In Episode 2 of the second season of Doing Well with Diabetes, a special podcast series in partnership with Diabetics Doing Things, host Rob Howe explores what it takes to challenge stigma in sport and compete at the highest level with type 1 diabetes. Costa Rican pole vaulter Rebeca Jara and Gambian footballer Ousman Ceesay reveal how visibility, preparation, and confidence help turn exclusion into leadership and show athletes everywhere that diabetes isn’t a barrier to sport, but a catalyst for strength, community, and change.

00:01:36 – Meet Rebeca: Costa Rican Track & Field Athlete with T1D

00:02:53 – Diagnosis, Early Years, and Finding Diabetes Camp

00:06:31 – First Track Competitions and Stress-High Blood Sugars

00:09:21 – Central American Championship: Broken Insulin Vial and DNS-Level Highs

00:15:05 – Overcoming Lows and Highs in Competition

00:18:28 – Coach Tries to Exclude Rebeca Because of Diabetes

00:20:01 – Winning Gold and Changing the Narrative

00:22:19 – Advice to Her Younger Self and Enjoying Sport

00:23:22 – Rebeca’s Online Presence: “Rebebetes”

00:24:12 – Meet Ousman: Gambian Footballer with T1D

00:24:49 – Being Cut for Having Diabetes and Forming a New Team

00:26:06 – First Game, Captain’s Armband, and the Winning Header

00:28:58 – Beating the Coach Who Discriminated Against Him

00:29:32 – Misconceptions About Diabetes in Gambia

00:31:56 – Building a Public Advocate: Social Media, TV, and Radio

00:33:54 – Mentoring Young People and Normalizing Visibility

00:36:58 – Origin Story of “All Is Well Like Never Before”

00:40:31 – Turning Hypo/Hyper Swings into Gratitude and a Clothing Brand

00:42:31 – Health, Perspective, and Redefining “Well”

00:43:24 – Closing Reflections and Future Vision

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