Juicebox Podcast: Type 1 Diabetes

Episode #1772 Tandem Kids: Elias

Host: Scott Benner
Date: February 15, 2026

Overview

This episode of the Juicebox Podcast features a conversation between host Scott Benner and Elias, a 9-year-old boy from Michigan living with type 1 diabetes. Recorded during the Friends for Life conference in 2025, Elias shares his personal journey with diabetes, his experience using the Tandem Mobi insulin pump, strategies for daily management, and how his family and community support him. The episode offers a heartfelt, candid look at the realities of diabetes for kids and inspiring practical advice for others.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Diagnosis and Early Experience

• Diagnosis Story
  • Elias was diagnosed on April 10, 2024, following symptoms like excessive thirst and urination, confirmed by a blood sugar reading of 365.
  • He did not experience diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) thanks to his parents’ vigilance.

    “I was peeing and drinking a ton... We did blood work and my blood sugar was 365.” – Elias (02:07)

• Initial Hospital Stay
  • He spent three days in the hospital, leaving with insulin pens and a finger stick device, later transitioning to a CGM and pump.

2. Transition to Pump Therapy

• From Pens to Pumps
  • Initial use of Omnipod, later switching to Tandem Mobi after his mother’s research on its advanced automated insulin delivery.
  • Appreciates reduced pain, improved control, and automation of basal adjustments:

    “Lets me up my basal and then they have control IQ that help lowers and ups my basal if I’m high or low, too.” – Elias (02:57)

• Placement & Management
  • Wears the pump on his leg, controls it via smartphone for discretion and ease.

3. Daily Routines and Challenges

• Personal Involvement
  • Elias is learning to manage some of his care but parents do most insulin adjustments; he is proud of bolusing himself for the first time.
• Carb Counting & Meals
  • Counts carbs for meals, particularly confident with protein bars (e.g., 16g carbs for one favorite snack).
• School Routine
  • Handles lunchtime boluses in the school office with supervision:

    “They watch me bolus... you control it on the phone.” – Elias (04:49)

4. Handling Lows and Personal Restrictions

• Preferred Low Snacks
  • Enjoys fruit snacks and juices when low, restricted to organic brands due to a RED40 allergy.
  • Learned about the allergy after a severe reaction to Kool-Aid at age five.
• Support System
  • Family plays a vital role in support and management, making him feel comfortable and secure:

    “My whole family helps me.” – Elias (05:56)

5. Social and Emotional Well-being

• Community and Inclusion
  • Discusses feeling welcomed at Friends for Life and at home:

    “It just makes me feel comfortable with diabetes, yeah.” – Elias (06:07) “It makes you feel welcomed.” – Elias (12:28)

• Making Connections
  • Made friends at the conference, including a fellow Michigander whose sister has type 1.

6. Sports, Activities, and Lifestyle

• Athletics Participation
  • Plays baseball (multiple positions) and basketball, values both for enjoyment and the health benefits connected to managing his diabetes.
• Activity Strategies
  • Emphasizes the importance of exercise and hydration in his diabetes management:

    “[Key is] exercise. Drink.” – Elias (11:41)

• Favorite Foods and Local Flavor
  • Shares favorite foods and laughs about regional differences in snacks and cuisine (pizza, Wawa, hoagies).

7. Metrics, Technology, and Outcomes

• Glycemic Control
  • Regularly checks A1C; recent “bad month” was a 6.1, with usual readings in the 5.5–5.5 range:

    “We were just at 5.5... How are you doing that? ...just keep good control of my blood sugar levels. The pump helps.” – Scott & Elias (08:09)

• Technology Perspective
  • Family preferred Tandem Mobi for its automation and better blood sugar management.
• Nighttime Management
  • Reports restful nights with no lows thanks to technology and good routines.

8. Role Models and Aspiration

• Awareness of Diabetic Athletes
  • Wasn’t familiar with famous people with diabetes but learns from Scott about several pro athletes and their Tandem pumps, making diabetes feel more relatable.
• Advice to Others
  • Encourages exercise and hydration as daily essentials for good glycemic stability.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On first self-bolus:

  “Bolusing myself for the first time.” – Elias (05:36)

• Feeling welcomed at Friends for Life:

  “It makes you feel welcomed.” – Elias (12:28)

• On family support:

  “My whole family helps me.” – Elias (05:56) “It just makes me feel comfortable with diabetes.” – Elias (06:07)

• On advice for others:

  “[Key is] exercise. Drink.” – Elias (11:41)

• On the value of outfield in baseball:

  “When you get older, the outfield is a ton of fun. When you’re younger, it’s not quite as much fun, but as soon as the kids start hitting the ball a little farther, outfield turns into a real good gig.” – Scott (06:31)

• Laughing about regional foods and allergies:

  “I can’t have any other brand other than the organic fruit snacks.” – Elias (05:03)
  “I had a ton of Kool Aid... then I threw up all over.” – Elias (05:12)

Timestamps of Major Segments

• 1:06 – 2:16: Introduction, diagnosis story
• 2:17 – 3:14: Hospital experience and initial treatment
• 3:15 – 4:03: Transition to CGM and pump, management routine
• 4:04 – 5:03: School, snacks for low, food allergies
• 5:04 – 6:11: Family support and taking pride in self-management
• 6:12 – 7:12: Sports involvement and performance
• 7:13 – 8:20: Switch to Tandem pump, A1C discussion, overnight management
• 8:21 – 9:39: Foods, eating out, regional differences
• 9:40 – 11:41: Awareness of diabetic athletes and family football fandom
• 11:42 – 12:29: Advice for others, importance of exercise and hydration
• 12:30 – 13:59: Conference experiences, making friends

Conclusion

Elias’s story is a testament to how kids can adapt, thrive, and become confident in managing type 1 diabetes. Supported by family, school, technology, and community, he balances sports, school, and health with courage and responsibility. The episode highlights the importance of support systems, technological advances, and everyday routines—plus the value of finding community and connection through organizations like Friends for Life.

This episode stands as an encouraging resource for families, care teams, and young type 1 diabetics, filled with real-world strategies, uplifting advice, and honest discussions about what it's really like to live bold with insulin.