Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In today's episode, I sit down with Erika Buenaflor. Erika is a speech pathologist and group fitness instructor who was misdiagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2018 and properly diagnosed with type 1 in 2021. She’s been adapting to her diagnosis ever since. Driven to build representation in fitness for those with chronic conditions, she’s passionate about fostering community and inclusivity in every class she leads.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Why advocating for yourself is so important at your most vulnerable times.
• Erika’s diagnosis journey and how she learned to take ownership of her health.
• The emotional and mental challenges of living with T1D—and how she’s overcome them.
• How community and shared experiences can help you feel less alone.
• The importance of daily habits, mindset, and structure in creating stability.
• Why it’s essential to show yourself grace and celebrate small wins.

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Erika's Instagram

About the Host - Coach Ken

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
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 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.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

Exercise is one of the most powerful tools we have for managing blood sugar—but it can also be one of the most frustrating. In this solo episode, Coach Ken continues the 42 Factors That Affect Blood Sugar series with Part 5: Biological Factors.

In today's episode, I break down the different types of biological factors that impact your BS. These factors are what I call silent killers because more times than not we don't recognize that they are a problem.

DiaTribe - The 42 Factors That Affect Blood Glucose

Bright Spots & Landmines: By Adam Brown

Previous Episodes In This Series:

• Part 1:
• Part 2:
• Part 3:
• Part 4:

About the Host

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
📞 Sign Up for a Free Call: Book Now
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here

Ways to Support the Show

• Leave a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review on Apple Podcasts or 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.

Support the show

Hey Diabuddy thank you for listening to show, send me some positive vibes with your favorite part of this episode.

In this episode I sit down with Emma & Sam, who shares their story of having a young type 1 diabetic while navigating the joys and challenges of motherhood.

Emma opens up about their son's diagnosis, the impact of T1D on pregnancy and postpartum life, and the ways she’s learned to balance her health with raising a family. Emma & Sam also talks about the emotional side of diabetes management, from burnout to resilience, and why having the right support system matters so much.

Her story is both relatable and inspiring, offering encouragement and practical insights for anyone living with T1D—especially parents.

🔑 Key Takeaways:

• Emma’s diagnosis story and how her and Sam adapted to life with a son living with T1D.
• Pro-Tips on how being a caregiver with your spouse.
• The challenges of balancing parenting, work, and diabetes caregiving.
• The importance of self-compassion and mental health.
• Why community and shared experiences help lighten the load.

📌 Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• Emma's (parent) Instagram:

About the Host - Coach Ken

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
👕 Apparel Store: Shop Here
🎙 Donate to the Podcast: Contribute Here

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.

Support the show