S2|E14 - Running with Diabetes: Challenging Stigmas & Conquering Ultra Distances with Jono Le Roux
On this episode of Making A Runner, we take a look into the experience of a person LIVING with Diabetes & choosing to run!When Jono Le Roux was (surprisingly) diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 27, it prompted him to challenge the stigmas generally associated with this community. Whereas most people may be stricken with fear and choose to go about life more conservatively, Jono was determined that he would not allow Diabetes to dictate his life's decisions.At the time Jono was already a committed runner but now facing a host of new challenges including, most importantly but not limited to, fuelling (as we know runners rely heavily on carbohydrates and this is the metabolic system which is impacted by Diabetes) Jono accepted the challenge and conquered it when he successfully completed the UTD 100 mile event!As Jono has become involved with the advocacy for people living with Diabetes he has developed a deep understanding of the struggles faced by his community in managing this lifestyle disease - most prominently, the cost of medication/medical devices and the shortfalls associated with South African Medical Aid Providers.He speaks about how having access to the use of continuous glucose monitors, such as the Super Sapiens 1 and the Freestyle Libre devices, has impacted his confidence in participating in events like the UTD and how in other countries, it is viewed as a basic human right to have access to this kind of information - we must agree!Furthermore this episode serves to inspire & educate ALL as Diabetes is no longer a death sentence. With modernisations to medical technology & access to information about lifestyle management through diet and exercise, running has the power to transform the way we view Diabetes. Listen & be inspired!