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

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: 

1. Follow me @lauren_bongiorno and @riselyhealth on Instagram to stay in the loop when new episodes drop.
2. Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve. 
3. Hear Debbie’s story on IG: HERE!