March 06, 2024

Episode 270 - Dr. Charles Loftis, T1D, NBA Sports Performance Therapist

55 minutes

This episode is supported by Thrivable. Thrivable’s mission is to create a

better future together. They achieve this by making it easy for healthcare

companies to include the patient's voice in their decisions so they can

create transformative treatments and products for you.

And for listeners of Diabetics Doing Things, Thrivable has multiple

opportunities for you to earn money for sharing your story, your insights

and your lived experience for companies who produce and design products for

people with diabetes. You can participate in online surveys and earn up to

$75 per hour and join in-person studies to earn up to $800 per study.

To sign up, just go to thrivable.app/rob and create a profile. It only

takes a few minutes. Then, just wait for study invitations, participate in

a paid diabetes research study and get compensated for your time.

———

In this podcast episode, Dr. Charles Loftis, a type 1 diabetic and sports

performance therapist for the Portland Trail Blazers, shares his diagnosis

story and the challenges of living with diabetes. The conversation covers

topics such as diabetes diagnosis, lifestyle adjustments, emotional

struggles, the impact of technology in diabetes management, community

support, managing diabetes in a sports team, traveling with diabetes, and

balancing a career in sports performance coaching while dealing with

diabetes.

This episode also includes the opening of the Mailbag! If you want to

submit your question, email [email protected].

Topics discussed:

1. Diabetes Diagnosis and Lifestyle Adjustments

o Doc shares his diagnosis story and the challenges he faced

despite being fit and health-conscious.

o Importance of nuanced diabetes diagnosis and understanding

insulin dosing and carb counting post-diagnosis.

o Emotional and practical challenges of accepting the diagnosis,

lifestyle changes, and educational aspects of managing the

condition.

2. Community Support and Awareness

o Sharing a diabetes diagnosis publicly and receiving support

from the community.

o Importance of connections within the diabetes community, using

personal experiences to educate and raise awareness.

o Impact of technology in diabetes management and societal

perceptions of wearing devices.

3. Managing Diabetes in Sports Performance

o Challenges of managing blood sugar levels during physical

activities.

o Recognizing symptoms, handling medical emergencies, and

communicating about diabetes within a sports team.

o Strategies for managing diabetes while traveling with a

professional sports team.

4. Career in Sports Performance Coaching with Diabetes

o Balancing a demanding lifestyle as a sports performance coach

for elite athletes.

o Importance of personal routines, sacrifices made for success,

and advice for individuals with diabetes pursuing careers in

sports.

o Understanding the individuality of athletes and the impact of

personal experiences on inspiring others.

5. Perspectives and Empathy

o Reflections on how living with diabetes has shaped perspectives

and empathy.

o Valuable life lessons learned from dealing with a chronic

condition.

o Gratitude for growth and insight gained through unique

experiences with diabetes.

Key takeaways:

* Acceptance and positivity are crucial in facing the challenges of

living with diabetes.

* Community support and connections within the diabetes community play

a significant role in managing the condition.

* Understanding the individuality of athletes and the importance of

communication in sports teams are essential for diabetes management.

* Personal experiences with diabetes can inspire and support others

facing similar struggles.

* Gratitude and growth can be found in the unique experiences and

challenges posed by living with diabetes.

00:00 Unlocking the Story of a Type 1 Diabetic NBA Sports Performance

Therapist

09:05 Navigating the Emotional and Practical Challenges of Living with

Type 1 Diabetes

14:33 Embracing the Diabetes Community: A Journey of Support and

Inspiration

20:43 Navigating Life with Diabetes: Challenges, Awareness, and Acceptance

28:38 Navigating Diabetes in a Sports Performance Team

31:45 Managing Diabetes and NBA Travel: A Pro's Guide

36:57 Navigating Life as a Sports Performance Coach Working with Elite

Athletes and Diabetes

46:57 Exciting Basketball Clinics and Heartfelt Conversations: A Peek into

Diabetes Community Connections

48:33 Rob & Eritrea Open the Mailbag

...more

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By Diabetics Doing Things

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