168. The Hardest Part Was Asking for Help: Bianca’s Type 1 Wake-Up Call
Episode Summary: In this week’s episode, we’re joined by someone incredibly close to the Risely heart. Bianca Volpetti, from our enrollment team was diagnosed with T1D diagnosis at age 31, just weeks before her wedding. Even though her sister had been living with T1D since childhood and she was in the best shape of her life, Bianca’s diagnosis completely rocked her world. Because matter how “healthy” or informed you are, diabetes changes everything. Like many of us, she tried to DIY her way through it… and learned the hard way just how isolating and overwhelming that path can be. Today, Bianca opens up about her lowest moments, what finally pushed her to say yes to support, and how coaching helped her not just stabilize her numbers—but truly reclaim her life. If you’ve been stuck in the belief that you should be able to figure this out on your own, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to wait until rock bottom to rise. Quick Takeaways:The importance of seeking support with your T1D (beyond your loved ones) How T1D impacts your personal relationships Navigating an adult diagnosis Accepting the help you needTimestamps:[03:20] Receiving her T1D diagnosis at 31 years old [05:38] “I was in the ICU for four or five days and that is where my journey started.”[07:08] Growing up with a T1D sibling/ family member [10:51] Finding Risely… with a plot twist[16:24] Hitting her breaking point & deciding it was time for help [31:33] “We kind of allow ourselves to accept mediocrity because we have type one and… this is just how life has to be because I have this... We don't deserve to accept that.”[33:25] The most common blocks Bianca hears from other T1Ds [34:32] Believing in yourself [38:15] Advice for someone on the fence about getting support What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.
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42:59
167. 5 Things I Always Do After a Bad Blood Sugar Day
Episode Summary: Today we’re diving into a topic that doesn’t always get the spotlight—how I handle low time in range blood sugar days. I’m walking you through what happened, what I was feeling, and the 5 things I always do to reset—physically, mentally, and emotionally. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve seen my CGM graphs when I’m in range after eating pizza or a bagel, and while I love sharing those wins to show what’s possible, it’s just as important to keep it real when things don’t go as planned. We all have days when our numbers aren’t where we want them to be, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean we’re failing—it just means we’re human. If this episode resonates, share it with another T1D—you never know how far a little support can go on the hard days.Quick Takeaways:First and foremost: EVERY T1D has bad blood sugar days, what matters is how you respond How to get to a place where these days are more rare then they are normal Lauren’s five steps for overcoming a bag blood sugar day Why reflecting on these days is important & how to stop procrastinating it Recognizing low TIR days as data to move forward *instead of* a reflection of failure Timestamps:[01:05] Introduction into today’s episode [02:27] “It was purely a 100 % human error” [03:07] Events leading up [04:46] “Everything was good until Friday night…”[08:12] Reflections of the day [09:31] “The thing that drives my A1C below six and my 80 to 90 % time in range is not…”[10:27] Debriefing/dissecting the 24-hour graph [12:55] FIVE things that I always do after a tough blood sugar day[25:23] The 4 reasons we avoid reflection–and how to recognize them in yourself What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.If you have blood sugar days like this more often than not and you’re tired of navigating this alone and want support, this is exactly what we can support you on inside our signature Group Coaching Program for women with diabetes–Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.
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35:17
166. What I Wish Someone Told Me When My Child Was Diagnosed with T1D
If you're listening to this right now, there's a good chance you're sitting in a hospital room or just a few days or weeks into your child's Type 1 Diabetes diagnosis. First, we want to say: We see you. This is hard, and you are not alone. In this episode, Abby Cooper, Director of Coaching at Risely, shares the five things she wishes she had been told six years ago when her own son was diagnosed. Whether you are feeling overwhelmed in these early days yourself or maybe you’re months/years into your child’s diagnosis, and this advice is long overdue– This episode is the soft place to land that T1D parents deserve. Quick Takeaways:Navigating those early disorienting and emotional days after receiving your child’s T1D diagnosis Type 1 Diabetes is an autoimmune condition, not caused by parentingBecoming the expert and NOT doing it alone The importance of self-compassion with T1D parenting Making space for both hope and grief Timestamps:[01:21] Introduction into the episode [03:14] “You didn't cause this and you're not alone.”[05:29] “T1D is life changing, but it is not life limiting.” [07:56] “Don't let the learning process consume you.” [09:25] “With time, you will become the expert on your child's diabetes.”[11:09] “You don't have to choose between hope or grief or between strength or struggle."What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. Listen to Abby’s first episode on the pod & hear her personal story with T1DAdditional T1D parenting content: Listen to episode #161Download our parenting freebie and be entered to win FREE thimble product samples: www.riselyhealth.com/type-1-diabetes/newly-diagnosed-parent-freebie
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17:13
165. From Trauma to Transformation: The Most Inspiring T1D Journey We've Witnessed
For this episode, we’re giving Nicole Trone the spotlight again, to share her incredible journey with Type 1 Diabetes, from her initial diagnosis to a life-changing transformation. Diagnosed with diabetes as an adult, Nicole was left without proper education or guidance, thrust into managing her condition while abroad in Barcelona. She shares how fear, uncertainty, and low blood sugar anxiety ruled her life, especially after a traumatic experience just before her engagement. Fast forward to 2025, and Nicole’s mindset and approach to diabetes have completely shifted, thanks to the support of the Risely coaching program. This episode is a powerful reminder of the importance of education, mindset, and community in managing chronic conditions, and Nicole's story is one of hope and inspiration for anyone struggling with diabetes.Quick Takeaways:The importance of proper education post diagnosis The connection between mental health and diabetes The impact of blood sugar anxiety on daily lifeGetting diagnosed as an adult The power of the T1D community Impact of trauma and learning to work through it How to find the confidence to live life freely with type 1 diabetes Training a diabetic alert dog Words of encouragement for newly diagnosed and/or those struggling with fear and anxiety around diabetes Timestamps:[01:09] Introduction for today’s episode [03:02] “I was diagnosed in a super strange way...”[08:02] “ Without any education, proper training. So you went to, how did you get your insulin?”[13:09] Nicole’s behind the scenes of operating at 75% time in range [14:16] “I was waiting to die at any second”[14:58] “My bad low happened the night before I got engaged…”[18:00] “I cried for like months straight, seems like every time I talked about diabetes.”[25:22] “So in one year you do a complete 180. What happened? How?”What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. A FREE coaching tool to help you reclaim the life you deserve: Download your T1D Self-assessment guide
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34:25
164. Becoming Your Child’s Pancreas: The Emotional Toll of T1D Parenting
In this episode of Reclaim Your Rise, Abby is back for a heartfelt conversation with the Smith family. We met Tyler and Callie after their son Wally’s T1D diagnosis at age 4. They came to us feeling lost trying to function as their child’s pancreas and needing more support than they were getting from their doctor. While Callie and Tyler’s experience will especially resonate with other parents, this episode is for everyone who wants to understand what T1D parents are really going through. Quick Takeaways:Importance of knowing the signs & symptoms of type 1 diabetesThe mental & physical toll a T1D diagnosis takes on the entire family How family dynamics play a significant role in managing & finding a balance in parenting roles Maintaining your relationship as parents while still caring for your T1D child The need for better communication with healthcare providers about care expectationsTimestamps:[01:45] Meet the Smith Family [02:30] Wally’s diagnosis [07:07] Emotions post-diagnosis & learning their new life [09:24] The standard of diabetes care [11:00] Deciding they needed more support [15:27] “You can’t pour from an empty cup.” [16:43] Balancing parenting roles & dynamics: Knowing when to ‘tap out’ [18:00] Self care: The key to family well being [20:00] Finding Risely [27:05] “We were sick of just getting a pat on the back and a gold star, every time we went to the endo…we weren't getting what we needed.” [29:40] Words of encouragement for T1D parents What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.
About Reclaim Your Rise: Type 1 Diabetes with Lauren Bongiorno
Lauren Bongiorno is a Nationally Board Certified Health Coach and the founder and CEO of Risely Health. Featured on the TODAY show and other media outlets, Risely helps people and families impacted by Type 1 Diabetes take ownership over their health so they can transform their life with more freedom and confidence. Lauren has lived with type 1 diabetes since she was 7 years old and has experienced firsthand that when health transforms, so does everything else - our relationships, our time, our career, our families, and, most importantly, ourselves. Each week she will bring you lessons from her own personal diabetes experience, strategies that are key to understanding your body’s patterns, and guests who will speak to everything from advances in technology to all things hormones, exercise, relationships, and mindset. All of this so that over time, you TOO can reclaim your rise.
Listen to Reclaim Your Rise: Type 1 Diabetes with Lauren Bongiorno, Grey Areas with Petra Bagust and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app
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