The Healthy Diabetic

Coach Ken Kniss
  • 4.6 (17)
  • Nutrition
  • Updated Weekly

Welcome to The healthy Diabetic Podcast, each week I talk about how to navigate the complexities of diabetes. I interview doctors, Endo's, dietitians, CDE's, technology leaders, caregivers, and of course anybody who is affected by diabetes. This show is for you if you're looking for safe, educational, and engaging conversations. I promise to brighten your day, and you'll be sure to leave educated, supported, and guided on your way to a healthier and happier life with diabetes. Remember, your only job as a diabetic is to figure out what works for you! See you inside!Coach Ken.

  1. 10h ago ·  Video

    #381: You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup - T1D Dietitian Madi Cheever Gets Honest About Burnout With T1D

    I sat down with Madi Cheever - registered dietitian, T1D, and founder of Type 1 Type Fun. Madi had an extraordinary year. She published a book, launched her podcast The Bad Diabetic Club, hosted a nearly 300-person diabetes conference, traveled to Japan, and served as dietitian at multiple diabetes camps across the country. From the outside it looked like everything was firing on all cylinders. Behind the scenes she was completely burned out - personally and professionally - and something had to give. She shares what that burnout actually looked like, why she made the decision to step away from social media and her platforms, and what the process of moving across the country, rebuilding her personal life, and finding her way back to the work she loves actually taught her about rest, boundaries, and what it means to truly take care of yourself first. Madi shows us that it doesn't matter what walk of life you come from or in what status your diabetes is functioning in, you can't pour from an empty cup. It will eventually catch up to you.  🔑 Key Takeaways Why even the most passionate and knowledgeable people in the diabetes space can hit a wall of burnoutWhat Madi's burnout actually looked like - and the moment she knew something had to changeWhy you cannot pour from an empty cup - and what it actually means to fill yours firstThe importance of choosing people in your life who understand and support your diabetesHow to identify whether you're in a season of thriving or a season of survivingWhy nutrition for Type 1 is never about restriction - it's about fueling well and building sustainable habitsWhat Madi learned from attending the TCOYD conference and why community is irreplaceableWhy Madi and Ken are teaming up for a future episode specifically on GLP-1 medications and nutritionMadi's Last Podcast Episode: Madi's Book: You Have Permission: Eat Sugar, Fire Your Doctor, and Rewrite the Rules of Type 1 Diabetes Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review - it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Drop a comment and tell us - are you someone who thrives on the pursuit of perfection, or does it burn you out? We genuinely want to know. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #381: You Can't Pour From an Empty Cup - T1D Dietitian Madi Cheever Gets Honest About Burnout With T1D

  2. Sep 8 ·  Video

    #380: Insulin Resistance vs. Insulin Sensitivity - Once I Understood This, I Learned That Perfection Is An Illusion

    Once I understood the difference between insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity, everything clicked. Not just about diabetes - about why chronic disease is exploding, why autoimmune conditions are rising, and why the food systems most of us rely on are working against us instead of for us. Graham and I dig into what insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity actually mean, how they affect blood sugar management on a daily basis, and why understanding the difference between the two is one of the most important things any person with T1D can do for their long-term health. From there the conversation shifts into one of our most spirited debates yet - the pursuit of perfection in diabetes. Graham believes striving for perfection breeds confidence and control. I believe it's one of the fastest roads to diabetes burnout. We're both right. And we're both wrong. And the conversation that happens in between is one of the most honest and useful things we've talked about in a long time. 🔑 Key Takeaways What insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity actually are — and why the difference mattersWhy understanding these two concepts unlocks a clearer picture of chronic disease and autoimmune conditionsWhy our food systems are contributing to rising insulin resistance across the populationKen and Graham's spirited debate — is chasing perfection in diabetes helpful or harmful?Why the pursuit of perfection can quietly become the fastest road to diabetes burnoutThe difference between perfection and confidence — and which one actually sustains long-term managementWhy trusting your decisions matters more than always getting the outcome rightHow to think about the days that don't go the way you planned — without letting them derail everythingPerfection in diabetes is an illusion - and chasing it is one of the fastest roads to diabetes fatigue and diabetes burnout. What you're actually after is confidence and trust. The ability to make a decision, stand behind it, and move forward - even when the outcome isn't what you wanted.  Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review - it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Drop a comment and tell us - are you someone who thrives on the pursuit of perfection, or does it burn you out? We genuinely want to know. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #380: Insulin Resistance vs. Insulin Sensitivity - Once I Understood This, I Learned That Perfection Is An Illusion

  3. Sep 4 ·  Video

    #379: Diabetes Doesn't Hold Me Back - But It Used to. Here's What Changed

    Diabetes doesn't hold me back, but it used to... In today's episode, we talked about what it takes to manage diabetes as a caregiver and how making decisions for yourself is essential for building your confidence.  What does it actually means to make yourself the priority - not in a selfish way, but in the way that every parent, spouse, coach, and person living with a chronic condition needs to hear. Because if you're taking care of yourself for everyone else's sake instead of your own, it's only a matter of time before that falls apart. 🔑 Key Takeaways The finger-pricking technique most diabetics have never been taught - and why it mattersWhy making yourself the number one priority isn't selfish - it's essentialHow making decisions for other people instead of yourself quietly erodes your mental healthThe connection between personal identity and diabetes managementWhy Graham's childhood experiences with diabetes as a kid in the nineties still resonate todayHow caregivers and parents of diabetics can better understand what their kids actually needWhy Ken gets passionately triggered when someone says diabetes is holding them backFor most of my life I made decisions for other people. When I finally started making them for myself — everything changed. My mental state, my diabetes management, my confidence. You cannot pour from an empty cup. You have to be the priority first. Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #379: Diabetes Doesn't Hold Me Back - But It Used to. Here's What Changed

  4. Sep 1 ·  Video

    #378: Diabetes Confessions (Part 2) - Why I Stopped Pre-Bolusing & What That Means For My Blood Sugar

    Welcome to Diabetes Confessions — a diabetes series where talk about my diabetes confessions and how I've learned to overcome the mental, physical, and emotional toll of living with diabetes.  (Episode 2): Pre-bolusing is one of the most important things you can do to keep your blood sugar stable after a meal. I've known that for a long time. And for a long stretch of my life with T1D — I wasn't doing it. Not consistently. Not correctly. And sometimes not at all. In this episode I break down what pre-bolusing actually is, why synthetic insulin needs time to activate before food breaks down and rises your blood sugar, and why skipping this one step is often the reason blood sugars spike to 200+ after meals that should have been manageable. I also get honest about why I still don't pre-bolus every single time — and the specific situations where the math changes completely. This one is practical, personal, and exactly the kind of conversation I wish someone had had with me when I was first diagnosed. If you're consistently spiking after meals and can't figure out why — this episode is for you. 🔑 Key Takeaways What pre-bolusing actually is — and why most people have never been properly educated on itWhy synthetic insulin has an activation window — and what happens when food beats it to the bloodstreamHow pre-bolusing is one of the top three most important habits for post-meal blood sugar stabilityWhy Ken stopped pre-bolusing during his years of depression and denial — and what that cost himThe specific situations where pre-bolusing timing needs to change — activity, blood sugar level, food typeWhy the 15-minute rule isn't always the right rule — and how to think about timing for your specific situationHow giving yourself grace when decisions don't go perfectly is part of the process — not a sign of failureWhy two types of lows exist — and how understanding both changes how you respond to themPre-bolusing gives your insulin time to do its job. When food beats insulin to your bloodstream every single time you eat, you're not managing diabetes — you're chasing it. Getting ahead of the spike is one of the simplest and most powerful things you can do. Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #378: Diabetes Confessions (Part 2) - Why I Stopped Pre-Bolusing & What That Means For My Blood Sugar

  5. Aug 28 ·  Video

    #377: What Are The Two Most Important Things That Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable?

    In today's episode, I asked Graham one question at the start of this episode — what are the two most important things that keep your blood sugar stable? Two Type 1 diabetics. Fifty years of combined experience. Two answers that might completely change how you think about what actually keeps your blood sugar stable. 🔑 Key Takeaways Why organizing your diabetes supplies isn't just practical — it removes panic from an unpredictable conditionWhat it actually feels like to be down to your last vial of insulin — and what that teaches youGraham's two most impactful lessons after 30 years of living with Type 1 diabetesWhy trial and error is the only real path to genuine self-trust in diabetes managementHow failing, learning, and adjusting builds what Graham calls a coat of armor over timeWhy small daily wins compound into real confidence faster than big milestone momentsThe difference between celebrating highlights and celebrating the little decisions that shape everythingWhy the bad moments in diabetes management matter just as much as the good onesYou can't get to a place of fully trusting your diabetes decisions without experimenting, failing, and learning. The small wins you forget to celebrate are the ones that are quietly building your confidence every single day. Start noticing them. Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #377: What Are The Two Most Important Things That Keep Your Blood Sugar Stable?

  6. Aug 25 ·  Video

    #376: From an A1C of 13.1 to 5.9 - How Matt Went From Diagnosis to Thriving With T1D - Matt Schreiber

    In today's episode, I sat down with Matt Schreiber — diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in March of 2025 with a blood sugar of 480 and an A1C of 13.1 — and walked away from this conversation genuinely inspired. Matt spent months feeling exhausted, losing weight, constantly thirsty, and running out of steam ten minutes into a workout. It took his girlfriend finally saying enough is enough and dragging him to urgent care for everything to come to a head. He walked out of the ER with a Type 1 diagnosis, a crash course in insulin, and a choice to make about how he was going to live with this condition. Eighteen months later, his A1C is 5.9. He's playing ice hockey. He completed his first 10K. And he's managing Type 1 with MDI and a CGM while continuing to train the way he always has — without letting diabetes set the boundaries for what he can and can't do. We get into what his diagnosis actually looked like, why urgent care initially gave him metformin instead of insulin, how he navigated exercise and blood sugar management as a competitive athlete, what his experience with a GLP-1 medication was like, and the three pieces of advice he'd give every person with Type 1 diabetes right now — whether they were diagnosed last week or twenty years ago. This episode is proof that you are bigger than Type 1 diabetes. 🔑 Key Takeaways What Matt's symptoms looked like before diagnosis — and why he kept pushing it offWhy urgent care gave him metformin instead of insulin at firstHow he went from an A1C of 13.1 to 5.9 in eighteen monthsWhat managing blood sugar during ice hockey and weightlifting actually looks likeWhy his experience with a GLP-1 medication didn't work for him — and what he learned from itHow he trained for and completed his first 10K with Type 1 diabetesThe three pieces of advice Matt would give every diabetic right nowWhy celebrating small wins might be the most underrated tool in diabetes managementWhy over 60% of new Type 1 diagnoses are now happening in adults over 23Don't let this disease limit you. You are bigger than Type 1 diabetes. It might take longer to get where you want to go — but you can still get there. Keep pushing. Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #376: From an A1C of 13.1 to 5.9 - How Matt Went From Diagnosis to Thriving With T1D - Matt Schreiber

  7. Aug 21 ·  Video

    #375: The Diabetes Cure Debate - Are We Actually Curing T1D?

    If there is ever a cure are we really CURING Type 1 Diabetes? Not in the sense of whether the technology exists yet. But in a deeper sense - if stem cells, a pancreatic transplant, or some other breakthrough meant you never had to take insulin again, have we actually cured the autoimmune condition that caused Type 1 in the first place? Or have we just found a way to work around it? Our perspectives will shock you... From there the conversation goes wide — into worldview, personal responsibility, doing your own research, and what it means to take control of your own existence when the systems around you can't always be trusted to have your best interests at heart. I hope you like it when we debate and bicker — because this one is a doozy. This is one of the most thought-provoking episodes we've ever recorded. 🔑 Key Takeaways Whether eliminating the need for insulin would truly constitute a cure for Type 1 diabetesGraham's honest belief after 32 years - and why he doesn't think he or Ken will ever be curedWhy false hope can be just as damaging as no hope at allWhy I believes hope is growing faster than at any point in the history of Type 1 diabetesHow to hold onto hope without letting it stop you from living fully right nowWhy doing your own research matters more than ever when it comes to your health decisionsWhy trusting yourself - even when decisions don't go perfectly - changes everything for how you manage diabetesYou can have enormous hope for what's coming and still choose to live fully right now. Waiting for a cure that may or may not arrive in your lifetime is not a diabetes strategy — it's a recipe for burnout. The goal is to thrive today while believing in what's possible tomorrow. Additional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #375: The Diabetes Cure Debate - Are We Actually Curing T1D?

  8. Aug 18 ·  Video

    #374: Do You Even Need to Manage Blood Sugar on Ozempic? Graham's Honest Opinion

    Graham's been on Ozempic for seven weeks. He came into this episode with three words. "There is no taking care of your blood sugar anymore." That's a bold statement. And as his co-host and someone who coaches people through diabetes every day, I naturally had questions. A lot of them.  From there the conversation goes wide. We debate what exercise actually is and isn't — and why walking the dog around the block doesn't count the same way a hill sprint does. We revisit the CGM debate and what it means to manage diabetes without continuous data.  So much to unpack in this episode... 🔑 Key Takeaways Graham's full seven-week Ozempic update - what's changed, what hasn't, and what surprised him mostWhy Ozempic results are highly individual - and why Graham's experience won't look the same for everyoneHow splitting basal doses combined with Ozempic is changing Graham's insulin needs dramaticallyWhy going low without a bolus is happening - and what Ken thinks is actually behind itWhat Ken considers real exercise versus general movement - and why the distinction matters for your blood sugarWhy managing diabetes without CGM data makes troubleshooting harder for both you and your doctorAdditional Resources Watch our LIVE episodes Mondays & Wednesdays @2pm EST — Tune in Here🎯 5 Lessons You Can't Learn From Your Doctor — Free 5-Day Experience🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning💪 Work with me: More Than A1C — 1on1 Coaching📞 Simplify Your Diabetes — Free Call: Book Now🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute HereIf you enjoyed today's episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review — it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Podcast Disclaimer: Nothing that you hear on The Healthy Diabetic Podcast should be considered medical advice or otherwise; please always consult your medical TEAM before making any changes to your Diabetes management. Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode. Support the show

    #374: Do You Even Need to Manage Blood Sugar on Ozempic? Graham's Honest Opinion
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4.6
out of 5
17 Ratings

About

Welcome to The healthy Diabetic Podcast, each week I talk about how to navigate the complexities of diabetes. I interview doctors, Endo's, dietitians, CDE's, technology leaders, caregivers, and of course anybody who is affected by diabetes. This show is for you if you're looking for safe, educational, and engaging conversations. I promise to brighten your day, and you'll be sure to leave educated, supported, and guided on your way to a healthier and happier life with diabetes. Remember, your only job as a diabetic is to figure out what works for you! See you inside!Coach Ken.

Information

  • Creator
    Coach Ken Kniss
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    380
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 The Healthy Diabetic
  • Show Website
    The Healthy Diabetic

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