Diabetes and Exercise with Former NBA Player Gary Forbes

Taking Control Of Your Diabetes® – The Podcast!
Hosts: Dr. Jeremy Pettus & Dr. Steve Edelman
Guest: Gary Forbes, Former NBA Player, Founder of Soul Survivors
Release Date: January 27, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the intersection of diabetes and exercise, featuring the inspiring journey of Gary Forbes, who not only managed type 1 diabetes but also reached the heights of playing professional basketball in the NBA. Hosts Dr. Pettus and Dr. Edelman, both endocrinologists and type 1 diabetics themselves, explore Gary's diagnosis, management strategies, the complexities of exercise with diabetes, and his unique efforts to empower kids with health challenges through the Soul Survivors comic book series.

Major Discussion Points & Insights

Gary Forbes’ Background and Diagnosis

• International Career & Unique Distinction: Gary played pro basketball for 12 years worldwide (NBA & overseas). He is one of three NBA players with type 1 diabetes and the only African American, Afro-Latino to do so.
  — "I am one of three players to have ever played in the NBA with type 1 diabetes and the only African American, Afro Latino to ever play in the NBA." – Gary Forbes [02:44]
• Family History: Diabetes ran in his family—his father and grandfather both had it.
  — "My father was a type 1 diabetic. He was an Olympic lifter, cyclist, worked on the Panama Canal...he was my hero." – Gary Forbes [04:19]
• Symptoms & Misdiagnosis:
  • Rapid weight loss, extreme thirst, frequent urination: “We maybe pull over to the side of the road 30 times...he’s getting mad at me, like, how many times we have to stop and you can’t hold it. I’m like, no, I cannot hold it.” [08:38]
  • Misdiagnosed as type 2 at first despite classic type 1 risk factors. • Correct diagnosis (type 1) came after continued difficulties and high blood sugars, especially under stress.

Coping with Diagnosis & Defying Doubt

• Challenges from Doctors and Coaches:
  — "The doctor at University of Virginia... rolls the blinds down...he says, you have diabetes. I’m not sure if basketball is in your future. Maybe you need to focus on something else." – Gary Forbes [12:58]
• Resilience:
  — "My dad always had this saying, you know, plan A is plan A, plan B is to make plan A work all the way to Z." – Gary Forbes [13:20] • Maintained his professional aspirations despite external skepticism.

Exercise and Diabetes: Strategies & Lessons

• Team Support and Routine:
  • Coaches/doctors at UMass set specific blood sugar targets for safe practice/games (140-180 mg/dL).
  — "We always had a kind of range that I had to be in...we would check in the middle of practice, check after practice." [14:18]
• Trial and Error:
  • Early management was "trial and error," learning how practice, diet, and time of day impacted blood glucose. — “Everything was trial and error...I walk with my son every morning...I came back and my blood sugars were tanking and I'm like, all I did was just walk.” [20:30]
• Impact of Exercise Type/Timing:
  • Intense activities (lifting, sprints) sometimes raised his sugars (adrenaline/glycogen release); cardio/walking generally lowered them, especially depending on time of day. — "I run four or five miles every Wednesday, and my sugar's kind of stay stable...but when I'm lifting...after lifts, like you said, the adrenaline is still pumping..." [23:51]
• The Importance of Routine:
  • Exercise routine (lifting at 5am, specific cardio days) helped predict and manage blood sugar variation. — "I lift every morning at 5am...I like routine. So that’s my routine every morning." [22:48]

Travel, Diet, and Adapting Internationally

• Managing overseas (Italy, Asia, etc.):
  • Lower insulin requirements due to food and lifestyle differences. — "I was able to cut my Lantis in half to 15 units and...my Humalog dose...to 4 to 6 units per meal." [17:41]
• Self-reliance:
  • Abroad, without team doctors, forced to innovate and be independent in diabetes management.

Embracing Technology (Reluctantly)

• Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM):
  • Only adopted CGM in the past two years, citing stubbornness and self-reliance but acknowledges its value. — "So I have a cgm...I've been using the CGM now for a year, granted. That's it. Two years now." [16:16]

Philosophical & Mental Strategies

• Language Matters:
  • Prefers “health challenge” over “disease” to empower himself and others. — "If you think about a disease that sounds like something that's, ah, man, I'm never going to be able to...get past it...I call everything a health challenge." [26:05]
• Staying Optimistic:
  • Mantra of optimism and persistence. — "I always have an optimistic belief that, you know, I can and I will." [05:00]

Soul Survivors: Empowering Kids through Storytelling

• Origin:
  • Inspired by cartoons and a drive to change the narrative around chronic illness. • Aims to create a “Marvel universe” for kids with health challenges. — "What better way to inspire a child...why not feed them with the most positive reaffirming...affirmations that you possibly can. And I wanted to do that through this graphic comic novel series..." [29:35]
• Multicultural Inclusion:
  • Features characters based on himself and others with various health challenges.
• Impact:
  • “If Gary Forbes can do it, so can I.” [31:44] • Receives gratitude from parents for inspiring their children.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On professional aspiration despite doubt:
  “Plan A is Plan A, plan B is to make plan A work all the way to Z.” – Gary Forbes [13:20]

• On exercise unpredictability:
  “Exercise is potentially the most difficult thing that we struggle with. It’s good for you...but, man, it can make your blood sugars go on a roller coaster.” – Dr. Jeremy Pettus [00:52]

• Enduring optimism:
  “Your present situation is not your final destination. So for everyone going through challenges, know that there's always a hope for a better tomorrow...If you think you can, you're right. If you think you can’t, you’re also right. So it's your choice.” – Gary Forbes [33:53]

• Advice on technology and self-management:
  “I’m totally amazed because you’ve done this being on multiple daily injections...Most of the time you’ve been pricking your finger because you’re so fricking stubborn about cgm...and you’re doing a damn good job.” – Dr. Steve Edelman [25:18]

Key Timestamps

• [02:44] – Gary shares his international basketball journey and being a “first” for the NBA.
• [04:19] – Growing up with a type 1 diabetic father as a role model.
• [08:38] – Detailed recounting of symptoms, family road trip, and initial misdiagnosis.
• [12:58] – Doctor advising Gary to rethink basketball; Gary’s refusal to give up.
• [14:18] – Diabetes management strategies in college with the help of care teams.
• [17:41] – Adapting insulin (and diagnosis!) for overseas competitions.
• [20:30] – How routine, timing, and intensity of exercise impact his blood sugars.
• [22:48] – The “foot on the floor syndrome,” daily exercise habits, and learning via trial and error.
• [26:05] – The power of language: reframing diabetes as a “health challenge” not a “disease.”
• [29:35] – Origin and mission of Soul Survivors comic series; empowering kids.
• [31:44] – Desire to inspire: “If Gary Forbes can do it, so can I.”
• [33:53] – Closing motivational mantras and hope for listeners.

Final Takeaways

• Diabetes—especially type 1—does not preclude excellence in athletics or life, but requires individualized, adaptive management.
• Consistency, optimism, and teamwork are crucial, but flexibility is necessary—every day and every body is different.
• Community, storytelling, and representation matter deeply for young people with chronic health challenges.
• Gary Forbes exemplifies a growth mindset and is spreading hope beyond the basketball court.

Learn More / Resources

• Soul Survivors Comics: thesoulsurvivors.com
  “A lifestyle, a movement” – Signed copies and digital versions available.
• Podcast Hosts/Organization: tcoyd.org

For Listeners

“You can do anything—even play in the NBA—with diabetes. Find your team, your routine, your reason. And remember: ‘doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith.’”
— Gary Forbes [33:53]