168. The Hardest Part Was Asking for Help: Bianca’s Type 1 Wake-Up Call

Reclaim Your Rise: Type 1 Diabetes with Lauren Bongiorno

Episode Summary:

In this week’s episode, we’re joined by someone incredibly close to the Risely heart. Bianca Volpetti, from our enrollment team was diagnosed with T1D diagnosis at age 31, just weeks before her wedding. Even though her sister had been living with T1D since childhood and she was in the best shape of her life, Bianca’s diagnosis completely rocked her world. Because matter how “healthy” or informed you are, diabetes changes everything. Like many of us, she tried to DIY her way through it… and learned the hard way just how isolating and overwhelming that path can be. Today, Bianca opens up about her lowest moments, what finally pushed her to say yes to support, and how coaching helped her not just stabilize her numbers—but truly reclaim her life. If you’ve been stuck in the belief that you should be able to figure this out on your own, this conversation is a powerful reminder that you don’t have to wait until rock bottom to rise.

Quick Takeaways:

• The importance of seeking support with your T1D (beyond your loved ones)
• How T1D impacts your personal relationships
• Navigating an adult diagnosis
• Accepting the help you need

Timestamps:

• [03:20] Receiving her T1D diagnosis at 31 years old
• [05:38] “I was in the ICU for four or five days and that is where my journey started.”
• [07:08] Growing up with a T1D sibling/ family member
• [10:51] Finding Risely… with a plot twist
• [16:24] Hitting her breaking point & deciding it was time for help
• [31:33] “We kind of allow ourselves to accept mediocrity because we have type one and… this is just how life has to be because I have this... We don't deserve to accept that.”
• [33:25] The most common blocks Bianca hears from other T1Ds
• [34:32] Believing in yourself
• [38:15] Advice for someone on the fence about getting support

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.