Drew's Daily Dose

• "Why a Two-Year-Old? Why Not Me?" – James Bracey on His Daughter's Type 1 Diagnosis

  James Bracey is one of Australia’s most recognised sports presenters—fronting Channel Nine’s NRL and State of Origin coverage, plus Olympic Games coverage. But behind the scenes, James is also a father navigating the daily highs and lows of raising a daughter with type 1 diabetes. When Matilda (Tilly) was diagnosed at just two years old, James and his wife Margot were thrown into a world they knew nothing about. In this raw and emotional chat, James opens up about everything—from the chaos of diagnosis to midnight alarms, finger pricks and birthday parties with jellybeans on standby. But amidst the exhaustion, fear and steep learning curve, James has found purpose, perspective, and an unshakeable pride in his daughter’s strength. Here’s what we’re covering: -That surreal moment in the GP’s office that changed James’ life forever -The terrifying drive to hospital—and the chaos that followed -What no one tells you about managing type 1 diabetes in toddlers -How food became both a battleground and a language of love -The silent burden dads carry—and why James is finally talking about it -James’ biggest fear as Tilly grows up—and how he’s preparing for it -What he’d do if he could wave a magic wand and cure diabetes tomorrow -The exquisite letter to diabetes that left us all in tears … and a whole lot more Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Diagnosis Day: The GP, the Finger Prick, the Rain ⏳ [02:18] Meet James Bracey: Sports Broadcaster, Proud T1D Dad ⏳ [07:13] “Is This Really Life Now?” The Emotional Aftershock ⏳ [13:34] Injecting a Two-Year-Old: The Part That Broke James ⏳ [18:14] Mealtimes, Meltdowns and the Jellybean Negotiations ⏳ [21:19] Finding the Loop: Tech, Community and the OmniPod ⏳ [26:15] Hope vs. Burnout: The Battle for Balance ⏳ [32:00] Birthday Parties, Buffets and Food Fixations ⏳ [36:24] Type 1 at Work: Balancing Live TV and Blood Sugars ⏳ [43:00] Swimming, CGMs and Surprising Blood Glucose Drops ⏳ [48:10] Stigma, Misconceptions and the ‘Bad Diet’ Myth ⏳ [51:16] The Magic Wand Moment: What a Cure Would Mean ⏳ [53:33] Breakthrough T1D: Raising Funds, Raising Awareness ⏳ [58:48] “Go Easy on Yourself”: James’ Advice to Fellow T1D Parents ⏳ [01:01:27] Dear Diabetes: James’ Letter That’ll Stay With You Forever Hope you enjoy! You can get in touch with James on Instagram @james__bracey To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• How My Parents Faced My Diabetes Diagnosis as Doctors

  What happens when your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—and you're both doctors, but still completely unprepared? In this raw and emotional episode, Drew sits down with the two people who were there from day one—his mum and dad, Jill and Brian Harrisberg. Both medical doctors, they open up like never before about what it was really like watching their son go from fit and thriving to chronically ill almost overnight. This is the side of diabetes you rarely hear—the parental perspective. Here’s what we cover: -The subtle early signs that something was seriously wrong -The gut-wrenching moment they heard the words “type 1 diabetes” -Why even as doctors, they felt helpless, hopeless… and ashamed -How Drew’s diagnosis reshaped their entire family’s health journey -Why type 1 diabetes is so misunderstood—even by medical professionals -The dark years after diagnosis, and what finally helped Drew turn the corner -The letters Jill and Brian wrote to diabetes—and why you need to hear them -How they’ve come full circle: from devastation to empowerment -The advice every parent of a newly diagnosed type 1 kid needs to hear Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Train Wreck: The Day It All Fell Apart ⏳ [01:00] Meet Jill and Brian: Doctors, Parents… and Now Guests ⏳ [04:22] Childhood Dreams, Medical School, and Family Expectations ⏳ [07:17] Exercise Physiology vs. Medicine: Drew’s Career Crossroads ⏳ [13:08] Imposter Syndrome in Medicine—and in Parenthood ⏳ [23:00] “You Have Type 1 Diabetes”: The Diagnosis No One Expected ⏳ [31:22] From Doctor to Patient: Brian’s Journey with Diabetes Education ⏳ [35:05] The Slow Onset: Missed Signs, Mysterious Symptoms ⏳ [43:17] The Confirmation: Blood Tests, Glucose Meters and Denial ⏳ [50:11] “I Felt Like I Had No Purpose”: Drew’s Mental Health Spiral ⏳ [58:30] The Shift: Exercise, Nutrition, and Taking Back Control ⏳ [1:05:09] From Paleo to Plant-Based: A Family’s Food Evolution ⏳ [1:13:07] Darkness to Light: When Drew Finally Turned the Corner ⏳ [1:21:16] Social Media, Support Networks and Mental Resilience ⏳ [1:24:59] CGMs, Pumps and Public Perception ⏳ [1:31:18] Fear, Trust and Letting Go: A Parent’s Ongoing Journey ⏳ [1:42:09] If You’re a Parent Listening: The Advice You Need ⏳ [1:53:08] Dear Diabetes: Jill and Brian’s Letters From the Heart Hope you enjoy! If you're a parent of someone newly diagnosed—or if you just need someone who gets it—please know this: you're not alone. To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Type 1 Teammates: Playing Netball for Australia with Sarah and Verity

  When Sarah Klau and Verity Simmons were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, they weren’t handed a playbook. No manual. No step-by-step. Just needles, uncertainty—and the choice to keep chasing their dreams, or not. In this powerful and heartwarming episode, two of Australia’s elite athletes sit down with Drew to unpack what it really takes to thrive with type 1 at the highest level of professional sport. Here’s what we’re covering: -How Verity went from diagnosis at 17 to representing Australia in netball and AFLW -The three-year misdiagnosis that delayed Sarah’s journey—and nearly derailed her career -Why both athletes refused to let type 1 define their destiny -Game-day strategies: how they fuel, train, and play with diabetes -The brutal challenges (and surprising benefits) of managing type 1 on MDI -The secret PowerPoint Verity made to educate her entire team -Their letters to diabetes -And the twist in Sarah’s letter that turned it into a love story … and loads more insights, inspiration and laughs Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Diagnoses, DMs & A Two-for-One Deal ⏳ [04:30] Verity’s “Figure It Out” Approach to Type 1 ⏳ [12:05] Sarah’s Three-Year Pre-Diabetes Limbo ⏳ [17:15] World Cup Dreams ⏳ [23:07] Netball, AFLW and the Unexpected Code Switch ⏳ [26:06] PowerPoints, Hypo Kits and Jelly Bean Survival ⏳ [29:08] Debunking Diabetes Myths and Misconceptions ⏳ [39:45] Game Day vs Training Day: Managing the Madness ⏳ [46:35] Ninja Warrior, Highs, Lows and Sneaky Jelly Beans ⏳ [54:07] Diet Experiments, Keto, and BGL Spikes ⏳ [59:00] Off-Season Strategies and Back-to-Back Burnout ⏳ [66:35] Supplements, Smoothies and Hypo Fixes ⏳ [70:45] Mindfulness, Journals and Sleep Data Deep Dives ⏳ [74:50] Periods, Hydration and the Hidden Hormonal Rollercoaster ⏳ [77:00] Sarah’s Emotional Letter to Diabetes—and the Match it Made Hope you enjoy! You can find Sarah and Verity on Instagram: Sarah Klau: @sarahklau Verity Simmons: @verity.simmons To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• A Father’s Life-Changing Invention for Daughter Lisa Clark

  When Lisa Clark was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just five years old, her life—and her family's—changed forever. Managing the condition in the 1970s meant urine testing, stainless steel syringes, and a revolving door of hospital visits. But what followed is one of Australia’s most remarkable medical stories. Her father, Stanley Clark, an electronics engineer with zero medical background, took matters into his own hands. Driven by love for his daughter, Stan retreated to his home workshop and emerged with the world’s first portable blood glucose tester—a device that would not only transform Lisa’s life, but help millions globally. In this episode, Lisa shares the story behind the invention that reshaped diabetes care, the beautiful chaos of building a global breakthrough from a backyard shed, and how a humble Aussie dad left a legacy the world should never forget. Here’s what we cover: -What life with type 1 diabetes looked like in the 1970s (urine tests and boiled needles!) -The moment Lisa’s dad decided to “fix” diabetes monitoring himself -How he built the world’s first home blood glucose meter in a week—from scratch -The family-run factory that couldn’t keep up with global demand -Why Stan turned down a millionaire’s deal—and a Rolls Royce -The heartbreaking phone call that warned: “You’ll be out of business in six months” -How Lisa has managed her diabetes for over 50 years without burnout -Her handwritten letter to diabetes—and the legacy she’s determined to protect … and so much more. Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Diagnosed at Five: Chaos, Confusion and Urine Testing ⏳ [02:14] Introducing Lisa Clark: Type 1 Trailblazer with a Powerful Family Legacy ⏳ [07:10] The Day Her Dad Took on Diabetes—and Won ⏳ [15:06] Homemade Miracles: Building the First Portable Glucose Meter ⏳ [23:50] When Demand Exploded: From Backyard Builds to Factory Floors ⏳ [33:36] Turning Down the Rolls Royce Deal ⏳ [41:37] The Phone Call That Changed Everything ⏳ [50:08] Life After the Factory: New Chapters, Same Heart ⏳ [58:30] Lisa’s Letter to Diabetes—and Her Final Word on Legacy This one’s a beauty. A powerful Aussie story of innovation, love and legacy. Don’t miss it. You can buy Lisa's book at Books Online Australia To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/⁠ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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• Type 1: Stigma, Language, & Hope — Beyond the Numbers with Lucy Casson

  When paediatric nurse practitioner Lucy first stepped into the world of diabetes care, she thought it’d be a temporary gig. Just a break from the heartbreak of palliative care. But 24 years on, she’s become one of the most respected figures in the type 1 diabetes community—advocating for change, championing tech, and supporting thousands of families through the diagnosis that shakes their world. In this episode, Lucy and Drew dive deep into the mental load of living with type 1—from the overwhelming day-to-day grind to the invisible toll it takes on kids, parents and practitioners alike. It's a raw, real and emotional look at the side of diabetes we don’t talk about enough—and how technology, trust, and tribe are changing the game. Here’s what we’re covering: -Why Lucy once said she’d “rather stick pins in her eyes” than work in diabetes—and what changed everything -The psychology of hypos: why lows feel worse than highs, and why waiting it out is easier said than done -What causes type 1 diabetes? The frustrating truth behind a lifelong question -How Covid has affected the global rise in type 1—and why the hygiene hypothesis is making a comeback -The eating disorder no one talks about: why skipping insulin is more common than you think -How diabetes management has changed in 24 years—from logbooks and “compliance” to algorithms and compassion -The problem with aiming for “perfect” control—and how it can cause more harm than good -How CGM and smart pens are helping people take back control (without going full pump) -The power of positive role models—and why internal motivation is everything -Lucy’s letter to diabetes: a passionate call to arms for her “tribe” … and so much more Chapters: ⏳ [00:00] Lows, Jelly Beans & Panic: The Reality of Hypos ⏳ [06:10] From Palliative Care to Pumps: Lucy’s Unexpected Career Path ⏳ [08:05] Demystifying Diabetes: Type 1, Type 2, LADA, MODY & More ⏳ [15:06] Covid, Viruses and the Rise of Type 1 ⏳ [25:14] Tech Talk: Pumps, CGMs & the Future of Automated Insulin ⏳ [31:10] Time in Range: A New Way to Measure Success ⏳ [35:04] The Language We Use—And Why It Matters ⏳ [42:14] Stigma, Myths & Misconceptions About Type 1 ⏳ [45:50] Social Media, Misinformation & the Cinnamon Cure ⏳ [54:15] Mental Health, Burnout & the Psychology of Diabetes ⏳ [1:04:12] Disordered Eating & The Fear of Insulin ⏳ [1:12:19] Time in Tight Range vs. Sanity: Where Do We Draw the Line? ⏳ [1:21:54] How to Actually Live Well with Type 1 ⏳ [1:33:11] Lucy’s Letter to Diabetes: A Message from a Lifelong Ally Hope you enjoy! You can contact Lucy on instagram @totaldiabetescare or at https://totaldiabetescare.com.au To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/ Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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