Immune Kamikaze | Diabetes Podcast immunekamikaze

In this episode I talk to type 1 diabetic and professional race car driver Jack Perkins from Australia.

Jack was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at a period in his life where he was setting himself up for a professional career in race car driving. Jack’s diagnosis with type 1 diabetes didn’t deter Jack from racing but rather, Jack demonstrated a successful racing career is possible with type 1 diabetes.

In the episode we discuss Jack’s diagnosis story, his racing career and how Jack manages his diabetes whilst racing and generally. We also discuss how Jack kept his diabetes hidden for a period of time after diagnosis and how he convinced the racing organization to allow a type 1 diabetic to race.

Photo credit: https://amsldiabetes.com.au/

In this episode I talk to type 1 diabetic Tiffany Johnson, from Melbourne in Australia.

Tiffany’s journey with type 1 diabetes started very differently from the vast majority of other people with type 1 diabetes. Typically, when a person is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, the cause of their diabetes is a result of their immune system attacking the cells which produce insulin, hence type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease.

That’s not what caused Tiffany’s type 1 diabetes. In 1999, Tiffany was involved in a canyoning accident in Switzerland which sadly took the lives of 21 people. At the time of the tragedy, during a non-war period, it was the largest number of deaths of Australians outside of Australia. Remarkably, Tiffany survived but sustained injuries to her pancreas which resulted in a diagnosis with type 1 diabetes. Not only was Tiffany diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Tiffany broke bones and suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and survivors’ guilt from the fatal canyoning accident.

During the episode, we discuss at length the accident and Tiffany’s incredible recovery and journey with type 1 diabetes. Tiffany is a remarkable woman who demonstrates the power of believing in yourself and that determination and positivity are key ingredients to a successful life with type 1 diabetes.

Picture credit: http://tiffanyjohnson.com.au/

In this episode I talk to type 1 diabetic Neil McLagan from Perth in Western Australia. Not only does Neil have type 1 diabetes, Neil has hashimoto's hypothyroidism and Celiac disease symptoms which we discuss at length in the episode. Type 1 diabetes itself is an extremely complex and high maintenance disease but to couple that with hypothyroidism and Celiac disease – I can only imagine how tough that must be. But Neil’s positivity and determination to manage all three conditions is extraordinary.

Neil and I discuss his diagnosis story with type 1 diabetes and its impact on his life when he was 17. Being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes as a teenager adds to the already challenging period in one’s life and we discuss Neil’s struggles with adapting to the diagnosis. We also discuss alcohol and its impact on diabetes, especially in the teenage and younger years.

Neil has a keen interest on nutrition and getting the most out of his body as a sufferer of multiple conditions. We discuss several interesting topics such as low carbohydrate diets, the consumption of diary and benefits of reducing certain food groups and fueling your body from ketones, not to be confused with ketoacidosis.

In 2018 Neil cycled unsupported from Perth to Sydney on this bicycle totaling 4011km in 20 days. Neil averaged 9 hours on the bike each day and some days, cycled over 250km. The ride was grueling as Neil suffered both mental and physical exhaustion and incurred several injuries along the way. However, Neil’s determination kept him going until he reached the end and demonstrating nothing will stop you from achieving your dreams and goals if you put your mind to it. Neil and I discuss the motivation for the ride and how he raised over $19,000 for the Telethon Type 1 Diabetes Family Centre.

Neil and I discuss the topic of access of insulin as Neil is raising money for Insulin for Life Global via his Everesting attempt, which aims to provide insulin for diabetics in developing nations. The Everesting challenge is a cycling challenge where you pick any hill and repeatedly ride said hill to the height of Everest, which is 8848 meters, in a single activity – no small feat indeed!

Neil is a top bloke and was completely open to discuss his highs and lows with living with three demanding chronic conditions. It was an absolute pleasure speaking to Neil and I’m sure you’ll find his positivity and can do attitude infectious.

One of the best parts of hosting this podcast is being connected with people like Neil. Each guest of the podcast I’ve learnt from and I hope as a guest you’re able to take something away from each episode also. Specifically, knowing that you’re not alone and there’s many more of us suffering with the same condition also. Let Neil’s story encourage you and remind you that if you put your mind to it, you too can achieve greatness, even as a type 1 diabetic.

In this episode I talk to Meriem Daoui, a Moroccan born, Australian type 1 diabetic who is an elite long-distance runner who resides in Tasmania, Australia.

Meriem was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was 8 years old after moving to Australia when she was 4. Meriem and her family originally moved to Sydney in New South Wales and then moved to the picturesque southern state of Tasmania later where Meriem then discovered her love for running.

Meriem was identified as a promising runner who went on to be coached and is now one of Australia’s elite female runners and probably one of the humblest.

The world needs more people like Meriem in it. Meriem is uniquely selfless with her fund raising for people in need in Syria and is currently raising money for the Tasmanian cancer council and oncology outpatients at the Royal Hobart hospital.

In the episode, we discuss Meriem’s struggles and triumphs with mental illness and her exposure to bullying when she was younger and its impact on her diabetes. Meriem’s courage to discuss her mental health openly with me was truly admirable as it’s a topic that’s seldom easy to talk about.

I interviewed Meriem the night before she raced the Point to Pinnacle which is the world’s toughest half marathon as it has just over 1,270 meters in elevation. Meriem went on to win her division and claim the 4thoverall female position.

If you’re interesting in supporting Meriem’s fundraising for the Cancer Council, the link to the fundraising page will be in the introduction notes for the episode (https://www.doitforcancer.com.au/fundraisers/meriemdaoui/marathon-for-tasmanian-cancer-council-and-oncology-outpatients).

Photo credit: https://www.instagram.com/meriem_runs/

Meriem's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/meriem_runs/

In this episode I talk to type 1 diabetic Sebastien Sasseville who has climbed mount Everest, the highest mountain in the world above sea level at 8848 meters. Sebastien has also competed in the Sahara running race which is a self supported race across the Sahara desert in Africa and he has also run across Canada, completing 7200 kilometres in 9 months.

Sebastien is an incredibly inspiring and humble guy and it was an absolute pleasure speaking to him. During our discussion, in addition to exploring his incredible athletic endeavours, we discuss the power of positivity and belief and how to life a successful life with diabetes.

Photo credit: https://sebinspire.com/en/

Sebastien's website: https://sebinspire.com/en/

In this episode I talk to Eric Tozer who is a type 1 diabetic and an endurance athlete.

Eric most notably has recently completed the World Marathon Challenge which involves running 7 marathons across 7 continents in 7 days – you read that correctly – that’s just under 300km of running in 7 days!

Eric has also run across America with a team of diabetics, he has competed in several Ironman triathlons and running races. Eric is the co-founder of Diabetes Sports Project which is an organization of diabetic athletes that empowers others to live a healthy, responsible and active lives.

Throughout my chat with Eric, I was amazed by Eric’s positive outlook on life with diabetes and how he uses his diabetes as a vehicle to inspire and spread awareness about diabetes.

Every now and then throughout life you meet certain individuals that leave an enduring impression on you and impart their positivity and belief – Eric is one of those individuals.

At certain parts of the episode, there must have been deep sea creatures nibbling on the internet cables between Australia and the US therefore briefly at a couple of points in the episode, the audio is a bit flaky so apologies for this.