Reclaim Your Rise
with Lauren Bongiorno

Real conversations to help you rise above the challenges of T1D and reclaim the life you deserve.

New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
New episodes every Tuesday
Reclaim your rise podcast with host lauren bongiorno
Reclaim your rise phone podcast

Diabetes is more than a math problem to be solved.
It’s an experience to be managed.

Every episode has one purpose: to help you stop struggling alone and finally experience freedom and confidence with T1D.

Latest Episodes

183. 90% of T1Ds are Burned Out: The Real Reasons Why + What To Do About It

183. 90% of T1Ds are Burned Out: The Real Reasons Why + What To Do About It

August 5, 2025
In today’s episode, I’m joined by our incredible lead coach, Jehan, who has guided hundreds of women through deep transformation in our signature group coaching program. Together, we unpack the most common patterns we see in women with type 1 diabetes, from fear of lows and all-or-nothing food habits to feeling overwhelmed by the daily unpredictability of blood sugars. Jehan shares her personal story and some of the exact tools we use in DCB, like the “5 Whys” and belief-replacement work, to help women move from stuck to empowered. We talk about what’s really at the root of these challenges, and how real change doesn’t come from just adjusting insulin… it comes from shifting your mindset and rebuilding trust in yourself. If you’ve ever thought you’re the only one going through this, this episode is your reminder that you’re not alone and that transformation is possible. Quick Takeaways: The importance of asking for help  Reframing negative thoughts and limiting beliefs + building confidence in your T1D management  The power of coaching, community, and getting the support you deserve Timestamps: [01:49] Coach Jehan is back: “That’s 456 lives that you have impacted and touched” [02:19] “It can be really hard asking for help and getting help” [03:38] Jehan’s personal coaching journey & her #1 transformation [08:17] Understanding diabetes distress  [12:44] Root block #1: Your numbers  [16:55] “It’s possible. You just haven't figured out how to do it for your body yet.” [20:53] “You need somebody else to help you create a system for it.” [22:51] Root block #2: The weekend reset cycle  [24:00] Breaking the all-or-nothing mindset  [29:17] Root block #3: Feeling stuck  [35:37] The power of community and coaching What to do now: Join the PEP (Parents Empowering Parents) Squad , a Facebook group created by the Diabetes Research Institute. This is a place where caregivers of kids with T1D can share stories, ask questions, and learn more about how to get involved with research, advocacy, and fundraising through DRI.  Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.
182. 10 Things You Don’t Realize Are Sabotaging Your TIR

182. 10 Things You Don’t Realize Are Sabotaging Your TIR

July 29, 2025
Today’s episode is going to be a bit of a deep dive into something that comes up so often in coaching conversations, in my DMs, and honestly in my own personal T1D journey—and that is: all the sneaky little things that might be sabotaging your Time in Range…without you even realizing it. If you’ve been working really hard on your diabetes management but your CGM is still looking like a rollercoaster…or you just feel stuck and frustrated…this one’s for you. So grab your coffee, your CGM graph, your notebook, whatever you need, and let’s rise. Quick Takeaways: Understanding insulin: Dosing beyond carbs, adjusting ratios, and the importance of timing  How to take ownership of your T1D and get off the BG roller coaster  The unexpected and most influential factors sabotaging your TIR: Mindset, sleep + recognizing your patters Timestamps: [02:02] Understanding insulin dosing beyond carbs  [05:06] Importance of adjusting your rates + ratios   [07:05] Micro decisions and their ripple effects [12:50] “All roads lead back to mindset” [13:13] Taking ownership of your T1D management  [15:13] Insulin timing (a game changer)  [18:33] Addressing insulin resistance  [20:46] How sleep impacts blood sugar stability  [21:36] Recognizing your patterns What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.
181.  “I Felt So Defeated” - How This T1D Reclaimed Her Life After 30 Years

181. “I Felt So Defeated” - How This T1D Reclaimed Her Life After 30 Years

July 22, 2025
In this week’s episode, Lauren is joined by Debbie Lehr, a recent graduate of the DCB coaching program and a type 1 diabetic of 30 years. Though Debbie had always felt in control of her diabetes, a cross-country move and the onset of menopause left her feeling stuck, isolated, and overwhelmed- resulting in her highest A1C ever. After hearing about Risely through her daughter’s best friend, Debbie took a leap and joined the program, seeking both support and a fresh start. What followed was a powerful transformation: within three months, Debbie lowered her A1C, stabilized her blood sugars, and found renewed confidence in her management. In this candid conversation, she shares how community, structure, and learning her own patterns helped her go from frustrated to empowered. This episode is a reminder that even after decades with T1D, it’s never too late to ask for help and that real change begins with connection. Quick Takeaways: Knowing when it’s time to ask for more help (and it’s never too late)  Overcoming fear and gaining confidence with your diabetes  The powerful role mindset AND community plays in T1D management Timestamps: [04:03] The moment Debbie felt like she truly reclaimed her life with T1D  [09:21] “I really felt defeated before I went to Risley” [13:17] Debbie’s biggest wake up call: “I've learned my body and I thought I knew it before but I didn't.” [14:42] T1D + relationship to food  [18:26] Navigating overwhelm and taking control  [18:57] Finding AND understanding your patterns  [21:39] The power of not having to struggle alone  [24:58] Debbie’s A1C journey & past endo experiences  [31:00] Overcoming fear with T1D management (giving ‘too much’ insulin / going low)  [37:21] The importance of mindset and how to reframe it  [37:47] What Debbie credits for her transformation [38:56] Dissecting the process of coaching  [40:07] ‘80% mental and then 20% of doing all the steps’ What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.  Hear Debbie’s story on IG: HERE!
180. What Your Endo Might Not Be Saying About GLP-1s (Yet)

180. What Your Endo Might Not Be Saying About GLP-1s (Yet)

July 15, 2025
We're diving into a topic that’s generating a lot of buzz in the T1D community: GLP-1s. To break down what these medications actually do, what the research says, and how they might benefit people with type 1 diabetes, we're joined by pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Justin Gregory. We explore what GLP-1s are, how they work in the body, and why they’re attracting so much attention in T1D care. Dr. Gregory shares insights on their effects on blood sugar, insulin needs, and insulin sensitivity (and whether those benefits are purely tied to weight loss or something more direct). Whether you've only seen GLP-1s mentioned on social media or you've already started a conversation with your healthcare team, this episode brings clarity to the hype and the hope. Don't miss this conversation - we’re answering all the questions the T1D community has been waiting for. Quick Takeaways: Everything you need to know about GLP-1s: What they are, who they are meant for & why they are getting so much hype The impact these medications have on T1D: Blood sugar, insulin needs, insulin sensitivity, and more  Breaking down the risks: Direct impact on T1D (blood sugars, insulin needs, etc.) and side effects of long-term use  How GLP-1s are being prescribed off-label to type 1s and the important conversations people with T1D should have with their provider before starting them Timestamps: [03:13] Dr. Gregory’s journey into Endocrinology  [03:37] “Diagnosed with T1D and I was told, your Air Force career is over…” [05:21] “My research says, what is the cost of putting too much insulin in the wrong place?” [09:43] One of the most underappreciated aspects of T1D: Insulin sensitivity   [XX:XX] “Insulin sensitivity is 30 to 50% lower in type 1 diabetes compared to mass control.” [12:34] How to determine your insulin sensitivity (and increase it) [21:13] The breakdown of GLP-1s  [23:25] Understanding GLP-1s efficacy in T1D  [27:09] Who will benefit from these medications vs. who might hurt  [30:41] Insulin resistance with a healthy BMI: How is it possible? [34:42] Prescribing these medications to children  [38:34] How GLP-1s could be used for the newly diagnosed T1D population [39:00] Dr. Gregory’s expectations for the future and evolution of these medications  [41:06] Pregnancy + GLP-1s [46:24] “When you come off of it, if you're not staying on it forever, what happens?” What to do now: Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve.   Join the PEP (Parents Empowering Parents) Squad, a Facebook group created by the Diabetes Research Institute. This is a place where caregivers of kids with T1D can share stories, ask questions, and learn more about how to get involved with research, advocacy, and fundraising through DRI.
LAUREN BONGIORNO

Meet your Host

I'm your host Lauren Bongiorno. I was diagnosed with T1D when I was 7 years old and now I'm the founder and CEO of Risely Health. We are nationally board certified health coaches who know that most people living with type 1 diabetes feel lost or stuck in a cycle of frustration. So we built a health coaching model that's helped thousands of people reclaim the life they deserve. If you're ready to stop struggling alone and finally feel a sense of freedom and balance, this podcast is the right place to start.