Direct Diabetes

Weight Loss Myths in Type 1 Diabetes—Debunked by a Diabetes Dietitian

Weight loss with type 1 diabetes is not the same as weight loss for everyone else—and pretending it is can do more harm than good.  In this episode, host Madi Cheever chats with registered dietitian and diabetes care expert Sarah Hormachea to talk about why managing weight with T1D is uniquely complex. Sarah explains the real physiological reasons weight loss can feel so difficult for people with type 1 diabetes—from insulin resistance and hormonal shifts to lows that require eating. They dig into why aggressive calorie restriction and very low-carb diets often backfire, and why “feeding the insulin” isn’t a sustainable long-term strategy. You’ll also hear a nuanced discussion about: * Insulin resistance and metabolic changes in adults with type 1 diabetes * Menopause, stress, sleep, and their impact on blood sugar and weight * GLP-1 medications, off-label use, and what “microdosing” actually means * Clinical bias around body size and how it affects care for people with T1D * What safe, realistic, evidence-based weight management should look like This episode is empowering, practical, and validating—especially if you’ve ever felt like standard diet advice just doesn’t work for your body. 👥 Follow & Connect * Host: Madi Cheever – @type.one.type.fun | TypeOneTypeFun.com * Guest: Sarah Hormachea, RDN, CDCES – @sarah.hormachea | SarahHormachea.com * Presented by: Direct Diabetes – @directdiabetes | DirectDiabetes.com (Helping people with diabetes get CGMs, insulin pump supplies & testing supplies delivered to their front door without insurance headaches & pharmacy hassles) 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube & Spotify 🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts & wherever you get your podcasts This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.

How a 13-Year-Old Diagnosed with T1D Built the Insulin-Dosing App He Needed!

What happens when the diabetes app you desperately need doesn’t exist—so you build it yourself? In this episode, Madi Cheever sits down with Drew Mendelow, founder of T1D1, the nonprofit behind the first FDA-cleared, completely free insulin dosing and diabetes management app designed specifically for people living with type 1 diabetes. Diagnosed at just 13 years old, Drew turned an overwhelming diagnosis into a mission to remove barriers to diabetes care. Today, Drew says the T1D1 app has reached more than 50,000 users, helping people calculate insulin doses, track data, and share information with healthcare providers—without ads, subscriptions, or hidden costs. 🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode ● Why there were no free FDA-cleared insulin dosing apps before T1D1 ● How the T1D1 app helps those who are newly diagnosed manage care from day one ● Why access, affordability, and offline functionality matter globally ● Real stories from parents, school nurses, and older adults using the app ●  What’s next for T1D1, including international expansion and language translations 📲 Where to Listen & Watch: 🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms - Search for ‘Direct Diabetes.’ 📺 Watch the full episode on YouTube - Links at ⁠TypeOneTypeFun.com⁠ and ⁠DirectDiabetes.com⁠ ➕ Follow & Stay Connected ● Follow @Type.One.Type.Fun for more episodes hosted by Madi Cheever ● Follow @T1D1 to learn more about the app and its global mission ● Follow @DirectDiabetes, which presents these episodes, ships CGMs and pump supplies to patients' homes and handles the insurance headaches so you don't have to. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.

Type 1 Diabetes Survival Tips for Hiking, Travel & Outdoor Adventures

Living with type 1 diabetes doesn’t mean giving up adventure — it just means being prepared. In this episode, Madi Cheever of TypeOneTypeFun.com, sits down with Paul Reid, the creator of TypeOneOutdoors.com, to talk about hiking, climbing, travel, and managing blood sugar far from home. Paul shares his personal journey of being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager, how outdoor adventure became a form of “wilderness therapy,” and why confidence — not fear — is the key to living fully with diabetes. From CGMs and backup plans to treating lows on the trail, this conversation is packed with practical advice and real-life experience. Whether you’re newly diagnosed, hesitant to travel, or already active outdoors, this episode will leave you feeling inspired — and prepared. 🎒 Topics Covered: * Living an active outdoor life with type 1 diabetes * Managing blood sugar while hiking, climbing, and backpacking * Why CGMs are essential for outdoor adventures * Planning, backups, and handling tech failures * Overcoming fear after diabetes-related lows * How nature improves mental health for people with chronic illness 🔗 Follow & Learn More: * Host: Madi Cheever, RDN, CDCES | TypeOneTypeFun.com, Instagram: @Type.One.Type.Fun * Guest: Paul Reid | TypeOneOutdoors.com, Instagram / TikTok / YouTube: @TypeOneOutdoors * Presenting Sponsor: DirectDiabetes.com - Visit DirectDiabetes.com for mail order CGMs and insulin pump supplies and avoid the hassles of insurance paperwork and pharmacy visits. 🎧 Available on YouTube, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms. Search "Bad Diabetic Club" or "Direct Diabetes." This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.

💪She Climbed Mount Kilimanjaro Without a CGM — Living Boldly With Type 1 Diabetes

In this inspiring episode, host Madi Cheever sits down withMichelle Hale, founder of Global Diabetic, a global Type 1 diabetes advocate who has lived on five continents, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and built a worldwide community proving that diabetes does not define limitations. Michelle shares her personal journey of being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at age 14, navigating early feelings of isolation, and eventually transforming her experience into a mission-driven platform that connects and empowers people with diabetes around the world. 🎧 Topics Covered:- Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as a teenager- Traveling internationally with diabetes- Pregnancy and motherhood with Type 1 diabetes- Mental health, burnout, and self-advocacy- Why visibility and community matter- Breaking misconceptions about diabetes 👩‍⚕️ About the Host:Madi Cheever is a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), Certified Diabetes Care and Education Specialist (CDCES), and lives with Type 1 diabetes herself. She is the creator of TypeOneTypeFun.com and hosts conversations that empowerpeople with diabetes through education, community, and real-life experiences. Follow Madi @type.one.type.fun 🌍 About the Guest:Michelle Hale is the founder of Global Diabetic and a global Type 1 diabetes advocate. She hosts the weekly Instagram Live series “Mondays with Michelle” and shares lived experiences from around the world to help others feel less alone with diabetes. Follow Michelle @GlobalDiabetic Presented by DirectDiabetes.com — For 30 years, they've mailed diabetes supplies such as continuous glucose monitors and insulin pump supplies regularly to people's homes and handle the insurance headaches so they can skip pharmacy hassles. With almost 5 stars on Google Reviews, they provide THE BEST customer service. Follow Direct Diabetes @DirectDiabetes. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.

A Doctor's 1st Possible Case of Prevented Type 1 Diabetes - Here's How It Happened

✨ This episode gave us goosebumps — and it will give you hope. ✨ We spoke with Dr. Larry Deeb, a pediatric endocrinologist, longtime clinical trial leader, Florida State University faculty member, and former President of the American Diabetes Association. After more than 40 years caring for children with diabetes, Dr. Deeb shared something truly extraordinary: he believes he may have prevented type 1 diabetes from developing in a child through early screening and intervention. Yes — prevented. 💙 Dr. Deeb was so excited to deliver this news to us! He says since the child is a sibling of another child with T1D, he screened him through a program called TrialNet. One of the child's brothers had four antibodies and his A1C got to 6.6, which is right at the breaking point for diabetes. Dr. Deeb intervened by giving the child an infusion of anti thymocyte globulin, an immunosuppressant medication, and 18 months later, the child's A1C is 5.4. This is the future of diabetes care, and it’s happening right now. From groundbreaking TrialNet research to next-generation therapies, Dr. Deeb’s optimism, experience, and passion are nothing short of inspiring. You can learn more about TrialNet at: https://www.trialnet.org [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqa1g3VVozd1JqbVlDdm9naWFnZFMzbDYzZW1GQXxBQ3Jtc0tsMUFRZ1BQeTczNWNHeHc5TmlpbFRzd3hhd1ZBSkI0Wm5oOU5xVkx0ZnpLZDhqeUVydFlZS3ZmZzdKLVcxNHMtOGg4WGZhcEota29WamI3SkR5R29xVS1vTllUZHFEMzBteXo2ejVUNE15ekdEMU9OWQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.trialnet.org%2F&v=ngFmKxRZqx8]🎙 Hosted by Madi Cheever of TypeOneTypeFun.com 🤝 Supported by DirectDiabetes.com Listen wherever you get your podcasts. Links are also at TypeOneTypeFun.com and DirectDiabetes.com. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider about any questions or concerns regarding your health or treatment options.