In this episode of T1 Dialogues, host Rachel Halverson speaks with Christabel Uluocha, a dedicated diabetes specialist nurse WINNER of the Not Just a Patch 2025 UK Grant. Christabel shares her deeply personal journey into healthcare, inspired by the loss of both parents to diabetes complications.
She takes us inside the day-to-day life of a diabetes nurse, highlighting her outreach efforts in underserved communities across Africa, and the vital role of culturally sensitive nutrition in supporting diverse populations. From tackling the real challenges of diabetes education—such as financial constraints and limited manpower—to empowering healthcare professionals to make an impact from where they are, Christabel’s story is both powerful and practical.
This inspiring conversation also explores the importance of self-care, with Christabel reminding us that every caregiver needs to recharge in order to keep making a difference. Her work with the Diabetes Champion initiative reflects her ongoing passion to provide education, resources, and hope to people living with diabetes.
👉 Whether you’re living with diabetes, working in healthcare, or passionate about community outreach and diabetes management, this episode is full of insights, motivation, and practical advice.
Follow & Connect with Christabel
diabeteschampion@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/diabeteschampion
https://www.facebook.com/Favouredhome
https://www.youtube.com/@DiabetesChampion
Apply for 2026 Grant:
https://notjustapatch.com/diabetes-grant-funding-program/
https://www.instagram.com/notjustapatch
Watch this episode on YouTube:
In this inspiring episode of T1 Dialogues, powered by Not Just a Patch, we sit down with the extraordinary Dr. Rachel Smith — a medical doctor, high-altitude mountaineer, and type 1 diabetic — as she prepares to climb Antarctica’s highest peak!
From her childhood in Belfast to summiting Kilimanjaro and surviving extreme challenges on Aconcagua, Rachel shares how living with type 1 diabetes has shaped her mindset, strengthened her resilience, and pushed her toward some of the world’s toughest expeditions.
- Training for Antarctica while managing T1D
- Surviving extreme cold with insulin tech
- Nutrition and glucose strategies for different styles of exercise
- The mental side of diabetes and mountaineering
Whether you're living with diabetes or just need a dose of motivation, Rachel's journey proves that type 1 is not a limitation — it’s a superpower.
📌 Support Rachel's mission:https://www.instagram.com/type1summit/
🧠 Final Words from Rachel: “Start from where you are. Be kind to yourself. And reframe diabetes as something that makes you stronger.”
🔥 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share this episode with anyone who needs a little extra courage to take on their next big challenge.
https://youtu.be/neFGN98ZcjI
#T1Dialogues #Type1Diabetes #DiabetesAwareness #NotJustAPatch #RachelSmith #DiabeticAthlete
We are beyond delighted to have Rachel Halverson a part of the Not Just a Patch team. She has already done a mini podcast series about Powerful Women in Diabetes - so we thought it was time to ask her about her story.
Expect to hear & see her more on our channels.
Visit Rachel's website at rachelbetes.com
Follow her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/givemesomesugardiabetes
In this episode of the Powerful Women Series, Rachel from Not Just a Patch chats with the visionary Amy Claire Mills — a Sydney-based artist, disability advocate, and access consultant living with cystic fibrosis-related diabetes.
Together, they explore Amy’s powerful journey through chronic illness, her lifelong relationship with diabetes, and how her bold, immersive art challenges accessibility norms in the creative world. From wearable medical gear as self-expression to calling out the beige of hospital culture, this episode is packed with wisdom, humor, and a whole lot of color.
🎨 Art, identity, and advocacy collide in this unforgettable conversation.
✨ If you’ve ever felt unseen navigating chronic illness or believe in the power of inclusive spaces, this episode is for you.
👇 Follow Amy Claire Mills:
Instagram: @amy_claire_mills
In this episode of the Powerful Women Series, Rachel — Type 1 diabetes educator and part of the Not Just a Patch team — sits down with Ava Biesterfeld: Olympic weightlifter, nutrition coach, and future registered dietitian.
Living with Type 1 diabetes since childhood, Ava shares how she’s navigated the highs and lows of managing blood sugars, athletic performance, and mental health — all while staying true to a plant-based, evidence-driven lifestyle. Finding balance between fueling her body, staying strong in training, and living well with diabetes hasn't always been easy, but Ava brings insight, honesty, and practical wisdom.
Highlights:
Managing diabetes as a strength athlete
Plant-based performance nutrition
Insulin resistance, blood sugar spikes & stress
Lifting while living with T1D
Tips for sustainable fueling and mindset
📲 Connect with Ava: IG:https://www.instagram.com/avasugarrr/
Nutrition Coaching: @fuelworksnutrition
In this episode of the Powerful Women Series, Rachel — Type 1 diabetes educator and part of the Not Just a Patch team — sits down with Nurianne Arias: PhD candidate, global advocate, and young leader in diabetes.
Together, they explore what it means to live with a hidden disability like Type 1 diabetes, how community care can transform lives, and why emotional support matters just as much as medical treatment. From grief to empowerment, this is a conversation for anyone navigating chronic illness or passionate about inclusive advocacy.
🎧 Don’t miss this powerful, heartfelt conversation.
🔗 Follow Nurianne: https://www.instagram.com/T1D_Nurianne
We are celebrating the Powerful Women doing great things in the diabetic space.
Recently we were lucky enough to get in touch with our past grant winner Beck Newton. Beck Newton is a registered nurse and dietitian specializing in diabetes care. Beck shares her extensive journey in the healthcare field, emphasizing the importance of understanding the mental health aspects of diabetes and the connection between nutrition and overall well-being. The discussion covers the challenges of managing diabetes, the impact of diet culture, and the need for individualized nutrition approaches. She also highlights her ongoing education and aspirations to enhance her practice as a nurse practitioner, aiming to provide comprehensive care for her patients.Beck Newtonhttps://instagram.com/eatlivewellauHost: Rachelhttps://www.instagram.com/givemesomesugardiabetes/
Not Just a Patchhttps://notjustapatch.com/
Watch us on YouTube
Rachel Sood, a fourth-generation nurse and founder of the Diabetes Collective, shares her insights on the evolution of healthcare, the importance of relationships in patient care, and the challenges of behavior change in diabetes management. She discusses her unique approach to creating a welcoming environment for patients and emphasizes the role of technology, such as continuous glucose monitoring, in empowering individuals to take control of their health. The conversation highlights the need for empathy, understanding, and patience in healthcare, as well as the significance of personal connections in fostering positive outcomes for patients.
Connect with Rachael & the Diabetes Collective
https://www.thediabetescollective.net/
https://www.instagram.com/thediabetescollective/
Connect with Pete & Not Just a Patch
https://www.instagram.com/notjustapatch/
Check out the Blog
https://notjustapatch.com/blog/
Watch it on YouTube
Jessica Unger, co-founder of Type One Community, discusses the mission of creating a space for diabetics to party and have fun while supporting each other. The community aims to break down the walls between diabetics and their friends and family, creating a safe and inclusive environment. They organize events, livestreams, and radio shows to bring people together and promote a positive mindset towards diabetes. The community is open to everyone, including those without diabetes, and plans to expand globally in the future.
Instagrams
Watch this episode on YouTube
In this T1 Dialogues episode, Jackson and Pete interview Anna Reinwand and Michele Hale from Oklahoma State Medical Center. They discuss the hospital's focus on helping underprivileged patients and providing free classes and resources for diabetes education. The hospital also offers test strips and emergency insulin to patients without insurance. The conversation highlights the importance of education and awareness in managing diabetes and reducing stigma. Anna and Michele emphasize the availability of programs and resources for those in need and encourage individuals to seek assistance and not ration their insulin.
Links mentioned: https://osumc.com/
Grant Funding Program:
https://notjustapatch.com/diabetes-grant-funding-program/
Cohost:
https://instagram.com/jackabetic Made possible thanks to Not Just a Patch
In this episode, Pete and Jackson interview Nadia Roberts, the founder of Discovering Diabetes, a charity that aims to raise awareness about diabetes and provide health screenings. Nadia shares her background as a diabetes nurse specialist and her journey in diabetes care. She discusses the collaboration between GPs and diabetes specialists and the importance of early detection. Nadia explains the work of Discovering Diabetes, including their pop-up clinics and the support they provide to individuals at risk of diabetes. She emphasizes the need for community-based approaches and empowering individuals to make positive lifestyle changes.
HbA1c tester:
https://home.bhr.co.uk/
Nadia Roberts
https://discoveringdiabetes.net/
https://www.instagram.com/discoveringdiabetesuk/
Co-Host: Jackson Sinclair
https://www.instagram.com/jackabetic
Not Just a Patch
https://www.instagram.com/notjustapatch/
https://www.facebook.com/cgmsensor
In this episode, Beck Newton, the Not Just a Patch grant winner, discusses her work in addressing disordered eating and eating disorders in people with type 1 diabetes. She shares her background as a nurse and dietitian and how she became interested in this field. The conversation explores the strong correlation between eating disorders and type 1 diabetes, the unique challenges faced by individuals with type 1 diabetes, and the need for specialized support. Beck also explains the concept of diabulimia and the different types of eating disorders. Overall, this episode sheds light on an important but often overlooked aspect of diabetes management. Beck Newton discusses the challenges faced by individuals with type 1 diabetes, particularly in relation to eating disorders. She highlights the need for awareness and prevention, as well as the importance of setting up a specialized service to address diabulimia. Beck also emphasizes the need for education among healthcare professionals and the empowerment of individuals with type 1 diabetes. The conversation concludes with a discussion on normalizing the experience and sharing personal stories.
Links mentioned in this episode
https://www.eatlivewell.com.au/
https://www.type1familycentre.org.au/
Beck Newton
https://www.instagram.com/eatlivewellau
Jackson Sinclair
https://www.instagram.com/jackabetic/
Not Just a Patch
https://www.instagram.com/notjustapatch/
Derek Brandt is a person with Type 1 Diabetes, entrepreneur, CEO of Global Center for Technology Innovation in Diabetes aka DCB, Investment Committee Member of the Swiss Diabetes Venture Fund & more. We explore how he is funding startups and running trials that are changing the way we manage diabetes. https://www.dcberne.com/
Jackson (@jackabetic) flips the script to interview Pete Lomas about @notjustapatch - Type 1 diagnosis story - Story behind Not Just a Patch - Introduction to Penguin Cooling Cases See us in video: https://youtu.be/EBJPi8i7X8I
All new 'AIR' CGM patches https://notjustapatch.com/air-cgm-patches-latest-innovation/ Diabetes Nurses Grants Funding Program https://notjustapatch.com/diabetes-grant-funding-program/
Penguin Cooling Cases
https://penguincoolcase.com/
Not Just a Patch IG: https://www.instagram.com/notjustapatch/ FB: https://www.facebook.com/cgmsensor TKTK: https://www.tiktok.com/@notjustapatch W: https://notjustapatch.com/
In this episode, we have Alan Carter from PharmD, a pharmacist consultant with interests in medical research, pharmacy practice, and medication formulary management. We go over Alan's story and interest in insulin since he was young, the lack of understanding about insulin, and the impacts that it has on the systems that it works within. You will hear about how to keep your insulin viable for longer periods of time, how to properly store it and the advancements insulin went through the past decades and how it has evolved from pig insulin to the multiple types we have available today.
On the last episode of T1Dialogues we had a chance to talk to Laura about living with diabetes, training for a career in Health Sciences and hacking diabetes management through looping.
Laura is a patient advocate living with type 1 diabetes since 2007. She is passionate about improving the lives of people living with diabetes by addressing different topics ranging from patient involvement to education, health policies and beyond. She is currently getting a Master's Degree in Health Sciences to deepen her knowledge of the healthcare system and complement her own experience navigating the system as a patient. In the future, she hopes to incorporate her studies and her lived experience to address the unmet needs of people living with diabetes. Laura is part of the Diabetes Online Community and frequently shares her ups and downs with type 1 diabetes on her Instagram account @carbcountingmess.
Did you know that it is twice as likely to develop an eating disorder when having type 1 diabetes? In our latest T1Dialogues episode we had the pleasure to meet Sara Mobäck
We talked to Sara about diabetes and eating disorders. She was diagnosed with Anorexia a few years ago and she is am a board member of Diabulimia Helpline.
This month's podcast episode focused on nutrition and leading a healthy lifestyle. Our guest, Amanda Ciprich, MS, RD was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes almost 10 years ago. During the early stages of her diagnosis, she felt herself going down a path of restriction and obsession, which left her feeling weighed down and consumed by her diabetes diagnosis. She craved freedom to enjoy her life without diabetes getting in the way and knew there had to be a way to find her love for food once again. Amanda ultimately decided to pursue a career as a registered dietitian to teach other people living with diabetes and their families how to manage their blood sugars without giving up the foods they love. Amanda's approach gives you tools that incorporate prioritizing yourself mentally, emotionally, and physically so you can navigate any scenario that life with diabetes throws at you.
Follow Amanda at @t1d.nutritionist / www.t1dnutritionist.com
Our guest this month, Dana Roseman, is a certified diabetes care & education specialist and registered dietitian. Being diagnosed with T1D herself, she has some amazing insights into diabetes management and the new technologies that are being developed to help make diabetes management a little easier. On top of this, she has an amazing attitude, being able to find the silver lining to being diagnosed with diabetes.
Dana has trained patients on every currently-available model of insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor and has been involved in over 20 cutting-edge clinical trials related to advanced diabetes and obesity interventions. So she has vast experience to share.
Follow Dana's work at https://integrateddiabetes.com/
Our latest podcast guest is Jack Trigger from @triggersailing who has a very impressive background. But probably the most exciting part is his love for sailing. He started sailing when he was 6. He's a solo offshore sailor learning to pursue his passion while managing his diabetes as well.
Jack has a very impressive and inspiring mindset. Listen to the episode to find out more about the story of how he got diagnosed, the first things that scared him but also about his unbeatable, push forward attitude.
