Bad Diabetic Club

What Actually Changes When You Finally Understand Your Blood Sugar

Most people with t1d aren’t missing effort. They’re missing explanation. In this episode, I share a personal story that helped shape everything I do in diabetes education today. Early in my T1D journey, I was told to start adjusting my pump settings every two weeks. But no one explained how to do it or why those changes mattered. So I taught myself. I studied reports, experimented with settings, and slowly improved my time in range and A1C. But when I proudly showed the progress at my next appointment, the response shocked me. I was told to stop. That moment revealed something much bigger than one frustrating appointment. For many people living with t1d, the issue may not be effort or discipline. In many cases, it might be the system itself. Most diabetes care is designed for short medical appointments and medication management. But managing t1d often requires something different: ongoing education, pattern recognition, and real understanding of how blood sugar actually works. In this conversation, I explore why so many people might feel confused, blamed, or stuck when it comes to their numbers and what can change when someone finally understands the why behind blood sugar patterns. 📌 In this episode, you might learn: ✨ why diabetes education often leaves people feeling unsupported ✨ why most appointments simply don’t have enough time for deep education ✨ why advice like “eat fewer carbs” may not solve the real problem ✨ how understanding insulin timing and CGM patterns might change how you approach blood sugar ✨ why confidence and trust in your own decision making can be one of the biggest transformations I also share real examples from people I have worked with who went from fear and frustration to greater clarity and confidence in their diabetes management. In many cases, the biggest change isn’t a specific number. It’s understanding. When blood sugar finally starts to make sense, diabetes management may begin to feel less like guessing and more like strategy. And for many people living with t1d, that shift can be powerful. 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms 🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669 ✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.

The “Gluc-Coaster”: Why Your Blood Sugar Feels So Chaotic

Blood sugar with type 1 diabetes can sometimes feel unpredictable. You count carbs You take insulin You follow the plan. And your numbers still do something completely different. If that experience feels familiar, you’re not alone in it. In this episode I break down something that many people with t1d were never fully taught: Blood sugar often follows patterns. And those patterns can sometimes be understood. One concept that comes up again and again in diabetes management is this: Blood sugar has momentum And insulin has momentum too. When those two things aren’t aligned, it can create the cycle many people experience: High → correction → low → treatment → spike again. What I call the “Gluc-Coaster.” For many people living with type 1 diabetes, the hardest part isn’t just managing blood sugar. It’s feeling like the numbers don’t make sense. And when the numbers don’t make sense, it’s easy to start believing that you’re doing something wrong. But in many cases, blood sugar changes are responding to real physiological factors like: ✨ hormone shifts in the morning ✨ insulin timing relative to meals ✨ digestion patterns from certain foods ✨ stress, sleep, or illness ✨ the natural delay between CGM data and real-time blood sugar When these factors aren’t explained clearly, diabetes management can start to feel like guesswork. I walk through several experiences many people with t1d recognize, including: 📌 why blood sugar may spike at breakfast even when you “do everything right” 📌 why correcting highs can sometimes lead to later lows 📌 why overnight spikes often have traceable explanations📌 why insulin timing can influence blood sugar more than many people realize Most importantly, this conversation highlights something that can be easy to forget when living with diabetes every day: Your blood sugar is information. In many cases, it’s not random, and it’s not a reflection of your effort. Understanding the patterns behind your numbers can sometimes make diabetes feel a little less overwhelming and a little more manageable over time. 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms 🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669 ✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.

How To Make Insulin Math Easy for More Peaceful Blood Sugar

Diagnosed at 13, he built the tool he wished existed.In this episode, Madi sits down with Drew Mendelow, founder of T1D1, a free, FDA-cleared insulin dosing and diabetes management app designed specifically for people living with type 1 diabetes.Drew quickly realized there was no simple, free tool to help with insulin calculations right from day one. So he decided to build one himself.What started as a summer coding project now supports around 50,000 users.And it is just getting started.Rather than creating something overly complicated, Drew focused on simplicity. T1D1 helps users:✨ calculate insulin doses using personalized settings✨ log blood sugars and insulin in one place✨ send reports directly to medical providers✨ store common foods for easier carb counting✨ access the app even without wifi✨ use mg/dL or mmol/L unitsThe app is completely free, with no ads.After being temporarily removed from the App Store for regulatory reasons, Drew spent five years working toward FDA clearance. That process may increase trust and confidence for users, families, schools, and healthcare providers.For many people living with t1d, daily calculations can feel overwhelming, especially at diagnosis.In some cases, having a simple, accessible tool might help reduce anxiety and create a little more confidence in daily care.Learn more about T1D1:https://www.t1d1.org🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.funDisclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.

Weight loss with Type 1 Diabetes can feel like a lot. Let’s talk about it.

In this episode, Madi sits down with registered dietitian and diabetes care specialist Sarah Hormachea for an honest, practical conversation about weight management with t1d. If you’ve ever felt confused, frustrated, or stuck when it comes to weight changes, insulin needs, or conflicting advice, you’re not alone. In many cases, weight loss with type 1 diabetes isn’t just about calories or willpower. It might involve hormones, insulin sensitivity, lows that force you to eat, tech adjustments, and a whole lot of mental load. Sarah helps break down what’s actually going on, and why traditional dieting advice doesn’t always translate well to t1d. Together, Madi and Sarah explore how a more personalized, compassionate approach might help many people feel safer, more supported, and more confident in their bodies. 📌 In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨ why weight management can look different with type 1 diabetes ✨ how insulin resistance can show up in t1d ✨ why aggressive calorie cutting or ultra low carb approaches might backfire for some people ✨ what “don’t feed the insulin” really means in real life ✨ how GLP-1 medications and microdosing are being discussed in the t1d community ✨ why backups, flexibility, and individualized care often matter more than perfection ✨ how mindset, support, and evidence-based guidance might reduce overwhelm Sarah also shares how clinical bias can affect care, why one-size-fits-all plans often miss the mark, and how clinicians and people living with t1d alike might benefit from looking at the whole picture, not just blood sugar or the scale. If you’ve ever felt like your body isn’t responding the way it “should,” this episode might help you feel seen, validated, and a little less alone. 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms 🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669 ✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun Disclaimer: This content is for educational and informational purposes only and should not replace personalized medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your diabetes management.

What Living Off Grid Taught Him About Managing Type 1 Diabetes

Living with type 1 diabetes doesn’t automatically mean giving up adventure, travel, or time outdoors. In many cases, it just means learning how to prepare differently. In this episode of The Bad Diabetic Club, Madi sits down with Paul Reed, founder of Type 1 Outdoors and someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for nearly 40 years. From hiking and mountaineering to managing blood sugar miles from home, Paul shares what actually helps people build confidence outside, especially when fear has kept them stuck. Rather than focusing on restriction, this conversation explores how planning, mindset, and simple systems might make adventure feel more accessible for many people living with t1d. 📌In this episode, you’ll learn: ✨why preparation often matters more than courage with type 1 diabetes ✨how small, manageable steps might help rebuild confidence after fear or burnout ✨what to pack for outdoor activities, from short hikes to multi day trips ✨why backups for your backups can reduce mental load ✨how nature and time outdoors might support mental health for some people with chronic conditions ✨why living with type 1 diabetes does not have to mean living smaller Paul also shares how Type 1 Outdoors was created, what he’s seen help others feel more capable, and why community can play a powerful role in confidence and sustainability. If you’ve ever felt held back by fear of lows, tech failure, or being far from help, this conversation might help you think differently about what’s possible. Learn more about Paul and Type 1 Outdoors: https://www.typeoneoutdoors.com 🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts & all major platforms 🩷 Doors are OPEN for the Bad Diabetic ACADEMY waitlist - https://www.typeonetypefun.com/pl/2148742669 ✅ Follow Madi: https://www.instagram.com/type.one.type.fun Disclaimer: This podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making changes to your treatment or medication.