Reclaim Your Rise: Type 1 Diabetes with Lauren Bongiorno

Lauren Bongiorno
  • 4.8 (143)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

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.

  1. 1D AGO

    213. Are They Cured? Inside the Hottest Type 1 Diabetes Trial Right Now with Patients 9 and 10

    For decades, people living with Type 1 diabetes have asked the same question: what would life look like if my body made insulin again? In today’s episode, Lauren sits down with Katie Beth Hand (13 years with T1D) and Chris (diagnosed at 10 months old, living 35 years with T1D), two of only ten participants selected for the first cohort of the Eledon clinical trial at the University of Chicago. As Patients 9 and 10, they received an islet cell transplant alongside the investigational therapy Tegoprubart, designed to prevent the immune system from attacking transplanted cells. Now, for the first time in decades, they’re watching their blood sugars rise and come back down on their own, coming off basal insulin, dramatically reducing boluses, and navigating what it means to trust a body that suddenly responds differently. This is not hype or a guaranteed cure, but it may represent one of the most significant shifts in Type 1 diabetes research in over 30 years. WHAT WE COVER: What daily life looked like before the trialHow they found the Eledon trial and what screening week in Chicago involvedWhat actually happens during an islet cell transplantWhy Tegoprubart may change the future of islet transplantationMixed Meal Tolerance Tests, C-peptide, and what their data showsThe transition off basal insulin and how they are “protecting” the new isletsThe emotional side: “Do I still say I have Type 1?”Current Blocks to Scalability and what the Islet Act Is Support Links: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. 🧑‍🧒‍🧒Our 8-week family group coaching program starts on March 25th. Enroll now to get the early bird discount that ends 2/28 Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth Watch the full episode on our Youtube: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If Katie Beth and Chris’s story helped you feel seen, especially if you’ve been doing the work but still feel stuck in fear, burnout, or unpredictable lows, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

    52 min

  2. FEB 17

    212. Moving at Your Own Pace: A T1D Parent Story About Fear of Lows & Ongoing Progress

    In this episode, Abby Cooper (Risely’s Director of Coaching and a parent of a child with type 1 diabetes) sits down with Jessie Bennett, a mom of two in California whose 13-year-old son, Samuel, was diagnosed with T1D two years ago. Jessie opens up about what the first year really felt like: survival mode, numbness, and the constant, invisible fear of low blood sugar that can hijack your body and your mind. Together, Abby and Jessie talk about why this episode is intentionally different, because the goal is not to wait until everything feels “fixed” before you get support. Jessie shares what shifted through coaching: building a simple “order of operations” toolkit, learning to slow down the spiral, and redefining progress as being able to live even when fear still shows up. WHAT WE COVER: What the first 6 to 12 months after a child’s diagnosis can feel like, and why it’s normalHow fear of low blood sugar shows up physically, emotionally, and in decision-makingThe “invisible” anxiety parents carry, even when they look calm on the outsideWhy coaching is not about erasing fear, but changing how you live alongside itA practical toolkit for making decisions: insulin on board, trend, and “I have what I need to handle this”Redefining progress when you’re still in the middle, without rushing yourself to a finish line KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Fear is protective, but it comes with a cost. The goal is not to shame it away. It is to stop letting it run the whole day (or night). 2️⃣ Real change comes from experience, not explanation. Tools, repetition, and safety-building moments are what rewire confidence. 3️⃣ Progress you can’t measure still matters. Letting your child go play at 110, trusting the plan, and staying regulated, those wins change your whole family. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Learn more about our T1D parent coaching. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us: Email us at hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If Jessie’s story helped you feel seen, especially if you’re making progress but still feel fear hanging around, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

    35 min

  3. FEB 10

    211. Dating With Type 1 Diabetes: Red Flags, Green Flags, and the Truth About being “Too Much”

    Dating with Type 1 Diabetes can stir up questions about worth, vulnerability, and whether you are asking for too much or are too much. In this solo episode, Lauren shows up as your T1D older sister, sharing real-life insight, personal stories from her own relationship, and the conversations most people avoid when it comes to dating with diabetes. You will hear why Type 1 Diabetes does not actually make dating harder. It simply reveals compatibility faster. Lauren explains how your relationship with yourself and your diabetes shapes what you tolerate, attract, and believe you deserve. This episode breaks down the red flags to pay attention to, the green flags that truly matter, and how releasing shame can completely change your dating experience. WHAT WE COVER: Why Type 1 Diabetes acts as a stress test for emotional maturityRed flags in dating that often show up early when you live with T1DHow shame around diabetes quietly impacts relationshipsThe difference between concern, control, and true partnershipGreen flags that signal emotional safety and long-term compatibilityWhy your relationship with diabetes sets the tone for how others show up KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Type 1 Diabetes does not make you “too much.” It filters out the wrong people faster.  It brings clarity to compatibility and emotional readiness early on. 2️⃣ The way someone responds to your diabetes often reflects how you relate to it.  Confidence and self-trust naturally attract healthier dynamics. 3️⃣ Healthy relationships are built on communication, respect, and safety, not perfection.  You do not need a caretaker. You deserve a partner who can meet you with empathy and maturity. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. 🧴Check out Healthy Sites: Post-site recovery patches designed to calm irritation, reduce visible marks, and support site recovery after pump and CGM removal. Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you feel seen, especially if you have ever worried about being “too much” while dating with T1D, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations and stop struggling alone.

    23 min

  4. FEB 3

    210. The First Person to Summit Antarctica with Type 1 Diabetes: Rachel Smith

    Rachel Smith is an OB-GYN, lifelong mountain-lover, and person with type 1 diabetes who set out to summit Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s tallest peak, in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. After climbs like Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua, she realized the biggest curiosity was not just the summit itself, but the diabetes strategy behind it: insulin safety, altitude, tech failures, and what it takes to navigate unpredictable blood sugars when you are far from help. In this episode, Rachel takes us into a 13-day Antarctica expedition (8 days on the mountain), where the sun never sets, the cold hits -50°C, and even treating a low can become complicated. You will hear what surprised her most, what she would do differently next time, and the message she wants every person with diabetes to carry with them: progress over perfection, and your goals do not have to shrink because you have T1D. WHAT WE COVER: Why Rachel chose Mount Vinson and why she decided to share the diabetes side publicly this timeThe realities of climbing in Antarctica: 24-hour daylight, extreme cold, and carrying everything yourselfManaging T1D on Kilimanjaro (manual testing) vs. Aconcagua and Vinson (pump + CGM)What happens when diabetes tech fails at altitude and in the cold (pump alarms, sensors cutting out)How Rachel kept insulin from freezing and built in backups (including guide support)Fueling strategy on long climb days: lower-carb mornings, steady carbs during breaks, and why it matteredSafety conversations with guides: how hypoglycemia symptoms can mimic altitude sickness KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Your plan needs redundancy. Remote climbs demand extra supplies, backup delivery methods, and contingency plans for freezing, loss, and tech failure. 2️⃣ The environment changes everything. Altitude, cold, disrupted routine, stress hormones, and long-duration exertion can make blood sugars feel unlike your norm. That is not failure, it is data. 3️⃣ Zoom out to rebuild trust. Rachel’s CGM graphs looked more stable in hindsight than they felt in the moment, which is a reminder not to let one chaotic window define your confidence. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If Rachel’s story helped you feel more capable, especially if you have been telling yourself “I cannot” because of diabetes, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

    40 min

  5. JAN 29

    209. BONUS: T1D Barbie Exclusive with Pam Morrisroe

    This bonus episode takes you behind the scenes of a moment that made many people with Type 1 diabetes feel truly seen. Lauren visits Breakthrough T1D headquarters in New York City to sit down with Pam Morrisroe and uncover how the T1D Barbie went from an idea to a global symbol of representation. Pam shares her role in bringing community voices into the process and why getting the details right was not just important, it was everything. What unfolds is a powerful conversation about visibility, confidence, and the emotional weight of representation for kids and adults living with an often invisible condition. This episode is not about perfection or optics. It is about normalizing devices, embracing difference, and shifting the narrative from hiding diabetes to owning it with pride. WHAT WE COVER: How Mattel and Breakthrough T1D partnered to create the T1D BarbieWhy community input was essential in the doll’s designThe intentional choices behind the CGM graph, pump number, and devicesNavigating criticism and misconceptions around representationWhat visibility means for kids growing up with Type 1 diabetes KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Representation matters, especially for an invisible condition like Type 1 diabetes 2️⃣ Getting it perfect is not the goal. Getting it real is what builds confidence 3️⃣ Embracing what makes you different can change your entire relationship with T1D WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode made you feel seen or reminded you that you do not have to hide your diabetes, subscribe and leave a review so more people with T1D can find these conversations.

    12 min

  6. JAN 27

    208. How to Spot Your Blood Sugar Patterns Without Obsessing Over Data

    In this solo episode, Lauren breaks down one of the most important skills for navigating Type 1 Diabetes with more confidence: spotting blood sugar patterns without getting trapped in constant data analysis. She speaks to two common experiences, the person who’s already deep in the charts but still feels stuck, and the person who feels overwhelmed and convinced they “don’t have patterns.” Lauren shares a simple, human approach to pattern recognition that prioritizes curiosity over judgment. You’ll learn how to slow down, identify what’s actually driving your out-of-range numbers, and build awareness in a way that supports your life (instead of taking it over). If you’ve ever felt like diabetes is running the show, this episode will help you shift from reacting in the moment to making decisions with more clarity and calm. WHAT WE COVER: How to identify which “group” you fall into: over-analyzing vs. overwhelmed and unsure where to startWhy changing ratios isn’t always the answer and what the graphs don’t showHow to start with awareness first, before trying to “fix” everythingFour practical ways to find patterns without living inside your CGM dataHow to build a weekly review habit using curiosity over judgment KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ The goal isn’t perfect numbers. It’s clarity and confidence that you can repeat consistently. 2️⃣ Patterns aren’t always in the graphs. Often, the real drivers are beneath the surface: fear of lows, stress, sleep, routines, and habits. 3️⃣ You don’t need to find every pattern. Pick one frustrating context, slow down, and build awareness one bite-sized step at a time. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for 1:1 or group coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📔Get the Diabetic Health Journal: A mindful approach to achieving your best A1C. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you feel less overwhelmed by your data, or gave you a clearer starting point for spotting patterns without burnout, subscribe and leave a review so more people with T1D can find this support.

    27 min

  7. JAN 20

    207. How to Optimize Your Omnipod 5: 5 Real-World Tips From Lived Experience

    In this solo episode, Lauren shares practical, experience-based guidance for people living with Type 1 Diabetes who use the Omnipod 5 and still feel like their numbers are unpredictable or frustrating. Drawing from her own life with T1D and years of coaching clients at Risely Health, Lauren breaks down common gaps she sees between simply being on a pump and truly optimizing it. Rather than focusing on perfection or medical rules, this episode highlights how mindset, awareness, and intentional use of pump settings can create more confidence and stability. Listeners will walk away with a clearer understanding of how to work with their Omnipod 5, reduce common challenges like rebound highs, and use their pump as a supportive tool instead of a source of stress. WHAT WE COVER: How to find the right “sweet spot” for your max bolus settingWhat red line suspensions mean and how they contribute to rebound highsWhen and why manual mode can be helpful in certain situationsHow to use the custom food feature to break unhelpful bolusing habitsWhy stress should be treated as a real factor in blood sugar management KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Being on a pump is not the same as optimizing it. Confidence comes from understanding how your settings actually work for your body. 2️⃣ Auto mode is a powerful tool, but knowing when to switch to manual mode can prevent frustration and improve outcomes. 3️⃣ Stress, habits, and mindset play a major role in blood sugar patterns and deserve just as much attention as carbs and insulin. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us:  Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If this episode helped you feel more confident navigating your pump or reminded you that diabetes does not have to be figured out alone, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

    17 min

  8. JAN 13

    206. Why “I Have No Patterns” Is Keeping You Stuck With Type 1 Diabetes (ft. Kristin Paulsen)

    Kristin was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in 1997, right before she turned four. Like many of us, her early years were defined by parental support, and then college became the turning point where she had to learn how to truly take ownership. From studying abroad in Mexico and navigating T1D with a host family who did not speak English, to advocating for herself during surgery in a hospital system that largely understood Type 2, Kristin’s diabetes journey has been shaped by resilience and self trust. But even with nearly three decades of experience, Kristin still hit a wall. Her A1C was sitting at 7.1, time in range was around 63 to 65%, and she felt emotionally drained from the constant highs, lows, and pressure to “figure it out.” She was working out consistently, eating responsibly, watching her numbers closely, and still felt like the output did not match the effort. In this episode, Kristin shares what changed when she joined Risely’s group coaching program, and how she went from chasing blood sugars reactively to learning her patterns, building confidence in decision making, and feeling lighter mentally and emotionally. We also talk about the ripple effect diabetes has on relationships, why community can matter even if you already have strong support at home, and a very real story of an insulin dosing mistake that underscores how important preparation and support systems can be. WHAT WE COVER: Managing diabetes independently for the first time during study abroad in MexicoAdvocating for Type 1 needs in a hospital setting during surgeryFeeling stuck at a 7.1 A1C and 63 to 65% time in range despite high effortHormones, protein, strength training, and why “doing the right things” still can spike blood sugarHow her metrics changed: average BG (159 to 134) & time in range (up to 80%)The impact diabetes narratives have on partners and relationshipsA 20 unit insulin dosing mistake KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ If you feel stuck, you are not broken. You are likely missing a system. 2️⃣ Confidence comes from experimenting, not perfection. 3️⃣ Better numbers can come with a lighter mental load. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise  SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW: If Kristin’s story helped you feel seen, especially if you have been putting in effort but still feel stuck, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

    49 min
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4.8
out of 5
143 Ratings

About

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.

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