Type 1 In Midlife: Women Over 40 with Type 1 Diabetes, Hormones, Perimenopause, Menopause, and Blood Sugar Challenges

Melissa Slemp
  • 4.9 (27)
  • HEALTH & FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

This podcast is for women with type 1 diabetes navigating perimenopause, menopause, and all the hormonal shifts that come with midlife. Hosted by Melissa Slemp — certified nutritional and hormone health coach, personal trainer, and founder of Abundant Health with Melissa — this show offers real talk, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you manage blood sugar swings, insulin resistance, weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, and more. Diagnosed with T1D at 14, Melissa knows firsthand the challenges of managing diabetes through midlife. Each week, she brings you honest conversations, expert insights, and tips on nutrition, exercise, hormone therapy, stress, faith, and relationships — everything you need to feel seen, supported, and strong. This isn't just another diabetes podcast. It's the community and empowerment you've been looking for. Let's redefine what thriving with T1D in midlife really means — together. Connect with Melissa on IG @Type1.In.Midlife Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

  1. Ep 144 - Why Adulthood Can Be the Loneliest Phase of Type 1 Diabetes—and How Grownup T1Ds Is Changing That

    4D AGO

    Ep 144 - Why Adulthood Can Be the Loneliest Phase of Type 1 Diabetes—and How Grownup T1Ds Is Changing That

    What happens when you outgrow pediatric diabetes care—but never outgrow type 1 diabetes? In this episode, I'm joined by Kelly Dawes, founder and executive director of Grownup T1Ds, the first nonprofit created specifically to support adults living and aging with type 1 diabetes, including adult-onset diagnosis. Diagnosed in 1981, Kelly brings more than four decades of lived experience alongside her certification through the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists (ADCES). We talk about why adulthood can be the most isolating phase of type 1, what's missing for midlife and older adults, and how in-person, peer-to-peer connection can be life-changing. You'll hear why diabetes support shouldn't end after childhood, how Grownup T1Ds is filling a long-ignored gap, and why visibility, validation, and community matter more than ever as we age with this condition. If you've ever felt like you don't quite fit into the diabetes world anymore, this conversation is for you.   🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs hope and community today.   Connect with Kelly Dawes on IG @kellyuselesspancreas @grownupt1ds   Visit Grown Up T1D's https://grownupt1ds.org/   Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    44 min
  2. Ep 143 - Vision Loss, Moving & Midlife: Managing Type 1 Through Big Life Transitions

    FEB 2

    Ep 143 - Vision Loss, Moving & Midlife: Managing Type 1 Through Big Life Transitions

    What happens when long-term type 1 diabetes collides with midlife change, vision loss, motherhood, and a major life transition? In this deeply honest and encouraging episode, I sit down with Mary Ann Chamberlain, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 36 years. Diagnosed at age seven, Mary Ann shares her journey through diabetic retinopathy, low vision, parenting, perimenopause, and what it really looks like to rebuild your life—without giving up on yourself. Now in her 40s, Mary Ann opens up about: Growing up with type 1 diabetes before tech, CGMs, or online support Navigating low vision while continuing to manage diabetes daily Becoming a mom while learning to ask for help (and receive it) Moving to a brand-new city and rebuilding community with confidence Midlife hormone changes, insulin resistance, and advocating for care Why thriving with T1D doesn't mean perfect numbers—it means grace   This conversation is full of wisdom, humor, and the kind of reassurance only lived experience can offer. If you're navigating change, burnout, complications, or midlife shifts with type 1 diabetes—this episode will remind you that you are not broken, and you are not alone. 🎧 Share this episode with someone who needs hope today.   Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025   Connect with Mary Ann Chamberlain: IG @owningt1dwithma   Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    56 min
  3. Ep 142 - 83 Years with Type 1 Between Us: A Conversation with My Husband

    JAN 26

    Ep 142 - 83 Years with Type 1 Between Us: A Conversation with My Husband

    What does it really look like to live fully with type 1 diabetes—through careers, marriage, athletics, sleepless nights, and decades of daily management? In this episode, I sat down with my husband, David, who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 40 years. From his diagnosis in his early 20s to a 30-year career in fire rescue, competitive athletics, and life on the water, this conversation is a real-life reminder that a chronic condition does not get the final say. We talk about: Being diagnosed with type 1 as a young adult Managing diabetes in high-stress, high-risk careers Marriage when both partners live with type 1 Nighttime alarms, CGMs, pumps, and MDI decisions Athletics, adrenaline, cortisol, and blood sugar swings What's changed—and what hasn't—after 40+ years with diabetes Faith, mindset, and why we still believe anything is possible   This is an honest, hope-filled conversation for anyone living with type 1 diabetes—or loving someone who does.   Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025   Connect with David Slemp on IG, see his talents on the water @firstcoast_efoiling   Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    52 min
  4. Ep 141 - Basal Settings in Perimenopause: What Pump Users Need to Know

    JAN 19

    Ep 141 - Basal Settings in Perimenopause: What Pump Users Need to Know

    If your insulin pump suddenly feels harder to manage, morning spikes, overnight drops, or blood sugars that don't follow the rules, you're not failing at diabetes. In this episode, we dive into basal insulin challenges for women using insulin pumps during perimenopause. Hormone shifts in estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol can dramatically change insulin sensitivity, even when your pump technology hasn't changed. You'll learn: Why pump settings that worked for years may suddenly feel "off" How perimenopause affects basal insulin needs hour by hour When manual mode can be more helpful than automated mode How to use temporary basals to stay ahead of hormone-driven highs and lows What to know if you're starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT) This episode is about understanding your body, using your pump as a tool—not a source of frustration—and gaining confidence to advocate for better care. 🎧 Part 2 of the basal insulin series. If you're on daily injections, listen to Episode 140.   Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025     Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    34 min
  5. Ep 140 - Basal Insulin in Perimenopause: What MDI Users Need to Know

    JAN 12

    Ep 140 - Basal Insulin in Perimenopause: What MDI Users Need to Know

    If your basal insulin suddenly feels wrong, morning highs, overnight lows, or afternoons that make no sense, you're not imagining it, and you're not failing at diabetes. In this solo episode of the Type 1 in Midlife, I'm breaking down why basal insulin becomes a moving target during perimenopause, especially for women on multiple daily injections (MDI). We'll talk about how fluctuating estrogen, progesterone, and cortisol change insulin sensitivity hour by hour—and what you can do about it. I share real client examples, explain why basal timing matters more than ever, and walk through options like split dosing, midday basal, and choosing the right long-acting insulin for this stage of life. You'll also hear how hormone replacement therapy (HRT) can influence insulin needs, why "low and slow" matters, and how tracking patterns, not single days—can help you feel steadier again. 🎧 This is Part 1 of a two-part series. Part 2 in Episode 141 focuses on basal settings for pump users.   Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2026     Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    32 min
  6. Ep 139 - From Hormone Chaos to Clarity: What's Ahead in 2026

    JAN 5

    Ep 139 - From Hormone Chaos to Clarity: What's Ahead in 2026

    In this episode, I'm pressing pause and taking a deep breath. As we step into a new year, I'm reflecting on what 2025 revealed—about hormones, insulin needs, burnout, faith, and what women ith diabetes truly need more of. This year was full of honest conversations about perimenopause, menopause, sleep, cortisol, insulin resistance, and learning to trust your body again. I'm also sharing what's ahead for 2026: shorter, clearer episodes… more practical "what do I do now?" guidance… and the book I wish I had decades ago. Inside this episode, we cover: Why blood sugars can suddenly feel unpredictable in midlife How hormones quietly change insulin needs What women told me they need more of (and less of) Why validation must come before education The role faith has played in staying grounded through it all What's changing on the podcast in 2026 A sneak peek at my upcoming book Highs, Lows & Hormones If you've ever thought, "Why did no one tell me this sooner?" — this episode is for you. You're not behind. You're not failing. And you don't need to do more — you need better timing, better information, and support that understands both hormones and diabetes. ✨ Thank you for being part of this community. We're just getting started.   Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. 14-day free trial below. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025     Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    27 min
  7. Ep 138 - When Hormones Meet Insulin: Aisha Coons on Navigating Cycles, Sensitivity & Self-Advocacy

    12/29/2025

    Ep 138 - When Hormones Meet Insulin: Aisha Coons on Navigating Cycles, Sensitivity & Self-Advocacy

    In this powerful episode, Melissa sits down with Aisha Coons, medical copywriter, researcher, and creator behind Heed Her Health and Her Homeostasis. Diagnosed with both Type 1 diabetes and hypothyroidism at age four, Aisha shares her lifelong journey of learning to balance multiple autoimmune conditions while navigating the hormonal shifts of womanhood.   Together, Melissa and Aisha explore: How early diagnosis shaped Aisha's independence and mindset The connection between thyroid function, insulin needs, and menstrual cycle patterns Why some diabetes technologies can help or hinder weight and glucose balance The challenges in current research on women's cycles and glucose variability How women with Type 1 can advocate for better care, better research, and better understanding Aisha also offers a behind-the-scenes look at her work in medical writing and her mission to bring more female-focused conversation into diabetes care.   Follow Aisha Coons IG @aisha9356 My website: heedherhealth.com My YouTube channel: Her Homeostasis    Hit the subscribe button and rate and review to help this podcast reach more people. Be sure to share this episode. What to do now: *Join the book pre-launch list for early access, bonuses, and 2026 launch updates. Grab my free guide, HRT and Type 1 Diabetes  Everything I wish I knew in perimenopause. *Follow me IG @Type1.in.midlife stay in the loop on upcoming episodes. DM me with any feedback or suggestions on topics you'd like us to cover.   Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

    42 min
  8. Ep 137 - My 2025 Reflections: 3 Changes That Brought More Steady Blood Sugar, Mood & Strength

    12/22/2025

    Ep 137 - My 2025 Reflections: 3 Changes That Brought More Steady Blood Sugar, Mood & Strength

    This week, Melissa gets real about the three lessons that shaped her health, her training, and her mindset in 2025 — and how you can carry these into 2026 with less pressure and more clarity. If you've been feeling stretched thin, sprinting through December, pushing your workouts harder than your body seems to tolerate… this one is going to speak right to you. Inside, she walks through: Why she shifted from HIIT to strength + restorative work How cortisol and midlife physiology change the rules Why doing less actually improve her blood sugar, sleep, mood, and strength How to build a simple, realistic rhythm for movement in midlife The small shifts that will matter more in 2026 than any big resolution You'll also hear reflections on faith, gratitude, and how Jesus has grounded her through the whirlwind of the holidays — and the encouragement to pause and set intentions that support your whole self: mind, body, and spirit. Plus: a reminder that tools like weighted vests are optional (Melissa still hasn't bought one!) and why your recovery matters more than your hustle. Join the Type 1 in Midlife Circle for weekly support, hormone clarity, gentle accountability, and a place to stop guessing about your midlife health. 14-day free trial below. https://www.abundanthealthwithmelissa.com/joingroupcoaching2025

    35 min
See All (145)

Trailer

4.9
out of 5
27 Ratings

About

This podcast is for women with type 1 diabetes navigating perimenopause, menopause, and all the hormonal shifts that come with midlife. Hosted by Melissa Slemp — certified nutritional and hormone health coach, personal trainer, and founder of Abundant Health with Melissa — this show offers real talk, expert advice, and practical strategies to help you manage blood sugar swings, insulin resistance, weight gain, brain fog, fatigue, and more. Diagnosed with T1D at 14, Melissa knows firsthand the challenges of managing diabetes through midlife. Each week, she brings you honest conversations, expert insights, and tips on nutrition, exercise, hormone therapy, stress, faith, and relationships — everything you need to feel seen, supported, and strong. This isn't just another diabetes podcast. It's the community and empowerment you've been looking for. Let's redefine what thriving with T1D in midlife really means — together. Connect with Melissa on IG @Type1.In.Midlife Disclaimer: Nothing you hear on this Type 1 in Midlife Podcast should be a substitute for professional medical advice. Please always consult your medical professional before changing your diet, insulin dosages or health care plan.

Information

You Might Also Like