Doing Well with Diabetes is a podcast series collaboration between the International Diabetes Federation and the Diabetics Doing Things podcast. During this series, host Rob Howe interviews athletes living with diabetes from around the globe to help inspire the next generation of athletes with diabetes to continue to work towards their dreams while doing well with diabetes. 

Doing Well with Diabetes is part of the Kids and Diabetes in Schools programme. Diabetics Doing Things has donated all production and promotion in-kind. 

Episode 1 – Perfection is a Myth, with guest Stephanie Ratcliffe

In this episode of Doing Well with Diabetes, host Rob Howe interviews Stephanie Ratcliffe, an Olympic hammer thrower living with type 1 diabetes who was recently part of Australia’s 2024 Olympic Team. Stephanie shares her journey of managing diabetes while excelling in athletics and academics, including her experiences at the University of Georgia and Harvard University.  

Stephanie and Rob discuss the unrealistic expectation of maintaining perfect blood sugar levels for people with type 1 diabetes. They highlight the dangers of striving for perfection, likening it to general life pressures that can bring about stress and negativity. They emphasize the importance of managing diabetes to the best of one’s ability without demanding perfection. 

Stephanie also discusses the challenges and strategies for managing diabetes in high-pressure situations, the importance of a positive mindset, and her hopes of inspiring the next generation of athletes with diabetes. The episode highlights Stephanie growth in embracing her diabetes identity and connecting with the type 1 community.