Podcast Summary

Podcast: Diabetes Connections | Type 1 Diabetes
Episode: From Patient to Problem-Solver: The Story Behind the Glucose Projector
Host: Stacey Simms
Guest: John Deleo
Release Date: September 30, 2025

Episode Overview

In this episode, Stacey Simms interviews John Deleo, inventor and founder of the Glucose Projector—a device that projects real-time CGM readings onto the ceiling for people with diabetes and their loved ones. Diagnosed with Type 1 in adulthood, John turned a nighttime struggle into innovation, building a product that addresses a crucial and overlooked need in the T1D (Type 1 Diabetes) community. The conversation covers John's personal journey with diabetes, his inspiration for inventing the Glucose Projector, the challenges of bringing it to market, and the importance of patient-led problem-solving.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. John’s Diabetes Journey & Inspiration for the Glucose Projector

• Diagnosis and Early Experience

  • Diagnosed as an adult at age 46 in 2006, after years of unexplained hypoglycemia (10:11).
  • Initially misdiagnosed as Type 2, transitioned to insulin as his pancreas stopped producing enough insulin (12:39, 13:01).
  • Family history of diabetes influenced personal understanding but did not lead to early diagnosis.

• The Problem: Nighttime Hypoglycemia

  • “Before Dexcoms, I would get a lot of hypoglycemia at night and it would wake me up and it would be really bad.” (05:48, John)
  • Reached for the phone at night to check readings but found it disruptive and wished for an easier solution, especially so his wife could see it too.

• The Solution: A Glucose Projector

  • Inspired by a regular clock projector John already used: “Why can't I see my glucose value on the ceiling without reaching for my phone?” (06:49, John)
  • Searched for a product—realized nothing existed—so decided to create one (06:57).

2. Building the Glucose Projector: Process and Challenges

• Product Description

  • “It flashes between the time of day, your current reading and then your trend on the ceiling or the wall…a very convenient way I call it, with the blink of an eye.” (08:24, 15:08, John)
  • Adjustable projection speed, not intrusive—uses red light to avoid disturbing sleep (08:24, 09:22).
  • Works with Dexcom G6, G7 and Libre 2, 3 CGMs; integration was a significant technical hurdle (09:27, 20:24).

• Development Challenges

  • Relied on engineers to build hardware and firmware; communicating urgency of low blood sugar events to non-diabetics was a challenge (07:41).
  • Difficulties primarily in connecting with Dexcom’s systems: “Dexcom was really hard and it took probably a year just to figure out how to connect…” (20:24, John)

• Market Reception

  • Community gave overwhelmingly positive feedback, especially parents of T1D kids and spouses: “I had mothers saying, I'm going to pray for you. Father's fist bumping me…” (15:08, John)
  • Highlighted the importance of accessible, passive data instead of relying solely on alarms (16:03–16:45).

3. Nighttime Diabetes Management: Why Visibility Matters

• For Users and Families

  • Not everyone wakes to alarms; partners/caregivers want peace of mind without disturbing phone checks (16:45, 17:34).
  • Stacey shares the modern problem of “phone distraction” when checking CGM apps: “My phone's bright, it's in my face, and I'm on Facebook or I'm going to check the weather for the next day…” (17:34, Stacey)

• Balancing Attention and Overload

  • Some want continuous data; others fear information overload. “There's people that are saying, oh, no, it's overload. I don't want to know every minute or every five minutes.” (16:45, John)
  • John emphasizes the projector is about convenience, not constant vigilance (19:18).

4. Living Well with T1D as an Older Adult

• Community and Longevity

  • John discusses managing diabetes into his 60s—staying active and monitoring time-in-range (21:55).
  • Expresses interest in aging-related T1D communities but remains focused on living well, not worried about “the end of the tunnel” (21:55, John).

• Exercise and Practical Tips

  • Stays active with cycling: shares that an Apple Watch with CGM data, carrying low snacks, and situational monitoring are his practices (22:42–23:22).

5. Product Details & Purchasing

• Business Model
  • $99 plus shipping (24:09). Self-shipped by John—emphasized as a one-man operation, not a large tech company (24:09, 24:43).
  • Available globally at glucoseprojector.com (24:09).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Inventing the Projector:

  "Why can't I see my glucose value on the ceiling without reaching for my phone? So that morning I told my wife, I said, I'm going to go buy one. So I went to buy one and it didn't exist."
  — John Deleo (06:49)

• User Experience:

  "It's just a very convenient way. I call it, with the blink of an eye. You open your eye, there's your glucose value and you close it and you go back to bed. Sleep."
  — John Deleo (15:08)

• Community Reaction:

  "I had mothers saying, I'm going to pray for you. Father's fist bumping me...and then this Friends for Life July, when I finally had product, I had people saying, I want to buy one. I'm like, oh, you do? Yeah, I've been following you for three years."
  — John Deleo (15:08)

• On Phone Distraction:

  "I'm the kind of person that if I wake up in the middle of the night and I would, like, check Benny's blood sugar...my phone's bright, it's in my face, and I'm on Facebook or I'm going to check the weather for the next day. And then suddenly it's half an hour later and I'm still looking at my phone."
  — Stacey Simms (17:34)

• Managing T1D and Aging:

  "I always tell my endocrinologist...don't worry about A1C, focus on time in range. And I'm usually around 70 to 80% in range. I exercise all the time...I'm just living my life."
  — John Deleo (21:55)

• Personal Touch in Entrepreneurship:

  "It's just me. I'm not a Dexcom or a Libre. I'm the only one in the company. Me, myself and I. So be patient. I ship them basically the day of. Really."
  — John Deleo (24:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [05:48] — John describes the moment that sparked the glucose projector idea
• [08:24] — Technical explanation: how the glucose projector works
• [10:11] — John’s diagnosis story and family background
• [12:39] — Misdiagnosis as Type 2, eventual T1D confirmation
• [15:08] — Community reactions at Friends for Life and market feedback
• [16:45] — Stacey and John discuss data overload and user preferences
• [20:24] — Technical development challenges, especially integrating with Dexcom
• [21:55] — John on aging and T1D, his approach to health and time-in-range
• [22:42] — Cycling and diabetes: John’s tips for exercise management
• [24:09] — How to buy: product details, price, and logistics

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling look into patient-driven innovation in diabetes care. John Deleo identified a ubiquitous but overlooked pain-point in T1D management and, through persistence and community feedback, turned a personal need into a globally available device. His story is both practical and inspirational—showcasing how lived experience shapes technology that truly fits the lives of those it serves.

To learn more or purchase the Glucose Projector:
Visit glucoseprojector.com
Promo code “Stacy” is available for a discount.

Key Quote:

"With the blink of an eye. You open your eye, there's your glucose value and you close it and you go back to bed. Sleep." – John Deleo (15:08)