We recently connected with Matthew Cockrell and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Matthew, thank you for being such a positive, uplifting person. We’ve noticed that so many of the successful folks we’ve had the good fortune of connecting with have high levels of optimism and so we’d love to hear about your optimism and where you think it comes from.
My optimism comes from my faith in Jesus, strengthened every day by the love and support of my wife. When we got married during COVID—right as the whole country shut down—our guest list dropped from over a hundred people to barely twenty. It was a tough moment, feeling like one of my biggest dreams was slipping away. But we held onto faith. We got married on the exact day we planned, and later in 2020 we were blessed with a second celebration surrounded by more friends and family.
Then we found out we were having our second son, right in the middle of another challenging stretch of the pandemic. But again—through faith—everything worked out.
When I was rebuilding my business and it felt like nothing was moving, my wife would remind me of our wedding… how even through setbacks, delays, and uncertainty, we still overcame. And because of that, my optimism only grew stronger.
So when I was diagnosed with diabetes, I leaned on that same faith. I knew—without a doubt—that everything would work out for the best.
That’s why I started Warriors Fighting Against Diabetes: to share that same optimism with others. To remind people that yes, it’s tough… but it’s not over. You’re a warrior. And warriors don’t quit.
Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
After being diagnosed with diabetes, I refused to believe that my story was nearing its end. Instead, I felt something entirely different—this was the beginning of a new chapter. A chapter where I would step into my purpose, lean on my faith, and transform one of the hardest moments of my life into something meaningful. That conviction became the foundation for Warriors Fighting Against Diabetes.
What started as a personal journey quickly grew into a mission much larger than myself. With a background in graphic design, I saw an opportunity to blend creativity with purpose. I began designing apparel that wasn’t just clothing—it was motivation you could wear. Each design carries a message of resilience, strength, and hope, reminding people that even when life delivers unexpected challenges, the fight inside us can rise even stronger.
The brand became a way for me to encourage others walking the same difficult path. Diabetes can often feel isolating, overwhelming, or discouraging, especially when you’re first diagnosed. I wanted to build something that spoke directly to that feeling—something that says, You are not alone. You are a warrior. And your battle is far from over.
But Warriors Fighting Against Diabetes is more than inspirational apparel. It’s a commitment to the broader community. A portion of the profits supports the American Diabetes Association, helping provide education, resources, and critical support to individuals and families facing this disease. My hope is that by giving back, I can help ensure that others receive the guidance and tools they need on their own journey.
Ultimately, Warriors Fighting Against Diabetes is fueled by optimism—an optimism rooted in faith, strengthened by lived experience, and shared through creativity. My goal is to ignite that same spirit in others, empowering them to keep moving forward with courage, dignity, and the belief that their story isn’t over either.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
When I was diagnosed, my doctors were stunned—literally in disbelief that I hadn’t fallen into a diabetic coma. My numbers were dangerously high, far beyond what anyone would expect someone to still be functioning with. I had no idea I was that close to a life-threatening situation. My medical team believes the only reason I made it through was because of the intense physical activity of my daytime job. In a strange way, my regular work routine may have saved my life.
From that moment forward, my wife and I approached diabetes as a team. One of the greatest skills we learned together was understanding nutrition—truly understanding what causes blood sugar to spike, and what helps stabilize or lower it. For example, we found that eating a high amount of protein works very well for me. Protein doesn’t raise my sugar levels; in fact, it helps maintain or sometimes even lower them. Everyone’s body responds differently, but learning those patterns became essential.
We even discovered some surprising things along the way. Certain types of liquor—taken in small, controlled amounts—can lower my sugar levels, and different varieties affect me at different rates. But as with anything, moderation is everything. What helps in small amounts can have the opposite effect if overdone. Learning that balance has been key.
My wife dove deep into studying cooking methods, ingredients, and substitutions that completely transformed how we eat. One interesting thing we experimented with was using frozen rice and potatoes in small portions, monitoring how they affected my blood sugar. We both enjoy more than just water, so we’ve also been creating our own sugar-free drinks using syrups and sodas that actually taste good while still being safe for me.
If there’s anything I wish I could tell someone newly diagnosed, it’s this: do not be afraid, and don’t feel like your life is over. You are not doomed. You can still enjoy good food. You can still drink things that taste great. You can still live a full, vibrant, absolutely normal life.
It’s not always easy—there are hard days, frustrating days, days when you don’t feel your best. But there are also good days ahead. Days where you feel strong, confident, and in control. Learning, adapting, and experimenting have been part of my journey, and each step has brought me closer to living my life with hope rather than fear.
One of our goals is to help like-minded folks with similar goals connect and so before we go we want to ask if you are looking to partner or collab with others – and if so, what would make the ideal collaborator or partner?
When I was diagnosed, my doctors were stunned—literally in disbelief that I hadn’t fallen into a diabetic coma. My numbers were dangerously high, far beyond what anyone would expect someone to still be functioning with. I had no idea I was that close to a life-threatening situation. My medical team believes the only reason I made it through was because of the intense physical activity of my daytime job. In a strange way, my regular work routine may have saved my life.
From that moment forward, my wife and I approached diabetes as a team. One of the greatest skills we learned together was understanding nutrition—truly understanding what causes blood sugar to spike, and what helps stabilize or lower it. For example, we found that eating a high amount of protein works very well for me. Protein doesn’t raise my sugar levels; in fact, it helps maintain or sometimes even lower them. Everyone’s body responds differently, but learning those patterns became essential.
We even discovered some surprising things along the way. Certain types of liquor—taken in small, controlled amounts—can lower my sugar levels, and different varieties affect me at different rates. But as with anything, moderation is everything. What helps in small amounts can have the opposite effect if overdone. Learning that balance has been key.
My wife dove deep into studying cooking methods, ingredients, and substitutions that completely transformed how we eat. One interesting thing we experimented with was using frozen rice and potatoes in small portions, monitoring how they affected my blood sugar. We both enjoy more than just water, so we’ve also been creating our own sugar-free drinks using syrups and sodas that actually taste good while still being safe for me.
If there’s anything I wish I could tell someone newly diagnosed, it’s this: do not be afraid, and don’t feel like your life is over. You are not doomed. You can still enjoy good food. You can still drink things that taste great. You can still live a full, vibrant, absolutely normal life.
It’s not always easy—there are hard days, frustrating days, days when you don’t feel your best. But there are also good days ahead. Days where you feel strong, confident, and in control. Learning, adapting, and experimenting have been part of my journey, and each step has brought me closer to living my life with hope rather than fear.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: WFAD_702
- Facebook: WFAD_702
- Other: email: [email protected]
Phone: 702-857-4906
Image Credits
MATT COCKRELL
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