On this episode we are shared everything from education, mental health therapies, guidance and support from my friend Taylor aka Taylorbetic.

Taylor was originally diagnosed at 15, as a sophomore in high school as a Type 2 diabetic and went almost a year without insulin while being told to eat less and exercise more.

She listened to her doctors, and it did not help as she stayed consistent at 300 mg/dl and she felt and looked sick. Taylor felt as though she would die before finishing high school. A year later her endo prescribed her insulin.

Through those early years her endo actually told said that if she got an insulin pump then that means she failed.

She never received an official T1d diagnosis from her pediatric endo. Not until age 25 and in a research study did, she get her autoantibodies tested to confirm her diagnosis of T1D. Taylors young years of 15-22 were the absolute worse for her.

Taylor has and continues to conquer everything she sets out on. She is a great friend with the bravest of souls. Taylor has Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, a Master of Science in Applied Psychology and is currently working on a 2nd Master's.

Taylor has spent the last decade as a mental health educator and teaches classes about basic mental health skills and literacy. She also has a Service Dog, Diabetes Alert Dog named Claire that we all love and adore.

I first met Taylor 5 years ago during the onset of the Pandemic, forming the DIACREW , a team of 5 people living with Type One Diabetes that do everything we can to lessen the burden for others living with T1D.

Taylor says a big part of being an advocate and getting online and yelling into the void is making sure that you know what you're talking about, instead of just yelling to people about your own experience because for some people the only info they get are from people online.

Works closely with the DBH Healthline Diabetes Bulimia Healthline, a 501c3 Nonprofit devoted to support, education & advocacy for people w/ diabetes & mental health issues, esp. eating disorders. If you are in need of mental health support and live in the Austin, TX area please reach out to Taylor