Type 1 John - Winging it every day with Type 1 Diabetes
If you're feeling burnt out by Type 1 diabetes, fed up with trying to be perfect, or simply feel like you're making it up as you go along, you're not alone.
I'm John, and I'm Type 1 Diabetic. Like many people, I've spent much of that time trying my best, getting things wrong, learning as I go, and occasionally wondering whether everyone else has somehow got it all figured out.
Life gets busy. Habits slip. Motivation comes and goes. Some days you're on top of it, other days you're eating biscuits at 10pm and hoping for the best.
After 10 years of managing my diabetes largely on my own, I realised there must be thousands of other people doing exactly the same thing. This podcast is my attempt to find them.
I'm at a bit of a crossroads. After years of long hours and early starts, I hit burnout. I turned 50, my job came to an end, and I found myself overweight, out of shape, and wondering what the next chapter looks like. More importantly, I realised I didn't want to spend the next ten years wishing I'd taken better care of myself while I still had the chance.
So I've set myself a challenge.
For 30 days, I'm keeping an honest daily diary of life with Type 1 diabetes. The wins, the mistakes, the good decisions, the bad decisions, and everything in between.
We're told to log our carbs, insulin, exercise, sleep, stress and blood sugars so we can learn from them. But diabetes is a game with a constantly moving target. It's like trying to catch a train, only every time you reach the platform they've moved it to another station.
This podcast is about finding out what happens when I stop winging it and start paying attention. I'll share what's working, what's not, and the lessons I'm learning along the way.
Most of all, I hope it brings together a community of like-minded people who understand what it's really like. People who want support, honesty and a few laughs along the way, not another lecture.
Because this isn't about perfect diabetes. It's about honest diabetes.
Let's stop winging it alone and start winging it together.
Episodes
Aug 9, 2026
Aug 9, 2026
14 min
Type 1 John - Day 21 - Bad habits, coffee jitters and I take you to my secret place!
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 8, 2026
Aug 8, 2026
10 min
Type 1 John - Day 20 - You are giving me a headache and why I had to leave the theatre just as the show was beginning!
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 7, 2026
Aug 7, 2026
12 min
Type 1 John - Day 19 - The letter from the hospital.
The feeling of shame. The feeling of letting my wife down.
And I'm telling you first.
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 6, 2026
Aug 6, 2026
14 min
Day 18 - When everything had to stop!
The burn out that had me off work for 3 months. Have you had it?
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 5, 2026
Aug 5, 2026
14 min
TODAY - Day 17 - In trouble with the Dr abroad - a cautionary tale for you if you're going travelling soon.
AND - The one thing as a child, that was almost as exciting as Christmas and birthdays, that has now come back to bite me!
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 4, 2026
Aug 4, 2026
14 min
Day 16 - The hypo - as it happens..
We should change the title of this podcast from Type 1 John to 'Hypo John'.
TODAY: Hear the hypo in the night. AND my first proper 'panic hypo' - which ended with a Dad fail that I'll always regret.
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 3, 2026
Aug 3, 2026
15 min
Type 1 John - Day 15 - Has it all been worth it?
TODAY: Have you ever gone hypo, and then immediately forgotten and carried on with what you were doing? I did.
AND - Things they make more difficult - on purpose - to annoy us.
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 2, 2026
Aug 2, 2026
11 min
Day 14 - Faking acting normal in public!
TODAY: Having to small talk with people whilst inside your head is doing somersaults. Covering up the hypo!
AND: Can you hypo whilst being type 2??
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Aug 1, 2026
Aug 1, 2026
13 min
TODAY - DAY 13 - Injecting in my bum? The first fears of injecting yourself. AND alarms in the middle of the night getting into your dreams...
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com
Jul 31, 2026
Jul 31, 2026
12 min
TODAY - DAY 12 - Running out of insulin and your hundreds of miles from home.
Hi, I'm John and I've set myself one simple challenge: 30 days to finally get a grip... before diabetes gets a grip on me. A short daily podcast, reflecting my 24 hours and my 10 years of stories.
This is just me trying to keep myself accountable. Saying it out loud - so I can't ignore it anymore. And hopefully making a few friends along the way too.
If you've ever looked around and thought everyone else seems to have diabetes completely sorted, come and have a look at my mess.
It's not perfect diabetes. But it is honest diabetes.
If any of this sounds like you, hit subscribe and come along for the ride. Maybe we can remind each other that we're not nearly as alone, as we sometimes think.
John
You can hear the start of this challenge here: https://pod.fo/e/44d8f5
Website: www.type1john.com