Stephanie C. shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Stephanie , so good to connect and we’re excited to share your story and insights with our audience. There’s a ton to learn from your story, but let’s start with a warm up before we get into the heart of the interview. What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day is filled with things to make myself feel amazing and prepared for the day.
First, I check my blood sugar to make sure I am in range and I go to the kitchen to get mineral water and coffee. Then, I sit on the couch and reflect on all that I am grateful for that morning. It’s such a simple thing (neuroplasticity – rewiring the brain) that makes a huge difference throughout the day!
After that, it’s time to wake up my kids for school and get ready for the day myself! Even though I work from home, I put on some makeup, jewelry, and a nice top. When I’m all ready it’s normally time to begin the work day and I always start with a happy heart.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the author of “A Thriving Diabetic,” which is an interactive book for children to learn about Type 1 Diabetes. I wrote this book because for young children, being diagnosed with a chronic illness is completely life altering.There is SO much information to learn in such a short amount of time post-diagnosis and it is important to review it all after leaving the hospital.
Life with diabetes can be challenging and isolating without knowledge, resources, and community! “A Thriving Diabetic” helps to break down some important vocabulary words through the diagnosis story of a young girl.
The story is interactive and is meant to spark conversations between children and adults in a fun, less pressure way. Additionally, children can learn about affirmations which can be used as a tool to release the worry and fear that may come with a new diagnosis. I also created an Instagram that is tied to the book, which is a nice platform to be around other people living with diabetes.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
When I was 12, I was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and at this time in my life, it felt easier to hide my diabetes than to “explain it” to people. You may be wondering why, but misconceptions are prevalent, and this can create a lot of misunderstanding.
I recall feeling very confident as a child, but the diagnosis left me feeling different- and not in a good way. This experience shaped me into someone who had to become resilient, non-judgmental, understanding of invisible struggles, and emotionally attuned to others.
Now, I flip this “illness” by creating a supportive, inclusive book that showcases the beauty in our community. The diabetic community is filled with unity and unwavering support!
What’s something you changed your mind about after failing hard?
At first, I believed that needing help or making mistakes with my diabetes management was a sign of failure.
Early on, I would get frustrated if my blood sugar wasn’t perfect (it never. was), and I thought I was letting myself and others down. This made me defeated and with the lack of knowledge I had- it was simply unattainable for me at the time. But over time, we all realize that diabetes is a journey, not a test with a pass or fail grade!
Every setback teaches us something in life. I learned how my body responds to certain foods, how to problem-solve, how to plan ahead before eating out, and most importantly how to advocate for myself and my health. I changed my mind about failure entirely. Failure is a guide that has shown me what to learn and improve upon. This mindset has made me more resilient, and compassionate, not just with diabetes, but with life in general.
Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What would your closest friends say really matters to you?
Being proud of myself really matters most because it reminds me to acknowledge my growth, daily efforts to stay healthy, and my resilience.
Life, and especially daily diabetes management, comes with challenges that aren’t at all visible to others. Only WE know the struggles, the late nights, the set changes, the appointments, the expensive bills, insurance issues, all of the invisible things we deal with.
Celebrating my own progress helps me stay motivated and strengthens my confidence and pride in my healthy lifestyle. It’s a way of honoring the hard work I put in every day, the obstacles I overcome, and the lessons I’ve learned along the way. When I put in work to better myself, I’m better able to show up for others, contribute to my community, and approach life with positivity and determination.
Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. When do you feel most at peace?
Peace is being surrounded by a sense of belonging, understanding, and acceptance! Have you ever truly felt that genuine acceptance, someone who fully resonated with you, someone who understood? That is what it’s like in the diabetes community when you deal with an invisible struggle.
In the community, support is genuine, advice is shared, and we celebrate wins together. It’s a space where you can be authentic, ask questions freely, and draw strength from collective unstoppable energy. Being at peace here isn’t just about managing diabetes; it’s about finding connection, encouragement, and a shared sense of hope that reminds you you’re never alone in this.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thriving.diabetic/
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