Back in 2017, I was working at BBC Health News Online when I came across an article about a lady who had launched a clothing range specifically for women with type 1 diabetes, designed to help them manage the condition with strategically placed holes for injecting or reaching devices. 

Its creator Natalie Balmain had the idea following her own diagnosis at the age of 20. Many years and many further creative ideas later, Natalie joins me as today’s guest.

Whether it’s fashion design, hosting Insulet’s Typecast podcast, winning reality TV shows as a would-be politician, or working in corporate communications, Natalie is a master adapter, but also a crusader.

In this episode we talk about how type 1 diabetes gave Natalie the confidence she never had, learning to let her guard down and build community, and how she manages her ADHD alongside the many demands of type 1 diabetes. 

CONNECT WITH NATALIE
Follow Natalie on Instagram.
Discover Natalie on TikTok.
Watch the Typecast podcast.

JOIN THE TYPE 1 ON 1 INSTAGRAM COMMUNITY 
Come and say hi @studiotype1on1 on Instagram.

DISCLAIMER
Nothing you hear on Type 1 on 1 should be taken as medical advice. Please consult your healthcare team before making any changes to your diabetes or health management.

SPONSOR MESSAGE
This episode of Type 1 on 1 is sponsored by Insulet, the makers of Omnipod tube-free insulin pump therapy. Using Omnipod 5 Automated Insulin Delivery has improved my diabetes management significantly with less diabetes decisions, and of course no multiple daily injections. How? Well, Omnipod 5 automatically adjusts insulin every five minutes to help keep me in range, allowing life outside of type 1 diabetes to get bigger. If you want to know more, head to Omnipod.com.