LiveFree with T1D

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Cynthia, who’s lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 19. Cynthia reflects on how a lack of mental health support at diagnosis contributed to years of struggling with bulimia—something she now speaks openly about to help others. The second half of the conversation focuses on parenting with diabetes. Cynthia’s daughter is almost eight, and the decision ab...

In this episode, Dr. Mark catches up with Anthony—who recently became a dad for the first time. As exciting as new parenthood is, it brought a wave of new challenges to his diabetes management. Anthony opens up about how the stress and sleep deprivation of caring for a newborn impacted his insulin needs and his mindset, and how that shift affected his relationship. Together, they explore how...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Meg, a registered dietitian who’s lived with type 1 diabetes for 26 years. For much of her life, Meg kept diabetes in the background—taking insulin, but never really accepting the condition or believing she could manage it well. She avoided her pump and CGM, skipped checks, and did everything she could to hide diabetes from others. A hospitalization in 2016 cha...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Kevin, who’s lived with type 1 diabetes for over 30 years. For most of that time, diabetes was in the background—until a sudden complication forced him to pay attention. After developing diabetic retinopathy, Kevin overhauled everything. He cleaned up his diet, started using a closed-loop system, and brought his A1C down by more than 3 points. But his success c...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Mike, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12 while living in a children’s home. With a family history of T1D—including four siblings who were also diagnosed—Mike learned early how to follow the rules. But decades later, burnout, unrecognized lows, and emotional exhaustion caught up with him. In this honest and eye-opening conversation, Mike shares the...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Crystal, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes while living abroad in Iceland. Navigating a new diagnosis in a foreign healthcare system was overwhelming, but Crystal’s story is one of resilience and adaptability. She shares how she leaned on her community, tackled the emotional ups and downs of her diagnosis, and found ways to continue traveling and building...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Sasha, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just weeks before war broke out in Ukraine. Suddenly, Sasha faced not only a new diagnosis but also the terrifying reality of managing her health in a country at war. Sasha shares how she adapted to shortages of supplies, how she stayed connected to her values even when fear was high, and the unexpected ways living...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Trent, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 40 years. Growing up in the 1980s, Trent’s parents focused on helping him feel “normal”—but over time, he discovered that ignoring the reality of T1D came at a cost. He shares the emotional journey of learning to balance resilience with humility, the challenges of navigating life transitions like college and parenth...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Casey, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 25 years. Casey was misdiagnosed with type 2 in his mid-20s, leading to a year of frustration, failure, and worsening symptoms before he got the correct diagnosis. That experience shaped how he approached T1D, and later, how he supported his son, who tested positive for antibodies and eventually developed type...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Kristen, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 17—just months before graduating high school. The adjustment was rocky. Fear of lows led Kristen to stop taking insulin entirely during her honeymoon phase, and eventually, she ended up in the hospital again with DKA. That second hospital stay marked a turning point. Kristen began to accept her diagnosis, c...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Katherine, a registered nurse who has lived with type 1 diabetes since childhood, and who faces the rare challenge of having seizures at blood sugars as high as 60. Katherine shares how this reality has forced her to intentionally keep her blood sugars high, especially during exercise and horseback riding, to avoid potentially dangerous lows. She talks about ho...

n this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Molly, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes just before her fifth birthday. For years, Molly felt stuck — overwhelmed by the burden of T1D, isolated from others, and convinced she couldn’t manage it. That belief kept her from asking for help, and made every step of care feel like an uphill battle. With time, therapy, and support, Molly has started rewriting he...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Kerri, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 44 years. For most of that time, fear wasn’t part of her story — until a string of nighttime seizures changed everything. Now, Kerri avoids going low at all costs. She under-boluses, keeps her blood sugars high on purpose, and feels trapped by the anxiety that’s taken over her decision-making. Kerri's stor...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Lauren, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 20 years. Her journey has taken her from coasting high to avoid lows as a kid, to feeling overwhelmed by how much she thinks about diabetes now. We talk about her resistance to changing diabetes tech, the mental toll of constantly managing blood sugars, and how she's working to find a balance between staying...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks  with Anthony, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for 19 years. His journey has taken him from a hands-off approach to a complete transformation after a life-threatening low blood sugar event. We talk about his resistance to diabetes technology, how a severe hypo forced him to change, and the role his wife played in helping him rebuild trust in his diabetes man...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talk with Cynthia, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 30 years. She shares her diagnosis story, the fear-based messages she received from doctors, and how those words have stuck with her ever since. They dive into the realities of managing diabetes while working in a high-pressure career, the mental energy it takes to "hide" diabetes, and how she’s working...

In this episode, Dr. Mark sits down with Oliver, who has been living with type 1 diabetes for 20 years. They talk about the mental and emotional challenges that come with diabetes, from the constant “kid on your shoulder” to the anxiety around lows and exercise. Oliver shares his experiences as an athlete and entrepreneur, the lessons he’s learned from severe hypos, and how he’s built a minds...

What was life with type 1 diabetes like before home glucose meters, fast-acting insulin, or CGMs? In this episode, Dr. Mark talks to Bob, who has been living with T1D for over five decades. Diagnosed in 1972, Bob takes us through his journey of navigating college, sports, and a career with little guidance on diabetes management. He opens up about how he used to keep his diabetes a secret at work,...

Alex was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in the middle of another medical crisis—hospitalized with bacterial meningitis at age 12, he had no idea what was coming. Like many teens, he struggled with acceptance, ignored his diabetes, and paid the price with multiple hospital visits. But after moving out on his own, he had a wake-up call. Click  HERE  to get your FREE copy of Diabetes Sucks...

Managing type 1 diabetes comes with a lot of mental weight, and for many, that includes the pressure to be perfect. In this episode, I talk with  Saci , who was diagnosed at a young age and spent years struggling with food obsession, restrictive eating, and the fear of "getting it wrong." She shares her journey of overcoming an all-or-nothing mindset, how education and community support helpe...

Managing type 1 diabetes is never easy, but add pregnancy, motherhood, and a demanding career to the mix—and the mental load can feel overwhelming. In this episode, Dr, Mark sits down with Kate , a diabetes educator, registered nurse, and mom from Australia who has lived with T1D for 20 years. She opens up about: ✅ Her unexpected diagnosis as a teenager and how she adapted ✅ The mental side of m...

  In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Syreen, a researcher in women’s health and epidemiologist who has been living with T1D for over 25 years. Their conversation dives into the journey of navigating T1D as a high achiever, the impact of diabetes on career and personal development, and the role of technology and support systems in thriving with diabetes. Syreen shares her...

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Deeksha, a counseling psychologist from India who has been living with T1D for 25 years. This conversation dives into the unique challenges of managing T1D in India, a country where access to diabetes care, technology, and mental health support is limited. Deeksha shares her personal journey, from being diagnosed at the age of four in a smal...

Welcome to the all-new format of LiveFree  with T1D  Podcast. I’m excited to introduce a new approach to the podcast for 2025. Most episodes this year will feature real conversations with people living with type 1 diabetes, exploring their stories, celebrating their wins, and providing coaching for their biggest challenges. You’ll also hear invaluable tips on managing diab...