What does it take to complete 14 Ironman triathlons and race across an entire continent, knowing that every mile requires a perfect balance between extreme physical exertion and Type 1 Diabetes? In this episode of Out of Range, we sit down with Casey Boren, an American elite ultra-athlete and co-founder of the Diabetes Sports Project (DSP). His mission: to prove through action that a diagnosis at age 34 was not the end of his athletic career, but the start of a more disciplined life.
We dive into the brutal reality of ultra-endurance sports, from the Ironman World Championships in Kona to a non-stop cycling race across America. Casey shares how he transitioned from the shock of a late diagnosis to becoming a "master of variables." From the "game-changing" impact of CGM technology to building a global community of T1D athletes, this is a conversation about resilience, the power of data, and the refusal to let a chronic condition dictate your boundaries.
VIDEO CHAPTERS 📖
02:30 The early years: Athletics before the diagnosis
05:15 The shock at age 34: Confusing diabetes with overtraining
09:40 Rebuilding confidence: Training on a treadmill with a plan
13:20 Completing 14 Ironmans with Type 1 Diabetes
17:45 The transition from MDI to Insulin Pump technology
22:10 Race Across America: Cycling 3,000 miles as a T1D team
26:30 Data as a lifeline: The impact of CGMs on endurance
31:15 Managing "moving targets" during 15-hour races
35:40 Nutrition and fueling strategies for ultra-runners
40:05 The birth of the Diabetes Sports Project (DSP)
45:30 Mentoring the next generation of T1D elite athletes
52:15 Message to the community: "It’s your disease, take ownership"
58:40 Future goals: Rebuilding for 100k and 250k ultra-trails
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Ownership of Management: Why Casey believes you must become the expert of your own body and treatment.
- Technology as a Game Changer: How Continuous Glucose Monitors (CGM) removed the "fear of the unknown" during extreme efforts.
- The Importance of a Plan B: Why preparation and redundancy are the keys to finishing races when variables change.
- Community and Representation: How the Diabetes Sports Project provides a platform for elite athletes to inspire the T1D world.
CONNECT AND FOLLOW:
YouTube: https://youtu.be/V-baHdCLiFE
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neverbackdown.be/
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3nxqYGL1tvzOBR7kxteeV4?si=PMcHka0OQ1quP1Jj6uAZAQ
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/4spOpLd
Follow Casey Boren: https://www.instagram.com/insulin_on_the_rocks
Follow DSP: https://www.instagram.com/diabetessportsproject/