ATTD 2024 Round Up - Key Learnings from the Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes Conference.

From March 5-8, I attended the Advanced Technologies and Treatments for Diabetes conference in Florence Italy as a member of the press to cover the conference. My three days in Florence was spent jumping through multiple symposiums and presentations, as well as talking with various staff members from the companies represented at the conference. Here are the list of symposia I attended at the conference: 

1. #deDoc symposium - What we wish you knew and why 

2. Opening session - A new era in the management of T2DM and Obesity 

3. Medtronic Symposium: Unlocking the full potential of the MiniMed 780G System

4. Dexcom Symposium: Leveraging CGM Early and Across the Spectrum of Type 2 Diabetes Care

5. Accessibility and Disparities of diabetes therapy 

6. Medtronic Symposium: Real-world use of the MiniMed™ 780G system in the U.S. 

I was also fortunate enough to get dedicated time from Medtronic Diabetes, Omnipod, Dexcom and Mannkind to discuss 1 on 1 with members of their leadership to talk about the future of diabetes care from their respective companies, you can find the interviews here: 

• Medtronic Diabetes - Interview with Dr. Ohad Cohen 

• Omnipod - Interview with Dr. Trang Ly 

• Dexcom - Interview with Teri Lawver 

• Mannkind - Interview with Michael Castagna 

While this was my first time attending ATTD, it was not my first international diabetes conference. I’ve attended ADA scientific sessions 3 times (2018, 2019, 2023) and EASD in 2022. Compared to those conferences, the venue for ATTD 2024 was very different - taking place at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence, quite literally a fortress converted into a sprawling event center campus. This made the conference a bit more spread out with a much smaller than average exhibition hall, with about an 8-9 foot ceiling compared to the extremely tall exhibit halls of the other conferences I’ve attended. 

My Takeaways from ATTD: The Three A’s of ATTD:
I have decided to summarize my time at ATTD under my “Three A’s of ATTD”: 

1. Access 

2. Adherence 

3. Automation 

Access

My first A of ATTD is Access. In the Accessibility and Disparities of diabetes therapy symposium, featuring Partha Kar and Diabetics Doing Things Podcast alumni Dr. Ananta Adalla, there was much research shared supporting what we in the diabetes community know all too well: there are major disparities in both youth and adult populations based on race, even when you split the data by income. These disparities include: 

• Relationship with Providers 

• Perception of technology within different cultures 

• Inclusion and understanding of culture specifically around food

• Lower adoption of tech regardless of income 

Two quotes from the conference stuck out to me as thoughts that we deeply need to consider when we’re talking about diabetes access: First, Dr. Martin de Bock from New Zealand said in the Dexcom symposium: “In all countries, T2D is overrepresented in native populations and underserved populations.” Second, Dr. Partha Kar from the NHS said, that his approach to addressing disparities is very straightforward:  “If you give everything to everyone, then you don’t have a disparity.” 

I think too often we skim over the elephant in the room regarding diabetes care and skip straight to treatments, but if patients can’t afford the coverage for the treatments or their providers don’t make them available to them, we will not be able to achieve greater outcomes across the board.

Adherence 

The second A of ATTD is Adherence. This was particularly relevant for me because while Access is the number one issue, if the technology, medication or methodology doesn’t stick or isn’t sustainable, the patient will not be able to get to the benefit of improved outcomes. 

In fact, the research presented by Dr. Ananta Adalla showed that CGM wear time is associated with efficacy of CGM, and with Dexcom sharing that CGM access improves outcomes across the board with Type 2 diabetes, the key to achieving these outcomes is ensuring that patience have the tools, information and support to adhere to the protocols of the therapy. 

Here are some things to consider with adherence, specifically around high-risk and underserved patient populations: 

• You’re less likely to get a pump within a year of diagnosis if you are black/hispanic

• You’re 50% less likely to have a significant diabetes complication event if you have a patient navigator/care ambassador

• We have robust evidence that diabetes technology works quite well, so if there are disparities it means there are structural issues 

• CGM wear time is associated with efficacy of CGM 

• Insurance bias and racial bias are closely linked 

• There still exist major disparities in the use of pump & CGM in racial/ethnic minority youth

• Even when income is sliced, the disparities still exist 

• Hesitancy to embrace technology, perceptions of device burden, embarrassment/shame, gatekeeping (felt they weren’t offered or encouraged to use tech by providers) 

• Relationships with providers 

• Differences in parent perspectives

• Black Parents 

• Don’t want child to appear different

• Feelings of defensiveness, judgement

• View providers as gatekeepers 

• White Parents 

• Little concern about “otherness” 

• Pride in advocacy about diabetes

• Providers as facilitators 

Ultimately, if patient identities are not supported and empowered, adherence to technology and treatments are unlikely to be high enough to achieve improved outcomes. 

Automation 

My final A in the 3 A’s of ATTD is automation. There was a dramatic amount of research presented at ATTD 2024 about the impact of Automated Insulin Delivery via Hybrid Closed Loop insulin pump systems. The main systems who showed research were: 

• Medtronic Diabetes MiniMed 780G system 

• Tandem Control IQ system 

• Insulet Omnipod 5 system 

There are also newer AID systems like Beta Bionic’s iLet ACE pump which are also coming to market, as well as DIY Loop systems like iAPS. 

Ultimately, the research shows Time in Range on Automated Insulin Delivery Hybrid Closed Loop systems exceeds international consensus targets, and on the Medtronic Minimed 780G System, when the 100mg/dl glucose target and 2-hour active insulin time setting is used, 85% of users reported average Time in Range numbers greater than 70%. 

While I believe devices are an extremely personal choice with many factors that vary dramatically from patient to patient, the data from ATTD 2024 unequivocally shows that AID systems significantly improve glycemic outcomes, and when referencing the DIAMOND study, Advanced Hybrid Closed Loop systems reported greater time in range and greater time in target range than CGM alone. It will be very interesting to see how this data continues to unfold as more aHCL and AID systems come to market and are able to be studied in real-world populations.

Conclusion

Overall, my time at ATTD 2024 was well-spent and while I am excited about the future of diabetes technology. It is clear that there is a dramatic need for innovation within type 1 and type 2 diabetes globally. Prevalence of T1D is increasing globally, and more adults are being diagnosed with T1D than all other age groups (LADA is the most common form of adult-onset autoimmune diabetes). The uncomfortable reality is that T1D is associated with 3-fold higher mortality, and drastically decreases life expectancy. We need to ensure that all people with diabetes, no matter the type, have access to the technology and pharmacology they need to achieve greater outcomes across the board, and the information, support and care to ensure adherence to these protocols. We are rapidly approaching a world where the standards of care for diabetes will allow people who are diagnosed T1D to receive a CGM and Automated Insulin Delivery system on the day of diagnosis, but there are real barriers to making this a reality for all. 

There is also a CRITICAL need for more patient representation at these industry conferences. To have only one symposium (prior to the conference opening session) where patient stories are prominently featured (#dedoc voices symposium) is an oversight which needs to be rectified. Patient voices on issues such as Time in Target Range, Automated Insulin Delivery and Alert Fatigue can help connect providers and industry to the human stories behind these metrics.

The future of diabetes care is happening at these conferences, with or without patients, and I believe in order for us to really drive change through innovation, patients must be present.

Check out the ATTD Interview Playlist on our YouTube Channel 

Subscribe to Diabetics Doing Things Email Newsletter 

Interview with Brec Bassinger, T1D, Star of DC's Stargirl

Diabetics Doing Things had the pleasure of sitting down with the talented actor and Type 1 diabetic Brec Bassinger at the end of 2022 to talk about her life with diabetes and her journey as an actor on the CW’s Stargirl and other projects.

Brec shared that she was diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 8 and says she feels lucky that her diagnosis came early on in her life, as it has allowed her to adjust and learn how to manage her diabetes over the years.

Brec's diagnosis came as a result of her experiencing common symptoms of diabetes, including extreme thirst, bedwetting, and weight loss. Her mother took her to a care center, where she was diagnosed with diabetes and immediately referred to Cook's Children's hospital for treatment. She spent several days at the hospital, where she received top-notch care and support from the staff.

Despite the challenges of living with diabetes, Brec has never let it slow her down. In fact, she has become an inspiration to many by sharing her journey with diabetes on social media. Through her TikTok and Instagram accounts, she shows others how to stay positive, manage their diabetes, and live their lives to the fullest. We join her on zoom from Vancouver, BC for the interview, which can be heard in its entirety on episode 235 of the Diabetics Doing Things podcast.

DDT: So Brec, you're known for your role as a superhero on the hit show "Stargirl." And not only are you kicking butt on screen, but you're also managing your type one diabetes behind the scenes. Can you tell us a bit about how you navigate the demands of a busy shooting schedule while managing your diabetes?

Brec: Yeah, it can definitely be a challenge. Diabetes on its own has its daily burdens, and working 16, 17 hour days on top of that can be tough. But I always make sure to let the director and first assistant director know about my diabetes so that we can work together to make accommodations if needed. For example, if my blood sugar drops, we need to have juice on standby and I may need to step off for a few minutes to get back on track.

I had a particularly challenging moment recently while filming an emotional scene. We had been working on it for hours and when it came time for my coverage, my blood sugar started to drop and I couldn't remember my lines. I had to speak up and let everyone know that we needed to take a break so that I could get my blood sugar back up. It's all about open communication and being kind to yourself.

DDT: That's so important. And it's great that you're practicing empathy towards yourself. How do you balance taking care of your diabetes while also giving your best performance on set?

Brec: It's definitely a juggling act, but I make sure to always have my devices and supplies on hand and check my blood sugar regularly. I also try to be mindful of my diet and make sure I'm staying hydrated. And if I need to take a break to manage my diabetes, I do so without hesitation. At the end of the day, my health comes first.

DDT: You’ve mentioned that you're open to the idea of playing a character with diabetes on screen. Do you have any ideas of how you would bring diabetes to life in a character?

Yeah, I think it would be really important to have more representation of diabetes in media. And not just for the sake of representation, but also to educate people who may not be familiar with the disease. I know growing up, I didn't really know anyone with diabetes and I didn't really understand what it was. And I think if there were more characters with diabetes in TV shows and movies, it would help people understand it better. There have been a few more recent examples of characters with diabetes in movies and TV shows, but it's definitely just the start. And when we do see it, it's often not portrayed accurately or it's just kind of a token nod to representation, rather than really diving into the reality of living with diabetes.

But at the same time, I also think it's important to not make diabetes the defining characteristic of a character. Like, if a character has diabetes, it doesn't mean that's all they are. They can still be a complex, interesting character with a lot of different facets.

I think part of the issue is just a lack of awareness and understanding about diabetes. A lot of people don't realize that it's not just about not being able to eat sugar or needing to take insulin. There are so many different factors that can affect blood sugar levels, and it can be really hard to manage.

I also think there's still a lot of stigma and misconceptions surrounding diabetes. People might assume that it's something that only affects overweight or unhealthy people, which is obviously not true. And there can be a lot of shame and embarrassment associated with things like checking your blood sugar or injecting insulin in public.

Recently, I've been working on a project that centers around diabetes. It's written, directed, and stars Kelsey Bascom, a type one diabetic. When they approached me to be a producer on the project, I was immediately on board. The movie tells the real little things of diabetes, and I think it's very honest. What's even cooler is that Kelsey has involved many diabetics in the project. In one of the scenes, we were all diabetics, even though only Kelsey played a diabetic character in the movie. We would sit and chat about our experiences with diabetes in between takes, and it was such a lovely set experience. I'm excited for people to see this movie because it covers the unspoken, gross and weird parts of diabetes that people often don't talk about. It's the kind of movie that I wish I had when I was first diagnosed.

So I think it's really important to have more representation in media to help break down those stereotypes and show that diabetes is a complex, nuanced condition that affects people from all walks of life. And I'm really excited to be part of a project that's doing just that.

DDT: I think that's where having someone like you, who has diabetes but is also a superhero, is really powerful.

Once I was asked if having diabetes and being in the spotlight made me feel a responsibility to be an advocate. Honestly, I see it as an opportunity rather than a responsibility. When I was diagnosed at eight years old, my mom brought me a People magazine article with Nick Jonas holding a diet coke and talking about his diabetes. Seeing him do that made me feel like if he can do it, I can do it too. It really impacted me and made me realize the impact of representation. So now, with my own career, I see it as an opportunity to be that representation for someone else. I want to be that Nick Jonas for even one individual.

DDT: Recently I saw a TikTok you made where you talked about using Afrezza (insulin human) Inhalation Powder to manage your diabetes.

This episode is sponsored by Mannkind as part of our ongoing collaboration with Diabetics Doing Things. Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including BOXED WARNING on Afrezza.com/safety. AFREZZA (insulin human) Inhalation Powder is a man-made insulin that is breathed in through your lungs (inhaled) and is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus. AFREZZA must be used with basal insulin in people who have type 1 diabetes mellitus. Please read additional Important Safety Information below.

During my training for Stargirl, I was speaking with a friend who has diabetes and he recommended that I talk to my doctor about Afrezza as a mealtime insulin option. Initially, I only planned to use it for the months leading up to filming, but I found that adding Afrezza as my go-to mealtime insulin, along with maintaining a healthy diet and exercise routine, allowed me to focus on other things. It has been over three years since I started using Afrezza, and I believe that finding the right mix that works for you is key to being your best self.

Important Safety Information 

AFREZZA can cause serious side effects, including:  

· Sudden lung problems {bronchospasms). In a study, some AFREZZA treated patients with asthma, whose asthma medication was temporarily withheld, experienced sudden lung problems. Do not use AFREZZA if you  have long-term (chronic) lung problems such as asthma or chronic  obstructive pulmonary disease (COPDJ. Before starting AFREZZA, your healthcare provider will give you a breathing test to check how your lungs  are working.  

Please see continued Important Safety Information at the end of this  article. 

DDT: Lightning Round! Let’s ask Brec for her quick responses to these questions:

Current TV Binge:

Love is Blind

Celebrity You Would Challenge in Pickleball:

Dwayne the Rock Johnson

Favorite thing about Alfie (Brec’s dog):

The way he prances instead of walks (laughs)

DDT: What would you tell a young person living with diabetes today that you wish you had been told when you were diagnosed?

That it will get easier. I meet so many diabetics who are still in like their first year of diagnosis and I just tell them that eventually you will know what a low blood sugar feels like. You'll know how to communicate to people when your blood sugars are out of range. Yes, it'll still be a daily burden. It will still be difficult, but you will learn and it will get easier to manage.

DDT: Thanks for your time today, Brec and for all you do for people with diabetes.

Thank you! XO to everyone reading this

Brec's positive attitude and unwavering determination are a true testament to her strength and resilience. She continues to inspire and empower others with diabetes to not let the disease define them and to chase their dreams no matter what challenges they may face.

Brec Bassinger and Rob Howe are paid spokespeople for MannKind Corp. but the thoughts and opinions contained in this interview are their own.

Continued Important Safety Information:

What is the most important information I should know about AFREZZA?

What is AFREZZA?

• AFREZZA is a man-made insulin that is breathed-in through your lungs (inhaled) and is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.

• AFREZZA is not for use to treat diabetic ketoacidosis. AFREZZA must be used with basal insulin in people who have type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective for use in people who smoke. AFREZZA is not for use in people who smoke or have recently stopped smoking (less than 6 months).

  It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

  Who should not use AFREZZA?

  Do not use AFREZZA if you:

• Have chronic lung problems such as asthma or COPD.

• Are allergic to regular human insulin or any of the ingredients in AFREZZA.

• Are having an episode of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using AFREZZA?

Before using AFREZZA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have lung problems such as asthma or COPD

• Have or have had lung cancer

• Are using any inhaled medications

• Smoke or have recently stopped smoking

• Have kidney or liver problems

• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. AFREZZA may harm your unborn or breastfeeding baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements.

Before you start using AFREZZA, talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

What should I avoid while using AFREZZA?

While using AFREZZA do not:

• Drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how AFREZZA affects you

• Drink alcohol or use over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol

• Smoke

What are the possible side effects of AFREZZA?

AFREZZA may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about AFREZZA?”

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms that may indicate low blood sugar include:

• Dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability or mood change, hunger.

Decreased lung function. Your healthcare provider should check how your lungs are working before you start using AFREZZA, 6 months after you start using it, and yearly after that.

Lung cancer. In studies of AFREZZA in people with diabetes, lung cancer occurred in a few more people who were taking AFREZZA than in people who were taking other diabetes medications. There were too few cases to know if lung cancer was related to AFREZZA. If you have lung cancer, you and your healthcare provider should decide if you should use AFREZZA.

Diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an illness. Your AFREZZA dose or how often you check your blood sugar may need to be changed.

Severe allergic reaction (whole body reaction). Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:

• A rash over your whole body, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or sweating.

Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Heart failure. Taking certain diabetes pills called thiazolidinediones or “TZDs” with AFREZZA may cause heart failure in some people. This can happen even if you have never had heart failure or heart problems before. If you already have heart failure it may get worse while you take TZDs with AFREZZA. Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely while you are taking TZDs with AFREZZA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure including:

• Shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, sudden weight gain.

Treatment with TZDs and AFREZZA may need to be changed or stopped by your healthcare provider if you have new or worse heart failure.

Get emergency medical help if you have:

• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion.

The most common side effects of AFREZZA include:

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), cough, sore throat.

These are not all the possible side effects of AFREZZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit www.fda.gov/medwatch, or call 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

Please See Full Prescribing Information, including BOXED WARNING, Medication Guide and Instructions for Use at Afrezza.com/safety.

Q&A with Eric Tozer

The below article is a transcript and summary of episode 205 of the Diabetics Doing Things podcast sponsored by Afrezza® (insulin human) Inhalation Powder and MannKind Corp. The podcast features host Rob Howe and guest Eric Tozer, Type-1 Diabetic and a co-founder of Diabetes Sports Project. You can listen to the entire interview here.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including BOXED WARNING on Afrezza.com.

Rob Howe: Hello, Eric, it's great to have you on the show today. Can you start by telling us about your experience with diabetes?

Eric Tozer:  Hi Rob, thank you for having me. My journey with diabetes started when I was suddenly 20 pounds lighter after a trip to Europe and my mother noticed it when I returned to America. She recognized the symptoms and took me for a checkup, and my A1C was in the twelves and fasting blood sugar was 500. It was a difficult time, but I learned so much from my experiences. Early on, I had a seizure caused by low blood sugar, but that didn't stop me from pursuing my passions. Diabetes was a shock for my family and me however, I learned to manage my diabetes through a combination of physical and mental preparation. I've been running marathons for the past 15 years and co-founded Diabetes Sports Project to help others with diabetes by sharing my experiences and knowledge. 

Rob: That's amazing. Tell us more about Diabetes Sports Project and your experience as a marathoner.

Eric: DSP is comprised of the world’s elite diabetic athlete ambassadors who inspire and educate the diabetes community to achieve their goals and aspirations. Living with diabetes is like a marathon, not a sprint. It requires physical and mental preparation, and having a plan in place is crucial. The support of the diabetes community has been instrumental in helping me manage my diabetes, and I believe it's important to be involved and make friends with others who have diabetes. Social media has made it easier for us to connect with others and support each other. I love helping others and sharing my experiences with diabetes, and it's truly rewarding to see the positive impact it has on people's lives. It has certainly part of what has powered me through my marathons.

Rob: I completely agree. Can you talk about the role of technology in managing your diabetes in your life, in and out of sport?

Eric: Absolutely. Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) devices and insulin delivery systems have made a huge impact in managing diabetes on a day-to-day basis. I personally have been using Afrezza for 7 years and have found it very helpful, especially for mealtime insulin and corrections. I work with MannKind to support the diabetes community, and I believe in the benefits of Afrezza.

Rob: Thank you for sharing. Mental health is an important aspect of a life with Diabetes, and even leaders like yourself can struggle with difficult situations. Can you share how you work through difficult situations in your life? 

Eric: One of the biggest challenges I've faced is the loss of a friend to suicide. It was a difficult time for me, and I struggled with grief and even had a panic attack. However, with the support of my wife and therapist, I was able to get through it. I believe it's important to be vulnerable and share difficult experiences to help others who may be going through similar struggles. Grief is tough, but having support from friends and family, celebrating small wins, and talking about our feelings can make a big difference. Whether the difficulties are related to Diabetes or not. 

Rob: I'm so sorry for your loss. That's a tough situation to go through. I'm glad you were able to get the support you needed during that difficult time. You manage to try to make the best out of bad situations and strive for greatness. Can you talk about what it means to be the best version of oneself?

Eric: Being the best version of oneself is a cliché, but it's also true and important. There are many areas where people can be great, such as video games, creativity, and sports. It's about having a conversation with oneself and finding one's own path in life, making decisions that can lead to unexpected opportunities. I believe that being the best version of oneself is achievable, but it is a lifelong journey.

Rob: That's a great message, Eric. I couldn’t agree more. Before we close, can you tell us how you find a mindset to help others?

Eric: I believe in a service mindset. I feel that serving others and helping leads to personal growth that doesn’t happen until you get outside yourself. I've had a successful career, and I'm grateful for the recognition I receive for my work helping people with diabetes, but what keeps me going is helping others with Diabetes. I hope to inspire others so they don’t have to regret not taking a chance to do what they love, and the people I work with inspire me daily. I can say I am truly excited to see what the future holds for people with Diabetes. 

Rob Howe and Eric Tozer are paid spokespeople for MannKind Corp. but the thoughts and opinions contained in this interview are their own.

Important Safety Information

What is the most important information I should know about AFREZZA?

AFREZZA can cause serious side effects, including:

• Sudden lung problems (bronchospasms). Do not use AFREZZA if you have long-term (chronic) lung problems such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Before starting AFREZZA, your healthcare provider will give you a breathing test to check how your lungs are working.

What is AFREZZA?

• AFREZZA is a man-made insulin that is breathed- in through your lungs (inhaled) and is used to control high blood sugar in adults with diabetes mellitus.

• AFREZZA is not for use in place of long-acting insulin. AFREZZA must be used with long-acting insulin in people who have type 1 diabetes mellitus.

• AFREZZA is not for use to treat diabetic ketoacidosis.

• It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective for use in people who smoke. AFREZZA is not for use in people who smoke or have recently stopped smoking (less than 6 months).

• It is not known if AFREZZA is safe and effective in children under 18 years of age.

What should I tell my healthcare provider before using AFREZZA?

Before using AFREZZA, tell your healthcare provider about all your medical conditions, including if you:

• Have lung problems such as asthma or COPD

• Have or have had lung cancer

• Are using any inhaled medications

• Smoke or have recently stopped smoking

• Have kidney or liver problems

• Are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. AFREZZA may harm your unborn or breastfeeding baby.

Tell your healthcare provider about all the medicines you take, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins or herbal supplements.

Before you start using AFREZZA, talk to your healthcare provider about low blood sugar and how to manage it.

What should I avoid while using AFREZZA?

While using AFREZZA do not:

• Drive or operate heavy machinery, until you know how AFREZZA affects you

• Drink alcohol or use over-the-counter medicines that contain alcohol

• Smoke

Do not use AFREZZA if you:

• Have chronic lung problems such as asthma or COPD

• Are allergic to regular human insulin or any of the ingredients in AFREZZA.

What are the possible side effects of AFREZZA?

AFREZZA may cause serious side effects that can lead to death, including:

See “What is the most important information I should know about AFREZZA?”

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). Signs and symptoms that may indicate low blood sugar include:

• Dizziness or light-headedness, sweating, confusion, headache, blurred vision, slurred speech, shakiness, fast heartbeat, anxiety, irritability or mood change, hunger.

Decreased lung function. Your healthcare provider should check how your lungs are working before you start using AFREZZA, 6 months after you start using it, and yearly after that.

Lung cancer. In studies of AFREZZA in people with diabetes, lung cancer occurred in a few more people who were taking AFREZZA than in people who were taking other diabetes medications. There were too few cases to know if lung cancer was related to AFREZZA. If you have lung cancer, you and your healthcare provider should decide if you should use AFREZZA.

Diabetic ketoacidosis. Talk to your healthcare provider if you have an illness. Your AFREZZA dose or how often you check your blood sugar may need to be changed.

Severe allergic reaction (whole body reaction). Get medical help right away if you have any of these signs or symptoms of a severe allergic reaction:

• A rash over your whole body, trouble breathing, a fast heartbeat, or sweating.

Low potassium in your blood (hypokalemia).

Heart failure. Taking certain diabetes pills called thiazolidinediones or “TZDs” with AFREZZA may cause heart failure in some people. This can happen even if you have never had heart failure or heart problems before. If you already have heart failure it may get worse while you take TZDs with AFREZZA. Your healthcare provider should monitor you closely while you are taking TZDs with AFREZZA. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any new or worse symptoms of heart failure including:

• Shortness of breath, swelling of your ankles or feet, sudden weight gain.

Get emergency medical help if you have:

• Trouble breathing, shortness of breath, fast heartbeat, swelling of your face, tongue, or throat, sweating, extreme drowsiness, dizziness, confusion.

The most common side effects of AFREZZA include:

• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), cough, sore throat

These are not all the possible side effects of AFREZZA. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

Please see full Prescribing Information and Medication Guide, including BOXED WARNING on Afrezza.com.

My 2022 in Review - by Rob Howe

"'Tis the season!"

Although it isn't said as authentically as it once was, in the west we know that no season takes on as much of its own persona as the winter holidays. At time of writing, we are currently nestled in the last week between the Thanksgiving and Christmas/Hanukkah/New Year's Eve/etc holidays, a sort of last bit of permission to labor amidst the three major holidays in the US.

I've been working to curate more seasonality in my life, in my work, physical fitness and mindset. Like many others I benefitted from the pronounced and specific structure of adolescent life: School, Sports, Semesters, Finals, etc.

The season gave cues to the behaviors we should take to make best use of the time.

For basketball, at any level, it was very simple:

• Winter - Season (performance)

• Spring - Postseason Workouts (optimization)

• Summer - AAU & Offseason (rest & work on skills)

• Fall - Preseason Workouts (preparation)

For school, just as straightforward:

• Fall - School starts

• Winter - finish the semester, finals and holidays

• Spring - spring break, midterms

• Summer - school's out, rest, relax, vacation

Yet once we enter the "real world" most of that seasonality that was dictated to us over the years is left for us to create in our own lives, or not. From my own experience, my first 10 years of my professional career were spent in an "always on" seasonality. In the 3 years following the outbreak of COVID-19, I've been curious as to what seasonality would look like in my professional and personal life, but have met a lot of resistance and it seems as though the status quo on seasonality is: "We'll get to it when we get to it."

As part of my efforts to bring seasonality into my life, I decided to go back to my habit of making an end of the year list. What gets measured gets managed, after all.

So I've attempted to do that below, from TV and Entertainment to Health, Diabetes & otherwise, here are my Top 5 lists of 2022. Videos and social media posts to follow!

enjoy

Rob

Top 5 lists of 2022

Top 5 Favorite New TV Show Episodes of 2022

• Andor S1 E10 - "One Way Out"

• Rings of Power S1 E6 - "Udün"

• The Bear S1 E7 - "Review"

• Tokyo Vice S1 E1 - "The Test"

• We Own the City S1 E6 - "Part 6"

Note: I have yet to watch Severance, Abbott Elementary and Industry, but they are next up.

Top 5 Movies of 2022

• Top Gun: Maverick

• Everything, Everywhere, All At Once.

• Nope

• Avatar: The Way of Water

• The Batman

Top 5 Reads of 2022

• 4,000 Weeks: Time Management for Mortals by Oliver Burkeman

• Heat 2 by Michael Mann & Meg Gardiner

• A Heart That Works by Rob Delaney

• Atomic Habits by James Clear

• The Network State by Balaji Srinivasan

Top 5 Purchases Under $100 in 2022

• Athletic Greens AG1 monthly subscription

• Nedrelow Laptop Mat

• Momentous Supplements Magnesium Threonate

• Slant Boards

• Move Insoles All Day Shoe Inserts

Top 5 Meaningful Personal Changes I Made in 2022

• Adding 20 push-ups to my morning routine

• Renu Therapy Cold Immersion Tank

• No caffeine for the first 90 mins of the day

• Journaling before I get on my computer

• All-Time low levels of Alcohol Consumption

Top 5 Diabetes Decisions

• Taking a pump break to let my body heal

• Going back on my pump after the break

• Listening to my body and switching back to Humalog from Lyumjev

• Focusing on sleep, hydration and movement as part of my essential Diabetes therapy

• Recognizing and accepting that my needs as a person with Diabetes are different than the general Diabetes population

Top 5 Questions for 2023

• How can I do more with less?

• What is enough?

• Am I operating in gratitude?

• What does consistency look like?

• Do I need rest or adventure?

Diabetics Doing Things & North Texas Food Bank Launch Collaboration

8/30/2022, For Immediate Release 

(Dallas, TX) Diabetics Doing Things, a Dallas-based Diabetes Media Company, introduces first collaboration with North Texas Food Bank (NTFB), North Texas’ Feeding America Chapter, in an effort to bring resources and information about Diabetes to food-insecure people in North Texas. The printing costs were paid for by a $5,000 grant from BeyondType1, a leading Diabetes non-profit that provides programs and resources to enhance the lives of people living with Diabetes.

“We are extremely excited to announce our partnership with North Texas Food Bank,” said Rob Howe, Founder of Diabetics Doing Things. “The research shows 1 in 3 people living in North Texas live with some kind of Diabetes, and underserved communities are often hit the hardest. We felt like it was our duty to help.” Since NTFB serves 136 million meals to kids, seniors and families across North Texas, we felt like that was a good place to start.” 

Starting in September, Family and Senior Kits from NTFB will include a printed postcard with links to Diabetes Resources in English and Spanish. Howe says this is a “simple technological solution to a very complex problem,” but he is hopeful that by creating an opportunity for someone to get critical information about Diabetes in a user-friendly, bi-lingual interface, they could make a difference. “1 in 4 people are rationing insulin in the United States. If this program helps one person get information on clinics, savings cards or mutual aid, it could be the difference between life and death.” 

The 90,000 postcards will serve as a test to determine the volume of need to be met. The partnership between NTFB and Diabetics Doing Things has already opened up other opportunities at the Food Bank, such as updating Diabetes programming and content to include more up-to-date information with actionable resources and guides to make life with Diabetes a little easier. 

Howe closed with, “This is just the beginning. I’m incredibly encouraged by the opportunity to serve the people of North Texas. I hope we can show that with the right solutions, small amounts of money can have a big impact on people’s lives.” 

About North Texas Food Bank

The North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) is a top-ranked nonprofit hunger-relief organization that sources, packages and distributes food through a diverse network of more than 400 feeding partners including food pantries and community organizations across 13 North Texas counties. The organization also provides food to children, seniors and families through various direct-delivery programs, including mobile pantries. 

In its last fiscal year, the NTFB provided access to nearly 137 million nutritious meals, a 9% percent increase over the prior year. In response to the ongoing elevated hunger crisis, the organization has launched a $500 million campaign, Nourish North Texas, to provide more food for today and hope for tomorrow by addressing the barriers to food security that our neighbors face.  

The North Texas Food Bank is designated a 4-Star Exceptional organization by Charity Navigator based on its governance, integrity, and financial stability. NTFB is a member of Feeding America, the nation’s largest hunger-relief organization. www.ntfb.org

About Diabetics Doing Things 

Diabetics Doing Things was founded in 2015 by Rob Howe and began as a podcast and social media platform before transforming into a new kind of Diabetes Media Company providing practical solutions for people with Diabetes using technology and media.

National Diabetes Awareness Month 2021 - A Focus on Humanizing Diabetes

It’s November 2021, or as people with Diabetes know, National Diabetes Awareness Month. For people who have been involved with the Diabetes Online Community, this is a time for sharing personal stories, advocating for important causes or participating in social media challenges to help raise awareness about life with Diabetes.

For Diabetics Doing Things, we decided to focus on the 9 out of 10 Americans who DON’T live with Diabetes, and created a series of graphics that we posted to our Instagram account.

The following are the topics we wanted to create awareness about for NDAM 2021.

Insulin Access and Affordability

You simply cannot discuss Diabetes without discussing the Insulin crisis, which affects 50% of people with Diabetes, and data from T1International says 1 in 4 Americans with Diabetes have rationed their insulin. For National Diabetes Awareness Month 2021, we wanted to ensure this was top of the list for people without Diabetes to know.

The Chronic Effects of Diabetes - Sleep Loss

Diabetes causes sleep loss, which can simultaneously lead to insulin resistance. A vicious cycle for people with Diabetes, but it is one of the invisible burdens of living with a chronic illness. If you’d like to calculate how much sleep you’ve lost to Diabetes, use this tool from JDRF.

The Cost of Diabetes

Outside of insulin costs, Diabetes places a significant strain on finances. The financial burden of Diabetes is significant. When the average cost of Diabetes per capita is compared with Median Household Income in the United States, the numbers are a shocking 14% of income would be needed to cover Diabetes costs.

Health Insurance and Macro Statistics

When I hear macro statistics about Insurance or Healthcare, I always think about the people with Diabetes that it affects. The COVID-19 pandemic has created conditions that are adversely affecting people with Diabetes, even if they are unaffected by the virus itself. The number of uninsured Americans increased in 2020. It's important to remember there are people with Diabetes within macro statistics. If 30M Americans do not have insurance, it's reasonable to think that at least 10% of those people have Diabetes, if 1 in 10 Americans live with the disease.

1 in 10 Americans live with Diabetes

The Many Types of Diabetes

It’s more than just Type-1 or Type-2 these days. We’re learning more and more about the different types of Diabetes and the most important thing we can do is de-stigmatize Diabetes and end the harmful language that is rooted in ignorance.

The Rising Cost of Insulin

The cost of insulin in the United States has risen 11% annually from 2001-2018 (source: American Action Forum)

Diabetes and COVID-19

"Although anyone can contract COVID-19, individuals with pre-existing medical conditions, such as diabetes, appear to be more vulnerable to becoming severely ill with the virus. Initial data from COVID-19 cases, recently reported by the American Diabetes Association, show that individuals with uncontrolled diabetes are more likely to have worse outcomes." T1DExchange

Diabetes and Socioeconomic Class

"The difference in average A1c between the lowest income group and the highest income group is 1.46%." T1DExchange We know that class affects nearly all aspects of healthcare, but to see HgA1C outcomes listed like this was particularly poignant.

Conclusion

So what do we do with all this information? Continue to spread awareness by sharing this blog with your friends and family who do not live with Diabetes. In order for people with Diabetes to change the status quo it is essential for us to garner the attention and favor of the greater population. It is difficult for people to care about things that do not directly affect them, so tell your friends why they should care about the issues that you and other people with Diabetes face.

Happy NDAM 2021,

Diabetics Doing Things Staff

Father's Day with Diabetes - with Dr. Jerry Brzozowski

For Father's Day 2021, we're highlighting stories of Fathers with Diabetes who also have children with Diabetes, and how they navigate a complex life of managing their own Diabetes, managing their children's Diabetes as well as just being a family.

Dr. Jerry Brzozowski was Diagnosed with Diabetes at Age 18, but it wasn't until his daughters Vivian and Evelyn were diagnosed with T1D that he became more outspoken about his Diabetes. He and his wife Sam and the rest of the Brzozowski family live near Houston Texas, but you're very likely to find them all throughout the United States as Jerry is a big part of the Diabetes pilot community! You can follow their family on Instagram at @TypeWildTogether

Q: Diabetes diagnoses are always difficult. What do you remember about the day Vivian was diagnosed?

Whew...the flood of emotions still get to me today! I remember thinking that the glucometer had to be wrong, though I had a gut feeling that we were right.

Q: How did that change your relationship to your own Diabetes?

I had to step up my game for sure! I had worn a CGM off and on, but now I had to be the example to be followed. Although my A1C wasn't too bad since I was keeping T1D tightly controlled to maintain my FAA medical to fly, but I dialed it in keeping in mind we have to #livebeyond.

Q: Thinking like a pancreas for yourself is difficult enough, but how challenging is it to balance your own Diabetes as well as working with Sam to manage Vivian and Evelyn’s T1D?

Sam will be the first to tell you I tried to manage her as I managed myself, but that did not work as her little body responded quicker to insulin and even today, you can tell when Daddy is on duty as it looks like a fighter jet doing loop de loops while mom has a pretty stable line. Luckily Loop has saved both of us some frustration and allowed all of us to sleep better as we know rest is sooooo important.

Q: In what ways did you find knowing about Diabetes management for yourself help you and your family with treatment for Vivian and Evelyn?

We had a jump start on the knowledge curve to a certain degree, that I wish I could upload into all parents with T1D kiddos as well as other T1Ds. My mantra of "knowledge is power" allowed us to get her on a CGM and pump without hesitation, but the reservation and trepidation came with how diet would affect her and overcoming fear of insulin and hypoglycemic events. Although we have overcome these fears, we are always prepared wherever we go!

Q: How did you and Sam make the decision to test the rest of the family for antibodies?

Working in the medical field and understanding the pathophysiology of how we come to be T1D, we researched a ton of information and although hindsight may be 20/20, ended up wanting to be better prepared. The hindsight is in reference to the constant worry factor from the time of results to time of diagnosis...which was pretty spot on for Evelyn. We couldn't test her until a year of age and holding her down just brought flashbacks of Vivian's hospital stay with the blood draw. She tested positive for 3 of the 4 antibodies and with these results, it was estimated that she would develop T1D by the time she was 5 years. All the worrying and hyperawareness allowed us to catch her T1D before ending up in DKA or a hospital stay working with our awesome Pediatric Endocrinology team led by Dr. Stephen Ponder. She was initially on a CGM with MDI during her honeymoon phase and transitioned to the same system Big Sister was on and haven't looked back!

Q: How has being a Diabetes Dad changed the way you manage your own Diabetes?
I try my best to lead by example in eating as healthily as I can, seeing my doctors regularly, being compliant with testing and therapies, and living life to it's fullest!

Q: What is one piece of advice you would give to Dads who are caregivers to a person with Diabetes?
My best advice would be to have sympathy without enabling...being firm, but kind. T1Ds go thru ALOT of s#!^ that is lifelong and can be draining, but persevering thru the s#!^ with confidence (firm without enabling) with open ears and arms when necessary (kindness and sympathy) knowing it’s going to be okay

Q: If you could go back in time to 18 year old Jerry, what would you tell him about the road (or sky) ahead?

I think everyone that is as Type A as I am would tell themselves to not sweat the small stuff and as Dr. Ponder’s analogy of this is a marathon, not a sprint. I would also tell myself that if it wasn’t for the path that would be taken, I would not have found my beautiful wife, Samantha, or be where I am today with a possible flying career on the horizon. Let the river of life be my guide & don’t try to swim or paddle upstream…everything happens for a reason.

Q: In one sentence, describe how silly Rob looks getting into the back of a small airplane 😂

Air Rob! Fly on until next time! (The planes I fly now all have AC & command doors or air stairs, sorry!)

Happy Father's Day to all the Dads with Diabetes, Dads of someone with Diabetes, and Moms who play the Dad role for someone with Diabetes.

Holiday Recipes for People with Diabetes - A collaboration with The Hangry Woman

The holiday season is upon us! Family, friends, and above all (especially in the United States) food! For many people, the holidays represent not only a gathering of family and friends, but a gathering of many of the high carb, high sugar, high fat foods we love, all in one place. This can present a challenge for people with Diabetes: counting carbs, timing insulin, correction boluses, and of course DESSERT. So we have enlisted the help of celebrity chef and LADA Diabetic Mila Clarke-Buckley The Hangry Woman, to create a menu of Holiday Recipes for People with Diabetes. Keep reading for the individual recipes and links, or if you want to download the pdf from Mila herself, use this form!

Since many people already have their main courses planned out for Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays (Turkey & Ham) Mila put together an incredible menu of sides to help you add some Holiday Recipes for People with Diabetes.

Cauliflower Puree

Cauliflower puree is a great, low carb option for a side dish. Mila’s recipe shows how to make the fluffy puree in just a few minutes. Pureed cauliflower stands on its own, and with a few simple additions, you can make a light and airy cauliflower puree that pairs well with steak or chicken.

Nutrition facts: https://hangrywoman.com/cauliflower-puree/print/19337/

Green Goddess Green Beans

A three ingredient recipe that makes green beans taste awesome. Simple flavors with items you can easily grab at the grocery store. Green beans add to a really great meal, and it’s made with some ingredients that you can grab from your local grocery store.

Nutrition Facts: https://hangrywoman.com/green-goddess-green-beans/print/19327/

No Bake Pumpkin Pie Cheesecake

A no fuss, no-bake pumpkin pie cheesecake recipe. Use your favorite keto/low carb sweeteners to make this version to your liking. No bake cheesecake is one of Mila’s favorite desserts because you don’t have to worry about steam baths and cracked tops, you don’t have to turn on your oven and it’s just a few steps and then you can set it and forget it.

Nutrition Facts: https://hangrywoman.com/no-bake-pumpkin-pie-cheesecake/print/19315/

Pecan Nut Pie Crust 

Nut pie crust made with pecans is crisp and buttery, while still allowing you to watch carbs. Here's how to make the simple recipe. This Pecan Pie Crust is one of those swaps that just works SO incredibly well.

Nutrition Facts: https://hangrywoman.com/pecan-nut-pie-crust/print/19304/

Thanks to The Hangry Woman Mila Clarke Buckley for developing this menu for us and for doing so many great things for people with Diabetes.

The Best Diabetes Podcasts - Podcasts About Diabetes

Podcasts are more popular than ever, and Diabetes Podcasts are no different. With Spotify reporting that the number of podcasts on their platform has increased 1,000% from 2019 to 2020, we will likely continue to see new Diabetes podcasts starting up. This list is not comprehensive, but is a start for people looking to discover the best Diabetes podcasts on the web.

Diabetes Connections with Stacey Simms

Diabetes Connections is the T1D news show you’ve been waiting for! Long-time broadcaster, blogger and diabetes mom Stacey Simms interviews prominent advocates, authors and speakers. Stacey asks hard questions of healthcare companies and tech developers and brings on “everyday” people living with type 1 diabetes. Great for parents of T1D kids, adults with type 1 and anyone who loves a person with diabetes.

Pancreas Pals with Emily Goldman and Miriam Schulberg

Pancreas Pals is truly an effort to connect young adults in the Type 1 diabetes (T1D) community. That includes those with T1D, friends, family members and concerned strangers (maybe idk) who want to learn more about the disease. Also, this is meant to be a fun thang. We’re surviving and (sometimes) thriving, and want to share our lols and trials and tribulations with those who want to listen.

Diabetics Doing Things Podcast with Rob Howe and Eritrea Mussa

This is our podcast! We’re biased but after nearly 200 episodes of telling the amazing stories of people with Diabetes from all over the world, we deserve to be on this list as well! Rob goes 1-on-1 with guests and occasional co-host Eritrea Mussa Khan to talk about life, but almost always starting with Diabetes.

Juicebox Podcast with Scott Brenner

The Juicebox Podcast is from the writer of the popular diabetes parenting blog Arden's Day and the award winning parenting memoir, 'Life Is Short, Laundry Is Eternal: Confessions of a Stay-At-Home Dad'. Hosted by Scott Benner, the show features intimate conversations about living well with type I diabetes.

Talking Type 1 Podcast with Daniel Newman

Are you or someone you know living with type 1 diabetes? The Talking Type 1 Podcast by Daniel Newman brings to you interviews from members of the diabetes community sharing their empowering and educational journeys of life with type 1 diabetes. Daniel, who has lived with type 1 diabetes since 1996 will also provide his own personal insights into life with type 1. Episodes are released every Monday. You can find Daniel on Instagram or Twitter at @t1d_dan or email him at talkingtype1podcast@gmail.com.

Insuleoin Podcast with Eoin Costelloe

'The insuleoin Podcast' is brought to you by Eoin Costelloe. Eoin was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at the age of 19 and has spent the last few years of his life attempting to re-define diabetes through his online coaching, Instagram page and now podcast.

Chatting with Everyday Diabetics Podcast with Kylene, Emilia & Liz

Three diabetic friends discuss the everyday life of living with diabetes. They’ll also have guest on who are either directly or indirectly affected by diabetes. 

Just My Type - The Diabetes Podcast

Sami Parker and Dobie Maxwell, a Type 1 health junkie and Type 2 professional comedian, challenge the perceptions of diabetes management by bringing a light-hearted tone to their discussions while offering tips and tricks along the way. From discussions of favorite diet coke flavors to debates over the best diets for diabetics, these co-hosts cover it all. Join Sami and Dobie as they navigate their own diabetes management, as well as the highs and lows along the way.

The Rob Howe E-MBA

Want to know the books Rob recommends reading if you’re looking to level up your business game?

Here’s a good place to start:

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Rob Howe's Diabetes Holiday Gift Guide

It’s the most wonderful time of the year! Which means you probably have gifts to buy for that special person with Diabetes in your life. So I decided to treat this site like an actual useful magazine publication and give you my Diabetes Holiday Gift Guide!

Myabetic Edelman Backpack - I’m a backpack guy, and honestly I rarely change which backpack I use on a daily basis (classic dude behavior), so I was excited to try Myabetic’s new Edelman Backpack. I have the black and the blue, and it’s given me more confidence in swapping not only my daily carry backpack, but also carrying a bag focused on my Diabetes supplies. Use my code RobHowe to get 15% off!

Wolaco Grand 2-in-1 Short You guys know I love Wolaco, honestly since I’ve started working with them in 2018, they’ve been with me for every workout, from running a half-marathon last year to working on my #DunkDiabetes challenge this year. Wolaco compression and shorts have pockets that are perfect for most insulin pumps, and they secure the pump well enough that I play fairly competitive basketball with my pump still attached. A few people this year have shared stories of their kids with Diabetes playing basketball and football with their Wolaco gear, and those stories make my day. For a little extra savings this holiday season, use code RobHowe15 for 15% off.

The “Diabetic” Hoodie from Diabetics Doing Things I’m biased, but I love these hoodies. I set out to design a diabetes hoodie that I would actually wear, and this is the first design I came up with. I borrowed HEAVILY from Virgil Abloh’s Off-White line, but I think there’s a lot of synchronicity in his vision and mine with the word Diabetic. People with Diabetes are much more than a singular label a disease can put on them, and I want to continue to inspire people with Diabetes to challenge the stigma publicly. I’ve worn this hoodie to over 20 JDRF Type One Nation summits, and to date, more than 500 hoodies have been sold over the past 2 years. I sell the hoodies through TeePublic now to make fulfillment easier on me, and they do some great sales for the holidays. As of publishing, the hoodie is 30% off at the link above.

Skin Grip Sensor Tape Most KT tape based sensor tapes are created equal, but only 1 sponsors Diabetics Doing Things, and that’s Skin Grip! Use code DDT to save 15% on your Skin Grip tapes, which help people who live active lifestyles keep their sensors in place and safe from the elements, which leads to longer sensor life. That’s a win in my book! I love Skin Grip and want to support them however I can. These tapes are trusted by other active Diabetes influencers, so you don’t just have to take my word for it.

One Drop Glucometer, test strips subscription and app OneDrop was one of the first Diabetes brands that I really gravitated towards back when I started this platform, and I’ve been using them for nearly 3 years! Test strips that don’t require a prescription that you can order through an app delivered right to your door. The whole process takes like 3 clicks and less than 20 seconds. I’m a huge fan of OneDrop. I actually use it, and will be for a long time. They also have an incredible app that gives you personalized Certified Diabetes Educator coaching with a subscription. Integrate your CGM data, food tracking and MORE! Be sure to use code ROBHOWE to save money on your signup and get a FREE meter!

Type Zero Preworkout with all the things you’re busy doing, it can be hard to find the energy and motivation to get to the gym, and if you’re like me and use a pre-workout supplement to help you get in gear, most of the general pre-workouts on the market spike your blood sugar because they have sugar and other ingredients that affect your blood sugar in a less than optimal way. That’s why I was super excited to learn about Type Zero, because it is a great pre-workout that doesn’t spike your blood sugar and doesn’t have caffeine, so I can feel confident in my blood sugars and my energy. It was developed by a T1D founder, and really works! I’ll show you my CGM line as proof. Use code ROBHOWE20 and get 20% off your order.

#ToolsofType1s from Diabetics Doing Things

After recording and releasing over 100 episodes of Diabetics Doing Things, I wanted to find a way to have my favorite people with Diabetes answer the questions I was dying to know. So I took a page out of Tim Ferriss’ Tribe of Mentors and made a list of the people I wanted to hear from and set them up to produce their very own episode of the podcast, and I would put it all together for them.

After a gut wrenching few hours, the responses started rolling in. I was overwhelmed by the time, care and effort that each of the guests put into their answers. Roughly 90 days, more than 50 episodes, some incredible brand work by Ken Cao Designs, #ToolsofType1s is ready to launch.

Every Tuesday and Thursday starting 1/8, we will publish a new episode of Tools of Type 1s on the Diabetics Doing Things podcast. No need to subscribe anywhere else, just fresh content for you delivered twice a week.

As we begin year 4 of Diabetics Doing Things, I have to express my extreme gratitude to be able to stand on the shoulders of giants in the T1D community. Stay tuned to learn what makes these people all so amazing!

Rob

Health IQ Insurance For Diabetics Review

Affordable Life Insurance Premiums for People with Diabetes is a Big Deal

As you may know, my name is Rob and I have Diabetes. Type-1 to be specific. My A1C is 6.4, very well managed. But to many insurance companies, it doesn’t matter. They see “Person With Diabetes” and write me off literally and figuratively.

Nevermind that I was a professional athlete. Nevermind that I haven’t posted an A1C higher than 6.5 in the last 36 months. Nevermind that this was how I celebrated my 30th Birthday:

I’m a healthy, thriving adult, doing everything in my power to gain any advantage I can from a healthier lifestyle. And I have Diabetes.

So when I learned that Health IQ was working on the first life insurance product that would reward Diabetics for living a healthy lifestyle, my ears perked up. It’s not often that my people, people with Diabetes, are the focus of innovation. It felt good. It represented a big step forward for people with Diabetes, as well as the insurance industry.

It makes sense to me, because I know what it’s like to be unfairly judged by an insurance company for having the word Diabetes on my profile. But don’t take my word for it, let me throw a little science your way. Health IQ pioneered the research that proved people with Diabetes living a healthy lifestyle have a 40% lower chance of death than those who don’t. So we’re not all the same, in fact Diabetes is a ridiculously complex disease, and is shameful for how many types and variances fall under a single name.

Everyone with Diabetes is different, and no two cases are exactly alike. That’s why I’m glad Health IQ is putting the power back in the patients’ hands when it comes to life insurance and Diabetes. It’s good to know that there are some things with Diabetes that are within our control.

So if you manage your A1C through eating well and exercising regularly, then you deserve lower life insurance rates from Health IQ. Check out HealthIQ.com/DDT to get your free quote today.

This is a sponsored post by HealthIQ but the opinions of the author are 100% true and unsolicited.  

"Diabetic" Hoodie Winter 2017 Lookbook

Winter 2017 represents a transformative time for Diabetics Doing Things. The podcast has over 1,000 years of living with T1D and is approaching 100 episodes, Rob and the team are growing partnerships with top organizations so during National Diabetes Awareness Month 2017 it was time for the brand to take the first steps into apparel.

The "Diabetic" hoodie pays homage to Virgil Abloh's OFF-WHITE quotation design and applies it to the T1D persona. A person with Diabetes is so much more than a single word can encompass, and yet many people find it difficult to make peace with the label. The Diabetic hoodie challenges the notion that a T1D can be defined by one single word in a modern, luxurious, versatile silhouette made from the highest quality blank apparel on the market. 

Shop the Diabetics Doing Things hoodie

Photos: Michael Bruner

Styling: Rob Howe

Friday T1D Feels - Volume 1 - Issue 2

This message originally appeared as a part of Rob's Friday T1D Feels email newsletter. 

Friday T1D Feels. Volume 1.2

Happy Friday, 

Thank you to everyone who reached out last week after my note, I'm grateful to have such an awesome community of friends, T1D and muggles alike ;) 

I've been thinking a lot about how special the T1D community is and how fortunate we all are to not have to fight this ongoing battle against T1D alone. For me personally, I hit a rough spot with my insulin supply last week, where my backup insulin source (during my brief stint without insurance) fell through. I made an Instagram story showing an inside look at the "startup life" of a T1D to show that there are challenges that often go unseen in the life of a T1D. 

Fortunately for me, I've gotten to know so many of you over the last year and a half, that two strangers reached out cold and offered to give me some of their extra insulin, a good friend pointed me to the Lilly Insulin assistance program and even Derek Theler asked if I needed insulin after our Diabetics Doing Things interview. 

I was blown away by the generosity of complete strangers, and it really reinforced that the Diabetics Doing Things mission is still intact. I set an intention at the start that if DDT helped just one person, it would all be worth it. I just didn't know that I would be that person one day. So thanks to all of you, I now have enough insulin to make it through my insurance onboarding process (cue sigh of relief). 

But I wouldn't have had those options if I hadn't gotten involved. That's important to me, because I know there are a lot of T1Ds out there who don't want to call attention to their disesase or get special treatment. I used to be one of them. My quality of life (and A1C) has significantly improved since I started getting involved and telling the stories of other T1D friends. So what are you waiting on? If you are afraid, or come up with reasons why not to get involved, feel free to email me. I'd love to talk about them with you. 

In the meantime, there's a lot of great stuff happening in the next week in the world of Diabetics Doing Things:

• JDRF Dallas' Brew for the Cure event is Tomorrow from 2-5p. Yours truly will be speaking and volunteering so if you're in Dallas come say hi! 
• The next 5 episodes of Diabetics Doing Things are going to be EPIC! (Dave Mina, Dana Howe, Derek Theler, Mary Adams & Libby Russell)

Hopefully I can get all those done this weekend! 

What's been on your mind this week? I'm dying to know because I'm putting together a program on T1D and Mindfulness. What are some everyday T1D issues that you could be more mindful about? 

Loving this new email format, grateful to have such a great group of people to chat with. 

Until next week!
Rob

Friday T1D Feels - Volume 1 - Issue 1

This message originally appeared as a part of Rob's Friday T1D Feels email newsletter. 

Friday T1D Feels. Volume 1.1 

Happy Friday, 

For most of you, it's been a while since I've reached out via email. I wanted to create a new format to communicate with you all that wasn't so marketing heavy. I plan to do it weekly, and invite you to reply back with your thoughts on the T1D community as well. If you could do without another email every week, I totally understand and won't take it personally if you unsubscribe. But I really hope you enjoy it. Thank you for your support of Diabetics Doing Things. 

Friday T1D Feels - Volume 1.1

What a few weeks it's been in the T1D online community. My heart is heavy over the loss of Tommy Green, a T1D from the UK who passed away in his sleep in early May. Two year old Colton Porter has been denied an Omnipod pump by United Healthcare, despite his parents following the process to the letter and a doctor's recommendation that the Omnipod (a pump without tubing) is the safest solution for his treatment (because of his T1D and Autism presents challenges for pumps with tubing). 

Yet, there are so many things to be thankful for: 

Hundreds of T1Ds have posted #Dab4Tommy on social media, to remember Tommy and spread awareness of the dangers T1Ds face on a daily basis.

Beyond Type 1 CEO Sarah Lucas wrote a letter to the CEO of United Healthcare, calling for UHC to #CoverColton which resulted in an outpouring of rage, well wishes and a plea for action by United Healthcare from the T1D community. 

It's this show of support in a time of darkness and the drawing of a line in the face of injustice that makes me so grateful to be involved in the T1D family. There are so many negative headlines of the dangers of social media, yet without the communities built on Facebook, Instagram & Twitter, living with T1D would so much more difficult.

Nearly all the guests I've interviewed on Diabetics Doing Things mention how discovering the T1D community through social media impacted them in a positive way. For me personally, it made me focus on my health and lower my A1C from 7.2 to 6.1 in less than 1 year. That doesn't even cover the thousands of fellow T1Ds I've met along the way and how they all inspire me to be even better. 

So I'll leave you with a quote (because I love quotes) and a call-to-action: 

"Tough times never last, tough people do." - Robert Schuller

Get involved. Start a race team. Encourage others via social media. Become a pen pal with Beyond Type 1. Tell your story on my podcast. Text a T1D friend and tell them how great they are. 

We're in this together. Thick and thin. Cure or no cure. 

So that's what and how I'm feeling this Friday. Have a great weekend, I'm grateful for each and every one of you. 

What's been on your mind as a T1D lately? Reply to me, let's talk about it. 

Rob

Diabetics Doing Things Podcast On iTunes

The Diabetics Doing Things Podcast is now on iTunes! 

You will now be able to find our podcast in the Podcasts app, as well as other third party apps that integrate into iTunes podcasts. Thank you all for your patience during this process, and we can't wait to keep adding more interviews to our Podcast library. 

If you or someone you know would like to appear on Diabetics Doing Things, please email us at rob@diabeticsdoingthings.com and get in touch! Don't forget to subscribe to receive weekly updates as well.