Episode 270 - Dr. Charles Loftis, T1D, NBA Sports Performance Therapist

This episode is supported by Thrivable. Thrivable’s mission is to
create a better future together. They achieve this by making it
easy for healthcare companies to include the patient's voice in
their decisions so they can create transformative treatments and
products for you.  And for listeners of Diabetics Doing
Things, Thrivable has multiple opportunities for you to earn money
for sharing your story, your insights and your lived experience for
companies who produce and design products for people with diabetes.
You can participate in online surveys and earn up to $75 per hour
and join in-person studies to earn up to $800 per study. To sign
up, just go to thrivable.app/rob and create a profile. It only
takes a few minutes. Then, just wait for study invitations,
participate in a paid diabetes research study and get compensated
for your time. ——— In this podcast episode, Dr. Charles Loftis, a
type 1 diabetic and sports performance therapist for the Portland
Trail Blazers, shares his diagnosis story and the challenges of
living with diabetes. The conversation covers topics such as
diabetes diagnosis, lifestyle adjustments, emotional struggles, the
impact of technology in diabetes management, community support,
managing diabetes in a sports team, traveling with diabetes, and
balancing a career in sports performance coaching while dealing
with diabetes. This episode also includes the opening of the
Mailbag! If you want to submit your question, email
mailbag@diabeticsdoingthings.com. Topics discussed: 1. Diabetes
Diagnosis and Lifestyle Adjustments o Doc shares his diagnosis
story and the challenges he faced despite being fit and
health-conscious. o Importance of nuanced diabetes diagnosis and
understanding insulin dosing and carb counting post-diagnosis. o
Emotional and practical challenges of accepting the diagnosis,
lifestyle changes, and educational aspects of managing the
condition. 2. Community Support and Awareness o Sharing a diabetes
diagnosis publicly and receiving support from the community. o
Importance of connections within the diabetes community, using
personal experiences to educate and raise awareness. o Impact of
technology in diabetes management and societal perceptions of
wearing devices. 3. Managing Diabetes in Sports Performance o
Challenges of managing blood sugar levels during physical
activities. o Recognizing symptoms, handling medical emergencies,
and communicating about diabetes within a sports team. o Strategies
for managing diabetes while traveling with a professional sports
team. 4. Career in Sports Performance Coaching with Diabetes o
Balancing a demanding lifestyle as a sports performance coach for
elite athletes. o Importance of personal routines, sacrifices made
for success, and advice for individuals with diabetes pursuing
careers in sports. o Understanding the individuality of athletes
and the impact of personal experiences on inspiring others. 5.
Perspectives and Empathy o Reflections on how living with diabetes
has shaped perspectives and empathy. o Valuable life lessons
learned from dealing with a chronic condition. o Gratitude for
growth and insight gained through unique experiences with diabetes.
Key takeaways: * Acceptance and positivity are crucial in facing
the challenges of living with diabetes. * Community support and
connections within the diabetes community play a significant role
in managing the condition. * Understanding the individuality of
athletes and the importance of communication in sports teams are
essential for diabetes management. * Personal experiences with
diabetes can inspire and support others facing similar struggles. *
Gratitude and growth can be found in the unique experiences and
challenges posed by living with diabetes.
00:00  Unlocking the Story of a Type 1 Diabetic NBA
Sports Performance Therapist 09:05  Navigating the
Emotional and Practical Challenges of Living with Type 1 Diabetes
14:33  Embracing the Diabetes Community: A Journey of
Support and Inspiration 20:43  Navigating Life with
Diabetes: Challenges, Awareness, and Acceptance
28:38  Navigating Diabetes in a Sports Performance Team
31:45  Managing Diabetes and NBA Travel: A Pro's Guide
36:57  Navigating Life as a Sports Performance Coach
Working with Elite Athletes and Diabetes 46:57  Exciting
Basketball Clinics and Heartfelt Conversations: A Peek into
Diabetes Community Connections 48:33  Rob & Eritrea
Open the Mailbag