Reclaim Your Rise
with Lauren Bongiorno

December is busy, loud, and full of expectations even when all you want is a breath. In this end-of-year episode, Lauren Bongiorno and Risely’s Director of Coaching, Abby Cooper, slow things down and walk you through a refreshingly grounded way to reflect and set intentions for 2026 without the shame-y “new year, new you” pressure. They talk about the biggest blocks that keep people stuck (hello, fake action and learned helplessness), why your diabetes frustrations often come from a values conflict, and how to set goals that actually match the season you’re in. You’ll also get practical tools like the Odyssey Plan exercise, the Five Minute Journal, and a simple gut-check that can change how you treat yourself in the new year. If you want 2026 to feel calmer, more aligned, and more possible this one’s for you. What we cover: Why New Year’s goal-setting can feel heavy and how to take the pressure off “You don’t learn to swim by reading about water” the trap of fake action Parenting with T1D in middle school supporting independence without damaging trust Abby’s 2026 intention Kevin’s Rule (six micro-adventures per year) + Lauren’s 2026 themes presence, time, giving back, and nutrition that supports energy and patterns Tools for reflection Stanford’s Odyssey Plan and the Five Minute Journal Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Pick one thing not ten. Real change doesn’t require intensity. One aligned focus can shift your whole year. 2️⃣ Your diabetes struggles might be a values conflict not a willpower problem. When what you value (freedom, spontaneity, health, nourishment, peace) clashes with diabetes demands, frustration makes perfect sense. Clarity creates strategy. 3️⃣ Stop trying to swim upstream. Acceptance isn’t giving up, it’s working with reality so you can actually build momentum and protect your energy, mood, and relationships. What’s next: 💻 Apply for coaching (1:1 or group) and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 🧠 T1D Strategy Sessions A one-time, 60-minute session with a Risely coach where you’ll audit what’s working, what’s not, and leave with an actionable plan. Note: last day to purchase is December 31 (sessions take place in January). 📧 Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips + encouragement, straight to your inbox.

Dana was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 6 and has now lived with it for over 24 years. As an ICU nurse working long, intense shifts, she found herself bouncing from the 50s to the 300s, feeling exhausted, ashamed, and frustrated that she couldn’t “get it together” — especially as a medical professional. In this episode, she shares how she went from an A1C of nearly 11 to 6.4, what finally helped her break through the “stuck at 7” plateau, and the mindset work that let her feel in control of her diabetes for the first time. If you’ve ever felt alone, burnt out, or like your body is failing you, Dana’s story will give you both hope and tools. What we cover: What it’s really like to manage T1D while working 12-hour ICU shifts The shame of being a nurse with “uncontrolled” numbers How Dana went from an A1C of ~11 down into the 6s Why she stopped going to her endo for a season — and what changed Using the A1C Shift Method + coaching to finally break past 7.0 The power of pre-bolus, pattern-tracking, and reflection (not perfection) How sleep mode on her pump changed her overnights and energy Moving from diabetes controlling her life to her feeling in charge Key takeaways: 1️⃣ Mindset is the first tool. Before anything else shifted, Dana had to move from “I can’t do this” to “I can figure this out with time and support.” 2️⃣ You can’t treat a complex condition with 15-minute visits alone. Endo appointments gave tiny tweaks. What really moved the needle was education, ongoing support, and accountability. 3️⃣ Small wins add up to big change. From celebrating a 110 fasting BG to turning on sleep mode, Dana’s transformation came from consistent small shifts, not one giant fix. What’s next: 🔗Take the A1C Shift Method Course: https://www.riselyhealth.com/a1c-shift-method 🔍For More on Today’s Topic: Click Here!  [Link past episode and/or free resource here] 💻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 and review: If Dana’s story made you feel less alone or more hopeful about what’s possible with T1D, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.

When Shannon’s 7-year-old daughter, Raelynn, went from gymnastics practice to the ICU in DKA within 48 hours, her family’s world flipped overnight. In this episode, Shannon shares the real story behind their viral TikTok family: the trauma of diagnosis, the mental load of T1D parenting, the role of their diabetic alert dog Spy, and how she and her husband found a rhythm that gives their daughter both safety and independence. If you’re a parent navigating Type 1 — or worried about your other kids’ risk — this conversation will make you feel less alone and more equipped. What we cover: The day a “virus” turned into an ICU DKA diagnosis How Shannon and her husband divide T1D responsibilities The impact of T1D on siblings and family dynamics What their diabetic alert dog Spy actually does day-to-day How their TikTok community started and what it means to them The emotional weight of screening another child for T1D Key takeaways: 1️⃣ You don’t have to be fearless as a T1D parent — you just have to keep showing up. 2️⃣ Kids with T1D often grow up faster, and that maturity can become a powerful advantage later in life. 3️⃣ Community, tools, and support make the mental load of T1D lighter and your decisions clearer. What’s next: 🔗 Follow along & learn more about the Bogg's journey 💻 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 and review: If this episode supported you as a T1D parent, subscribe and leave a review so more families can find these conversations

In this episode, I sit down with Shaylin Fuller, a Muay Thai fighter and Risely 2025 coaching graduate, to talk about what it’s really like when the thing you love most starts to feel dangerous because of type 1 diabetes. After experiencing a terrifying low during training, exercise stopped feeling empowering and started feeling like a constant risk she had to manage. We talk about how that fear followed her far beyond the gym and quietly began running her life. Shaylin opens up about the moment she realized she couldn’t keep choosing between her sport and her health — and how coaching helped her rebuild trust in her body. You’ll hear what it took to move from 47% to 88% time in range, and why real change happened slowly, imperfectly, and in the “messy middle.” This conversation is a powerful reminder that healing isn’t about control — it’s about reclaiming your confidence, your freedom, and your rise. 💻 Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 🫂Stay connected with us: DM takeaways/ episode requests or email hello@riseyhealth.com IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise