Join John Pemberton as he sits down with Dr Temi Olonisakin — the doctor who turned a lonely Type 1 diabetes diagnosis at 17 into a movement of connection, confidence, and pancakes.
From small brunch tables in London to dreams of Bali gatherings, Temi’s story shows how joy, representation, and community can change what it means to live with diabetes.
How one young doctor turned isolation into connection — building a joyful, inclusive community for people living with Type 1 diabetes.
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Overview
Dr Temi Olonisakin joins The Glucose Never Lies® Podcast to share how lived experience, openness, and representation can spark community and confidence in Type 1 diabetes. Say hello on Instagram: @temidiabeticdoctor and join a Diabetes Brunch, sounds so much fun!
Diagnosed at 17, Temi knows first-hand the isolation that comes when diabetes arrives just as independence begins. Years later, she began bringing people together — from one-to-one coffees to full-scale Diabetes Brunch Live events — mixing friendship, advocacy, and education with a healthy side of pancakes.
It’s not about brunch. It’s about belonging, visibility, and joy.
Episode Summary
- Diagnosis at 17 — the hardest age for independence and self-management
- How Diabetes Brunch began — starting with nine people and growing to 26 + live events
- Representation — why seeing people like yourself changes everything
- Turning frustration with care into practical advocacy
- Creating safe spaces for laughter, learning, and cultural honesty
- The dream of Brunch Abroad — connection that travels
Key Take-Homes
The “difficult age” (14–18) needs special care.
Adolescence collides with diagnosis. Give young people fun, peer-led spaces instead of formal education.
Start small, then grow.
One chat → one brunch → one community. Authenticity scales naturally.
Fun beats formality.
Joy opens the door to learning; brunch works because it feels human.
Representation = safety.
People attend when they can see themselves — across ethnicity, gender, body size, and culture.
Community normalises “imperfect” glucose.
Sharing CGM spikes replaces shame with solidarity.
Advocacy is learnable.
You can switch hospitals via GP referral. You can request tech that fits your life.
Words matter.
Drop “good” and “bad.” Use clear, compassionate language that builds confidence.
Temi’s Community Playbook
- Choose a format people already enjoy — brunch, coffee, Pilates + pastries.
- Invite 6–10 people first.
- Set tone early — judgement-free, laughter encouraged.
- Offer value — share quick tips on clinics, tech, and self-care.
- Collect shared insights — post-brunch CGM reflections, normalising real glucose patterns.
- Keep the conversation alive — WhatsApp group, regular meet-ups.
- Build diversity deliberately.
- When the group passes 20, add co-hosts or table leads to keep it intimate.
What I Learned from This Episode
- Loneliness at diagnosis is predictable but preventable.
- Joy and learning coexist — fun formats create better retention.
- Representation isn’t decoration; it’s the foundation of trust.
- Implementation > intention — a repeatable event > a perfect plan.
Chapters
00:00 Diagnosed at 17 — the lonely years
05:30 First coffees → first brunch
12:20 From 9 to 26 — growth & facilitation
16:40 “Bottomless brunches” & normalising spikes
21:30 Brunch Abroad dreams
24:30 Beyond London — plans for the North
25:50 Doctoring & sustainable work
31:20 Advocacy wins — getting the right tech
38:30 Representation & equity
45:40 What services for teens miss
47:50 Wrap-up & reflections
Connect with Dr Temi Olonisakin
Instagram: @temidiabeticdoctor (please verify handle before final publish)
She engages, listens, and challenges gently. Bring curiosity, not perfection.
Key Links & Resources
- CGM accuracy explainer — “70 % time in range is not equal across CGM systems!”
- Hybrid Closed-Loop (AID) Overview
- Language Matters in Diabetes
Follow The Glucose Never Lies®
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Disclaimer: This episode is for educational purposes only. It does not create a therapeutic relationship or replace individual medical advice.
Prepared by John Pemberton, supported by AI assistant (“Chad”). Ideas, insights, and responsibility remain with John.