LiveFree with T1D

Managing type 1 diabetes comes with a lot of mental weight, and for many, that includes the pressure to be perfect. In this episode, I talk with Saci, who was diagnosed at a young age and spent years struggling with food obsession, restrictive eating, and the fear of "getting it wrong." She shares her journey of overcoming an all-or-nothing mindset, how education and community support helped her, and practical steps that anyone can take to release the grip of perfectionism in diabetes management.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

Click HERE to get a FREE copy of my book, Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It (just cover shipping).

Managing type 1 diabetes is never easy, but add pregnancy, motherhood, and a demanding career to the mix—and the mental load can feel overwhelming.

In this episode, Dr, Mark sits down with Kate, a diabetes educator, registered nurse, and mom from Australia who has lived with T1D for 20 years. She opens up about:

✅ Her unexpected diagnosis as a teenager and how she adapted
✅ The mental side of managing diabetes through pregnancy and postpartum
✅ The pressure to “do it all” as a mom with T1D—and how she set boundaries to protect her health
✅ How she helps others manage their diabetes without feeling trapped by perfection

Kate’s story is powerful, real, and packed with insights for anyone navigating life with diabetes. Whether you're newly diagnosed, thinking about pregnancy, or just looking for inspiration to keep going—this episode is for you.

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Syreen, a researcher in women’s health and epidemiologist who has been living with T1D for over 25 years. Their conversation dives into the journey of navigating T1D as a high achiever, the impact of diabetes on career and personal development, and the role of technology and support systems in thriving with diabetes.

Syreen shares her personal journey, from being diagnosed at age seven with parents who were physicians, to balancing diabetes management through high school, college, and a demanding professional life. She opens up about the emotional toll of managing T1D while striving to meet big goals and the challenges of maintaining balance between ambition and health.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to balance the challenges of T1D with an ambitious and fulfilling life.

In this episode, Dr. Mark talks with Deeksha, a counseling psychologist from India who has been living with T1D for 25 years. This conversation dives into the unique challenges of managing T1D in India, a country where access to diabetes care, technology, and mental health support is limited.

Deeksha shares her personal journey, from being diagnosed at the age of four in a small town with limited resources to becoming a passionate advocate for mental health in diabetes care. She talks about the emotional toll of managing diabetes, the fear of complications, and the importance of balancing information and boundaries with tools like CGMs.

Welcome to the all-new format of LiveFree with T1D Podcast. I’m excited to introduce a new approach to the podcast for 2025. Most episodes this year will feature real conversations with people living with type 1 diabetes, exploring their stories, celebrating their wins, and providing coaching for their biggest challenges. You’ll also hear invaluable tips on managing diabetes and keeping blood sugars in range.

To kick things off, I’m pulling an episode from the archives where I share my personal journey with T1D. Listen in as I talk all about my experiences, challenges, and victories—and set the stage for the inspiring stories and coaching sessions to come.

Interested in being a guest? DM me on Instagram @TheDiabetesPsychologist to share your story and receive coaching on what you’re navigating with T1D.

As the new year begins, it’s the perfect time to focus on setting goals that inspire confidence, clarity, and control in your life with type 1 diabetes. In this special episode, I’m sharing the replay of ReImagine T1D, a free virtual event where we explored how to create meaningful goals for 2025.

You’ll learn:
🎯 How to define what success looks like for you in the new year.
🛠️ A proven framework for setting realistic, actionable goals.
💡 Strategies to manage T1D stress so you can focus on what matters most.

This episode is more than just goal-setting—it’s about reimagining how T1D fits into your life, empowering you to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

The holidays are here and you and I both know that T1D can make your relationships with others challenging during this time of year.To help you have a joyful holiday season with T1D along for the ride, we are going to the archives and bringing back one of the most popular episodes.

This is the second episode in a 2-part series about boundaries and T1D.

I know you've been there. I know you've had that friend or family member - even a doctor - who tries to be helpful but crosses the line with you and your diabetes.

Maybe your friend asks you if you should be eating that dessert. Or your mom texts you as soon as she gets a CGM alert on her phone. Your doctor may even yell at you for not doing a good job managing your diabetes. None of these things are ok!

On this episode of The Diabetes Psychologist Podcast, I talk about how you can set healthy boundaries with the people in your life, including your health care team. You are in charge of how you live your life with T1D, and healthy boundaries can help you get the support you need from other people. I'll give you some sure-fire ways to tell if someone has crossed your boundaries with T1D and strategies you can use to set and stick to these healthy boundaries.

Grab your FREE copy of Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It (just cover shipping): offers.thediabetespsychologist.com/freebookpro

The holidays are here and you and I both know that T1D can get in the way of your fun this time of year. To help you have a joyful holiday season with T1D along for the ride, we are going to the archives and bringing back a couple of the most popular episodes.

This is the first episode in a 2-part series about boundaries and T1D.

On this episode, we talk about your boundaries with T1D and with yourself. Do you let T1D take up too much energy, or do you not focus on it enough? What boundaries do you set for yourself around things like what and how much you eat? You don't want your boundaries with T1D and yourself to be too loose, but you also don't want them to be too rigid. We will talk about how you can use boundaries to find the balance between good T1D management and your quality of life.

Next week in the second part of this series, we'll look at your boundaries with other people and your healthcare team around T1D.

Grab your FREE copy of Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It (just cover shipping): offers.thediabetespsychologist.com/freebookpro

In this episode, Dr. Mark chats with Sarah, founder of Thrive with T1D, about her journey with type 1 diabetes, her mission to help others, and her unique perspective as both an educator and health coach. Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as an adult, Sarah shares her personal story, her reflections on what it means to live well with T1D, and how she helps others thrive, regardless of their age or stage in life.

Key Topics Discussed:

You can connect with Sarah through her website https://thr1vet1d.com and Follow Sarah on Instagram @thr1vet1d

In this episode, Dr. Mark dives into a discussion about his book, Diabetes Sucks and You Can Handle It, sharing the origin story behind the book and its key takeaways. He explores the dual realities of diabetes—acknowledging its challenges while embracing tools and strategies to live with confidence. Dr. Heyman also answers listener questions and provides practical insights into managing diabetes-related highs, lows, and the mental and emotional toll.