Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In this inspiring episode, I sit down with twin sisters Lisa and Lindsay Rusch, both living with type 1 diabetes, alongside their older brother who also has T1D. Beyond their personal diabetes journeys, the sisters are co-owners of Brekkie Shack, a health-focused restaurant in Columbus, Ohio. This episode is packed with wisdom, entrepreneurial spirit, and practical tips for anyone managing diabetes—or supporting someone who is.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Different ages, different challenges: Lisa was diagnosed at 12, while Lindsay was diagnosed as an adult. Their perspectives on adjusting to T1D are unique yet complementary.
• Food as both fuel and joy: Their restaurant Brekkie Shack is proof that dining out can be both healthy and blood sugar–friendly.
• Endocrinologist alignment matters: Finding the right fit can make or break your confidence in diabetes care.
• Community changes everything: JDRF events, local connections, and podcasts like this one remind us we’re never alone.
• Balance over perfection: Exercise timing, macronutrient choices, and tech tools like CGMs all play a role—but what matters most is finding what works for you.

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 🌐Visit the restaurant: Brekkie Shack Website
• 📸 Follow Brekkie Shack on Instagram: @brekkieshack
• This Episode on YouTube:

About the Host - Coach Ken

I’m Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. My mission is to help people living with diabetes feel confident, informed, and in control—without letting the condition define their lives.

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In today's episode, I sit down with Mark Brezzel T1D author and clinician who shares his powerful story of diagnosis, the mental and physical challenges he faced, and how his faith and passion for fitness shaped his outlook. We discuss strategies for navigating burnout, building balance, and staying grounded in what matters most while living with T1D.

Key Takeaways

• Diagnosis story — How Mark came to terms with his T1D and found resilience.
• Faith and diabetes — The role spirituality plays in his health journey.
• Fitness as a foundation — Why exercise is more than just physical for Mark.
• Managing burnout — Tools to navigate the emotional ups and downs of diabetes.
• Balance and perspective — Building a life with T1D that’s sustainable and fulfilling.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📸 Follow Mark on Instagram: @mdbliveconnextllc
• 🌐 Visit Mark’s Website: mdbliveconnext.com
• 📖 Check out Mark’s Book: Amazon Link

About the Host

Hi, I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) navigate the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and uncertainty of their daily decisions, so they can feel confident in their bodies and live without the constant worry and anxiety of going low, body image, and potential long-term complications. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

Cecily Lopez is a wellness advocate, visual storyteller, and the founder of Trinity Grace Photography, LLC. She has been living with Type 1 diabetes for nearly nine years, and a few years into that journey was also diagnosed with thyroid cancer. Facing both conditions taught her how strong and capable the body can be and inspired her passion for advocacy.

Cecily is dedicated to sharing what she’s learned about navigating chronic illness, listening to the body, and finding healing through rest, gratitude, and community. She is especially passionate about creating space for people who feel unseen in their health journeys, reminding them that everyone deserves to be heard and supported.

Outside of advocacy and photography, Cecily is a wife, mom, and dog mama. She also loves cooking, coffee, books, and movement—whether it’s yoga, pilates, kickboxing, or a good run.

Key Takeaways

• Food freedom — Why you don’t need to fear or feel guilt around food choices.
• Mindset shifts — How Cecily reframed her relationship with diabetes and health.
• Resilience through challenges — Lessons from navigating both T1D and thyroid cancer.
• Listening to your body — Rest, gratitude, and self-awareness as tools for healing.
• Community support — Why creating space for unseen voices matters.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📸 Follow Cecily Lopez on Instagram: 
• 💬 Learn more about Cecily’s work: Trinity Grace Photography, LLC
• 📝 Learn more about the T1D Exchange Registry: Join Here

About the Host

Hi, I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) navigate the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and uncertainty of their daily decisions, so they can feel confident in their bodies and live without the constant worry and anxiety of going low, body image, and potential long-term complications. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

What’s it like to be newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes as an adult? In this episode, I talk with Jessica Barber, who was diagnosed in February 2024. Jessica opens up about what the first year of life with T1D has been like, how she’s learning to understand her body in new ways, and why conversations about women’s health and diabetes are so important.

Key Takeaways

• Early diagnosis journey — What Jessica has learned in her first year with T1D.
• Menstruation and blood sugars — How hormonal shifts impact diabetes management.
• Menopause and diabetes — Why this transition deserves more open conversation.
• Mental health matters — The emotional side of adjusting to a new diagnosis.
• Finding support — Why no one should go through diabetes alone.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📸 Connect with Jessica Barber on Instagram: 

About the Host

Hi, I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) navigate the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and uncertainty of their daily decisions, so they can feel confident in their bodies and live without the constant worry and anxiety of going low, body image, and potential long-term complications. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

You may have heard of Adam Brown’s popular article from Diatribe, “42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose”—a game-changing guide for anyone living with Diabetes. But how do those 42 factors show up in real life? And are there other variables we should be paying attention to?

In part 3, I compare Adam's list and my list of dosing strategies and the medications that affect blood glucose. 

DiaTribe - The 42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose

Bright Spots & Landmines: By Adam Brown

Key Takeaways:

• Insulin Timing 
• Pre-Bolusing
• Expired or Bad Insulin
• Inaccurate CGM Readings
• Insulin Quantity

About the Host

I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with diabetes feel confident, informed, and in control—without the hesitation and distrust in their diabetes decisions. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

What does it look like to fully own your story with Type 1 diabetes and stop letting the condition define you? In this episode, I sit down with Rob Howe—former professional basketball player, creator of Diabetics Doing Things, and passionate advocate for the T1D community. Rob shares how sports shaped his relationship with diabetes, why storytelling matters in this space, and what it takes to break free from shame, comparison, and limiting beliefs. This is a powerful conversation about redefining what’s possible while living with T1D.

Key Takeaways

• Your story matters — Why sharing your journey helps both you and the T1D community.
• Shame doesn’t belong here — How to stop letting diabetes define your self-worth.
• Beyond the numbers — A1C isn’t everything—focus on real life, not perfection.
• Lessons from sports — How discipline, resilience, and community carry over from the court into daily diabetes life.
• Building community — Why connection and storytelling create hope and belonging.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📸 Follow Rob Howe on Instagram: @RobHowe21
• 🎧 Check out Diabetics Doing Things: Listen Here

About the Host

I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with diabetes feel confident, informed, and in control—without the hesitation and distrust in their diabetes decisions. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

What does it take to climb some of the world’s tallest peaks while managing Type 1 diabetes? In this episode, I sit down with mountaineer and T1D veteran Luis Freitas, who has lived with diabetes since the age of two. Luis shares the highs, lows, and lessons from 28 years of managing diabetes—including his solo attempt to summit the tallest mountain in South America. We explore the mental toughness needed to thrive with diabetes, the truth about A1C obsession, and why defining your own version of health is key to long-term success.

Key Takeaways

• Acceptance is a superpower — Why embracing both the condition and inevitable setbacks can transform your mindset.
• Your health, your rules — How Luis defines acceptable blood sugars for high-altitude climbs without sacrificing safety.
• The limits of A1C — Why chasing a perfect number can damage your mental health and how to focus on what truly matters.
• Bullying, community, and identity — How early experiences shaped Luis’s relationship with diabetes and why community is essential.
• Do hard things — How pushing beyond your comfort zone builds resilience, both on the mountain and in daily life with T1D.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode

• 📸 Follow Luis Freitas on Instagram: @luisartf
• 🎧 Listen to past climbing episodes with Jerry (Parts 1 & 2): Part 1 | Part 2

About the Host

I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with diabetes feel confident, informed, and in control—without the hesitation and distrust in their diabetes decisions. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In today's episode, I welcome back Andrew Thomas. Andrew is a firefighter in the great state of Indiana and also lives with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D). In his first appearance on the show (#271), we discussed his experiences living with diabetes and how he has managed to overcome the various challenges life throws his way. In this episode, we take a closer look at his life as a firefighter while managing diabetes. His determination and resilience in handling lows and highs during critical moments demonstrate the strength of our community and how we continue to thrive!

Andrew's Instagram

Check out Andrew's other episode - #271

About the Host

I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with diabetes feel confident, informed, and in control—without the hesitation and distrust in their diabetes decisions. 

🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or Spotify
• Share this episode with a diabuddy
• Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In today's episode, I sit back down with my good friend and Diabuddy Graham Hubbard. Wow, the last two episode with Graham have been FIRE! 

In today's episode we talk about...

• The 42 Factors that Affect Glucose
• Why Dexcom is the best Diabetes technology on the market
• Close Loop Systems the good and bad
• Why Pre-Diabetics, T2D, & Gestational Diabetes should be on CGM 

Check out The 42 Factors That Affect Glucose Article

Coach Ken's Resources:
Website: www.simplifyingdiabetes.com
Newsletter Sign Up
"More Than A1C" - My Signature Coaching Program
The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course
The 5-Pillars Of Diabetes Success Worksheet
December (2024) Stronger Together With T1D Get-Together

What This Episode on YouTube:

Support & Donate To The Podcast

Have a question, send me a DM or email. I'd love to connect and answer any questions you have.

You can find the show  on any platform you listen to your podcasts!

Don't forget to click on that subscribe button and leave a 5-star review, so you're notified when new episode drop every week.

Questions about diabetes, don't hesitate to reach out:

• Instagram: @CoachK3N
• Instagram: @thehealthydiabeticpod
• Facebook: @Simplifying Life With Diabetes
• Email: [email protected]

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In the last episode with Ross, we discussed Ross's journey with T1D and how he's been able to overcome a wide range of challenges without much support from his medical team. In this episode, we took a different direction and talked about how he has been able to manage his Diabetes as an endurance athlete alone. 

Ross's Instagram:

Part 1 of Ross's Story

Simplifying Life With Diabetes Resources:
Website: www.simplifyingdiabetes.com
Newsletter Sign Up
"More Than A1C" - My Signature Coaching Program
The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course
The 5-Pillars Of Diabetes Success Worksheet

Set Up a Free Call...

Apparel Store

Support & Donate To The Podcast

The T1D Exchange Registry is a research study, conducted over time, for individuals with type 1 diabetes and their supporters. Participants volunteer to provide their data for Diabetes research. Once enrolled, Registry participants have the opportunity to sign up for other studies on various topics related to type 1 diabetes.

You can make an impact on the future of Diabetes now! Fill out an online  survey and gain access to tons of new research and the online portal. It only takes 10-15 minutes.

Have a question, send me a DM or email. I'd love to connect and answer any questions you have.

You can find the show  on any platform you listen to your podcasts!

Don't forget to click on that subscribe button and leave a 5-star review, so you're notified when new episode drop every week.

Questions about diabetes, don't hesitate to reach out:

• Instagram: @CoachK3N
• Instagram: @thehealthydiabeticpod
• Facebook: @Simplifying Life With Diabetes
• Email: [email protected]

Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management.

Support the show