Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1654 "Born This Way"

Date: October 16, 2025
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Crystal (33 years old, type 1 diabetic since age 12)

Main Theme

This episode dives deep into Crystal’s lived experience with type 1 diabetes, her unique health circumstances, struggles with management (including past insulin omission for weight loss), and her renewed commitment to better self-care. The conversation moves through her diagnosis, family history, current health challenges, and actionable plans for improving her outcomes—with a strong focus on community-based support and realistic, compassionate advice. The tone is candid, empathetic, often humorous, and practical.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diagnosis and Early Years with Diabetes

• Crystal was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12 after excessive sleepiness and a checkup revealed unreadably high blood sugar ([02:06]).
• Admitted to the hospital for three days; initially managed diabetes with syringes—no mention of insulin pumps then ([03:02], [03:29]).
• Her father was highly supportive, assisting with insulin injections at school, especially early on ([05:30]).

2. Family Health History and Personal Background

• Crystal’s mother passed away from kidney failure when Crystal was 8; she was born with only one kidney, as was Crystal ([04:01], [04:33]).
• Family history includes gestational diabetes in her mother, type 2 diabetes in her father and brother (Crystal is the only type 1) ([04:13]).
• Crystal herself was also born missing a heart valve and a uterus, among other congenital conditions ([16:49], [17:02]).

3. Struggles with Diabetes Self-Management

• Describes the past 20 years of management as “very shaky” ([06:37]).
• A1c values commonly around 10, sometimes as high as 13 ([06:47], [07:06]).
• Managed on a sliding scale regimen for over a decade ([07:32]).

4. Turning Point and the Impact of DKA

• A severe episode of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) last year (blood sugar reached 918, hospitalization, confusion, infection) served as a wakeup call ([08:00], [08:34]).
• Crystal admits to periodically omitting insulin as a method of weight loss, after learning about it online as a teenager ([09:32], [10:16], [10:59]).
  • Quote:
    "I learned that the hard way.” – Crystal ([09:52])
• The awareness of the DKA’s danger fueled Crystal’s renewed commitment to learning better management.

5. Mental Health and Psychosocial Factors

• Past bullying about weight influenced negative self-care behaviors ([10:16], [10:22]).
• Crystal is open and honest about her challenges but shows resilience and a strong desire to improve.

6. Current Health Challenges

• Beyond T1D, Crystal faces a multitude of health issues: one kidney, missing heart valve, no uterus, high cholesterol (was high blood pressure), hidradenitis suppurativa (chronic skin condition), and gastroparesis ([16:57], [17:02], [20:58], [21:00]).
  • Quote:
    “I was born without a uterus.” – Crystal ([17:02]) “I was diagnosed with gastroparesis. They told me I could still have breakfast in me by dinner time.” – Crystal ([21:00])

7. Day-to-Day Diabetes Management

• Utilizes a Dexcom G7 CGM ([13:14]).
• Basal insulin: Toujeo; meal insulin: Humalog ([13:24], [34:18]).
• Struggles with consistent lows overnight and large spikes after meals, especially after cereal ([13:30], [12:41]).
  • Quote:
    "Cereal isn't one [of the better foods]." – Crystal ([27:46])
• Describes typical meals (cereal for breakfast, sandwiches for lunch, variable dinners), with detailed discussion about how certain foods affect blood sugar and strategies to improve glycemic control ([12:41]-[31:31]).

8. Support Systems and Community

• Family support limited after her father’s death; now lives with stepmom and brother, but leans heavily on online support, especially the Juicebox Podcast Facebook group.
  • Quote:
    "Ryan’s actually helped me a lot." – Crystal ([25:20])
• Found significant value in peer support and practical tips from the community ([25:24]-[26:01]).

9. Plans for the Future & Technology

• Upcoming appointment to start insulin pump therapy (considering Omnipod 5 or Tandem T:slim Control IQ) ([24:05], [24:22]).
  • Anxious but optimistic about how automation might help, especially with nighttime lows ([24:47]).
• Setting an A1c goal of 7.5 or below, inspired by new knowledge and community encouragement ([37:23]).

10. Diet, Exercise, and Lifestyle Adjustments

• Advised by host Scott to cut out sugary drinks, cereal, and processed snacks—replace with proteins, whole foods, and water ([27:46]-[41:18]).
  • Quote:
    “Please stop eating cereal. Okay?” – Scott ([27:49]) “Drink a little more water, keep going outside, moving around, walking, finding exercise. But I would just try to cut sugar out of my diet.” – Scott ([41:18])
• Crystal cares for stray cats, enjoys swimming, walks often, and tries to stay active ([13:49]-[13:55], [35:19]-[35:21]).

11. Self-Advocacy and Personal Growth

• Advocated for herself after DKA, sought out resources, and now takes greater responsibility for her health ([26:21]).
• Open to trying supplements like digestive enzymes and magnesium oxide to help with gastroparesis and constipation ([22:09]-[23:30]).
• Shows interest in employment and education, despite health limitations ([18:20]-[18:42]).
• Maintains a long-distance relationship and has personal hobbies, demonstrating well-rounded interests and resilience ([36:06]-[36:16], [33:04]).

12. Practical Insights and Education

• Discussion of practical approaches to pre-bolusing, adjusting insulin regimens, navigating food choices, and using technology effectively ([25:13]-[25:18]; [44:29]-[45:09]).
  • Quote:
    “You have a goal. You know what you're... you want to get done. You know, you've outlined all the smart ideas. Eliminating sugar and junky food from your diet. You're already getting outside, moving around a lot… Be careful as you're changing your diet, we don't want you … having a bunch of low blood sugars…” – Scott ([43:28])
• Addresses "foot on the floor" phenomena (morning blood sugar rise) and how Crystal is combatting this ([44:29]-[45:09]).

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On discovering diabetes as a child:
  “I was at a checkup and I felt fine ... but they said my blood sugar was so high they couldn't read it.” – Crystal ([02:06])

• On her father's support:
  “If my blood sugar was high, he would go up to the school and give me my shots.” – Crystal ([05:30])

• On living with multiple rare conditions:
  “I was born with one kidney … missing a heart valve … was born without a uterus.” – Crystal ([04:33], [16:49], [17:02])

• Regarding insulin omission for weight loss:
  “I learned that the hard way.” – Crystal ([09:52])
  “Just by, like, Googling.” – Crystal ([09:45])

• Crystal’s turning point:
  “I even went into DKA last year.” ([08:00])
  “I wasn't responding to their questions … last thing I remember was them shining a light in my eye to wake me up.” ([08:34])

• On finding community:
  “Ryan’s actually helped me a lot ... in my Facebook group.” – Crystal ([25:20])

• On diet and practical change:
  “Please stop eating cereal. Okay? Yeah. What kind of cereal are you eating?” – Scott ([27:49])
  “Sour Cream [Pringles].” – Crystal ([29:59])

• On resilience and plans:
  “I think you're gonna be in a much different situation in six months from now… you’re gonna learn a lot of new stuff… have an A1C in the sevens.” – Scott ([45:33], [50:36])

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Diagnosis and Early Diabetes Experiences – [01:49] to [05:45]
• Family and Medical Background – [03:45] to [05:15], [16:47] to [17:47]
• Management Struggles and Turning Point (DKA) – [06:00] to [09:54]
• Insulin Omission and Eating Disorders – [09:32] to [12:08]
• Current Treatment and Daily Life – [12:41] to [14:35], [22:35] to [23:30]
• Community Support/Online Groups – [25:20] to [26:01], [33:08] to [33:14]
• Diet and Lifestyle Coaching – [27:46] to [41:18]
• Pump Hopes and Practical Adjustments – [24:05] to [25:03], [33:49] to [34:31], [45:33] to [45:59]
• Mental and Physical Health Challenges – [16:47] to [23:01]
• Moment of Hope & Future Goals – [37:23], [50:36] to [51:02]

Overall Tone and Takeaways

Scott’s conversation with Crystal is marked by warmth, candor, and a real willingness to dig into sensitive issues with care. Crystal’s story offers a window into the complexities of living with type 1 diabetes, especially where social pressures, mental health, and multiple comorbidities intersect. The episode is motivational and educational, providing not only empathy but practical, obtainable steps toward better diabetes management—underscoring how online community, small adjustments, supportive tools, and perseverance can make a significant difference.

Recommended for:
Anyone navigating type 1 diabetes, experiencing management fatigue, considering new technology (like pumps/CGMs), or in need of community support and practical, lived-in advice.