But the numbers alone never explained the experience someone was having, or the deeper challenges blocking progress.
What we kept seeing was that the difference wasn't just in the numbers themselves. It was in the relationship someone had with their diabetes: The meaning they assigned to a number, and the story they told themselves when things didn't go as planned.
How the Risely Archetypes Were Created
After coaching more than 2,500 adults living with Type 1 diabetes, we noticed a pattern.
On the surface, many people shared similar goals: lower their A1C, increase time in range, and experience more freedom and confidence living with diabetes.
The way someone thinks about and relates to their blood sugars and diabetes often becomes the biggest driver of their lived experience with it.
That realization led us to create the T1D Archetype Quiz, based on a psychology-rooted framework for understanding patterns in Type 1 diabetes behavior, decision-making, motivation, and distress.
What You'll Discover
Your T1D Archetype: One of five patterns that describes how you tend to show up in your relationship with diabetes.
Your Core Motivational Drivers: The belief and fears influencing your decisions and behaviors.
Your Strengths and Stress Patterns: The strengths you bring when balanced and how your patterns shift when you experience stress and overwhelm.
The 5 T1D Archetypes
Which one are you?
The Refiner
The Protector
The Reflector
The Devoted
The Strategist
Each archetype reflects a different way people tend to relate to and manage life with Type 1 diabetes.
This isn't about giving you another label. It's about giving you a tool to understand yourself and your diabetes on a deeper level.
How the Quiz Works
Take the 5-minute quiz – Answer multiple choice questions based on real situations people face living with T1D.
Get your archetype instantly – See your result with a breakdown of your archetype along with a video explanation going deeper…
Finally understand what’s been driving your experience – Learn what’s been keeping you stuck so you can move forward with more clarity
What Other People with T1D Are Saying
"I was excited to take the quiz and see which archetype I was. When I saw my result, it was incredibly affirming and helped me realize the areas I need to work on so life with T1D doesn't feel so heavy all the time."
— Tim, T1D 13 years and Risely Archetype Quiz Participant