LiveFree with T1D

Life with T1D can be demanding, testing our patience and resilience in ways that many others might not fully understand. It's a journey filled with ups and downs, and it's easy to focus on the challenges. However, I want to invite you to shift your perspective and consider the incredible growth that can emerge from these challenges. You see, a growth mindset is all about believing in your ability...

How motivated are you to manage your blood sugars? I'm sure you know that motivation is a tricky thing. It isn't possible to just snap your fingers and have motivation appear out of thin air. And even if you feel motivated to manage your diabetes one minute, it's not uncommon for that motivation to disappear the next. While motivation can be fleeting, there's another tool in our arsenal – discipli...

Instead of setting “resolutions” for 2024, I decided to set T1D + mental health intentions for myself — and I want to encourage you to do the same thing for yourself. We all want to be more free and flexible in our lives with T1D, and this requires being intentional in how we think about and interact with our diabetes. My intentions for 2024 are: Focus on the big picture. Don’t get caught up in my...

Low blood sugar sucks for many reasons. Of course, it makes your body feel pretty awful, but it also brings up some really uncomfortable emotions. The other day, I was talking to someone about low blood sugar, and a light bulb came on for them. 💡 They realized that they were actually more scared of the feeling of being scared than they were of going low. They knew they could bring up their blood...

Learning to sit with discomfort is a skill that can be learned, and over the next couple of weeks on ths podcast, I'm going to teach you how. I'll start by sharing a simple, five-word trick to help you deal with annoying and uncomfortable thoughts about T1D. To discover what these five words are, and how you can use them to your advantage, tune in to the latest episode of the LiveFree with T1...

Being aware of when it's particularly important to be mindful of your emotional health can empower you to act proactively. Here are three key times when you should pay special attention to your emotions and mindset: When starting a new treatment During the holiday season Whenever your stress level is generally high In this episode I talk more about each of these scenarios and give you examples fro...

My goal is to make sure that you're set up for success with your mental health around T1D, especially if you are dealing with a fear of low blood sugar. To do this, it's helpful to look at the top 3 mistakes you're probably making to deal with your fear of lows: You define success as getting rid of your fear:  It makes sense, right? You want your fear to go away. But what if, instead, you foc...

Is it possible to be thankful for diabetes? I believe the answer is yes. But to be thankful for diabetes means holding two opposing concepts in your mind at the same time - gratitude and T1D. Imagine for a moment: If you didn’t have T1D, what would you not have that you have because you have T1D? On this Thanksgiving episode of the   LiveFree with T1D Podcast, I’ll dive into this question and...

The blood Sugar Cycle of Avoidance is   a common pattern for people with T1D, and it might be holding you back. The cycle   often starts with a simple decision, like turning down an invitation due to the fear of low blood sugar. But this avoidance can snowball, causing you to miss out on more activities and experiences. Why is it a big deal?   It limits your life, keeps you stu...

You may be wondering if you have a fear of low blood sugar. Today I want to give you THREE signs that you may be experiencing a fear of lows. Sign #1:   You Under-Bolus You take less insulin to cover the carbs you eat because you worry about what might happen in your blood sugar drops low. Sign #2:   You Stay in Exercise Mode All the Time You feel safe(r) when the target blood sugar on y...

There’s no way around it: low blood sugars are no fun. Actually, to put it more accurately, low blood sugar SUCKS. But the question always arises—what can you do to deal with lows when you have them, without letting them get in the way of your diabetes management or your life? It’s something I often think about, and I’ve been considering it even more over the past month, as I’ve had my fair share...

My guest on this episode of the LiveFree with T1D podcast is Falyn. Not only does she live with T1D, but her three-year-old daughter was recently diagnosed as well. In this episode, I coach Falyn on how to let go of her beliefs about her own diabetes so she can be there for her daughter. Sign up now to get your FREE daily T1D + Mental Health tip!  www.thediabetespsychologist.com/tip   Di...

What if it was possible not only to experience joy but to live a joyful life with T1D?  I believe it's possible and I want to show you how. On this episode of the LiveFree with T1D podcast, I talk all about joy and how you can experience joy, even with T1D is challenging. I give you some tools and strategies you can use to intentionally find joy in your life with T1D, and I invite you to a sp...

When was your last appointment with your endocrinologist? Did you feel that your doctor allowed you to set the agenda for the appointment and genuinely listened to your concerns? While there’s no excuse for a subpar diabetes care team, it doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. With a little advocacy and asserting your own agenda, it’s possible to ensure your needs are met by your endocrinologist. Lau...

In the past month, my blood sugars have been much more stable compared to the rollercoaster ride of the summer. Naturally, my curiosity got the better of me, leading me to investigate the underlying reasons. After some thought, I managed to pinpoint a crucial factor - my environment. The great news is, I've realized that I have a significant degree of control over my environment. This revelation h...

This week on the LiveFree with T1D podcast, I chat with Stefano, a college senior. Since starting college, Stefano has been dealing with anxiety around hypoglycemia. At times, it's been paralyzing for him. Stefano recently shared how the LiveFree with T1D podcast made a significant difference in his journey of addressing this fear. In our conversation, he dives into his personal story and reveals...

The diabetes community is vast and varied. In the latest episode of the LiveFree with T1D podcast, we explore an exceptional part of it. My guest is Neil Greathouse. He’s not just talented; he’s dedicated. Over the past year, Neil made a daily video on diabetes education and support. The impact? Phenomenal! Our chat revolves around Neil’s insights from the year, but one theme stands out: the signi...

Life can feel chaotic, and it can seem like the demands are coming at you from all sides. And then your blood sugars don't cooperate, making things even more challenging.      Here's a secret. When you take time to take care of yourself, you'll be in a better spot to take care of other people. This is especially true for people with T1D.   On the latest episode of the LiveFree...

Each month, I reflect on my biggest wins, learnings, and challenges over the past 30 days with type 1 diabetes. Come along for the ride as I give you a recap of the highs and lows of my diabetes management in August 2023! Sign up now to get your FREE daily T1D + Mental Health tip!   www.thediabetespsychologist.com/tip   Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It can now be purchased on my...

Do you ever feel like your life is all about type 1 diabetes? You’re not alone. Living with T1D is a full-time job, and it can feel overwhelming, especially if you also work in the diabetes field. Here’s the good news: You don’t have to let T1D control your life. I’ve got two simple, practical tips to share that could make a real difference for you. Cut Yourself Some Slack : Stop aiming for perfec...

In this episode, Dr. Mark dives into the often debated topic: is T1D a "disability"? While the dictionary has its definition, the real impact lies in how such a label affects our emotional well-being and self-perception. Join Dr. Mark as he offers guidance, discusses with Andrea about her experience in job applications, and uncovers ways to provide clarity on this intriguing topic. Sign up now to...

How can you create an environment to set you up for success in your life with T1D? Once that's in place, navigating life with T1D becomes so much simpler! In the latest episode of the LiveFree with T1D Podcast, I coach Jeff on cultivating an environment where his 10 year old son Jackson can flourish both as a regular kid and someone managing T1D. Dive in as I share actionable tips to help Jef...

In this episode, we're breaking down some important topics that touch the lives of every T1D out there: A1C and time-in-range (TIR). Topics Discussed: Dr. Mark's own experiences sharing his TIR on Instagram and the community's response. The interesting contrast between the comfort levels when discussing TIR and A1C, both personally and in the T1D community. An in-depth conversation with Grace, who...

Each month, I reflect on my biggest wins, learnings, and challenges over the past 30 days with type 1 diabetes. Come along for the ride as I give you a recap of the highs and lows of my diabetes management in July 2023! Sign up now to get your FREE daily T1D + Mental Health tip! www.thediabetespsychologist.com/tip   Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It can now be purchased on my website,...