Drew’s Daily Dose Podcast is your new destination for inspiring, meaningful conversations with people who are thriving with type 1 diabetes—and beyond.
I’m Drew Harrisberg—a happy, healthy guy thriving with type 1 diabetes. I’m also an exercise physiologist with a postgraduate certificate in diabetes education and management. In this podcast, I dive deep into the lives of incredible individuals living with or connected to diabetes—athletes, artists, health professionals, and anyone who inspires me to grow.
We explore what they eat to manage their diabetes and fuel their performance, how they move their bodies, navigate daily life, and the mindset that helps them show up as their best selves.
Some episodes feature a special segment called What’s On Your Plate, where my guest and I share a plant-forward meal, track our glucose, administer insulin, and unpack our real-time strategies for diabetes management.
But this podcast isn’t just about diabetes—it’s about living fully, with purpose and vitality. Expect stories, science, and your daily dose of inspiration and education.
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Drew’s Daily Dose Podcast is your new destination for inspiring, meaningful conversations with people who are thriving with type 1 diabetes—and beyond.
I’m Drew Harrisberg—a happy, healthy guy thriving with type 1 diabetes. I’m also an exercise physiologist with a postgraduate certificate in diabetes education and management. In this podcast, I dive deep into the lives of incredible individuals living with or connected to diabetes—athletes, artists, health professionals, and anyone who inspires me to grow.
We explore what they eat to manage their diabetes and fuel their performance, how they move their bodies, navigate daily life, and the mindset that helps them show up as their best selves.
Some episodes feature a special segment called What’s On Your Plate, where my guest and I share a plant-forward meal, track our glucose, administer insulin, and unpack our real-time strategies for diabetes management.
But this podcast isn’t just about diabetes—it’s about living fully, with purpose and vitality. Expect stories, science, and your daily dose of inspiration and education.
More Than Footy: Paddy McCartin on Owning Type 1 and Its Biggest Life Lessons
Drew's Daily Dose
1 hour 27 minutes
5 months ago
More Than Footy: Paddy McCartin on Owning Type 1 and Its Biggest Life Lessons
When Paddy McCartin was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just eight years old, his world shifted—but his passion for footy never wavered. Despite ongoing battles with diabetes and a career-ending series of concussions, Paddy carved out a remarkable AFL journey that took him from Geelong to the Sydney Swans and back into the hearts of the diabetes community.
In this episode, Paddy opens up about the highs and lows of elite sport with type 1, how technology transformed his management, and the power of letting people in. From the locker rooms to life after retirement, this is Paddy like you’ve never heard him before—raw, reflective, and real.
Here’s what we’re covering:
-The early signs of type 1 and how an 8-year-old learned to self-manage with stubborn independence
-Why finger pricks were Paddy’s most hated part—and how he eventually overcame that barrier
-The “carrot” that got him back on a pump and chasing his AFL dream
-The real reason he kept his diabetes quiet in footy circles—and the moment he finally opened up
-How everything changed with a single speech to the Swans playing group
-Game day routines, insulin strategies and the tech hacks that helped him thrive on the field
-The bittersweet reality of early retirement—and how he found purpose in giving back
-What he’d say to his diabetes if it were a person (spoiler: it’s not all bad)
… and a whole lot more
Chapters:
⏳ [00:00] “I Just Didn’t Want to Play Footy”: The Diagnosis That Changed Everything
⏳ [01:59] Meet Paddy McCartin: Footy Star, Type 1 Role Model, Reluctant Retiree
⏳ [07:10] First Symptoms, First Needles, and an 8-Year-Old’s Determination
⏳ [13:05] Rebel with a Cause: Fighting Against Diabetes Burnout
⏳ [19:10] Back on the Pump: The Deal Paddy Made to Chase the AFL Dream
⏳ [25:22] Hidden Fears and Public Perception: Why Paddy Stayed Quiet
⏳ [28:07] The Swans, the Speech, and the Shift in Identity
⏳ [34:16] From Draft Night to Diabetes Tech: How It All Played Out
⏳ [36:13] Game Day Strategy: Insulin, Oats, Temp Targets and Gels
⏳ [45:11] Playing with Tech: Pumps on the Sideline, Physios with Phones
⏳ [50:11] Post-Match Highs, Hypos and Recovery Routines
⏳ [55:21] Sydney Swans and a Second Chance: The Comeback Chapter
⏳ [58:30] Forced Retirement, Lasting Gratitude, and a Whole Lot of Perspective
⏳ [01:04:41] Pilates, Weights and Wiser Habits: How Paddy Moves Today
⏳ [01:10:14] Diet, Fasting and Feeling Good in 2025
⏳ [01:16:08] The Magic Wand Question: Would He Cure His Diabetes?
⏳ [01:20:10] The One Lesson He’d Pass on to Every Young Type 1
Hope you enjoy!
You can reach Paddy on Instagram @paddymccartin
To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/
Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Drew's Daily Dose
Drew’s Daily Dose Podcast is your new destination for inspiring, meaningful conversations with people who are thriving with type 1 diabetes—and beyond.
I’m Drew Harrisberg—a happy, healthy guy thriving with type 1 diabetes. I’m also an exercise physiologist with a postgraduate certificate in diabetes education and management. In this podcast, I dive deep into the lives of incredible individuals living with or connected to diabetes—athletes, artists, health professionals, and anyone who inspires me to grow.
We explore what they eat to manage their diabetes and fuel their performance, how they move their bodies, navigate daily life, and the mindset that helps them show up as their best selves.
Some episodes feature a special segment called What’s On Your Plate, where my guest and I share a plant-forward meal, track our glucose, administer insulin, and unpack our real-time strategies for diabetes management.
But this podcast isn’t just about diabetes—it’s about living fully, with purpose and vitality. Expect stories, science, and your daily dose of inspiration and education.
