#1745 Icky Sticky

Summary

Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1745 – "Icky Sticky"
Date: January 23, 2026
Host: Scott Benner
Guest: Shane (26, living with Type 1 diabetes for 23 years)

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Episode Overview

In this episode, Scott Benner welcomes Shane, a candid and insightful 26-year-old who has managed type 1 diabetes (T1D) since the age of 3. Together, they explore the realities of growing up with T1D, transitioning to adulthood, navigating new independence, health technology, challenges like drinking and cannabis, and finding purpose outside of diabetes. Through anecdotes, advice, and honest discussion, this episode offers practical strategies, encouragement, and community for those affected by T1D.

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Key Discussion Points

1. Shane’s Diagnosis & Early Childhood with T1D

• Diagnosed at age 3 (June 2002)
  • Shane recalls a single memory: being on a toy car in the hospital, but most memories are from stories or photos.
  • No prior family history of T1D; support came from family despite “a lot of confusion” in the beginning ([4:11-5:29]).
• Parental support
  • Father helped with painful site changes for insulin delivery.
  • Mother managed doctor visits, insurance, and logistics for Shane and his siblings ([6:24-6:51]).
  • “I wasn't very confident in checking my blood sugar until I was about nine. I didn’t like pricking my finger...my dad would help me...my mom took me to the doctor.” ([5:50-7:06])

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2. Developing Independence & Diabetes Management

• Learning to self-manage
  • Parents instilled honesty (“don’t sneak food”) and trained Shane early in carb-counting and being open about eating.
  • Shane never developed disordered eating or hid diabetes: “I never had any weird feelings about food. I was very much in tune with my body...just vibe with it.” ([9:07-10:40])
• Peer Comparisons
  • Saw other kids with higher A1C who struggled with honesty or management; learned from their experiences ([9:17-9:48]).

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3. Transition to New Diabetes Technology

• First CGM: Adopted around 2020 (beginning of COVID).
  • Initially resisted due to dislike of “another site” on his body ([13:27-13:31]).
  • Uses Dexcom G7 currently; started with G6 ([11:19-11:25]).
  • Cited practical annoyance: "Those get a little gross sometimes with the tape around." – Shane ([12:16])
• Improvements with new tech
  • CGM led to better A1C and self-awareness: "My A1C has been consistently below 7...It’s definitely opened my eyes..." – Shane ([17:37-17:50])
  • Observed real-world data (24-hour trends) changed his understanding of diabetes management ([18:27-19:54]).

Memorable exchange:

“You almost said what I think is maybe one of the more valuable parts about a CGM is...if you step back 24 hours, you can see the whole thing in one picture. You go, ‘Oh, I’m not good at this.’ ”
— Scott ([19:23])

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4. College Life & Health Decisions

• College transition

  • Gained weight ("freshman 15" took him from 155 to 190 lbs).
  • Played club hockey; injuries and priorities led to joining a fraternity instead ([34:22-36:32]).
  • Experienced drinking culture (“I don’t know how I did it sometimes, Scott… The biggest thing was I didn’t want low blood sugar while drinking” – Shane ([37:09-38:01]))
  • Recognized the risk: “I always knew the sensation of having low blood sugar while drinking… it feels like nothing’s there.” ([38:17-38:29])
  • Acknowledged experimentation with cannabis and vaping; ultimately left behind after graduation ([59:00-59:24]).

• Managing T1D with Alcohol & Drugs

  • Beer affected blood sugar; weed and nicotine did not ([61:34-62:09]).
  • Noted the mental and physical toll of unhealthy lifestyle, leading to reflection and course correction ([58:13-59:24]).

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5. Adulting: Work, Insurance, and Growing Up

• New responsibilities
  • Felt the impact of moving off parental insurance – “It’s a full step into adulthood…I was definitely worried about it.” ([42:29-43:48])
  • Adjusted to cost of living and finances; shares perspectives on expectations vs. reality for young grads ([43:03-45:04])
  • "No one tells you about benefits, taxes, bills, before you see your first paycheck."
    • Scott ([43:16])
• Building adult skills
  • Worked first in large companies, then pivoted to smaller, contract-to-hire opportunities in integrated supply management.
  • Values fitness and community: hockey league led to networking and landed current job ([31:23-31:53]).

6. Relationships, Dating, and Social Connections

• On Dating with T1D
  • “It’s very important, so you want to let them know [you have diabetes]…if I’m acting different I might have low or high blood sugar.” ([25:23-25:52])
  • More embarrassment telling coaches than romantic partners; tired of over-explaining T1D ([26:07-27:39]).
• Making friends and home life
  • Leaned on fraternity for close friends and professional networking ([45:46-46:05]).
  • “I have roommates...we split rent…All my roommates have been aware, and always ask if there’s anything they can do” ([54:04-55:18]).
  • Prefers not to let diabetes define daily interactions: “I try to go throughout the day myself, just like, I’m not going to let this get in the way.” ([55:38-55:53])
• Modern dating
  • Emphasizes how digital everything has become, both for finding relationships and for everyday connections.
  • “Now it feels like I need to boost myself [on dating apps], versus when they were so new it was a lot more just like…” ([52:44-52:55])
  • Stays socially engaged with bowling, hockey, dart leagues, and by trying new activities—even things he’s not good at ([47:01-47:30]).

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7. Physical Activity & Exercise

• Sports & T1D Management
  • Played multiple sports in youth (cross country, swimming, wrestling, hockey).
  • Currently plays adult league hockey, removes insulin pump during games for safety, resulting in temporary blood sugar spikes ([31:23-33:08]).
  • Advice from Scott: “You could always bolus a little before you start and bolus a little after the second period, maybe.” ([33:17-33:24])
• Transition to Running
  • Post-college, took up distance running—half marathon, 25k, marathon. Needed large amounts of Gatorade and food to manage lows.
  • “I was the only person with Gatorade just strapped on in the race…like Batman with Gatorade going for a run.” – Shane ([69:04-69:17])
  • Realized the challenge and physical cost: “I gained weight from trying to run because you were feeding so many lows.” ([69:50-69:54])

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8. Reflection, Mental Health, and Growth

• Facing Anxiety & Reevaluation
  • Recognizes the role of anxiety and the fruitlessness of self-medicating (“You’re telling yourself this is helping me, but deep down it’s not.” – Shane ([59:31-59:40]))
• Stepping into Adulthood
  • “I think I had to just go through this process.” – Shane, reflecting on maturity and needed life experiences ([74:44-74:48])
• Hopes for Future
  • Now healthier, more active, aiming for marriage and family: “Yeah, I do.” (re: wanting to get married, [62:55-62:56])
  • Open about concern for future diabetes complications, but optimistic:

    “Right now I’m doing a lot better than I was two years ago—in a multitude of aspects: mentally, physically, financially.” ([73:19-73:46])

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On first memories:
  "I have like one very vague memory of being in the hospital...but besides that, I don't know." – Shane ([3:04])
• On telling others about diabetes:
  “I was sick and tired of explaining the same thing over and over...I was one of the only people I knew who had diabetes.” – Shane ([26:49])
• On the value of CGM data:
  “If you step back 24 hours you go, 'Oh, I’m not good at this.'” – Scott ([19:23])
• On health and social life:
  “There’s been plenty of times where diabetes has gotten in the way. I can’t go out or I can’t play in a game because my blood sugar is so high or so low. Afterwards, I don’t have the mental capacity to go out and interact...I just want to stay in.” – Shane ([29:51])
• On breaking unhealthy patterns:
  “Once I lost the association of people that smoked weed—weed went away.” – Shane ([59:20-59:24])
• On reflecting and moving forward:
  “I’m not worried though, because I know I can do this.” (on getting own insurance) – Shane ([42:50])
• On personal growth:
  “Right now I’m doing a lot better than I was two years ago…mentally…physically…financially.” – Shane ([73:19])

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• Diagnosis and Memories: [2:46–4:39]
• Family Support & Early Management: [5:06–7:18]
• CGM Adoption & Changes: [11:08–13:31], [16:05–17:50]
• College Life, Sports, and Risk Behaviors: [34:22–39:01]
• Impact of Drinking and Drugs: [37:09–39:34], [59:00–62:09]
• Transition to Adulthood/Insurance: [42:29–45:04]
• Social Life, Dating, Modern Friendships: [46:00–52:55]
• Exercise Challenges Post-College: [69:04–70:23]
• Reflection, Mental Health, Future Outlook: [73:19–74:44]

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Takeaways & Practical Strategies

• Honesty and communication about diabetes are lifelong assets—both in families and with new people.
• Health tech like CGMs and insulin pumps can transform diabetes management, but adoption is emotional as well as technical.
• Awareness and mindfulness in habits (alcohol, drugs, eating) is crucial for well-being in the transition from adolescence to adulthood.
• Exercise is both a challenge and a tool—done thoughtfully, it supports both mental and physical health.
• Building a social network—through sports, hobbies, or organizations—matters, especially for people with chronic conditions.
• Reflecting on your life, embracing change, and seeking community are key to thriving with diabetes.
• Everyone’s road to self-acceptance and healthy adulthood is unique—but sharing personal journeys, like Shane’s, helps make diabetes make sense for many.

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Final Thoughts

Shane’s story is a testament to the ordinary and extraordinary aspects of life with diabetes—from childhood confusion, parental teamwork, and then the messy, triumphant process of forging independence. The episode is layered with practical insight, humor, and goodwill, offering listeners both concrete ideas and real encouragement for their own journeys with or alongside T1D.

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Listen to more: JuiceboxPodcast.com
Community: Juicebox Podcast - Type 1 Diabetes (Private Facebook group)
Featured practical episodes: Bold Beginnings, Defining Diabetes, Small Sips

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Please note: Timestamps are approximate. Content related to advertisements and show plugs has been omitted per instruction.

Transcript

[A]

Welcome back, friends, to another episode of the Juice Box Podcast.

[B]

Hello, I'm Shane. I'm 26 years old and I've been living with type 1 diabetes for over 23 years now.

[A]

If you're new to type 1 diabetes, begin with the Bold Beginnings series from the podcast. Don't take my word for it. Listen to what reviewers have said. Bold Beginnings is the best first step. I learned more in those episodes than anywhere else. This is when everything finally clicked. People say it takes the stress out of the early days and replaces it with clarity. They tell me this should come with the diagnosis packet that I got at the hospital. And after they listen, they recommend it to everyone who's struggling. It's it's straightforward, practical and easy to listen to. Bold Beginnings gives you the basics in a way that actually makes sense. If you've ever heard a diabetes term and thought, okay, but what does that actually mean? You need the Defining Diabetes series from the Juice Box Podcast. Defining Diabetes takes all of those phrases and terms that you don't understand and makes them clear quick and easy episodes. Find out what bolus means, basal insulin sensitivity, and all of the rest. There has to be over 60 episodes of defining Diabetes. Check it out now in your audio player or go to juiceboxpodcast.com and go up into the menu. Today's episode is brought to you by Omnipod. We talk a lot about ways to lower your A1C on this podcast. Did you know that the Omnipod 5 was shown to lower A1C? That's right. Omnipod 5 is a tube free automated insulin delivery system and it was shown to significantly improve A1C and time and range for people with type 1 diabetes when they switched from daily injections. My daughter is about to turn 21 years old and she has been wearing an Omnipod every day since she was four. It has been a friend to our family and I think it could be a friend to yours. If you're ready to try Omnipod 5 for yourself or your family, use my link now to get started. Omnipod.com juicebox get that free Omnipod 5 starter kit today. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox this episode of the Juicebox podcast is sponsored by the Dexcom G7, the same CGM that my daughter wears. Check it out [e-mail] Juicebox hello, I'm Shane.

[B]

I'm 26 years old and I've been living with type one diabetes for over 23 years now.

[A]

Shane, diagnosed when you were three, two and a half, something like that?

[B]

Yep. Three years old.

[A]

Wow.

[B]

It was June of 2002.

[A]

How was the weather that June, do you remember?

[B]

I don't remember.

[A]

You don't remember?

[B]

I think it was nice, though.

[A]

What do you remember about that? Nothing. Right.

[B]

I have like one very vague memory of being in the hospital and like seeing a doctor from like a three year old's perspective. I was like, I'm like a little like car toy thing. But besides that, I don't. I don't know.

[A]

Sure.

[B]

That was like, from that time.

[A]

Are there, are there photos of your diagnosis time?

[B]

There probably is. You know, my mother, like, she. She keeps photos of everything, so I'm. I know it was a really hard time for her then.

[A]

Yeah. I was just wondering because I'm starting to learn as I get older that, like, some of my older memories. They're not really memories. They're. They're photos that I remember. Does that make sense? Oh, like, yeah. Like, I wouldn't be surprised if somewhere there's a picture of a car and you in a hospital, like, and you've seen it. Like, that's what I was wondering about. I mean, I could also be 100% wrong. What do you mean? It was hard for your mom? How do you know that? Is that those stories that have been shared over the years?

[B]

Yeah, just like throughout time, just from, like hearing like, from like other family members. Just like, oh, like, you know, we had no idea what was going on back then, you know, like it was in 2002. So that was a different, you know, time frame. And no one in my family at the time had type 1 diabetes.

[A]

So do they now?

[B]

I'm the only one that has type 1 diabetes in my, like, you know, my mom or dad's side of the family. So I guess there is some type two.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

That goes.

[A]

I think we all, we all know somebody with type 2 diabetes, I think, right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So, yeah, stories from your other family members. Like stories like, hey, your mom was struggling back then or they weren't telling you that when you were a kid, right?

[B]

No, no, this was just like, as I got older, it was just like, oh, yeah, like, you know, like they just know what was going on. This is something that was completely new. And then it's like your. Your child's sick.

[A]

A lot of confusion for.

[B]

For five days.

[A]

Yeah, like a lot of. A lot of confusion, you think, throughout the fat, like through the extended family, too? Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, definitely. I mean, It. There was definitely support there, which was great from, you know, what I picked up on over time.

[A]

So your parents married still. Okay. Do you remember growing up with somebody more in charge of you than the other, or was it a pretty equal distribution of responsibility?

[B]

It was very equal. So, you know, growing up, I was not very confident and, like, checking my blood sugar until I was about, like, nine. I didn't like pricking my finger. Definitely did not, like, do my own sight. I didn't like the. You know, it can be painful. You know, sometimes, like putting your stomach, your leg, your butt, your arm, whatever. My dad would help me do the.

[A]

Yeah, I'm sorry.

[B]

Help change my sights.

[A]

Yeah. You weren't confident or you weren't. Or you weren't. Or. It hurt and you didn't want to do it.

[B]

I think it was because it hurt.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So I didn't want to do it.

[A]

Yeah. So having your dad help you was valuable.

[B]

Very valuable.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. And then my mom would take me to the doctor. She would do all, like. Like, the insurance paperwork, you know?

[A]

Right.

[B]

I got two. I got two other siblings in my family to. So she also did that for them, but they didn't. They're very healthy. They don't have any ass on their lying conditions.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Running around, all healthy.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

Are they older, older, or younger?

[B]

They're both older.

[A]

Both older. Oh, you're the youngest.

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Okay. Do you have any other autoimmune stuff?

[B]

Nope.

[A]

No.

[B]

That's type one diabetic.

[A]

How about your mom? Your mom got thyroid?

[B]

No.

[A]

No. Okay. No. You don't see any celiac in the family? Extended family, celiac, thyroid, vitiligo. Any other ra, maybe? Any other autoimmune issues?

[B]

Not that I'm aware of.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

Honestly, no.

[A]

That's. That's fine. And you're 26 now. How long you been out of college?

[B]

Yeah, So I graduated five years ago. Well, 2021. So spring of 2021.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. So you and my son are the same. Just about the same age. You're a little older than he is. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. I. I really loved college. It was definitely a time period where, like, you know. You know, like. Oh, like Shane, you started.

[A]

You started laughing, but only you knew what you were laughing at. What. What was that? Let me ask a couple questions, and I'll get you to college. Okay. So you're not too comfortable taking care of yourself till you're like, nine or so with your sights and everything that I imagine gets a little easier as you get older. You're making decisions about insulin on your own at one age.

[B]

Yeah. So that was instilled into me to start counting carbs at a very early age. And, like, not lying about, like, what you're eating.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And like, sneaking food. That was instilled into me, I would say, from both my parents, like, hey, like, you have something, you can do it, but let us know and how. And then you need to know how to count this.

[A]

Right. So they.

[B]

So very honest and direct.

[A]

Empowered. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And did you ever have trouble with lying about, like, what you were eating?

[B]

No, but I knew other people throughout time growing up that, you know, my parents would work with or through, like, sports. It would be like, oh, like, you know, I have the same endocrinologist as some of these people and we would just. I would just hear that, like, oh, you're eight. One seems ten.

[A]

Or.

[B]

And then like, mine's like eight. It wasn't that much better.

[A]

But I'm not bragging because I had an 8, but they had a 10, so they were definitely doing something. But like. So did you grow up with any weird feelings about food or your parents were able to keep that from happening by the way they talked to you about it?

[B]

No, I. I never had any, like, weird feelings about food. I mean, more. More in the sense of, like, I knew the sensations of, like, having low and high blood sugar without testing. So I was very much, like, in tune with, with my body because, like, CGM syncs exist back then.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And it's like, you know, I was just going based off gut feeling and, you know, if I, if I didn't feel right, I would say something, just vibe with it.

[A]

But I'm saying, like, you didn't have, like, any eating disorder stuff. You didn't, like, avoid food, so you didn't have to bolus or, or eat and lie about it and hide food or anything. Nothing like that was happening for you?

[B]

No, no. I mean, there's definitely been days where I'm like. Like, I can do, right?

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Maybe. Maybe today. I just. This isn't gonna go well. I hear you. When did you get a cgm, but what age?

[B]

Yeah, so I got it right around Kovit. Honest.

[A]

Okay. It was like, about five years ago.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Which one do you use?

[B]

The Dexcom G7 current currently, but I use the G6 to start off.

[A]

Okay. Are you excited about the G7 going to 15 days?

[B]

Yeah, I actually wait 15 days.

[A]

Yeah, I think so right now. What's going to happen?

[B]

I didn't see that? I know it's 10 days right now. I like the grace period.

[A]

Dexcom. 15 days. Dexcom. Yeah, it's going to be 15 days. It's coming really soon. I think, like now it's going to start rolling out. Yeah. Oh, yeah. Dexcom G7 15 day has earned FDA clearance. Coming December 1st. Today is December 1st. Oh, okay.

[B]

I just got to use the rest of my supplies.

[A]

Yeah, get going, man. It's for 18 and up. It's not for peds for some reason, but yeah, I mean, that's it. Hopefully you'll get five more days out of it.

[B]

Nice.

[A]

Yeah. Awesome.

[B]

Yeah, those get a little gross sometimes with the tape around.

[A]

You think the sticky might get a little icky?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Hey, if I say icky sticky, are you going to tell me that you smoked weed in college and that we can bring this all full circle? Yeah.

[B]

Yeah, I definitely did. Awesome.

[A]

Thanks, Shane. I appreciate it. Sometimes people fight the titles and it makes me upset. I was talking to somebody the other day and I was like, what was it about? Her name was Cecilia. And I was like, if you could have just said something crappy, I could have called this Cecilia. You're breaking my heart after the song. And she just was such a lovely person. I couldn't do it. But you are going to help me out here. We might call this one Icky Sticky. Depends on how much weed you smoked. Dexcom's like awesome. Pivot right from me to weed. Great. Anyway, Dexcom.com juicebox get yours now. Not planned. Not an advertisement. Well, it's an advertisement. So. So, Shane, so you're taking care of yourself. You're counting your carbs. You're better with your devices as you get older. Five years ago in college, you get a cgm. So you left. You're telling me you went through high school without a CGM and you started college without one?

[B]

I did not like the idea of having another site on me.

[A]

Oh, this I want to hear. I want to hear against. Yeah, give me a half a second. Like there's an open window that shouldn't be. I'm going to walk away for half a second. Okay. The Dexcom G7 is sponsoring this episode of the Juicebox podcast and it features a lightning fast 30 minute warm up time. That's right from the time you put on the Dexcom G7 till the time you're getting readings. 30 minutes. That's pretty great. It also has a 12 hour grace period so you can swap your sensor when it's convenient for you. All that on top of it being small, accurate, incredibly wearable and light. These things, in my opinion, make the Dexcom G7 a no brainer. The Dexcom G7 comes with way more than just this. Up to 10 people can follow you. You can use it with type 1, type 2 or gestational diabetes. It's covered by all sorts of insurances and ugh. This might be the best part. It might be the best part. Alerts and alarms that are customizable so that you can be alerted at the levels that make sense to you. Dexcom.com juicebox links in the show notes [e-mail] to Dexcom and all the sponsors. When you use my links, you're supporting the production of the podcast and helping to keep it free and plentiful. Today's episode is brought to you by Omnipod. We talk a lot about ways to lower your A1C on this podcast. Did you know that the Omnipod 5 was shown to lower A1C? That's right. Omnipod 5 is a tube free automated insulin delivery system and it was shown to significantly improve A1C and time and range for people with type 1 diabetes when they switched from daily injections. My daughter is about to turn 21 years old and she has been wearing an Omnipod every day since she was four. It has been a friend to our family and I think it could be a friend to yours. If you're ready to try Omnipod 5 for yourself or your family, use my link now to get started. Omnipod.com juicebox get that free Omnipod 5 starter kit today. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juicebox. Sorry. Silly me trying to live with fresh air. Let's start here. You had a pump at what age? 4. Oh, you've had a pump for a long ass time. What pump did you start with?

[B]

Medtronic. The Silhouette was the site I used. Well it was like a manual. It wasn't like how like they are now where like you just click it and it just shoots into your skin.

[A]

Yeah, you didn't push it in right?

[B]

Right. Yeah, you used to manually do it. So like I think that kind of stems to like why I wasn't comfortable doing it because like I was like watching like needle going to my stomach slowly and then you know.

[A]

I have.

[B]

To do this by myself.

[A]

Also I've been to a phlebotomist. They're not great at it sometimes I don't know what I'm doing. I'm nine.

[B]

Yeah, I'm four.

[A]

Yeah, four. Well, yeah, of course. Oh, that makes more sense. So you were using. Are you using a medtronic pump with a manual inserted cannula? Yeah, Silhouette called the Silhouette. You do that when do you stay with medtronic pumps throughout your childhood?

[B]

Yeah, all the way up until college.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

And so now you want to tandem.

[A]

And in high school, are you rocking that 8A 1C pretty much through high school or did it.

[B]

I was pretty good actually. Like I asked my. Because my mom, she would write them down every time. So I would fluctuate like CGMs overall. I was, I should have used them earlier because my A1C has been consistently below 7. It's in the sixes now.

[A]

Good for you.

[B]

Since I've been using them.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

Yeah, so it's definitely open my eyes to like, wow, like, like these actually do help.

[A]

Oh my God. It's a friend of a friend. I don't want to say anybody's name. A friend of a friend just got a cgm. And I've been, I said to them, I was talking on the phone with them and, and, and, and I said, you know, when I met you and I realized you didn't have a cgm. I said, I've been worried about you since then and, and I'm just so thrilled that you got one. And already they're seeing like, yeah, like there's a lot here I didn't realize. So like what did you notice first? Putting on a cgm like first time when you started looking at those graphs, what was your, what were your takeaways in the beginning?

[B]

Just how drastic? Over a 24 hour period. Like when you eat, it doesn't look that bad when the first hour for. But then you look at it for 24 hours. Like if, you know, if you're not pre bola saying 20 minutes before and this is where the car counting is so important. But to get deeper into things, you know, like if you're constantly on the go and you're out and about, you don't know where you're at. You go to like some restaurant and then you get like quesadilla. But like, who knows what they put on the chicken. It's like, you know, I mean like there's so many unknown factors and like it's like go, go, go. So I sometimes forget really pre bolus. So then like that's where I see those like sharp increases and it's just A good reminder to, like, slow down.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Think about what you're eating.

[A]

You almost said what I think is maybe one of the more valuable parts about a CGM is like, if you're just looking at something like, close up, right up on your nose, like, you're just like, oh, I'm 180 or I'm 160, but if you step back 24 hours, I can see the whole thing in one picture. You go, oh, I don't do. I'm not good at this. And. And Right. And then it starts making you think about what? Like, how do I. How do I get rid of these spikes? How do I get rid of the lows? You start putting, what, a little more focused attention on it. Like, how does it help you?

[B]

Yeah, definitely. You know, like, there's just like certain little things too, that I've noticed that like when I first wake up in the morning, I don't even eat anything sometimes. And my blood sugar will still rise up.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

And then that's just a natural. I don't know, I forgot what the term's call. But that happens where your body releases.

[A]

Your feet a little bit. Feet on the floor.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Like, you get up and. Are you an anxious person?

[B]

Yeah, I guess. Like, any. I. I think. I think everyone is.

[A]

You think everyone is?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, maybe you're not. I don't know.

[A]

What's.

[B]

I don't know.

[A]

I've been trying to figure that out myself. I am, I guess. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. But so you have some level of anxiety. So when you start, what. What happens? You wake up, the day presents itself, you start. Your adrenaline goes up a little bit, you think.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, definitely on my way to work. Like, I. It's a commute, so.

[A]

Yeah. Well, you drive in or you take a train or. How do you get the work?

[B]

I drive in.

[A]

You drive? No one, by the way, when you're going to college, it all sounded fun, didn't it? Like, I'll get a job, I'll get money. This is going to be awesome. And now you're like, oh, every day, you know?

[B]

Yeah. It's like, I can't walk to work every day.

[A]

I gotta go.

[B]

Yeah. Rethink how we ran out. City design.

[A]

I thought, this makes sense. Exactly. I mean, the money's not as what I thought it was going to be. And every day I gotta get up, I get. You know what? I. You know what? As a person who doesn't leave the house to go to work, I am. I don't realize like little things, I mean, I realize them because I used to have like a, like a real job. But even little stuff about having to plan like when to use the bathroom during the day, like, that's not a thing that happens to me. Do you know what I mean? Like I go to the bathroom when I want to go to the bathroom. Like. But yeah, if you get up at 7 and you got to be out the door at 7:30 and it's 7:45, you're like, Ah, I got to go to bed. It's too late now you're in the car, it don't matter.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, you gotta wait till you get to.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Where you're going and then you go.

[A]

To work and you're that guy that shits at work. You know what I mean? It ain't great, it ain't crazy.

[B]

Then you're waiting in line. There's only one.

[A]

You and the coffee boys are in the bathroom together. You know what I mean? It's not fun.

[B]

It's every day, 10am hey, what's up guys?

[A]

Yeah, but like little stuff that you don't, you know, commuting, like I don't get caught in traffic. I don't like. You know what I mean? Stuff like that. You, you saw my biggest work problem is I left the window ajar and I could hear a leaf blower up the street. I was like, oh, let me fix that. Have you ever gotten to like. But you started working out of college, like very postco, like you.

[B]

Yeah, very immediately.

[A]

Immediately. But you had to go into an office.

[B]

Yeah, I worked in a warehouse.

[A]

Oh, okay. Yeah. So you got a hands on job. Yeah, yeah, not me. I got a baby job. Would you go to college for like what, what was your, your degree in?

[B]

Integrated supply management.

[A]

Oh, no kidding. And that's a real like skill that you were able to go out in the world and put to practice right away?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

That's awesome.

[B]

So related to, you know, like logistics, procurement, operations, making things work faster, better. Yep, exactly.

[A]

So what's the dream? Amazon. Who does it at the highest level?

[B]

Wait, what do you mean?

[A]

Like what kind of like, like do you work at a smaller. I'm not asking you where you work, but do you work at a smaller company or a really big place? Like I was like somebody.

[B]

Oh, I've worked at some massive company, but now I work at a much smaller place and you know, I work contract a little bit and then now I'm a full time employee.

[A]

Oh, so you kind of came in to fix a Problem. And they liked you, and you stayed.

[B]

Well, this is like. No, this is at a different company. Not where I'm full time at, but. But yeah, that's what I did. Yeah, there was, like, a project manager. They're like, we got this going on. You did a good job. So we're gonna extend your contract. Nice and.

[A]

Nice to hear. I bet your parents.

[B]

Your incentives.

[A]

I bet your parents were proud.

[B]

Yeah, no, it was great work experience, and I. I felt really good about what I did.

[A]

But every day. Every day, they want you there soon. So does.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Is that an on your feet, moving around job?

[B]

No, no, it was. It was more like an office.

[A]

Okay. All right.

[B]

Style job. I was doing a lot of paperwork, making, like, bill. Ladies packing lists.

[A]

Gotcha.

[B]

Voicing.

[A]

Yeah. So, okay, so I got you back in high school. Now you're. You're managing without a CGM using a pump. You got an A1C in the eights. Prob. Probably you head off to college. So. And you said. Your note here says what you said. How diabetes progresses throughout life as a male, from childhood into adulthood. How other drugs outside of insulin affect your management of diabetes.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Let's talk a little bit about being a guy first and dating and all that stuff with diabetes. What. What. What was your experience with that?

[B]

With dating?

[A]

Yeah. Like, what's it like telling a person for the first time? Like, I use insulin. I have this. I might. While, like, I could, you know, like, what. What. What's that like to open up to somebody while you're trying to date at the same time?

[B]

Yeah. And I guess in the dating aspect, it's, you know, it's something that's very important, so you definitely want to let them know, like, hey, like, you know, if I'm not feeling like acting like myself, like I might have lower high blood sugar or, like, you know, Is.

[A]

That a tough thing to tell a stranger, though? I.

[B]

To someone that I've dated or, like, in the past?

[A]

No, no, no. Okay.

[B]

But for sports, I didn't like to tell my coaches.

[A]

What sports did you play?

[B]

Quite a lot of school. I did, like, everything. Like, middle school. I did cross country, swimming, wrestling.

[A]

Okay. Everything. Like, in middle school, like, high school, you're doing that stuff?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Why didn't you like telling your coaches?

[B]

I don't know, Scott. I just think that, like, it was embarrassing maybe.

[A]

In a setting where you.

[B]

Want people to know, because, like, I. I guess I was sick and tired of just explaining the same thing over and over to everyone. Because, like, a lot of people Growing up in my school district did not have. I was like, one of the only people I knew of that had diabetes. Okay, so, you know, you think there's.

[A]

A fear of looking? Do you think there's a fear of looking weak, Shane, what was the question? Do you think there's a fear of looking weak.

[B]

Looking? No. No, I just. Didn't feel like talent.

[A]

You didn't want to have the conversations. You weren't looking to talk to people who you didn't know that well and explain diabetes to them?

[B]

Yeah, I guess I felt like I was like, if, like something was that wrong. Like I never, you know, had such low blood sugar or so high that, like, complication.

[A]

Gotcha. So you were, you were, you were rocking a higher blood sugar to be. I mean, if you're, if you have an 8A 1C, what is that like a 1. What is that, like an average of like 160 or 1? Let me figure that out. So, so you weren't having a lot of lows while you were performing with your sports. Now, did your mom and dad want you to tell the coaches and you just didn't or they, they would, they.

[B]

They would do it in the first week. They'd be like, hey, did you know, like, Shane has type 1 diabetes? And they'd be like, no, you didn't.

[A]

Say a kid don't talk.

[B]

Yeah, it was just like, oh, that's. That's great. You know, looking at it now from like, my age, like, I would have been like, are you kidding me? Like, why wouldn't you tell me?

[A]

So she's like, the younger me was an idiot is what I'm trying. Yeah, I should have definitely told somebody. Yeah, you're. You know, an average blood sugar for like an 8A 1C is like, in the 190s. So you, you weren't experiencing a lot of. A lot of lows?

[B]

No, I definitely still had lows. My, my. Like, I would have to look at, like, the piece of paper. I was definitely in the Sevens. Low. Sevens a lot. But like, through puberty, that's where my A1C started to get a little hectic.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

So. But then it kind of balanced out more throughout college. I actually did a pretty okay job, considering it was around the Sevens. I don't think I ever got above 8. Then some. There's a lot going on with, you know, on top of college and with.

[A]

What else was going on.

[B]

Just like the curriculum, like, school work and act like. And then you want to, like, be there for certain things. Like, there's been plenty of times where like, diabetes has gotten away. Right. Like, I can't go out or I can't play in a game because my blood sugar is so high or it's so low. And then like afterwards I'm like, I don't have the capacity to mentally go out and interact. I'm like, I'm just like over it. I just want to stay in.

[A]

You get, you feel a little rocked afterwards.

[B]

Yeah, definitely. I can, like, that can happen.

[A]

Okay. And that went on for years?

[B]

No, no, I wouldn't say for years, but definitely like in high school, starting then into college and then now. So when I was younger, I feel like I was just like a little energizer bunny going everywhere.

[A]

Yeah. So like an anchor point for you, like an 8 to 9, a 1C is like a 180ish to like 210ish blood sugar. Just, just interesting for people to listen. Like, you know, if you have a, you know, people you're talking about who had a 10A 1C, that's an average like a 240 blood sugar, you know, it's, it's, it's, it's a lot like, you know what I mean? Like, and when you get lows too, you probably were getting lows that were like, like crashes, I would imagine. Like, you what, like after an event or something like that, you drop quickly.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, so, like right now, Scott, I play hockey like every Sunday, so. And I gotta attribute a lot to this hockey league event because it's helped me get my current job. I actually have now.

[A]

Wait, so you, you playing ice hockey still, like an adult league that helped you get. You, you networked at the hockey league and got your job?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Nice.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

And you, and it keeps you moving, right?

[B]

Yeah. And I stopped wearing my insulin pump. You know, it's a full contact sport. And now we don't hit like, you know, like we're paying full grown men to go play hockey.

[A]

Yeah. You're getting older.

[B]

We're not out there. Like, I gotta work tomorrow. I'm not trying to hit anyone. Don't hit me. But I don't wear an insulin pump anymore because I'm kind of afraid if.

[A]

They get broke while you're playing, you take it off.

[B]

Yes. So my butcher does spike then like the other day it was bad. It usually, like, usually by the third period too. I don't feel as good as I did when I first started on the first, like, couple.

[A]

Why don't you, why don't you hook back in and bolus once in a while while you're playing.

[B]

Well, then I have to bring on a bunch of.

[A]

And you'd feel better, but change. You'd feel better when it was over.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I would like you to do that. That's between you and me. I don't want your blood sugar getting high for no reason. You don't either, though. How long does it take to bring it back down afterwards?

[B]

Oh, like my body's very responsive. Like, it'll immediately start going back down.

[A]

So you wouldn't need that much during play. Probably just your basil to keep it at bay.

[B]

Yeah, I probably just need like two units.

[A]

Yeah. Well, listen, you could always bolus a little bit before you start and bolus a little bit after the second period, maybe.

[B]

Yeah, it's just like the not having it on and then also just the exertion of playing. You know, I would attribute something like. Like football being pretty similar. You know, a lot of people play football, so.

[A]

Yeah, with diabetes, there's. I mean, every tight end in the NFL seems to have it, right? Like Mark Andrews, Noah. There's like two other. Chad. Is it moma? How do you say his name, by the way? Chad? Your wife keeps emailing me and then not getting back to me. You want to come on the podcast? Let's go. Other stuff. Okay. So that's what you do through. I'm trying to imagine, go through high school, you're not wearing a cgm, you head off to college. How does college change from high school or doesn't? I mean, is your life in high school pretty similar to your life in college, or do things change? I mean, the food probably gets worse, right? The weed gets more plentiful. Like, tell me what college is like, that transition.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, to your point, food that everyone talks about, like freshman 15. So I definitely took part in that.

[A]

Took your 15, did you?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, I definitely gained weight. I. I just remember at the start of my senior year, I weighed like 155 pounds. And then at the end of the year when I was starting to go to college, I weighed like 190.

[A]

How tall are you?

[B]

Six foot.

[A]

Oh, wow. You were thin when you left high school.

[B]

Yeah, well, I used to do cross country and I was pretty quick. Yeah, I feel like I wasn't like Allstate, but I was running like six minute mile.

[A]

You're keeping up with it, right? Like, and looking good while you were doing it. And then. And then you put up. Wait, you put on more weight than you put on 35 pounds, right?

[B]

Yeah, I would. I got really serious with the last season of hockey because I was like, well, this is it.

[A]

Wait, you played ice hockey in college?

[B]

I did a club.

[A]

A club. Okay. Okay.

[B]

And this is a whole nother story, but I. So this is actually funny. You'll probably find this pretty amusing, actually. So I joined club at Western and from there we went down to Team south and it was the worst hockey game I ever played in. We lost like 18 to 2. My chain got cut open. I got 14 stitches in my chin and I was like, well, this is no fun.

[A]

I was gonna say this is. This is supposed to be fun.

[B]

Yeah. So did you bring a goalie friend?

[A]

You should have brought a goalie.

[B]

I'm the president of this fraternity. You want to join it? I'm like, yeah, so I just do that. I just dropped the team and I joined it.

[A]

Oh, you were like that. Yeah. I probably won't get a bloody chin at the fraternity. I'll try that instead.

[B]

Yeah, I'm like, that sounds more fun. I don't want to like travel and pave on top of school just to.

[A]

Do this for club.

[B]

Just to get hurt.

[A]

Yeah. I gotta tell you, even when you're doing it for the team, it's a lot of effort, you know, it's. It's being a, being a collegiate athlete is a, is a ton of efforts. Like having two full time jobs. Okay, so you dropped hockey, went to. I mean, what are we talking about really? What'd you pick up? Drinking.

[B]

Oh, yeah, definitely. Just. Just how the culture is at a lot of schools right now.

[A]

So how did you manage that with the diabetes? Like, did you end up low a lot in the middle of the night afterwards or how's drinking impact you?

[B]

It? Well, I didn't have a CGM then, so I, I don't know how I did it sometimes, Scott. Like, I don't. Like, the biggest thing was like I didn't want to have low blood sugar while drinking because it's like, oh, like everyone, it's, you know, it's 1:00am and.

[A]

Try not to be a bummer.

[B]

Yeah. And it's like, oh, like, well, Shane passed out. Like, it's like, no, he passed out not from drinking. Like, like from having complications. Like, like his blood sugar is low.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Like that thankfully never happened because like I always still knew the sensation of having low blood sugar while drinking.

[A]

So.

[B]

Just try to very stay in tune to those sensations that you get.

[A]

So can you, can you put that into words for Me? Like, how do you know when you're in trouble? When you're drinking with low blood sugar?

[B]

Yeah, it's just like, like a pit. Like you're just like in your stomach. Like you're just so hungry it feels like nothing's there.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

That's how I describe it. Like you're just, you just having 8 and 48 hours.

[A]

Okay. Then you gotta eat something.

[B]

You're fasting.

[A]

You drinking beer, Shane, or, or al or like different alcohol or what, what was your.

[B]

I sucked at beer.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I did not like liquor.

[A]

Okay, so you still drink today or not as much?

[B]

I, I still have some beers, yeah.

[A]

Okay, so you manage it. I'm, I'm assuming you're not drinking to that point anymore though.

[B]

No.

[A]

Right?

[B]

No, no, no, no.

[A]

Yeah. It's just for school.

[B]

Just because, well, I, I, I was like, pumped. I was like, oh, yeah, let's like I'm about to go meet all these new people and like, I'm go out and have like, party and like, listen.

[A]

You know girls too, or just. Yeah, so, so you're trying to, you're trying to meet people?

[B]

Yeah, like networking.

[A]

Just like how you said. Network. Yeah. You're trying to, you're trying to, you're trying to, trying to have sex, right?

[B]

Yeah, I mean like.

[A]

Yeah. Right?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You're not, you're not.

[B]

I, I, Good. Yeah. Like when you join a like fraternities that's they have like one on ones and it's like, oh, like worldwide over sorority and we'll like, get to meet each other, right?

[A]

Yeah. I didn't go to college, but like, it all seems pretty obvious to me. We have our own place. No one else can come into it. We can bring in beer and girls. That seems like the whole thing, right?

[B]

No, I mean, there's more.

[A]

What else did I miss?

[B]

Well, like, we also like, did other stuff. Like we did like Special Olympics, charities.

[A]

Oh, you did some. Well, that's during the day, of course. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, yeah.

[B]

But yeah, like, yeah, like on a Friday night after like, you know, the week's over because, you know, like, there's like academic standards. Right, too, so.

[A]

Of course. Yeah. No, no, I imagine you gotta, you gotta, you gotta pass your classes and everything. What was it like going to school at that time? Like, that's is that Covid post. You were, you were in school during COVID right?

[B]

Yeah. So it was hard. Especially when during the transition of like March of 2020, like I had some engineering classes and they were like a labs. We had to go in person for like three hours and I, I struggled. I still passed, but that was one of the only times I ever got like, see.

[A]

So it's tough.

[B]

I just didn't know how to 3D model in autocads.

[A]

So from your house, did you have to go home for a while? Did they. They kick you off campus for a while?

[B]

Yeah. So, like, I mean, I could still go to. Yeah, I lived off campus, but yeah, there was no more classes, like, on campus.

[A]

Yeah. Were you guys zooming for class at that point? Oh, jeez. Yeah.

[B]

Teams.

[A]

My son hated that. He said it was terrible.

[B]

Yeah, it was. Well, it was tough too, from like the professor's perspectives, because it's like you have your curriculum, you have your whole way you set up for the semester, and then it's like, here's a wrench. And that derailed the train. And now you have to figure out how to do this through email or.

[A]

Zoom or virtually when you're used to being in public with. In, you know, with each other. But you got to go back, right? They would you miss, like, your. Was it like your sophomore year was messed up or where, where was it?

[B]

It was like my junior.

[A]

Your junior year. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It sucks. Anyway, so you just hit an age, like, I like, you just. You just had to get off your parents insurance, right?

[B]

Correct.

[A]

Can you tell me about that? Like, was that a big, like, source of consternation leading up to it? Were you worried about it? Like, what was it like?

[B]

Yeah, definitely. I was definitely worried about it. You know, it, it's a full step into adulthood.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I'm not worried though, because I know I can do this.

[A]

So.

[B]

I would just have to keep, you know, pushing.

[A]

What's it like getting. What's it like getting that first check when you're paying for your, your, your benefits all of a sudden out of it. Was it shocking how much money they took?

[B]

Yeah, I mean, it's not something that's really talked about in school, so, you know, it's definitely a wake up call. But.

[A]

It wasn't too bad.

[B]

No, I mean, like, I can keep all my bills paid. No.

[A]

Good for you. That's awesome. Yeah. I mean. Yeah, that's not a thing. Like when somebody says to you, like, oh, what do you, you know, what are you majoring in? This is my major. And about how much money should I expect to make? This is about how much money nobody, nobody says, like, well, that's before taxes and before your. And before your benefits and before you pay for, you know, all your bills and everything. And you realize when you're done, you're like, oh, it's not a lot of money left. It doesn't. And it doesn't matter how much you make. I, you know, I. I saw a young person come out of college recently. Super lucky, by the way. Not just lucky, a lot of hard work, but super lucky. They came out of college making $90,000 a year, a lot of money, you know, And. And I was talking to this person and I said, how you feel about this? And he's like, I was really hoping to make more money. And I was like, you were hoping to make more than $90,000 coming out of college? And they were like, yeah, I don't know how I'm gonna make it on this. I was like, wait, what? I was like, I guess it's like.

[B]

Where do you live then? Because, like, you can live in Kentucky and the cost of living there will not be the same if you live in Massachusetts. Yeah, I really.

[A]

I was just interested by, like, how much, like, cost has changed for things so quickly that, like, somebody's understanding of $90,000 was skewed so quickly. You know what I mean? I said, you know, there's a lot of adults don't make that much money. And you're like, you know, you're out of school here, like, six months and you're. It's your first job offer. Yeah.

[B]

That's fantastic.

[A]

You're killing.

[B]

It's a lot.

[A]

Yeah. I want to be clear to this person did a lot of work their whole life. Like, they came out of college like a full fledged adult on the. On their topic, ready to go. You know what I mean? Like, you. There's no training for this. This person's gonna slide in and do an amazing job. And it's been working really hard their whole life to get to that point, but still, like. Like to hear them talk about the money like that and not be sure, like, is this enough? And I'm like, oh, God. And this person doesn't, you know, have any health issues that they know of at the moment? So not a. I don't know. It's just. It's interesting. Do you and your friends, like, ever talk about stuff like this or does this not get talked about? Really?

[B]

Like, benefits, money.

[A]

Yeah, money. And like, do you guys actually dig into this?

[B]

Yeah, yeah. I have a close group of friends and we talk about this very often. And this is all people I met through my fraternity, actually.

[A]

So, yeah, that's become a good lifelong friends. Yeah, it's become a good circle for you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Let me. So what else do you. Can I pick a little bit into, like, people your age? Like, I've. I've had some conversations with guys your age, you know, on the podcast in the last year, and I'm like, you know, I talk about dating. They're like, I don't really worry about dating much. I'm like, so weird. Like, at your age, like, all I cared about was girls and like, and earlier than that. But people don't talk about it the same way anymore. Like, I mean, college was the last time you could walk outside, walk into a room, and expect there to be, like, dateable people in front of you. Like, now it's all digital, right. And so, like. Yeah, how do you do? Like, are you. Maybe you're dating somebody already? But, like, how do you do that?

[B]

Yeah, no, you're completely right. Honestly, it's. It's so. You know, the only other place I really go to is, like, I had to go out of my way to, like. So that's why I try to keep active and, like, do other extracurriculars outside of work. So it's just like hockey. I'm in a bowling league. I've done a dart league.

[A]

Like, trying to get out of the house.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

I love being. Trying new things.

[A]

I mean, are there women at darts?

[B]

Not good at it. Like, darts are.

[A]

I like that you're so. You'll go do things you. You're not good at just to get out with people.

[B]

Yeah, that's a good idea because it's like, holy smokes. Like, this guy just got 180, like, three bullseyes. Like, like what? He's like, I just. I just. I just lost a game of 501 in, like, six throws.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

What's happening?

[A]

I think that's really awesome. My son came home with a guitar last week.

[B]

He's like, I've been thinking about getting.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I did the guitar.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

He's like, I'm going to listen to, like, mid 2000 rock. Mainly because my, you know, like my siblings, that's what they listen to.

[A]

What bands is that? Where does that put you on? On a bit. Like, what. What kind of.

[B]

Oh, boy. Let's see. Like some 41.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

I like, listen to them blink 182. That kind of. I gotcha music genre.

[A]

That's interesting. Yeah. When I. When you say rock music to me, I think of anything between, like, I don't know, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling Stones, Metallica through The Guns N Roses era through Nirvana, like, and then it kind of. To me, the rest of it seems like pop music to me. I know. I know that. That's not. Because when you say.

[B]

I would say, like, there was a shift in, like 2010, like, where it. Pop music took. Took over.

[A]

Yeah. I know it's not poppy, like in the Standard, but like, when you say Blink182 to me, like, I don't think rock.

[B]

No.

[A]

Yeah. It's interesting. Like, it. Just because. But I also grew up, like, when I turned the radio on. Every time I turned the radio on, like, you know, I don't know, Creedence Clearwater Revival came on or, like, you know, the Rolling Stones or the Beatles. Like, that was. That was the radio when I was growing up. I remember when one day the. The oldies. The oldies station in my town started playing Guns N Roses and I was like, wait, no, I. I listened to that in high school. Like, how did that happen so quickly? It really freaked me out. But now you probably don't even. Like, you're probably. I mean, you're aware of some of these songs because they're so popular, but you don't know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

You don't know. 10 Guns N Roses song, you know, Paradise City and welcome to the Jungle. You know what I mean?

[B]

Yes. Yeah, definitely. Welcome to the Jungle.

[A]

Right. Yeah. It's interesting how quickly music moves through. Through generations. But again, like, are you meeting dateable people at bowling and darts? No. Right.

[B]

No. No. Yeah. It's definitely digital now. Quite a few of my friends. That's the same case.

[A]

Yeah. Is it awkward or is it just so commonplace that it's not awkward?

[B]

I mean, like, it's. It can be awkward. You know, it is awkward. There's not another day. But I've had good dates. It led to more dates and that built relationship out of.

[A]

Yeah. So. And you've had. And you've had ones where you're like, okay, well, thanks. See you.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. And you've. You've disliked people and they've disliked you. Right. Or vice versa.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. It's like, okay. Like, it's good that he tried this, like, to go meet you.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, get out.

[A]

But you're.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, like, there's only so much time, too, for everything.

[A]

Yeah. To do that as well. But on an app. Am I right? Like, sh. You're. You're basically looking at five pictures of somebody and through five photos and something they said that doesn't feel cringy. You're like, okay, I'll try this. And then you have to wait to see if they'll try it too. Then they got to look at your five pictures and what you wrote and go, like, all right, he doesn't seem like a lunatic. And then. And then you meet for a coffee or something like that.

[B]

Yeah, yeah. Something very casual.

[A]

Yeah, that's interesting.

[B]

Like. Like, let's go to, like, the local brunch five over there.

[A]

No, no, I hear it. I don't know.

[B]

Like, who. If the vibe's right, maybe. Maybe, like, hey, let's go play a game of darts and drink a beer.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I don't.

[A]

You know, you do that.

[B]

Maybe you're both beer enthusiasts.

[A]

You ever bump into somebody who just wants to have sex and they're not looking to date?

[B]

I don't really look for that.

[A]

Yeah. Personally, there's a way to look for that, though. Am I wrong about that? Like, it kind of. You just. You just kind of.

[B]

Yeah. You kind of, like, swipe.

[A]

Yeah, you change. You change what you talk about in. In your. But I would be terrible at this, by the way.

[B]

Also, I think it's definitely very, you know, it's not.

[A]

Very, like, optimal. It's not optimal, right?

[B]

Yeah, because, like, a lot of them now, too. Like. Like, so when I first using, like, dating apps, like, I use Everyone Knows Tinder and, like, Bumble. Like, that's why I use, like, when I was first in college. But, like, you'd be able to talk to people a lot easier. But now if you don't pay for them, it's, like, a lot harder as a guy, at least, to get.

[A]

Oh, it's like putting up a Facebook post and needing to boost it for anybody to see it.

[B]

Exactly.

[A]

No kidding.

[B]

Yeah. So I. Now. That's how. Now it feels like I need to boost myself versus, like, when the apps were so new, it was a lot more just like.

[A]

Well, they wanted people to have success in the beginning because they wanted you to tell other people about it. Yeah, yeah. Now. Now everybody has to use it, so now they got to make some money off it somehow. This is the part where they make the money.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So that's a bummer, man. Like, it really is. Like, I. I don't know that it's that much different in generations past. Like, you go get a job where, you know, whether you're a woman or a man, like, if you go get a job in a. You know. You know, especially if you're. I guess if you're a guy, you could get a job in a. In A mainly male, like, you know, ecosystem. There's just not a lot of women to meet. And, you know, if you, if you're a girl, you go out, maybe you're in a little more mixed company and that might be a little easier. But, you know, I mean, you're in a warehouse. I mean, there's not a ton of. I wouldn't imagine, like, the ratio must be pretty heavy to men where you're at. Right in the way.

[B]

I don't work at a warehouse anymore. But. No, you're absolutely correct. When I do go to my company's warehouse, it's mainly a bunch of guys. Male dominated.

[A]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Not what you're looking for. Unless you are. I didn't ask you. But you just know. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. So what do you. So do you live on your own or do you live at home still?

[B]

I have roommates right now, so a split rent. So it's. It's working out.

[A]

I.

[B]

We have no, we have been living with the same couple dudes for once and out.

[A]

Three years. Three years. Okay.

[B]

Yeah. And I, I. And when I lived in college too, I had roommates. Like, at one point, I lived with, like, five other guys.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So that was a. This is a lot going on.

[A]

There's a lot going on. A lot of smells.

[B]

Yeah, it was like 50, 50. Like, half was clean, half of us didn't. And it was like a battle.

[A]

There's the guy that vacuums and everybody else that just quietly sits there and goes, let him vacuum if he's gonna vacuum. What about. That's interesting. What, what about that? Having roommates? Like, do. Do you have to at some point say to somebody, like, look, I might need help, like, or this is my glucagon. Like, if you had those con.

[B]

Yeah. No. Every one of my roommates has been very aware and they've always been like, occasionally, like, throughout time, like, how's everything going? You know, like, is there anything I can do?

[A]

Oh, that's cool.

[B]

Or just like, hey, like, there's some snacks. Like, I got you.

[A]

You seem low. Has that ever happened? Has. Has a roommate ever come up to you and been like, hey, man, look, you seem like maybe you need something. No, no. They're not that proactive.

[B]

I think people forget sometimes that I'm diabetic, honestly.

[A]

Do you like that?

[B]

I try to go throughout the day myself just like, I'm not going to let this get in the way.

[A]

Good.

[B]

So I'm going to do what I got to do to take care of myself and Then go from there.

[A]

If I asked you to describe yourself, like, how long, how many things do you think you'd have to say before you got to I have diabetes.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I, I, we more than my ten fingers.

[A]

Yeah. He'd be going for a while, right? How did you find the. How did you find me? How did you find the podcast?

[B]

I think I just typed in, like, diabetes one day on Spotify.

[A]

No kidding.

[B]

Yeah. And he popped up and I was like, juice box. I'm like, oh, like, obviously, like, you get a juice when your blood sugar is low.

[A]

That was it. That was that. My marketing worked on you.

[B]

Yeah. It was really good.

[A]

Thank you.

[B]

It's very good.

[A]

My genius overwhelmed you, and you were like, oh, I have to follow.

[B]

And then I listened to it and I was like, this is very insightful. You get to hear a lot of it. Different perspectives.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Backgrounds. And I think it's just good that you have this going, Scott, because it, I, I, you know, I've never done anything like this and.

[A]

Yeah, you're nervous to do this, right? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, definitely. But why was it important for you to come on and talk?

[B]

I just feel like I hope I could have brought a different perspective out to provide.

[A]

So. No.

[B]

Just for having a disease for 23 years, personally.

[A]

Well, yeah. So it's interesting because you made it through some time right, where you were. I mean, you're doing your 8A 1C and you didn't have as much gear as you have right now. Now you have the gear. Like, did you find just getting the CGM and moving to what? You moved to tandem, Right, and moving to, like, you use an algorithm? Use, like, the X2 or something like that? Yeah. And so was that the difference in the rest of the improvement, or had you made an improvement before then and this just makes it easier?

[B]

Well, definitely. I am a lot healthier, like, person now. I kind of, like, had a moment of reflection, be like, what am I gonna do? Like, outside of, like, work? And it's like, I can't just come home. Like, I'm not in college anymore. I can't just, like, come home. And like, I, I was like, oh, I'm still drinking. Or like, you know, I, I, I would vape and stuff. And like, this is terrible.

[A]

Yeah, you working, coming home. You were working, coming home, getting high, like, you were still in college.

[B]

I, no, I wouldn't say I was, like, coming home and being high. I broke that pretty quickly.

[A]

That you broke.

[B]

Basically, it was just, like, who I was Associated with.

[A]

Okay.

[B]

At the time, that was like, be like, oh. Like, I made a pact myself. Like, I would never smoke by myself. Like, particularly weed, because it's seems sad, boring. Yeah, it's sad. It's more fun when you're with others. So.

[A]

Right.

[B]

Once I lost the association of people.

[A]

That smoked weed, weed went away.

[B]

Weed went away.

[A]

Okay. Did it help you with your anxiety?

[B]

No.

[A]

No.

[B]

You're telling yourself, like, oh, this is helping me, but deep down, it's. It's not.

[A]

It's not. It wasn't helping you.

[B]

It wasn't helping me. It can help out, though.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Everyone's different.

[A]

Yeah, I know. Of course.

[B]

So if it helps you out.

[A]

Yeah, Right on. I don't mind. Listen, I don't care. Yeah.

[B]

And it's also about, like, how much you do and when. So, you know, if it's Monday morning, I'm gonna have my bomb.

[A]

Like, that's a little different than you have, like, a pen that you hit twice a day. Yeah.

[B]

And no, my senior year of college, I got to one point like, that. Like, I'd wake up and this was during COVID Like, I'm like, what am I doing with my life? Like, I wake up. I, like. I don't eat breakfast, like, brush my teeth. I just, like, hit a bowl or, like, a bomb, and then just sit around on the couch, you know?

[A]

Shane, you know you're in trouble when you start having philosophical conversations with your friends where you're like, do you think we should get a water bong? I think it would make it better. Like, you're like. Like, how much better does weed need to get? Exactly. You know what I mean? Yeah. But so were you using, like, a. Like, a heat pen, like, of, like, just. You're not even burning it, right? Like, you're just heating it up and vaping it.

[B]

Yeah. It's got. It's crazy, like, how, like, so much change when I went to college because, like, vapes didn't exist when I was in high school. Now they do, so. And then there was, like, different kinds of vapes. And, like, there's, like, these, like, just, like, music. It's like, oh, there's the Jewel. Now there's a song. Now there's a Mr. Vapor. And now the list goes on. And it's like, now after that, I don't even know what they are now. It's like, I stopped Mr. Vapor.

[A]

Mr. Vapor is a funny name. Yeah.

[B]

It's like, oh, like, oh, he's got the breeze.

[A]

The breeze. You're like, now people have social status based on the vape that they have.

[B]

Yeah. It's like, what is that? Oh, he has a breeze.

[A]

He knows. He knows things.

[B]

Yeah. And it's just like, obviously, nicotine, it's a drug.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Caffeine is a drug. Those had direct correlation. Alcohol, weed, not so much, honestly, from what I could tell. And fluctuating manually. Like, obviously, I'd eat food and that would do it.

[A]

Right. But we didn't touch your blood sugar. No, no, Beer did, obviously.

[B]

Beer obviously. Deal with. With carbs. Liquor, that's, you know, depends if you're, like, chasing or mixing.

[A]

Right.

[B]

With other concoctions.

[A]

So. That's a lot, man. Yeah, it's a. It's a lot. Like, you leave, you're a kid, you go out there in the world, all of a sudden, all this stuff is not just, like, there. It's, like, readily available. Right. So you're trying things and. And then. But it sounds like you cycled through it pretty quickly. It feels like you got the, like, the what am I doing? Part pretty fast and.

[B]

Yeah. And I also just like the. I don't know. It's like, I feel like I've discussed enough about myself where I. I like to try some. Like, go do something. Try something.

[A]

Yeah. You want to get into the world. You want to get to life now. Right? Like, that's your. I feel like that's what I'm hearing from you is, like, you. I want to get out, be around people, do interesting things, whether I'm good at them or not. Try stuff. Try new stuff, keep moving. Do you want to get married?

[B]

Yeah, I do.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah, definitely. I. I have a lot of inspiration come from my. My family, you know, from aunts, uncles, my parents, my siblings. So.

[A]

Good.

[B]

Definitely inspires me, you know, like, I'm an uncle myself self now.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So it's great to hang out and get that exposure, to.

[A]

See people living lives with other people around them, people they love and care for and care about and everything.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's interesting because there's. There's a lot of data that it feels like it's. It's kind of funny, right? Like, if you ask. If you ask married people if they're happier because they're married, like, it's interesting how the answers come back, you know? Like, people say, you know, they. They definitely need people around and they want to have personal relationships in their home and everything, but. But I think some of the data says that, like, people with children are less happy, but at the same time, if you ask them if they not want their children, nobody generally says yes, but they do report. They report themselves as loving having kids, loving having a family, seeing how important and valuable it is in their life. But, yes, I don't think I'm as happy as I would have been if I didn't have them. Isn't that interesting?

[B]

Yeah, that is.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah.

[B]

I mean, I know anytime I go home, I see my parents. Like, they're pumped.

[A]

No, they're probably thrilled.

[B]

Later on down the road, too. I'm sure, like, that can just change throughout time because maybe.

[A]

Yeah. Now, Shane, unless your parents are meth heads, like, they're. They're probably sitting around quietly just waiting to see you again. And they're probably just thrilled to see you, you know?

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's hard for you to know that at 26, but I guarantee you're somewhere. Your mom is just like, I wonder when I'll see Shane again like this. Seriously? Yeah, Pretty soon. I need. I need some laundry done. I got other things I got going on. I'm gonna be.

[B]

No, no, no, no. I do. I take care of my own laundry.

[A]

So how long you think she'll be.

[B]

Like, hey, Brandon, I'm like, you don't.

[A]

Need to do it. But you know why she's offering, right? You don't know. She's misses you. She misses. She misses that part of her life that's gone where she took care of you and. And you were around all the time. There's an argument to be made that you should let her do your laundry.

[B]

I. I actually just did over Thanksgiving.

[A]

So I bet you made her as happy as could possibly be. She's probably. She was probably.

[B]

Here's my stinky laundry.

[A]

She was probably thrilled, like, genuinely.

[B]

So I should give her my hockey bag.

[A]

Yeah, well, nobody's going to be happy about that. There were some baseball stuff.

[B]

That thing stays zipped.

[A]

Oh, my God. There's some stuff in my car. When the kids were growing up, I was like, oh, God, just throw it away. We'll get another one. It's horrible.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. Just really bad.

[B]

Those T shirts are only worn for hockey, you know?

[A]

20.

[B]

You're permanently.

[A]

Yeah, we were just talking. How old do you think you'll be when you get married? Do you have like, a. In your mind? Is it.

[B]

I have. No, like this. This time, this day, you know?

[A]

No, but in age, like, do you see yourself married by a time by, like.

[B]

I wouldn't be surprised, like, within the next four years.

[A]

Four years. Do you know that girl Right now?

[B]

That's. That's a great question. I think so. Oh, yeah.

[A]

Look at you. That's very nice. Have you thrown darts at her yet?

[B]

No.

[A]

No. You should take her out, see if she can throw a dart. See if she can hang. She got a good sense of humor. That's good. You're gonna need that. Are you okay when she's mad? Because she's gonna yell at you a lot over the years.

[B]

Yeah, everyone gets mad.

[A]

You'll be all right with that? Okay.

[B]

You don't get mad. It's like, oh, okay.

[A]

Yeah. Yeah. It is weird when people don't get upset, isn't it?

[B]

Yeah. I mean, I really don't get upset a lot. I know I don't, but when I do, it's very obvious.

[A]

Yeah, well, everybody gets upset. Like, I'm. I'm. I'm weirded out by people who act like everything's always okay. Always. I'm like, oh, what are you hiding? Exactly. You know, who knows? It's so interesting. So this girl, you know, the girl, but you're not dating her. Is that right? I mean, you have.

[B]

No, no, it's just something very new.

[A]

It's something. Oh, it's a new. Oh, you've met a new person that you're. You think might be the right person.

[B]

Yeah, I mean, I didn't date for a very long time, Scott, so because I did that on purpose after college, I'm like, I'm just gonna focus on work, finally making more, like, money. I need to, you know, like. Like, things are starting to get real now.

[A]

So.

[B]

Really went on like, a journey of just like, trying new things out, trying to meet more people, expand on stuff I love. So I think in my email I sent you, reaching out, actually I mentioned, like, doing long distance running. So I found people that once I moved away from college to where I'm at now. Yeah, it really inspired me to really achieve, like, those milestones of, like, running the half marathon, a 25k and a marathon. And I'm really happy I did all that. But I don't think at now, at this moment, I would ever want to do a marathon again. Maybe a half marathon, but a marathon is just way too much, especially being diabetic.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

Like, I don't know how I did it when I did it.

[A]

Do you have a lot of supplies with you while you were running?

[B]

I had so much Gatorade, I had, like, a belt wrapped around me, and then it was just Gatorade.

[A]

Like Batman with Gatorade. Going for a Run?

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. I was the only person with Gatorade just strapped on in the race. I could see.

[A]

I think the image for your episode will just be Batman in a marathon with food around his waist and a really old, sticky CGM cover.

[B]

Well, you also have to eat so much food and, like, like, the amount of carbs that go into it. I'm like, I just can't do this for, like, a guy that's my size. Like, I'm 6 foot and I'm like 210 pounds now. Like, I actually gained weight from.

[A]

From trying to run because. Yeah, because you were feeding so many lows.

[B]

Yes. Like, I would do my lawn run with my training buddy every Saturday, and the longest run that we did got to 20 miles at one. At one point, and I wouldn't be able to, like, move, like, walk downstairs. I am like. I'm like, this is brutal. Takes, like three hours to do it.

[A]

Oh, my God. If I had to drive 20 miles, I'd be irritated once a week.

[B]

But it was a. It was so much fun because, like, you have, like. I listen to music.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

So I got to, like, really, like, dive into music, like, more. And I didn't listen to podcast. I did not.

[A]

Is it hard?

[B]

Listen to music? Yeah, music. I listened to music the whole time during my actual race.

[A]

That makes sense.

[B]

Like, I made a playlist that was four hours long, and I'm like, okay, if I make it to this song, I know I didn't finish.

[A]

Yeah.

[B]

In my time, I haven't.

[A]

I have a last question for you. When you found the podcast, did you. Did you listen to the management stuff? Like, did you care for the Pro Tip series, for example, or did you get your information out of conversations?

[B]

Yeah. Listening to the Pro Tip series, I. I was very sporadic in listening to the podcast. I'm very sporadic in general. General. But, yeah, no, listening to your protest series and just like, it's a nice reminder for stuff I already know that I've been told throughout time just to be like, oh, yeah, or just, you know, like, I need those. Those reminders.

[A]

The reminders. It keeps it in your head, right?

[B]

Yes.

[A]

Yeah. I. I.

[B]

Even though, like, I've dealt with this for 20 plus years, it's still need to be reminded.

[A]

Right? Right. No, I. I agree with you. I think it's very valuable like that for people. Did your A1C or your variability get better when you were listening or does. Is it better when you're listening?

[B]

Yeah, I would say so far there is a correlation with that. It's definitely very in par with using a CGM. But, yeah, my last A1C was a 6.4.

[A]

Good for you. That's awesome. You're 26, you get a 6.4, you're making money, you got your eye on a lady. You might have. You might be. You might have a baby eight years from now. Very true.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Would you worry about diabetes for the baby?

[B]

Yes. This podcast has actually opened up my eyes that.

[A]

Okay, you know what to look out. You know what to look out for then. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

It's a lot, man. Life's big, you know.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Yeah. How do you think you're doing? Like, if, like I, I know I said that was my last question. This is my last question. How are you doing? And, and how. What are your, what are your expectations for the future? Do you think you're going to do well, like with your health? Like, do you feel generally positive, generally neutral? Like, how do you feel about the future?

[B]

Right now I'm doing a lot better than I was two years ago, I would say, in a multitude or aspects from like, mentally mainly to physically, financially, really taking that time for 12 months to set aside to really think about.

[A]

The future and pull yourself together a little bit.

[B]

Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I am definitely a little worried just because, like, You know, just in the sense, like, you know, like, I don't know where diabetes is going to do to me, like complications.

[A]

You're worried. You're worried that something unforeseen could happen.

[B]

Yeah. I mean, that's life, though.

[A]

Yeah, you're right. I, I think that is life also. I mean, listen, keep your A1C where it's at. Keep it nice and stable. Don't have a lot of lows, don't have a bunch highs that you ignore. And I think you got a real good shot. You know what I mean? Yeah. No, it's interesting. If, if I could have gone back like you said, you're better off now than you were two years ago. If I go back three years ago, is there anything I could have said to 23 year old Shane that would have snapped him out of it, or did you have to go through this process?

[B]

I think I had to just go through this process. Yeah.

[A]

Yeah, I think I believe that too. Okay.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

All right. Shane, I appreciate you doing this. I really thank you very much for taking the time and I know I had a little technical thing in the beginning. I appreciate you being patient about that.

[B]

Of course. Thank you, Scott. I really appreciate your time today too, and talking with you and no worries about that. I'm glad we got the to all work out so yeah, this is awesome.

[A]

Thank you so much man. Hold on one second for me.

[B]

Yep.

[A]

This episode of the Juice Box Podcast is sponsored by Omnipod5. Omnipod5 is a tube free automated insulin delivery system that's been shown to significantly improve A1C and time and range for people with type 1 diabetes when they've switched from daily injections. Learn more and get started today@ omnipod.com juicebox@ my link you can get a free starter kit right now. Terms and conditions apply. Eligibility may vary. Full terms and conditions can be found@ omnipod.com juice juicebox today's episode of the Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by the Dexcom G7 and the Dexcom G7 warms up in just 30 minutes. Check it out [e-mail] juicebox if you'd like to hear about diabetes management in easy to take in bits, check out the Small Sips. That's the series on the Juicebox Podcast that listeners are talking about like it's a cheat code. These are perfect little bursts of clarity. One person said. I finally understood things I've heard a hundred times. Short, simple and somehow exactly what I needed. People say small sips feels like someone pulling up a chair, sliding a cup across the table and giving you one clean idea at a time. Nothing overwhelming, no fire hose of information, just steady, helpful nudges that actually stick. People listen in their car, on walks or while they're actually bolusing anytime that they need a quick shot of perspective. And the reviews, they all say the same thing. Small sips makes diabetes make sense. Search for the Juice Box Podcast Small Sips wherever you get audio. If you're looking for community around type 1 diabetes, check out the Juice Box Podcast. Private Facebook group juice box podcast type 1 diabetes but everybody is welcome. Type 1 type 2 gestational loved ones it doesn't matter to me. If you're impacted by diabetes and you're looking for support, comfort or community, check out Juice Box podcast type 1 diabetes on Facebook. If you've listened to any number of podcasts or maybe watched a YouTube video, you're very accustomed to listening to the creator of that content. Ask you, and sometimes just outright beg you without any feeling of self respect for you to follow, subscribe, share an episode. The reason that happens in podcasting specifically is because podcast players don't have a sophisticated Recommendation engine like YouTube or TikTok does. They can't watch listener behavior and then give you content that you might like. Word of mouth skips that line completely. It's an instantly expanding reach engine and really the only thing I've ever found that helps to keep the Juice Box podcast growing. So subscribe and follow because that the algorithm understands. Set up automatic downloads, listen to the show, but share it with somebody else. Leave a five star review, make it a thoughtful review that the algorithm can understand. I really appreciate the time it takes you to do those things, and I hate that I have to say this to you because I feel like an idiot. But subscribe and follow. Tell a friend, please and thank you.