while out on a hike, with careful planning I can still keep my numbers within target range.

What is your biggest accomplishment?  

At this point, I am working on hiking the 35 peaks in the Catskills that are above 3500'. While other plans are in the works, I have completed a week backpacking through the Grand Canyon that was particularly rewarding.  

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?  

My next goal is a 4 day backpacking trip on Half Dome in Yosemite. Though I don't have one particular plan, I have only recently taken to hiking and am curious to see how far it will take me. I traded one passion (music) for another (hiking), and plan on working my way up towards multi-week backpacking trips that will help me see the world and inspire other young diabetics not to feel handicapped in any way.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  

Accept it, adapt to it, and allow yourself to make mistakes. There is a silver lining, as you will learn more about your body and nutrition than you ever would have otherwise, and hopefully this will inspire you to rise above and be healthier than ever.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running really helps to manage my insulin needs and sensitivity. It helps to keep my blood glucose levels in range and allows me to refuel my body with high carb fruits and vegetables while keeping my insulin requirements low. Running also helps me keep fit, feeling good and manage my overall health.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Running in the 2015 NY marathon and almost qualifying for the Boston Marathon - I was 4 minutes off!

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

Starting in March I am participating in a challenge where I will run 40 half marathons in 15 months with other type 1 diabetic athletes. We are doing this challenge to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes.

I want to raise awareness for type 1 diabetes, what it is, how we get it and what we have to do on a daily basis to manage it. It's very much an invisible disease. I also want to inspire other type 1 diabetics that they can achieve their goals, especially athletic ones and their diabetes does not have to be a burden.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Do whatever you want, don't let diabetes stop you. But at the same time your health and diabetes management must be a priority. We need good control to achieve our goals - whether it's exercising, participating in sport or achieving something in your career. Diabetes affects every aspect of our health, if we manage it well, our quality of life improves dramatically and it won't control our daily lives.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Training for triathlons has forced me to be more aware of how various levels of physical activity influence my diabetes. Testing before, during & after exercise and tracking the results has helped me to adjust my insulin dosage and maintain good BGLs (blood glucose levels). Overall, maintaining an active lifestyle has kept me in a positive mindset and healthy ever since my diagnosis 7 years ago.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Consistently training for triathlons since being diagnosed. Setting race goals and increasing my distance from sprint to standard has been an incredible experience. While I still enjoy training and racing, it's something I’ll keep doing and pushing my boundaries with.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I’m hoping to make the Australian team for the Age Group World Championships this year in standard distance triathlon. But before that, my short term goal is a half marathon in July.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Ask as many questions as you can. Everyone will have a different experience, but it’s nice to know people are going through the same thing as you are, and they might have some really helpful advice. And don’t be afraid to do anything you can put your mind to. If you want to do it, figure out how to manage your diabetes while you’re doing it and DO IT!

How do you use your sport to help control your diabetes?

My (early morning) daily workout routine helps balance my body and mind throughout the day to control blood sugar and encourage healthy habits.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Allowing my children to see me overcome and helping to establish a mindset in them that they can overcome any obstacle in life. I also love to have any of the three asking to ride with me on rides or runs, and instill a desire for healthy activities.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goals are to to be on the support team for my eight year old’s triathlon, to do my first trail race at 9k ft elevation, to ride the Hincapie Gran Fondo, to raise funds for JDRF and to ride a training course used by U.S. cyclists for Tour de France preparation, and my first marathon trail race. Some of these are elevations and distances I have yet to cover so new territory to manage, to be successful. Through the daily training and frequent racing, I train to successfully manage my diabetes to allow me to live a long, active life and never be held back from anything I want to accomplish and, more importantly, to be an example to my family, and to anyone I have the opportunity to interact with, that if you are willing to work at it, there are not obstacles, whether diabetes or anything else, that should stop you from living a full, active and healthy life.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don’t set limits on what you can accomplish. I had a mindset that I could only do controlled sports or short distance races, because that is all I could handle with my diabetes, but I am breaking down those boundaries and accomplishing new achievements, by learning and pushing, each week. Breaking down boundaries can be a variety of definitions, but the goal of being limitless should be the focus for anyone with T1D.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running is a great way to help keep diabetes under control. Running helps to relieve stress, and can increase insulin sensitivity. Both factors allow me to take less insulin while keeping my blood glucose in range.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Running-wise my biggest accomplishment to date is finishing the Angeles Crest 100 mile run in Southern California. Although I did have some diabetes related complications, the race could not have gone much better. I dealt with issues as they arose, and finished the race running strong.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I couple of goals I like to accomplish would be to qualify for the Boston Marathon again (I did not run it when I qualified before, so I'd like to check that off my list). I'd like to hike the John Muir Trail, and someday run the Western States 100. More importantly than any of those goals I want to continue to use running to stay healthy for as long as I can.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

The one piece of advice I'd give to others with diabetes would be to use the insight into your body that diabetes gives you to your advantage. Yes, keeping blood glucose numbers in control can be a challenge at times, but see those out of the ordinary numbers as a signal. Are your numbers high because you are stressed out? Then do something to treat the stress as well as the high blood glucose level. See each reading that isn't perfect as something you can learn from.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running is my “me time”. It keeps my mind clear which helps me focus on what I need to do to keep my glucose in control. Sometime I feel depressed and stressed about living attached to an insulin pump but a good run reminds me that I am in control

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Completing a marathon

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to complete a 70.3 this year

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Do not let diabetes run your life. It does not have to stress you. Take control of it and you can live life as normal as anyone else.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

First, I thought the "D" would stop me running further. Then I realized running really helped my control and physiology, and pushing limits forced me into making mistakes, which really helped me learn and understand and handle my condition much better. Now, my body almost functions as its own survival kit. Even with falling or diabolical lows, the energy production processes my body develops in training really kick in. I’ll sit with a meter and watch my sugars bottom right out, while my body fires up and gets me through it.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Sanity’s a good one :) Being included in Medtronic’s Global Heroes program was and still is a really special thing. The 4 Deserts Grand Slam was epic to be part of. Running my first Coast2Kosciuszko, a 150-miler the week after doing close to 100 miles in Antarctica was huge. Racing 250km across Japan at Sakura Michi, running over 200km through the Italian Alps at Tor Des Géants, it’s all deeply memorable. Every time you have to dig deep, every time you refuse to quit no matter how bad it gets, every finish line - these are the moments that really add up. Finishing a properly long ultra really is an accomplishment, that’s one very special thing experienced by everyone in our sport.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is Ultra-Trail du Mont Blanc. It’s 168km with 10,000 metres of ascent, or about 104 miles with 34,000 feet for my non-metric friends, around the French Alps on the Swiss and Italian borders. I’m ramping up the training now and prepping the body to be able to handle whatever comes at me. This is always a goal - just to be ready, to be spontaneous without restraint, to be your own parachute. My passion fuels my work. My passion has taken me places I’d never imagined going and having experiences I never dreamt of. I think that bigger is better, so I just want to go larger in the future. Longer, higher, further :)

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

You have to be accountable to yourself, you have to be responsible for yourself, you have to build the tools and strategies and experiences - often mistakes - that put you in charge of yourself. The great thing is that you’re not alone, there’s a whole community in your area, online, and global, that will help you get a handle on this crazy thing. Their experience is valuable. Their generosity is a gift. They’ll go through things with you when you feel like it’s all too much. But when it’s past their bedtime and the internet’s far away and you can’t get a phone signal and you’re in the middle of nowhere in the cold, deep night, you have to be ready, and you have to own it. And you can.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? 

My priority is keep on running. So I do what is necessary to do to keep on running; I care what I eat and drink, I care about my schedules, trainings etc. Even at this point athletes who does not have T1D are very interested in my nutrition order.

What is your biggest accomplishment? 

I ran a lots of trail races from 10 to 250km. Lycian Way Ultra marathon is one of them which I ran last year. It is a multistage, self-sufficient UM. That means, what you need (food, sleeping bag, clothes etc.) you have to carry in your backpack. The race lasts 6 days and it is 250k in total.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion? 

My next goal is to run the UTMB (Ultra Trail Mont Blanc). World is not so small. I have a long “to do list” for that. I want to run Marathon De Sable, The Jungle Marathon, The Grand to Grand Ultra, The Mozart 100k, The Bad Water Ultra Marathon, The Great Wall Marathon. All of them are on my schedule. So, I am going on!

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? 

Don’t let diabetes be your whole life. Manage it! And take time for your dreams. That is really possible!  My motto is: "Whatever the circumstances are, there is a way. I choose to run that way."

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Mountain Biking is such a great challenge physically, it helps keep the body in peak condition. The vastly differing terrain is great fun to tackle, and there is nothing boring each time!

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment would have to be my gorgeous twin babies! Boy and Girl, born on the 15th of July 2016.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to complete the “50km Flight Centre Epic” race in September.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

The sooner you accept the diagnosis, the sooner your life will begin! I often think back on my diagnosis as not a negative event, but one that changed my life quite dramatically for the positive!

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?

Sport has equipped me with the mechanisms to enable me to live a healthy and happy life. I have become a far more responsible diabetic, ensuring I constantly monitor my medication and that I am in complete control of my diabetes. Because of the lifestyle I live, I am always looking at ways that my medication can improve my sporting ability, which is why I opted to trial Omnipod. As one of the first people in the region to pilot this method, it was a fantastic opportunity to work with professionals who tailored the programme to enhance and support my sporting goals. This has subsequently been a life changing venture that has enabled me to improve in my sport.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Top 5 finish at Xterra Italy trail race, sub 35mins 10k, local diabetes charity work with children and families.

What is your next big goal? And/or what do you hope to achieve with your passion?

To be selected to represent Great Britain Age group at European duathlon 2017.  

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Live your life! Make sure you’re in complete control of your diabetes, don’t allow it to rule you. Understand that controlling your sugar level is not an exact science, work with medical professionals to ensure you have the best support, knowledge and chance to keep as healthy as possible.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I didn't have an interest in endurance sports until after I was diagnosed. It was almost like my diagnosis drove me to push my body to new limits and beyond. I wanted to change the misconception of diabetes as a disease that would limit you. Diabetes challenges me, but it doesn't limit me.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment was completing Ironman Texas 140.6 in 2014. This came 4 years after diagnosis and was something that I never thought was possible for myself as an athlete, not withstanding the challenges of competing while dealing with Type 1 diabetes. Since then I have completed two more full Ironmans (Lake Placid 2014 and Boulder 2015), 50k ultramarathon, and many other shorter distance races.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My biggest goal is to complete 12 or more full Ironmans before I am 40 years old. That will make me eligible for an invitation to the World Championship in Kona, Hawaii. Aside from my competitive goals, my personal goals is to become more active in my local diabetic community and help others realize their potential.
 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Daily life with diabetes is a challenge. We have so many more things to think about whilst going about our normal life. Don't overlook your passions and limit yourself because you think diabetes is your limiting factor. I have a tattoo on my left inner bicep that I look at while I am training that can often reset my attitude to the positive. "There will be a day when I can no longer do this; That day is not today."

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I don’t really use gymnastics to control my diabetes.  I started gymnastics 2 years before I got diabetes and I wasn’t going to let that stop me.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

I won 1st place in my first ever gymnastics meet, that was a lot of fun!

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I want to get better at my back handspring. Someday I’d like to be in the Olympics like Gabby Douglas.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Just stay strong. Diabetes doesn’t have to stop you from following your dreams.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running and all of the other conditioning that goes into being a Track & Field athlete allows me control my Type 1 Diabetes in a much more efficient way.  Working out on a consistent bases forces me to test my blood sugar much more often.  I also use much less insulin when I’m in good shape- for both meals and with my long acting insulin.  Most importantly, my blood sugars stay at an incredibly more normal level than when I’m not working out.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment would be qualifying and competing in the Track & Field State Championships for my senior year of High School.  I had recently been diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes, along with two other diseases, and was also working through a constant injury.  I felt as if I did the impossible when I qualified for the State Meet.  It was the most euphoric feeling I had ever felt.  The most important part of this accomplishment is that I never let anything get in my way, especially my Type 1 Diabetes.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal with running would be to get back into competitive running shape again.  I have recently been dealing with shin and back injuries, so I look forward to getting back on the track.  A dream of mine is to compete in the Olympic Games.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

I would tell them that it’s important to take care of your diabetes.  Don’t let mismanaging your diabetes make life harder than it already is. On the lighter side, this disease adds to who you are- in a positive way.  It gives you personality, and it’s sort of like a scar- it makes you a little bit cooler.  There really is something so cool about having this insane disease to manage, and being able to manage it well- especially if you’re upbeat about it.  

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running helps me control my BG throughout the day.   

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Having 4 kids. 3 girls 1 boy.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I want to always be competitive. I don't have to win the race (but it would be nice), but I want to be able to give it my best shot. I want to be able to push hard regardless of distance. When the lead pack tries to pull away I want to be able to counter.

Racing the Western States 100 is a bucket list item for sure, as well as the Trans Rocky Run.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Tomorrow is another day!!!!

What is your next big goal?

I want to figure out how to race successfully without feeling high or low.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion? 

Being competitive in high school sports.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don't allow the word "can't" in your vocabulary.  You need to keep reaching for the next big goal and make it happen. If type 1 interrupts the journey that's ok; keep reaching for it.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? If I'm running high, going for a non-competitive run or swim brings my sugars down quickly and doesn't set me up for a rebound.

What is your biggest accomplishment? I came in 15th at National Cross-Country Junior Olympics last year and met my goal of making All-American. I won the National Junior Lifeguard Championships Distance Run this summer, 2 months after my diagnosis.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion? Make All-American again at this year's National Cross-Country Junior Olympics.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Stay on top of it, don't neglect the routine.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Playing soccer and the gym 4x's a week helps control my diabetes tremendously with lowering my sugars, stress relief over all fun. Having diabetes 26 yrs I gotta stay active and fit.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment I really can't put to one event, but I would have to say just being who I am today, graduating from UC Irvine, also at age 28 I went through the Fire academy and received my firefighter 1 certification as well as 11 other Fire rescue certifications. (Definitely the toughest 3 months of my life physically and mentally) All the while having type 1 diabetes, I felt my age that's for sure:)

What is your next big goal?

My next big step is do my best as a DSP Champion, continue working with JDRF and pursuing a career helping newly diagnosed type ones with all aspects, questions and fears that come along with getting this crazy disease. I hope to grow in the healthcare industry and continue to bring awareness to the world about type one diabetes and how sports/hobbies and activity can open up a whole new way of life!!!

If you had one piece of advice to others living with diabetes, what would it be?

I've never let being diabetic stop me from doing anything. I have an amazing family consisting of parents made of GOLD, my twin sister, 3 older sisters, my older brother, and I have a wonderful GF of 2 years supporting me and volunteering with me. My friends and all those around me I thank god for every day!!!

I won't stop!!! That's my advice, never give up, stay fit, learn all you can, you never stop learning and growing w this disease, but no matter what 9.9 times out of 10 when you see me, I'm gonna have a big grin on my face, which is what I hope I'm known for!!!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Exercise is without question a great tool to control my blood sugar levels. Following a training plan and having a weekly exercise routine also help me cope with the inevitable ups and downs of living with a chronic condition. My mind is content and relaxed when I am working out. Exercise is my therapy.   

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My greatest athletic accomplishment was reaching the finish line of my first marathon. I never thought that I would be able to run a marathon. It seemed like such an impossible feat. Once I crossed that first finish line back in 2008 I realized that I can, and should, expect more from myself as an athlete. The first step in accomplishing anything is to believe that you are in fact capable of accomplishing the goal. I learned to break down my big scary goals into baby steps, and to become the role model who inspires both myself and others to push towards excellence – whether in athletics or in life.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next goal is to cross the finish line at the Mont-Tremblant full distance Ironman next summer (Summer of 2017). One day I might focus full time on my love of running and challenge myself to make it to the Boston marathon. My overall aim however is to continue to live an active and healthy life, and inspire others to do the same.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Be open about your condition and surround yourself with people who support you and your goals. Although the daily management of Type 1 diabetes is a solo job, having the right support, whether by attending active events and meeting type 1 athletes or connecting with others on social media, is key.

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?

Resistance training has become an integrated part of my diabetes management. Increasing my muscle mass and continuing to challenge myself has improved my insulin sensitivity and, combined with a predominantly low glycemic diet, helped reduce my daily glucose fluctuations

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Building TheFitBlog.com together with my husband. We’ve created a platform and a community for people who wants to be Fit With Diabetes. I’m incredibly proud of the information we put out there and how it enables people with diabetes to exercise safely and effectively.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My goal is to continue to expand TheFitBlog. We’ll continue to post articles but will also include more online Fit With Diabetes Challenges and diabetes coaching. We are also hosting the first ever Fit With Diabetes Retreat in February 2017.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

That there is (almost) nothing you can’t do with diabetes if you educate yourself and are willing to experiment and learn from your mistakes and successes. Don’t let your diabetes hold you back from following your dreams and living a fun and active lifestyle!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Physical activity has helped me to maintain good blood sugars which leads to a healthy and balanced lifestyle. I like it how there is a direct correlation between the amount of work you put in to your health and what you get out of it. I enjoy pushing myself when I exercise because I know that these experiences will help me to become a stronger individual.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment has been my ability to respond to any setback like the time when my insulin pump shut off when I was on Whistler Mountain in Canada!

Volunteering has helped me give back to the community which reinforces how lucky i am to have such great support. I have also controlled my type 1 diabetes so that I was able to complete an Undergraduate degree in Exercise Physiology.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next goal would be to get confident Skiing Double Black Diamonds and then going Heli-Skiing. I would also like to complete a half ironman in the next year.

I want to change the way that young Type 1 Diabetic children/teenagers view themselves. I believe that this is what I am meant to do with my life and I would like to think that the experiences I have gained from my sports can be used to show young people with type 1 that with hard work, dedication and refusing to give in can lead you to achieving your dreams.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

My one piece of advice would be that “It's what you do in the dark, that puts you in the light. If you are willing to listen to people, work hard and learn from your mistakes then you are on the right path.”

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

To do what I do at the elite level I must be extremely fit and healthy. I believe diet is a huge part of recovery to be able perform at an elite level. In doing this with the amount of training and activity I have in my life plays a huge part in how I control my sugar level and diabetes. 

What is your biggest accomplishment?

In 2014 I retired from football at the age of 24; then in 2016 I made a break though and returned to professional football again. It is a competitive industry and people don't usually return to a high level again after retiring. I played my return game after over 1,000 days off. The amount of work I put in and the changes I made to get there makes this a very proud moment for myself and my family. 

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

In my sport I want to play finals football and win a Grand Final at the elite level. In doing this, I want to inspire all people living with diabetes and show that through routine, eating well and being active you can just about do anything. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Routine is key.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I find my blood sugar levels are more stable when I am active and exercising.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Most recently my most proud accomplishment was running the San Diego Rock n Roll marathon. I was very hesitant in running a this distance with type 1 diabetes but realized it is very achievable with the right training and planning.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I would like to start cycling and swimming on a more regular basis. Southern CA has such great conditions and these activities are things that I can do for the rest of my life.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Never think that having type 1 diabetes will hold you back! Everyone has different challenges, and you need to use T1D as motivation to reach your goals and live a healthy prosperous life.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

It is motivation for me to lift as heavy as possible and I can not do that without proper blood sugar management.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

From breaking state records to being one of the strongest (if not the strongest) diabetic disable powerlifters in the world to growing a 30k+ following on social media that allows me to work from home as the Type 1 Fat Loss Coach, my biggest accomplishment to this day is choosing to overcome my adversities daily.

What is your next big goal? What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

My next big goal is to hit 650+ lb deadlift at the arnold classic this march, hopefully get my prosthetic arm and do my first ever classic physique show which has been my longest running goal.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Limitations are self imposed. Diabetes is neither negative nor positive-- it just is. You choose how it affects you.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Initially, having diabetes and doing sport served as my motivation for wanting to achieve in the sport, and to show others that both elements can succeed together. Almost immediately when I started training for athletics I noticed that my blood glucose levels were better, I was able to control my weight more and that I became more sensitive to my medication. It also gave me the confidence boost I needed, to realise that I'm more than my diabetes.

In 2012, Diabetes UK nominated me to carry the Olympic Torch for my work as a media ambassador for diabetes- helping to show a positive image of the condition in the press and media. I was honoured to be given the main stage in Wales and was provided the chance to show the 20,000 people watching, that you can still achieve with diabetes. During London 2012 I also was given my own campaign by Nike, called 'Find Your Greatness', about ordinary people doing not so ordinary things.
In recent years I was voted the JDRF UK Sports Personality of the Year and my diabetes and sport advocacy work has taken me to the European Commission and to speak at the European Parliament with the International Diabetes Federation. For which I represent the UK on their BCV (Blue Circle Voices) global advocacy group. We don't all have the same access to diabetes care around Europe, but a healthy lifestyle and good nutrition are essential wherever you live, and these events gave me the opportunity to share my story and hopefully help increase engagement in sport. Since 2013, I have also written a blog on life, sport and diabetes (under that name) and last year I started a YouTube channel, which has received a quarter of a million views to date.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

The first is winning a silver medal at the British Universities Championships. This medal represents overcoming one of the most challenging times of my life because the year before, I was insulin resistant on injections that weren't working and didn't know whether I would ever run again. I had a very difficult time making the swap to an insulin pump (although I love it now), I got back training, and I won this medal.
My second is one I'm working towards now, in studying to become a diabetes dietitian. I'm halfway through my studies, but achieving a place on the course felt like an incredible achievement. To take being diagnosed as a 13 year old, getting to grips and sometimes struggling with type 1 diabetes and turning it into making a career out of helping others is more than I could ever have hoped for.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Be kind to yourself and just focus on being the best you, that you can be. Challenge yourself, but set yourself achievable goals whether they be sporting or in everyday life and celebrate the little wins as well as the big ones!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I work out-a lot!  During my peak competition time, I can be in the water for over 6 hours dealing with adrenaline fluctuations the entire time, and making sure I have snacks to control my sugars and energy level. During my off season, I still work out on the water a few hours a day, and spend a lot of time in the gym.  I use both a pump and a CGM to try to keep me at my optimal blood sugar level and believe diabetes has made me understand my body better, and my sports and working out aid in that control.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

Making the Team USA Junior and Senior teams in Canoe and Kayak slalom, as well as becoming the Jr. Women's World Champion in Freestyle Kayaking, all while managing my diabetes and having a positive attitude.  

What is your next big goal?

My next big goal is making both the 2017 Senior and Junior Slalom Teams, as well as defending my Freestyle Jr. Women's World Champion title, and continuing to have fun and do well!
 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Never let anything make you think you can't achieve you dreams. Diabetes may make it harder, but you are capable of amazing things and when you say you can do it, you can.

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?   

I find that being active really helps me manage my blood sugars. In addition, I just feel so alive and full of energy when I am swimming, biking or running.  I have the feeling that there is nothing that can stop me! Finally,  I find that athletes with Type 1 are some of the most determined and awesome people on earth.  

What is your biggest accomplishment?  

Completing Ironman Wisconsin less than 3 years after diagnosis.  The feeling of crossing the finish line knowing that I accomplished something major and didn’t let diabetes stop me was something I will never forget.

What do you hope to achieve with your passion?  

I have plans for several triathlons in the next year.   Also love doing organized races and bike rides.  Another Ironman is in the plans.  I always want to be a great example to my two boys that with focus and determination there is nothing that can stop you.  I also love meeting and racing with other Type 1 athletes.  It is such a great community.  

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?   

Treat exercise like the most important prescription you have.  I believe that exercise is so critical to living a healthy and successful life with Type 1.  Also,  keep learning and meeting active people with Type 1.  We all have so much information and experiences to share.  

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

While it seems like working out would making your blood sugars harder to manage, it actually keeps my blood sugars more level throughout the day. I definitely notice a difference on days I work out versus my rest days, which makes me want to work out every day.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment was finally opening up about having type 1 diabetes. It's a really personal and scary disease, but once I got over the (irrational) fear of talking about it, my confidence in myself skyrocketed. The more I talked about my T1D the more "normal" it felt. When I wasn't worried about taking insulin in front of friends or coworkers, I could bolus before meals instead of running off to a bathroom afterwards, and my management improved a lot.

What is your next big goal? 

In April I'm running a Ragnar Relay race with a team of 11 other people with T1D. We'll run about 200 miles as a group, all battling highs and lows together. I'm really excited for the chance to bond with all of these T1D runners and accomplish this incredible goal as a team. Hopefully we can use this race to raise awareness of T1D and show the world–and ourselves–that T1D has no limits.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don't be afraid. Everything, even things unrelated to T1D, has risks. Don't let T1D stop you from doing anything you want to do.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Being a Division 1 tennis player helps me better manage my diabetes through extreme exercise, scheduling, and diligence.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment is being named a Team Captain of a Division 1 tennis team, as a T1D

What is your next big goal?  

My next big goal is to keep inspiring other diabetics through sports, even after I graduate next year. I want everyone to feel empowered by their disease, not confined. I hope to set an example to other young girls, who were diagnosed at a pivotal age like I was, that being a competitive athlete with diabetes is doable.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

The power that diabetes gives you to show the world how strong you are is invaluable.  We don't need easy -- we need doable.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

Running is a great way to control diabetes as it helps improve the body's sensitivity to insulin. Type 1 diabetes is a tool that has enabled me to take greater control over my own life and well being and apply it to ultrarunning as well as other activities that I'm involved in.

What is your next big goal?

I was selected to run the Badwater 135 Ultramarathon this summer in Death Valley, CA. Alright guys, this is a pretty big deal! The race covers 135 miles (217km) non-stop from Death Valley to Mt. Whitney, CA. The STYR Labs Badwater® 135 has been billed as one of the most extreme and demanding running race offered anywhere on the planet. I will be using a support crew to help monitor myself in the unforgiving desert. I will also be attempting to run the Angeles Crest 100 Mile Endurance Run less than three weeks later. I did something similar in the summer of 2015 and became the first and only finisher of the California Triple Crown of Ultrarunning that year. The event, which combined San Diego 100, Santa Barbara 100, and Angeles Crest 100 to be run in an 8 week window challenged me in ways I cannot even begin to describe.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Life is a gift and although diabetes can be a major inconvenience sometimes, don't let it or anything set you back when it comes to achieving your goals and dreams. Life is a series of choices for everyone. I can use my diabetes as a crutch to lean on or as a tool to empower myself and others to lead a better life. This disease can make you strong, confident, and fearless. I couldn’t imagine where I’d be today without the lifelong principles type 1 diabetes has taught me along the way.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My biggest accomplishment would be making a professional futsal team as well as making some of the top soccer teams in the State and Nation!

What is your next big goal?

My next big goal is to become a shark diver

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Every minor setback is a major comeback. You are greater than your HIGHS and LOWS.

How do I use my sport to help control my Diabetes?

My diabetes encourages me to keep close control of my blood sugar and diet- If I don't, I do not perform to high highest potential/ it makes it very difficult to concentrate when I'm riding horses or spinning upside down or swinging heavy kettlebells. The better I take care of myself, the more improvement I see in myself.

What is my next big goal?

I'll be off to school to become a registered nurse very shortly! It doesn't have much to do with my sport or workouts, but it will eventually land me a spot working in pediatric endocrinology- influencing youngsters to be strong, proud diabetics!

Advice for other Type One Diabetics?

First, Own it! Once I accepted my disease, started taking care of myself and started making others aware of Type 1 Diabetes, I realized how strong I was. I became proud of myself. Secondly, don't dwell on the highs and lows. Don't get me wrong, every day is a challenge- but I go forth with a positive mindset that allows me to check, correct, and move on without letting it affect my mood.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I haven't let having T1D get in the way of doing what I love. I was diagnosed when I was 3 1/2 years old, so I've only known how to be an athlete with type 1 diabetes.

What is your biggest accomplishment?

In January 2016, I trained at the Pittsburgh Pirates spring training facility in Florida for a week. 

What do you hope to achieve with your passion?

To bring the state high school baseball and Football titles to Goodrich H.S. this year and my senior year next year. After that, my goal is to play collegiate baseball and/or football.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Don’t let it get in the way.  Don’t let it stop you from doing what you want to do.  You control it, it doesn’t control you.

How do you use your sport/passion to control your diabetes?

When I hop on my bike I am in complete bliss.  I make time just about every day to be active for my physical well being as well as my emotional well being.  My love for the sport helps keep my sugars in check.  

What is your biggest accomplishment?

My first full season in the TMBRA (Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association) I raced in the category 3 women's class as well as the women's single speed open class.  I won the overall series for both divisions in the same season.  I trained very hard that season, so I was very excited that my hard work paid off.

What do you hope to achieve with your sport/passion?

My next big goal is qualify for nationals as a category 1 racer.  

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Get on a routine and stick to it! I found that eat the same foods at the same time every day has helped keep my blood sugars regular.  

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I must keep a close eye on my blood sugar before, during, and after training which holds me accountable.  I pay closer attention to my body and I make much better food choices. 

What is your biggest accomplishment?

From an athletic perspective, I completed my first half marathon last October. That was never something I thought I could do before diagnosis...let alone after.
I also learned to swim which I couldn't think of just a year ago. I was terrified of going under water and now I swim 3-4x per week. 
 

What do you hope to achieve with your sport/passion?  My big goal is the 2017 Coeur d'Alene half Ironman.
Personally I just want to be a positive influence for others with Type 1. Community is important and when you see others in the diabetic community pushing themselves it is inspiring.
I see others out there doing amazing things and it motivates me to push myself. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  T1D brings great opportunities and even greater struggles. Find others that are thriving with diabetes and surround yourself with positivity. Embrace diabetes and find a channel that you can use to inspire others.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
I use my sport to control my blood sugar levels. Without exercise my numbers tend to run higher and all the exercise naturally lowers my blood sugar without having to take a correction dose.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
My biggest accomplishment is becoming an Adrenaline All-American Lacrosse player, which is only awarded to the top 60 players on the West Coast.
 

What do you hope to achieve with your passion?
My next big goal is to receive playing time as a freshman on my college lacrosse team. I hope to become a coach and advocate of the sport on the west coast and grow the game the same way my coaches did for me.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
Don’t let diabetes stop you from achieving what you want to do in your life because it cannot. It makes things a little harder but that just makes you more mature.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?

I truly believe that we are all able to achieve anything. That is why my races are not about time or pace but who I cross the finish line with. Diabetics have this special calling card to others because we can say, “what’s your excuse?” Bringing people together keeps me mentally and physically disciplined each day.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment?

Completing the 2016 Copenhagen Marathon with my high school friend who used to weight 250 lbs. He originally asked me, “Erik, can we train for a 5K?” In the words of my running partner, "I went from being unable to run for more than a few minutes, to finishing a 5k, to running every day, to running a half marathon and finally to run a full marathon. And frankly, no one is more surprised about this fact than me."
What else do you hope to achieve with your passion?

I am biking across America with a fellow T1D to launch my travel blog DiabetesAbroad.com. We are riding 4,200 miles in three months from Yorktown, VA to finish in Vancouver Island with a week hike in Canada. I am planning on writing a daily blog entry so anyone at home can follow along with this journey.
 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?

Be the person who people use as an example when they say, “Look, you can do anything with T1D.” That applies to the world outside of sports. Type 1 diabetes has been in my family since 1940 and doctors warned my grandfather he would not live long. He passed away at 82 years-old. And now I plan to continue his legacy by showing we can go anywhere in the world.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? 

I started playing lacrosse in 3rd grade, joined a travel team summer going into 5th grade and was diagnosed six months later in December 2014. Being a Type 1 athlete forces me to be aware of what my body is trying to tell me all the time. I make an effort to stay hydrated for tournaments which can be difficult in humidity, snack between games stay cool and constantly check my blood sugar. I’m still learning how to time my insulin to prevent lows so I try to keep a log of what I eat/drink to fuel my performance but not jeopardize my health. 

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 

I was selected for the Brine All-American Lacrosse National 2022 DC Metro team for their July 2017 tournament. 

What else do you hope to achieve with your passion?  I am looking forward to playing sports in high school in a few years and would love to play lacrosse in college for University of Maryland or UNC but my twin sister Molly wants me to go to Notre Dame with her. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  My advice to others living with diabetes is: don’t ever let it be an excuse not to live your best life. Remember you control diabetes it doesn’t control you and always listen to your doctor. 

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
I find that by engaging in physical activity most days of the week it really helps burn up the sugar. I require less insulin (much better carb ratios)  and have better HBA1c's over the long term. I also want to get the best out of my body when training and racing so I am always thinking about what foods I should be eating. When I make the right food choices, my body recovers faster and I train better. There is nothing more irritating than being awake all night with a high BGL, constantly going to the Bathroom and waking feeling tired and dehydrated. Also, and most diabetics would agree, going to the Endo is a bit like going to the see the headmaster at school. The higher the HBA1c the more I am going to get into trouble and nobody likes getting into trouble.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
My biggest accomplishment by far would be competing in Long Distance Triathlon events. I have completed a number of Ironman races and also raced at the Ironman 70.3 World Championships in Austria in 2015. Lining up on start line with the top sportsman in the field was truly an awesome moment in time and one I will never forget. 
    
What else do you hope to achieve with your passion?
My next big goal is racing in a team at an upcoming Half Ironman. I have made some great friends over the past few years in the world of triathlon and we decided to enter as a team because we thought it would be more fun then doing the race individually. All 3 of us are more than competent to complete the entire event but it will be a lot more fun as a team. My other passion is diabetic advocacy. All too often I see a lot of limitations or and/or expectations when it comes to diabetics and my aim is to help change the mindsets of not just the general populace but diabetics as well. Diabetic or not most hurdles and challenges in life can be overcome. There really are no limits. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
Always be mindful of your diabetes but remember it doesn't control what you can do. Yes, you will need to be a little more prepared and perhaps plan a little bit more but never think you won't be able to get the most out of yourself. Anything is possible.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? You can't do your sport, hobby or passion without first taking care of yourself.  Playing golf is both my incentive and reward for staying healthy and on top of my Type 1 Diabetes. I want to be the best version of myself on the course and that's the only way it can happen. 

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment has been making the Varsity golf team as a freshman in high school.  I was able to go to regionals and walk away with the second lowest individual score on the team.  It was incredibly as I was the youngest player by four years!  I keep that in mind each time that I go out.  It's inspiring to me. 

What is your next big goal?  My next big goal is to get our team to states.  I hope to encourage younger girls that are now thinking about playing.  I want to be the role-model that shows them age has no limits.  Hard work and practice, practice, practice will pay off. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? My biggest piece of advice is not to let T1D define you.  Some of my matches are 5-6 hours long.  I prepare, plan and pack... the 3 p's to make sure that I am not thinking a bit about my T1D... just about my next shot on the course.  When I end the game, I want to know that I did my best... with T1D and with golf!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? I think about my day and plan ahead.  Knowing that I want to win, I want to make sure that I stay in control of my t1d.  Taking care of myself is my first win.  I feel that when I plan ahead with what I am going to eat, how much insulin I will need and also, to be prepared for any lows with things like fruit snacks or juice boxes, that I can do ANYTHING - especially win on the course!

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment is recently being elected to Student Council as an incoming freshman.  I ran against seven really great kids and a few were friends.  I had to figure out how to get votes so I decided that the best thing I could do was to talk to everyone about why I was running and how I was committed to making our school better.  Kids were really nice and because of that, they felt like they were connected to the process, even if they didn't want to be in on the council.  I had a lot of hugs after the election, even from some of the kids that didn't win.  I think being true to yourself is very important and that was they saw through this process. 

What is your next big goal? My next big goal is that now I am finally a freshman and can move from being the team's biggest fan to playing Varsity golf.  I am so excited to show them what I can do for our team and for the school.  I hope to bring a few more friends to the sport and one day, I would LOVE to play college golf.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Go for it!  Do not let T1D hold you back.  You can do anything you want to do in life. 
 

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? It is during these activities that I feel more in control with managing my diabetes. Especially endurance events-- follow the formula i.e. Feed the athlete it turns into less about managing diabetes and being able to focus on performing and having fun! Staying active definitely helps with my daily control, however more than anything I feel it helps with my mental attitude and stay positive. When I am not as active not only do I see my numbers more erratic and trending higher/settings not working as well but my attitude also changes and feel more of the "diabetes burnout" 

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? I am proud of being an Ironman, however completely going out of my comfort zone, learning to skate and play roller derby (skill set and rules are intense!) and being drafted on the Milwaukee team after a short time is a big accomplishment. 

What else do you hope to achieve with your passion? Continue to improve and be more of a threat on the track (roller derby.) I would like to get back into 70.3 distance triathlons and get faster. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Keep having fun with your activities- there is so much out there and enjoying your activity is so important.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? Living an active lifestyle helps with my physical health, as well as my mental health. When my mind is healthy it allows me to focus on good choices and to have better control.
What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? I overcame a major motorcycle accident, which resulted in serious injuries and a diabetes diagnosis that followed shortly afterwards, to then run a half marathon and a full marathon back-to-back in the incredible Florida heat.
What is your next big goal? I want to continue running, cycling and participating in other endurance based events, hopefully this leads to me pushing myself to bigger goals like completing a few ultra endurance events. No matter what I accomplish in my sports endeavors, I want to keep pushing forward with starting a local group to help diabetics get active, live healthier lifestyles and connect with one another.
If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Remember that results don't always come overnight; but with a positive attitude, consistency, and time, you'll find yourself accomplishing things that you never thought were possible. The best way to move a mountain is one piece at a time, one step at a time; then the mountain will become smaller and you will become stronger along your journey. Not everything will be perfect. Obstacles will come along, and setbacks will happen, but keep pushing forward. The next thing you know you'll look back to see just how far you've come. If you have an A1C goal, losing a little weight or doing a 5k, just start and keep moving forward; but don't forget to have fun along the way!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?  I am newly diagnosed, but in the past 6 months I have found that skiing-- training both on and off snow, along with eating a balanced diet and being aware of what I am eating, helps manage my glucose levels.  I also have Celiac Disease, diagnosed at 16 months, so diet has always been a huge part of my life and sport.
What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment was 2 days after getting out of the hospital with my new diagnosis and earning a 2nd place in a race.  After that getting another 2nd place and top 10’s and at Provincials this year, 2.5 months after diagnosis, I got a 3rd place in Slalom. I ended up being 4th overall in the Province out of 120 boys. 
What is your next big goal?  My goal is to be the best skier I can be.  I would love to make BC ski team one day and one day make the World Cup Scene.
If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? You can do anything you set your heart and mind to.  Don’t let diabetes slow you down!

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?  Running is a key component to controlling my diabetes and keeping me sane. Insulin is more effective with some movement and being active helps to re-energize me.  

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? Finishing in the top 8 in the U.S. (in my age group), in the Pepsi Hotshot Basketball Contest.  I sat on the JV bench in high school, but, was one of the best shooters in the country. Competing at halftime during NBA games tends to tamper with blood sugars.
What is your next big goal? Possibly, a Rim 2 Rim run at the Grand Canyon. Also, staying super healthy and taking on new challenges.  Lastly, I hope to encourage and inspire others through what I am doing or featuring those around me in videos, photography and film. 
If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  Follow your dreams and passions.  Learn from your mistakes and keep moving forward. Learn as much as you can and be sure to ‘steal’ great ideas.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
Being active keeps me sensitive to insulin, so I can keep my doses low and my error margins tight. I can’t eat, test or carry supplies easily on long open water swims or whilst diving, and so my solo watersports have pushed me to be creative about diabetes management and self-rescue strategies.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
Completing the Rottnest Channel Swim (a 20 kilometre swim to an island off Perth) solo in February 2017.
Also, establishing the Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre, a centre to support, educate and inspire kids with type 1 and their families in Western Australia. We support 500 families and our message is that a life with type 1 is a life without limits.
 
What is your next big goal? 
I want to expand further into technical diving, which means deeper dives and longer decompression times, which will be challenging. I want to keep pushing perceived limits, keep working with the diabetes community, and to adventure, always.
 
If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
You have all the tools to manage diabetes well at your disposal – learn how to use them, be agile, and stay curious. Connect in with the type 1 community. And focus on food, because diabetes management stands or falls on your approach to fuelling your body.
 
 

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? Running is great for the body in general, but when you run with diabetes it’s especially good for the body. Physiologically,  exercise makes managing diabetes easier; you become more sensitive to insulin, and require less insulin. I just feel better when I run, and tend to notice my blood sugars are much easier to control when I’m regularly running. Diabetes in and of itself is stressful, and physical health aside, running is a great mental relief to the daily stresses of keeping everything diabetes related in check. When I run I can put aside all of my stresses, worries, and anything else wearing on my mind and just focus on the task at hand which might be just a 30 minute run, or making it to the finish line of a 100 mile ultra marathon. 

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment is completing the San Diego 100 mile endurance run in 2014 and 2015. I also completed the San Diego Ultra Slam which consisted of a 50km, 50mi, 100km, and 100mi all within a few months span. I also just graduated from San Diego State University with my Bachelors degree in Kinesiology, so i’m pretty stoked about that too! 
What is your next big goal? My next big goal is actually non-running related. In August, I am moving to Colorado to begin graduate school at Regis University to earn my Doctorate in Physical Therapy. I want to continue to run and use my time in Colorado to run as much of the Rocky Mountains as I possibly can. I want to run the Leadville 100 mile ultra marathon in 2018 so that is a longer term goal. I also want to run a road marathon for the first time. I want to continue to meet other type-1 diabetics and inspire them to not let diabetes hold them back from achieving their dreams! After I ran my last 100 mile race I received so many messages from people saying how much I’ve inspired them or there kids with type-1 and it made me want to continue to use my running as a platform to raise awareness and inspire those dealing with type-1 or other challenges. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Ask for help. For me personally I’ve never liked to ask others for help so it was really weird for me when I got diagnosed and had interactions with all these different Doctor’s, Nurses, and others who wanted to help me. It’s easy to be prideful and want to figure it out on your own, but I’ve learned that there's so many others who have been dealing with diabetes for much longer than me and have done so very successfully. Try to meet as many of them as you can and learn from them! I’m still trying to live by this advice today. 

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
Being active has kept my body strong and healthy. Exercise has helped with my diabetes control and lets me focus on nutrition. During this time, I can self-reflect and unwind as I continue to push myself to the next level of training. I continue to set goals for myself and share my accomplishments with others. Having Diabetes (and/or other chronic diseases) doesn’t mean your life should stop. Diabetes has built a fueling fire inside and I wouldn’t be the person I am today without it.
What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
Striving to do my best every day, whether it be through fitness, health or professionally. The best is yet to come.
What is your next big goal? 
Pass my Registered Dietitian exam by July 2017 and share my knowledge of nutrition with other athletes with diabetes. In addition, I would like to complete a half marathon by Spring 2018.
If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
Defy the Odds! You know your body and its limits.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
By participating in ultra-endurance events, I feel as if I am controlling my diabetes versus allowing it to control me, which is important! And, “keeping moving” certainly helps me to maintain tighter glucose control daily and achieve better HbA1c results quarterly.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
I once ran three marathons (i.e., NH, CT, ME) in 16 days to “leaf peep” across New England.

What is your next big goal? 
I’d like to complete a Ragnar Road Relay with a group of fellow TIDs. (Actually, I’d like to win one!) I also want to continue pushing my physical, mental and emotional boundaries by participating in ultra-endurance events. Lastly, I hope that I can be as much of an inspiration to those with diabetes as they have been to me. 

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
Do whatever is calling to you in life despite your disease.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?
My sports & passion help me manage my glucose levels and keep me motivated to be healthy so I can enjoy them!

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? 
Completing the 111-mile Tour de Tucson for the JDRF Ride to Cure.

What is your next big goal?
I hope to achieve lifelong learners through sport. I hope to have an impact on all the athletes I coach by teaching that sport is so much more than competing and trying to be the best.  I want to instill the importance of being part of a team and creating connections with people that you can learn and build from to make yourself and the team better.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?
Take the time to learn what works best for you. Every diabetic and the way we manage our disease is different, you have to discover what is right for you. It takes some dedication, I recently just discovered what works best for me and I’ve been living with diabetes for almost 11 years.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes?  I use sport as a way to maintain a positive outlook – something that I find is essential in navigating a demanding and challenging professional life and often an equally demanding personal/family life!

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? My biggest accomplishment was The Run Across America I did while on the Team Type 1 Running Team in 2010 (or was it 2011?). 

What is your next big goal? Next big goal is to run a strong Bayshore Half Marathon in Traverse City, Michigan.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  Reading about diabetes management it can seem that diabetes management and self-care is quite straightforward with clear and repeatable cause and effect relationships. The reality of diabetes is not that way!  My advice would be to keep working to improve in your diabetes self management while also keeping your expectations reasonable.  If things didn’t go well today, tomorrow is a new day…keep at it.

How do you use your passion to control your diabetes? Sports help control my high BG numbers

What is your biggest accomplishment? Not giving up. Finished my first IronKid triathlon at age 8 as part of Insulindepence’s Triabetes Program. More recently, I won my age division for Xterra XC Race in San Diego.

What is your next big goal? Run a 5:50min mile time or faster

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be?  You aren’t alone

How do you use sport to control your diabetes? I first started running shortly after my diagnosis. While I was still in that honeymoon phase, I found that if I ate the same thing every night for dinner and went for a run right after I didn't need to take insulin for it. The time right after diagnosis is so stressful and overwhelming. This run gave me a moment every day where I felt free and got to shed the burden of my newly diagnosed chronic illness. While I'm now way past my honeymoon phase and low insulin requirements that allowed me to do that, being active outside is still my escape. Exercise has obvious physical health benefits, including increasing insulin sensitivity, but for me it also provides a huge mental health boost. Relieving stress and frustration through sport keeps my mind in the right place to stay on top of my diabetes.

What is your biggest athletic accomplishment? I won my first race this year, finishing first female 16-39 in the River's Edge Ultra 12K trail run. However, I always find the races where I both perform well and nail my diabetes management to be my biggest accomplishments. When I ran the Grizzly Ultra I kept my blood sugar between 4.9-8.7mmol/L for the entire 7 hours and 33 minutes I was on course, and finished at a 5.0 mmol/L.

What is your next big goal? The past few years I have mostly been racing triathlons (road and offroad). In 2018 I've decided to tackle some ultramarathons, some of them including a mountain bike race the day before. So far 50K has been my longest trail run event, I'm hoping to finish a 50 miler in 2018.

If you had one piece of advice for others living with diabetes, what would it be? Get involved with the diabetes community. It helps to be able to talk to other people that can relate, and you will learn a lot. The best thing diabetes has given me is the chance to connect to so many amazing people I would have never met otherwise.