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“I had no idea adults could get Type 1”. Sue May spent more than 20 years as a health coach supporting women through fertility, IVF, perimenopause, and menopause. But in her 50s, her own life took an unexpected turn when she was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after missing symptoms like extreme thirst, rapid weight loss, and exhaustion, eventually discovering her blood sugar was over 500.
As someone who had spent her career helping others navigate major health transitions, Sue suddenly found herself overwhelmed, under-supported, and trying to make sense of a diagnosis she never saw coming.
In this episode, Sue shares what it was really like to be diagnosed later in life, the emotional weight of learning to manage an entirely new condition, and how finding the right support completely changed her experience. She also opens up about the overlap between type 1 diabetes and perimenopause, why so many women are left without answers during hormonal shifts, and what it looks like to advocate for yourself through seasons of change.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of adult-onset type 1 diabetes, the impact hormones can have on blood sugars, and the reminder that even the most unexpected diagnosis can become an opportunity to reclaim your rise.
WHAT WE COVER:
- How Sue navigated being diagnosed with T1D in her 50s
- Why adult-onset type 1 diabetes is far more common than most people realize, and early signs to watch for
- What it means to stay flexible when life, hormones, and diabetes are constantly evolving
- Sue’s reminder that women are not “crazy” when they notice midlife changes
- How Sue turned an unexpected diagnosis into a new purpose and a deeper way of serving others
- How finding community helped her stop feeling alone and start feeling empowered in her diabetes journey
- Why reclaiming your rise starts with putting yourself first and trusting your ability to adapt through every season
WHAT’S NEXT:
📱 The Risely App is here! Get support for the 180+ decisions you make every day, so you can build confidence with T1D without your life revolving around it.
🧠 Discover Your T1D Archetype! Take the free quiz to understand the pattern behind how you think, respond, and make decisions with T1D.
💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D.
📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox.
Stay connected with us:
Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com
IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth
TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth
YT: Reclaim Your Rise
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If Sue’s story helped you feel less alone in navigating a later-in-life diagnosis, subscribe and leave a review so more adults with T1D can find this support.
