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Have you ever sat in a doctor’s office with a question, concern, or disagreement… and kept your mouth shut because you didn’t want to be that patient?

Yep. Me too.

When you live with type 2 diabetes, appointments can start to feel less like healthcare and more like a performance review. What’s your A1C? Did you lose weight? Are you exercising? What are you eating? Have you been “good”?

But you’re not there to earn a gold star. You’re there to get healthcare that actually works for you.

In this episode, I’m talking about what it really means to advocate for yourself without turning every appointment into a battle. We’re talking about asking questions, speaking up when something isn’t working, being honest about what you can realistically do, getting a second opinion, and knowing when it might be time to find a different provider.

Advocating for yourself doesn’t mean you don’t trust your healthcare team. It means you understand that you are part of that team.

Your doctors bring their education and expertise.

You bring something they don’t have: the experience of living in your body every single day.

You are not difficult because you ask questions.

You are not difficult because you want to understand.

You are not difficult because you say, “This isn’t working for me.”

And you don’t have to know more than your doctor to deserve a voice in the room.

***

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

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Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

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Ever eat the exact same meal you’ve eaten a dozen times, do everything the same way, and somehow get a completely different blood sugar response?

Yeah. Diabetes is freaking weird sometimes.

In this episode of Sick of Pricks, I’m talking about why blood sugar isn’t the simple math equation we were led to believe it was. Food matters, of course, but so do sleep, stress, hormones, exercise, illness, hydration, medication timing, what your liver is up to, and about a million other things happening behind the scenes.

We’re talking about why the same food can give you different results on different days, why exercise can sometimes make your blood sugar go UP, what’s happening with those annoying morning numbers, and how having access to constant CGM data can sometimes make us feel like we should be able to explain every single spike.

But the biggest takeaway?

There’s a huge difference between responding to a pattern and reacting to a number.

One weird reading doesn’t mean you screwed up or that you need to eliminate another food, overhaul your routine, or launch a full investigation into everything you’ve done for the last 24 hours.

Sometimes the most appropriate response really is:

“Well. That was weird.”

And keep going.

🎙️ In this episode:

• Why blood sugar isn’t as predictable as we wish it were
• The MANY variables affecting your numbers besides food
• Stress, sleep, hormones, exercise, illness, and hydration
• Why your liver occasionally needs to mind its own business
• Dawn phenomenon and those frustrating morning numbers
• The blessing and curse of seeing everything on a CGM
• Why patterns matter more than individual readings
• How to get curious about your numbers without obsessing over them

Diabetes management isn’t about perfectly predicting every number, but more about learning what usually works, noticing patterns, adjusting when you need to, and accepting that sometimes diabetes is just going to diabetes.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

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If I could sit beside the 21-year-old version of myself after my diabetes diagnosis, this is exactly what I'd say.

A diabetes diagnosis changes more than your blood sugar. It changes the way you see your future, the way you think about food, and sometimes even the way you see yourself.

In this episode, I'm sharing the conversation I wish someone had with me after I heard the words, "You have type 2 diabetes." Not a lecture about carbs or medications or a list of rules. Just the things I needed to hear most.

We talk about:

• Why it's okay to grieve after a diabetes diagnosis.
• Letting go of the pressure to have everything figured out right away.
• Why your blood sugar is information, not a measure of your worth.
• Escaping the trap of perfection and learning to keep showing up.
• Why your diagnosis is one chapter of your story, not the whole book.

Whether you were diagnosed last week or twenty years ago, I hope this episode reminds you of something we all need to hear from time to time:

You're doing better than you think you are.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

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People often think the hardest part of diabetes is the medications, the finger sticks, or figuring out what to eat.

But for me, one of the hardest parts has always been something much quieter.

The mental load.

The constant decisions.

The invisible conversations happening in my head that nobody else sees.

In this episode, I'm talking about the loneliness that can come with living with type 2 diabetes, even when you're surrounded by people who love you. We'll talk about decision fatigue, burnout, feeling misunderstood, and why finding people who truly "get it" can make all the difference.

If you've ever felt like you're carrying diabetes by yourself, I hope this episode reminds you that you're not the only one.

In this episode, we'll talk about:

• Why diabetes takes up so much mental space
• The invisible decisions people don't see
• Decision fatigue and diabetes burnout
• Why feeling misunderstood can be so isolating
• The power of finding people who simply say, "Me too."

Whether you've been living with diabetes for twenty years or were diagnosed last week, I hope this conversation helps you feel a little less alone.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan Mail

Have you ever felt like you know what to do...you just can't seem to keep doing it?

You're not alone.

In this episode, I'm talking about one of the most common pieces of advice we hear in the health world: "Find your why." The problem? People make it sound like your why is one magical reason you'll discover once and never lose.

That's not how it works.

I'm sharing why your motivation changes throughout different seasons of life, why it's completely normal for your "why" to feel buried sometimes, and why you probably have more than one reason for taking care of yourself.

We'll also talk about the difference between the deeper reasons that keep us going and the more temporary motivations—like wanting to feel confident on vacation or fit into that dress for a special event. Those reasons aren't shallow. They count too.

By the end of this episode, I hope you'll stop worrying about finding the perfect why and start reconnecting with the reasons that matter most to you right now.

Because your why isn't something you discover once.

It's something you come back to, again and again.

And sometimes, that's exactly what you need to take the next step.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan Mail

If you've ever stood in the grocery store wondering what you're actually supposed to eat with type 2 diabetes, this episode is for you.

One day carbs are the enemy. The next day it's seed oils. Someone tells you fruit has too much sugar, while someone else says you should be eating more of it. Add in well-meaning friends, family members, social media, and random internet "experts," and it's no wonder so many of us feel completely overwhelmed.

In this episode, I'm talking about why the nutrition noise is so loud, how it can chip away at our confidence, and why constantly chasing the "perfect" way to eat often leaves us feeling more confused than when we started.

We'll talk about:
• Why nutrition advice seems to change all the time
• How to handle unsolicited comments about what's on your plate
• Why your own data matters more than someone else's opinion
• Simple questions to ask before believing the latest nutrition claim
• How to build a way of eating that's realistic, sustainable, and works for your life

My hope is that when you finish listening, you'll feel a little less overwhelmed, a little more confident, and a lot more willing to trust yourself instead of every loud voice on the internet.

Because the nutrition noise isn't going away...but that doesn't mean you have to keep listening to all of it.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan Mail

You know what to do.

You know movement helps blood sugar. You know vegetables are good for you. You know sleep matters. You know stress affects your numbers.

So why is actually doing those things sometimes so hard?

In this episode of Sick of Pricks, I'm talking about the gap between knowing and doing. The place where so many of us get stuck.

We collect information. We save posts. We listen to podcasts. We research meal plans. We convince ourselves that if we could just learn one more thing, everything would finally click.

But what if knowledge isn't the problem?

We'll talk about overwhelm, exhaustion, fear, perfectionism, motivation, and why taking action is often much harder than gathering information. Most importantly, we'll talk about why struggling to follow through doesn't mean you're lazy, broken, or failing.

If you've ever found yourself saying, "I know what I should be doing, I'm just not doing it," this episode is for you.

Because the goal isn't perfection.

It's taking the next step.

🎙️ In this episode:
• Why collecting information can feel safer than taking action
• The real reasons we get stuck
• Why motivation isn't the answer
• How perfectionism keeps us trapped
• Reconnecting with your personal "why"
• Small steps that help close the gap between knowing and doing

Remember: knowing is important. But change happens when we start practicing what we already know.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

This Wasn’t in the Pamphlet on Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/yjf8v8p3

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

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Everybody suddenly has an opinion about diabetes.

Your coworker becomes a nutrition expert.
Your aunt has a miracle cure.
Some random guy on Facebook thinks cinnamon fixed everything.
And somehow your plate, your medications, your blood sugar, and your body become public discussion topics.

In this episode of Sick of Pricks, we’re talking about unsolicited advice, internet experts, food policing, medication judgment, and the emotional exhaustion of feeling constantly watched when you live with diabetes.

We’re also getting real about:

• why diabetes commentary hits so deeply
• the pressure to be the “perfect diabetic”
• constantly feeling like you have to explain yourself
• shame, judgment, and being perceived
• learning boundaries and protecting your peace

If you’ve ever been asked “should you be eating that?” while literally chewing your food…this one’s for you.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan Mail

Food noise.

That nonstop mental chatter about food that can feel impossible to shut off.

In this episode of Sick of Pricks, I’m talking about what food noise actually is, why so many people with type 2 diabetes struggle with it, and why it’s about so much more than “just use more willpower.”

We’re getting into:
• constantly thinking about food
• guilt and shame around eating
• the binge/restrict cycle
• diet culture and how it makes food obsession worse
• why blood sugar swings, restriction, and stress can all crank food noise up
• GLP-1 medications and why so many people describe the noise finally getting quieter
• practical ways to start finding more peace around food

Most importantly, we’re talking about this without shame.

Because if you’ve ever felt like food takes up way too much space in your brain, you are definitely not alone.

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.

Send us Fan Mail

This week on Sick of Pricks, we’re talking about binge eating. The real kind. The hidden kind. The kind wrapped in shame, secrecy, guilt, food noise, and feeling completely out of control around food.

In this episode, I’m sharing my personal experience with binge eating disorder, from childhood memories of hiding food and compulsive eating to the mental battle that can happen during a binge. We’re talking about the complicated relationship between diabetes, restriction, shame, perfectionism, and the feeling of constantly being “graded” by your blood sugar, food choices, and body.

We also talk about:
• the difference between binge eating and simply overeating
• why binge eating is more complex than “just emotional eating”
• dopamine, compulsive behavior, and why willpower alone isn’t the answer
• the shame spiral after a binge
• how restriction and punishment can make the cycle worse
• learning curiosity and compassion instead of self-hatred
• why people with diabetes deserve support, not blame

This episode is emotional, vulnerable, and deeply personal for me, but if you’ve ever struggled with binge eating, food guilt, or feeling alone in your relationship with food, I hope it helps you feel seen.

***

🫶🏻 Connect with Mary: 

On Facebook

On IG

On TikTok

Join The Sisterhood, Mary's wellness program for women here

Find diabetes support for women here--> Sugar Mama Strong Diabetes Support

Find diabetes support for men here--> Dudes with Diabetes

Find my book and other merch --> https://sugarmamastrong.com/product-category/goods/this-wasnt-in-the-pamphlet/

Medical disclaimer: The information presented in this podcast is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read or heard in this podcast. Reliance on any information provided is solely at your own risk.