Hormones & Diabetes with Rachel Halverson
We are beyond delighted that Rachel Halverson has decided to join the Not Just a Patch team. She has already done a mini podcast series about Powerful Women in Diabetes – so we thought it was time to ask her about her story.
Pete and Rachel jumped on a call to discuss her journey with type 1 diabetes, and the unique challenges faced by women.
In this written article we will be focused on the diabetes topics discussed but if you want to hear all the side quests – be sure to listen to the podcast.
Rachel's story
As a diabetes educator, nurse, and creative force, Rachel combines lived experience with clinical expertise, bringing visibility to the emotional and physiological complexities of living with type 1 diabetes—especially as a woman.
Rachel’s journey with diabetes began at five years old during a family camping trip. Even as a child, Rachel demanded control over her condition, insisting on administering her own shots and finger pricks because the nurses “were doing it wrong.” Her fierce independence and self-advocacy would go on to define both her personal and professional paths.
But while her childhood with diabetes was marked by resilience, it wasn’t until adulthood that Rachel fully realized the gravity of her diagnosis.
“I feel like I had a second diagnosis as an adult,” she explained, reflecting on a turning point during nursing school.
In a high-risk pregnancy class, she discovered just how serious diabetes could be—not just for her, but for others with the condition. Suddenly, something that had felt like a manageable annoyance became a life-altering reality.
That moment in class was a seismic shift. “I realized how truly disabled I was,” she said. For Rachel, growing up in a time when the dominant message was “type 1 (diabetes) is different, just take insulin and you’ll be fine”. The risks of pregnancy, the need for ultra-tight glucose control, and the long-term implications of even minor blood sugar fluctuations brought a wave of realization—and a renewed dedication to self-care.
Like many people with diabetes, Rachel experienced burnout. Her teen and young adult years were marked by sporadic glucose monitoring and vague insulin dosing. But after her eye-opening experience in nursing school, she became laser-focused. She got a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) for the first time, meticulously managed her levels, and aimed for perfection.
“I went through a phase where everything in my life revolved around staying in range. I had zero fun.”
The stakes were suddenly crystal clear, and her approach was one of reaction and fear. Eventually, she found a more balanced rhythm—but not before learning a great deal about the emotional weight of living with diabetes.
The Gender Divide in Diabetes Management
Rachel’s story also highlights an often-overlooked aspect of diabetes care: the role of gender and hormonal fluctuations. After dating another person with type 1 diabetes, she was struck by how different their experiences were. “We had the same diagnosis timeline, but he could eat and drink things I couldn’t dream of without chaos.” It wasn’t a matter of effort, but biology.
This revelation led Rachel to dive deeper into endocrinology and diabetes education, eventually shifting her career into that space. She began focusing on how menstrual cycles, hormonal shifts, and reproductive health uniquely impact people with diabetes who have uteruses. While awareness in this area is growing, Rachel notes there’s still a lack of research and reliable resources. “I have clients going through perimenopause and postmenopause, and there’s just nothing. We’re guessing most of the time.”
Her own management during menstrual cycles remains difficult, despite her extensive knowledge. “I know it’s coming, I know what’s happening, and I still can’t stop it.” For Rachel, the resistance to insulin in certain phases of her cycle can be so intense that even dietary modifications are necessary.
Reclaiming Power Through Education and Humor
Despite the challenges, Rachel approaches diabetes education with humor, realism, and a deep commitment to empowering others. She’s spoken out about the flaws in the healthcare system, particularly the shortcomings of big pharma and the limitations of current diabetes technology. “They don’t make pumps like they used to,” she quipped, half-joking about the durability of her current MiniMed devices.
Rachel is currently working on diabetes and ADHD, another under-discussed intersection in chronic illness management. Her goal? To make information more accessible, and to show people they’re not alone in their struggles—whether that’s hormone-related insulin resistance or staying focused enough to manage a complex condition every day.
Her online presence, under “@givemesomesugardiabetes,” includes blogs, tips, and educational content designed to meet people where they are—with empathy, humor, and zero judgment.
Advocate for yourself
Rachel Halverson’s story is a powerful reminder that diabetes isn’t one-size-fits-all. It’s a condition deeply intertwined with our biology, our identity, and our environment. From childhood resilience to adult revelations, her journey underscores how personal this experience is—and how vital it is to honor the emotional and physiological nuances of diabetes care.
Her message? Advocate for yourself, seek out community, and don’t be afraid to demand more—from the healthcare system, from your devices, and from the narratives we’ve all been fed about what diabetes “should” look like.
For those living with diabetes, connecting with knowledgeable advocates like Rachel can provide both practical management strategies and the reassurance that comes from shared experience. And for the broader community, stories like Rachel’s help build understanding of the daily realities faced by those living with chronic conditions.
We are so grateful to have her a part of the Not Just a Patch team. Expect to see her more on our channels. Be sure to check out her mini-series Powerful Women of Diabetes.
Visit Rachel’s website at rachelbetes.com or follow her Instagram: @givemesomesugardiabetes
Listen to the podcast
Marketing & Content Creator | Instagram | YouTube
Jackson has had type 1 diabetes for over 20 years. As a Marketing Professional with over a decade of experience, he creates content to inspire diabetics and only works with companies that put people before profits. When not saving the world, he can be found either summiting a peak or pulling into a barrel.
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