LiveFree with T1D

This is episode #2 of a 13 part series on the podcast where each wee  I'll share with you a  chapter of 'Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It on the podcast.  This week, you'll hear Chapter 1, which is all about what it means to handle T1 (and what it doesn't mean).,  Click  HERE  to grab your copy of  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle it. Cli...

  Each week for the next three months on the podcast, you will receive one chapter of 'Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It'. This week, you'll get the Introduction, where you'll hear Dr. Mark's story, why he wrote this book, and how to get the most out of listening to it. Click  HERE  to grab your copy of  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle it. Click  HERE  for a FREE...

On this episode of the podcast, I dive into the concept of separating our external reality from our internal reality. I talk about the things we simply can’t change—like our blood sugar levels at any given moment—and how we can choose to respond to these challenges in a way that empowers us, rather than holds us back. Click HERE to grab your copy of Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle it. Click HERE...

On this episode, I talk about the 5 biggest mistakes I see people make when it comes to T1D and mental health. Then give you tips on how you can stop making these mistakes and what you can do instead. Click  HERE  to grab your copy of  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle it. Click  HERE  for a FREE resource to help you Conquer Your Fear of Low Blood Sugar.

On this episode,  I talk about the cost of avoiding the uncomfortable emotions that diabetes can throw your way. Then I give you three steps you can take to deal with this discomfort so you can stop avoiding it, even when you're not sure if you want to deal with it. Click  HERE  to grab your copy of  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle it. Click  HERE  for a FREE resour...

On this episode of the podcast,  I talk about what it does and doesn't mean to accept that you have T1D. I look at why acceptance is challenging and what you are probably doing to make it more difficult for you to accept that diabetes is part of your life. Then I give you several things you can do to come to a place of acceptance in your life with T1D.

Over the past 25 years with T1D, I've learned a lot about myself and what it means to face challenges in my life. Here are just a few of the things I've learn ed: T1D is hard, showing me I can do hard things. Balancing quality of life with maintaining 'good' blood sugars is crucia l. There are lots of things about T1D that I cannot control. I give you the full rundown of the past 25 years with T1D...

On this episode ​ ​ , I dive into thought patterns about T1D and how to decide whether or not you want to buy your thoughts. I'll give you a step-by-step process to assess your thoughts so you can only buy the ones that are helpful for you. If you haven't read  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It , grab your eBook or paperback copy here. https://www.thediabetespsychologist.com/book  &nb...

We all have thoughts about T1D that are not (completely) accurate, and they are certainly not helpful. What can you do with these thoughts, and how can you make them more realistic? That’s exactly what we’re talking about this week on the podcast. On this episode , I discuss how negative thoughts about T1D come about, and how you can identify them. Then, I'll show you a framework you can use to re...

=On this episode, I explore how people with T1D might manage their mental health on autopilot and why this might be limiting. I’ll also outline a framework to help you step out of autopilot and regain control of your emotional health with T1D. If you haven't read  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It , grab your eBook or paperback copy here. https://www.thediabetespsychologist.com/book ...

On this episode ​ ​​​​​​​, I talk to Ceri about his journey with T1D over the past year. He talks about how his diagnosis last summer rocked his world and what he did to arrive where he is now—a place of freedom where he can live his life on his terms, and not on diabetes' terms.   If you haven't read  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It , grab your eBook or paperback copy here. https:/...

On this episode  I dive into my philosophy on T1D + mental health. I talk about why this seemingly counterintuitive approach to dealing with the stress of diabetes works so well, and how you can start using it in your life. If you haven't read  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It , grab your eBook or paperback copy here. https://www.thediabetespsychologist.com/book 

 On this episode,  I reflect on the 2-year anniversary of the release of my book,  Diabetes Sucks, and You Can Handle It . I talk about how the book came about, the impact it has had on people with T1D, my favorite part of the book, and my biggest takeaway. If you haven't read  Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It , grab your eBook or paperback copy here. https://www.thediabete...

My guest on this episode is Ginger Vieira, and she just wrote a new book called  Stop Overtreating During Low Blood Sugar with Diabetes . We talk about all things low blood sugar. Ginger gives us some great tips on what you can do to avoid overtreating your lows, even if you feel like you're out of control. You can find Ginger's new book HERE You can connect with Ginger on Youtube and on Inst...

Sometimes, the best advice I can give to someone for their mental health is "take off your CGM."   My CGM makes me feel safe and secure. I like knowing that I'll get an alert if my blood sugar is falling fast. But I also don't look at it very often. I trust my CGM to do its job without micromanaging it. For other people (maybe you?), all the info you get from your CGM consumes you. You can't...

How do you regain control of your T1D management and mental health when setbacks happen? In this episode ​ ​​​​​​​, I talk about how setbacks are a normal part of your mental health journey with T1D and give you some practical tips you can use to get back on track when you experience a setback (and you will!).

My guess is you do a lot of things to keep yourself "safe" in your life with T1D. At least, you think these things keep you safe. Things like... Checking your CGM every 5 minutes Reducing your bolus for your food when you feel uncomfortable Treating "low" blood sugars that are not really low, just to be on the safe side In this episode, I dive into safety behaviors for people with T1D. I talk abou...

There is one thing that I know for sure. If you are closed off the possibility that life with T1D can get easier, it's never going to get easier. Being open to the possibility of change greatly increases the likelihood of it happening. In this episode,  I talk about what it means to be open to the possibility that things can get easier in your life with T1D. I explain why your mindset matters...

One question I always ask the people I work with is "What does success look like for you?". Their answer is almost always "I don't want to feel (insert negative emotion) anymore. The challenge here is that it's almost impossible to stop feeling one emotion without stopping feeling many, if not all, of your emotions. I try to challenge people—and I want to challenge you—to reframe what success look...

With your mental health with T1D, avoidance doesn't work. In fact, when you avoid our negative emotions, it keeps you stuck in these emotions and you get the exact opposite results that you were hoping for.  n this episode of the podcast, I talk all about avoidance and how it's the wrong strategy to break free from the stress of diabetes. You’ll learn why it's natural to avoid uncomfortable e...

You are going to have setbacks in your mental health journey with T1D. As much as I wish that you won’t, the path to emotional health is never a straight line. Expect there to be bumps along the road. The issue isn’t experiencing setbacks; it’s about being prepared for them and recognizing the progress you’ve made when facing setbacks. In reality, the path to emotional health with T1D is a lifelon...

Most of the folks I talk to feel like a prisoner of their blood sugars. They feel their glucose numbers dictate what they can and can't do, and they tell me they feel trapped—and like there's nothing they can do about it. It's true that managing T1D can feel overwhelming, and sometimes, your blood sugars do hold you back. But, do they have to hold you back all the time? I know that they DON'T! How...

Raise your hand if you ever over-treat your low blood sugars! 🙋‍♂️ If you tell me that you don’t, you either have a tremendous amount of self-control, or you’re lying! Your brain is telling your body “I need food or else…” and it’s really hard (sometimes even impossible) not to over-treat. But you know that when you eat the entire refrigerator when your glucose is low, you usually skyrocket your...

Your emotions about T1D play a important role in your life, but here’s a surprising revelation… Their role is NOT to tell you facts. 😮 Emotions are designed to keep you safe, even if it means believing things that aren’t entirely true. The good news is, if your emotions aren’t facts, they don’t have to control your life! 🎉 In this week’s episode of the ​​LiveFree with T1D Podcast​​, I...