'Everyone's got something that they're dealing with' with Andy Hartnell

Type 1 on 1 | Diabetes Stories

'You going into the hospital ill, and you think you’ll come out fine.'
Sales executive Andy Hartnell is today's guest. Andy was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes in his first year of university, and he was so unwell that his mum didn't recognise him - and yet he was turned away by a doctor who believed he had a fever. He was admitted to intensive care the following day with a blood glucose reading of 96mmol/l.
Unsurprisingly it took Andy a while to process his diagnosis, and he didn't open up about his condition for many years, often leaving for work without his glucose meter - unaware of the need to really do anything differently. The switched flipped and he describes 'going the other way', testing 'obsessively' 12-15 times a day.
It's a story that isn't uncommon and Andy's humility is one I believe will strike a chord with a lot of you. We also discuss handling nights out with type 1, how he subsequently found a balance, his 'life-changing' CGM and being brave enough to take an 18 month career break when his workload began to affect his mental health, relationship and social life. Having spent time delivering prescriptions to the elderly, travelling, running marathons and generally taking care of himself, he's now in a new job with a different perspective on what success looks like. I applaud Andy for his courage, and his willingness to share his story on the podcast. He's also just a bloody lovely guy!
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SPONSOR MESSAGE:
Thanks to my episode sponsors Insulet, the founders of Pod Therapy - only found with Omnipod.
Pod therapy uses a tubeless, wearable and waterproof Pod that continuously delivers insulin for up to three days. Controlled wirelessly by its handheld companion, the personal diabetes manager, it allows you to personalise your insulin doses according to your own daily needs - no multiple daily injections and no tubes.
Head to https://www.omnipod.com/ to find out more.