The Healthy Diabetic
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.
The Healthy Diabetic
#321: From the Dark Ages to Present Day: Carrie’s 45-Year Journey With T1D
In this episode, I sat down with Carrie Neher, who has been living with Type 1 diabetes since 1981 — long before CGMs, pumps, carb ratios, or even finger-stick meters were available. Diagnosed at 14 and hospitalized for two weeks, Carrie learned to manage diabetes in what she calls “the dark ages.”
She shares what it was really like growing up using urine testing tablets, one daily shot of mixed insulin, and zero real-time glucose feedback — and the emotional weight that came with high A1Cs despite doing everything “right.
🔑 Key Takeaways
- Diabetes management before CGMs and meters required intuition, resilience, and guesswork.
- Shame and confusion were common because the tools simply didn’t exist to understand blood sugar.
- Exercise dramatically improves circulation, insulin sensitivity, and long-term health.
- Fear of lows is often rooted in one traumatic low event — and can be reframed with a plan.
- Gradually lowering your comfort range (ex: 150 → 130 → 110) is a powerful way to rebuild trust.
- Modern T1Ds often underestimate how life-changing today’s tools truly are.
- Community, encouragement, and support matter just as much as insulin and devices.
- “Bloom where you are planted.” Your circumstances don’t define your potential.
I’m Coach Ken Kniss, founder of Simplifying Life With Diabetes and host of The Healthy Diabetic Podcast. I help people living with T1D cut through the overwhelm, confusion, fear, and distrust in their daily decisions, so they can feel confident and live without consistently worrying about lows, their body image, or long term complications.
🌐 Website: SimplifyingDiabetes.com
📚 The Diabetes Nutrition Master Course: Start Learning
💪 Work with me: More Than A1C - 1on1 Coaching
📩 Join my newsletter: Subscribe
📞 Schedule a Free Call: Book Now
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here
If you enjoyed today’s episode, please subscribe and leave a 5-star review—it helps more people living with diabetes discover the podcast. Share this episode with someone who needs encouragement and a reminder that they’re not alone in their diabetes journey.
Ways to Support the Show
- Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts & Spotify
- Share this episode with a diabuddy
- Follow me on Instagram: @TheHealthyDiabeticPod | @CoachK3n
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.
