#1210 Rebrand Your Belly
Jessica is a tattoo artist with type 1 diabetes.
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Scott Benner 0:00
Hello friends and welcome to episode 1210 of the Juicebox Podcast
Jessica was seven years old when she was diagnosed with type one diabetes. Today she's a 30 year old tattoo artists you can find at Jess Fox tattoos on Instagram. Today Jess and I talk about growing up with type one diabetes and then we spend quite a little bit of time discussing the problems that she had feeling like she belonged. Guys you got to hurry up my offer code juice box at checkout at cozy earth.com Is it 40% But just until June when it drops to 30% Get your stuff now cozy earth.com use the offer code juice box to save something depends on when you hear this. When you place your first order for ag one with my link, you'll get five free travel packs and a three year supply of vitamin D. Drink ag one.com/juice box. If you or your child have type one diabetes, please go to T one D exchange.org/juice. Box and complete the survey. This survey will take you about 10 minutes it will support type one diabetes research it also may benefit you, it's definitely going to benefit me so go fill out that survey completely AT T one D exchange.org/juicebox. Let's move everything forward. And don't forget to check out the private Facebook group Juicebox Podcast type one diabetes. This episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by touched by type one a fantastic organization who is helping people with type one diabetes. And very soon their in person event will happen with me. I'll be one of the keynote speakers at touched by type one, go to their website touched by type one.org. Go to the Programs tab and get yourself those free tickets. I'll see you in Orlando, you can use the same continuous glucose monitor that Arden uses. All you have to do is go to dexcom.com/juice box and get started today. That's right, the Dexcom g7 is sponsoring this episode of The Juicebox Podcast. Today's episode is sponsored by Medtronic diabetes, a company that's bringing people together to redefine what it means to live with diabetes. Later in this episode, I'll be speaking with Jalen, he was diagnosed with type one diabetes at 14. He's 29. Now he's going to tell you a little bit about his story. And then later at the end of this episode, you can hear my entire conversation with Jalen to hear more stories with Medtronic champions, go to Medtronic diabetes.com/juicebox or search the hashtag Medtronic champion on your favorite social media platform.
Jessica Fox 2:44
My name is Jessica Fox, and I am a tattoo artist out of Buffalo, New York. And I've been living with type one diabetes since seven years old. And I'm 30 now so little over maybe 20 years at this point,
Scott Benner 3:00
just gets 23 years. But that's neither here nor there. Don't worry, you pause and I was like, is she not doing the math or she wasn't sure I was having also do you care about football or No? No. And I won't tease you about what the bills did last night.
Unknown Speaker 3:14
i Oh yes, I heard.
Scott Benner 3:17
I don't care about the bills. And I was horrified by what happened. So yes. You're a tattoo artist? Yes. How do you become a tattoo artist?
Speaker 1 3:26
Yeah, so everyone's journey is a little bit different, you know, depends on I guess what we're living. For me, I had a formal apprenticeship, I did that for about two years under the supervision of someone so basically, I kind of went around from shop to shop, it was just looking for an opportunity to just really just help out sweep floors and you know, just be involved in the community and then finally found someone to teach me you kind of start off basically on fruits and melons and stuff like that. And then eventually human beings,
Scott Benner 3:59
what kind of melons literally all
Speaker 1 4:01
all kinds great fruits, melon, anything really that kind of just can like, you know, replicate the skin essentially. So you can learn how to like hold straight lines and and all that kind of stuff. So are
Scott Benner 4:14
you actually using color when you're practicing? No, it's
Speaker 1 4:17
more so just to kind of build like muscle memory and stuff like that. So you can use color but you want to use that on like maybe some of the like they have like silicone fake skin you can buy and that stuff will actually like hold color.
Scott Benner 4:28
Oh so you can actually see yourself doing it because it's a hell of a leap right like if you're learning to like do life drawing or something like that you just throw away paper if you mess up but like do you have friends who let you practice on them?
Speaker 1 4:42
Yeah, so usually like your first tattoo when you have like a formal apprenticeships either like on yourself or your family or your tattoo mentor. My tattoo mentor was definitely lucky enough and lucky enough.
Scott Benner 4:54
Did you not do a good job?
Speaker 1 4:55
I don't think I did. No, definitely, definitely not. I needed some more time in the Some great, I think.
Scott Benner 5:01
So how long have you actually been doing it professionally?
Speaker 1 5:04
So this is my seventh year, it'll be eight years in February.
Scott Benner 5:09
Is it a thing that you notice yourself constantly getting better at? Or did you plateau? And you're like, I'm good at it. And this is what happens every time I do it.
Speaker 1 5:18
Yeah, definitely not. I think that it's something that like, constantly has to be, like, tended to, you know, I feel like I'm always going to school where I'm like, Okay, I have to go attend a seminar, or I have to go kinda do a guest spot to just really like, seek out some more information and work next to people. So it's just definitely like a slow burn. And it feels just like a lot of studying and seeing how other people do things and try to wrap your mind around, if that will help like, the way you're you do it. You know, it's
Scott Benner 5:47
interesting. Have you ever, like, been doing a tattoo? What I'm doing is doing the right word? Yeah, yeah, you're doing it. And I'm just like, there might be another word there. And you've done and you know it, you feel it your heart, like, Oh, I did. That's not the right thing to do. Do you? What do you do? When that happens?
Speaker 1 6:08
Yeah. Yeah. So like, they they teach us like, you know, a good tattoo artist knows how to hide their mistakes, you know, it's really a, you know, we think of it. And maybe clients think of it this way too, that it's like, such as this permanent thing. And it is, obviously, you know, you can't finish a tattoo and erase it, but it's a lot less permanent than people think. So for example, if I, if I'm, you know, lining a letter, and I accidentally, maybe go a little bit outside, I'm gonna be able to maybe go through and make everything just like a hair thicker, where to the like, regular clients eye, they might not be able to notice that. But like, I'm going to notice that, otherwise, it's going to just stick out like a sore thumb. I mean, there's certainly been times, you know, just historically speaking with people who've, you know, just really bombed it. And you're just like, yeah, that that person shouldn't even maybe be tattooing just yet. Like, they need to learn how to draw a little bit more, that should have never became a tattoo. There's like, definitely an interesting pipeline to between, like, the art that gets like, created on paper, and then like, what's possible in the skin? So I think it's important for an experienced tattoo artist, you know, even before the tattoo hits the skin to have those, those conversations with the clients just so there's, you know, realistic expectations. So they can, you know, both be met on on both ends.
Scott Benner 7:32
Yeah. What do you do when someone comes in and asks for something that you just think I would, I don't want to do this. Like, it's, it's weird, it's ugly, but it's not your it's not your opinion, that matters. Right? Right.
Speaker 1 7:45
Yeah. You know, I really try to come from a place where, where people will come to me for the art that I put out there. So like, I mostly specialize in a lot of like, illustrative black work, and black and gray, like, you know, style tattooing. So sometimes, for example, have someone come in and they're like, hey, I want like a full color portrait. And I'm like, I'm sure you do, but maybe not for me, because it's just, I'm not really great at it, you know, that's not what I specialize in. So I try to, you know, show them examples of my work, and then see if I'm, like, really the right fit for them. And if I'm not, you know, then I'll try and kind of push them to the person who is in the area. And I think a huge part of it, too, is like, there's definitely different calibers of people who do tattoos, you know, you can definitely walk into any shop anywhere in the United States and get quite literally, you know, a name or a date. So I tried to work from like, a position of where I'm like, okay, like, let's create a mood or a story or like, you want to like Memorial, like a memorial tattoo, for example, like, how can I, you know, really honor this person who's, who is so important to you? What were some of their favorite thing, so I kind of just like reaching out to grasp a little bit more. And that kind of opens the door of possibilities in a way that maybe like someone wasn't thinking about before. So I'm typically pretty good at that part. Like, it's almost like a consultation that I'll have with the client, where if they don't have like, a super creative idea, I can be like, hey, like, that idea. Sounds good. But like, what if you know, we did this, this or this? And let them work through it with you? Yeah, definitely.
Scott Benner 9:20
So here's a question. Do you have a style or are you mimicking tattoo styles? Does that make sense?
Speaker 1 9:27
Yeah, absolutely. I think I have a style. Yeah. Although the blanket terms of the styles could be like, yeah, like illustrative or Blackwork or Neo traditional. I think that what I do, like, it looks like I drew it, whereas like, you know, someone could come to me and just be like, Hey, I just want like a name in this type of font. And that's not really going to have my like, I guess like, artistic identity like thumbprint attached to it, but you know, I guess it just definitely depends on like, you know, what you're getting from me? Um, no, stranger to like doing that kind of stuff to, you know, a lot of the beginning of my career I've done like a lot of the like, they call it like walking style tattoos where, you know, someone comes in for a date or name, or just something real small, like a heart. And, you know, I've just been able to kind of, you know, produce those tattoos and, you know, not really stray from exactly what they were looking for. So, you
Scott Benner 10:21
just made me do something I have never done before. So I have a few tattoos. And yeah, I got my first one when I was 19. I'm 52. So 2939 49. My first tattoo was 33 years old. That's crazy. When I got it done, I got it done by this guy who you know, is very famous in the area around Philadelphia where I grew up. And he was already an he was an older but he was older than me. You don't I mean, like he was 30 at least. And I just looked and not only does he still work, but the place is still there. And the people that he worked with when I was there are still there. Is that uncommon?
Speaker 1 11:02
No, not at all. Yeah, I think it comes from a place of usually these reputable studios, especially the ones like you said, you know, reputable place guys got a really great name for himself. Usually, those people, you know, they're gonna stick around. And, you know, that's just how it goes. Yeah, you know, I think tattooing is one of those jobs where it is definitely a bit more accessible now. But I think when I first started, in retrospect is not that long ago, it was still really hard to get into. Now, there's a lot more information out there. But the people who were taught, it was like they knew and that that that stayed within that circle. Yeah.
Scott Benner 11:38
Is it a tight community? Like, is there a world where I mentioned this guy's name? And you could be like, I know of them? Or does that not? Does it not travel from state to state like that? Oh,
Speaker 1 11:49
no. Yeah, definitely traveled. I feel like we all know each other, if you are, especially someone from a reputable place, and yeah, it's like it's a pretty tight knit community. Like I said, it's it's definitely more accessible now. Like, there's more shops, obviously now than there ever has been, which I think is like a really awesome thing. But the people who've been here for a really long time there, and they're still doing it. Yeah. You know that there's a reason for that. And that's really awesome as well. So yeah, I probably know the person you're talking about. That's so
Scott Benner 12:19
funny, because I just thought now to say who it was. And then I thought, I don't want to do that. Because you know how when you You know how when you suggest a movie or a TV show to somebody, and then they come back a week later, and they go, yo, thanks a lot. I hated that movie. I spent all weekend there, and it cost me 25 bucks and like, you have terrible taste in movies. I would be mortified if I said my tattoo artists name out loud and you wouldn't got a tattoo from him. And then later we're like, this sucks. Like you don't I mean? Yeah, yeah. Oh, I
Speaker 1 12:48
know. Yep. Yeah. You know, you never know. It's, I totally get it. So I'd
Scott Benner 12:53
be very afraid to say that funny. I say a lot of stuff. But by the way, I see a lot of stuff without thinking on this podcast after I say it. I think I should probably cut that out. I never do. And this one thing. I was like, I don't think I'm going to tell anybody this.
Unknown Speaker 13:06
That's totally fair.
Scott Benner 13:08
I'll tell you afterwards. I'm not telling these people that they're gonna go get a tattoo and be pissed at me.
Unknown Speaker 13:13
You know what I mean? Right, right. Yep.
Scott Benner 13:15
He's also an older guy. So his style is more classic, maybe? I guess I don't I don't know how they're, they're broken down. But like, you know, it doesn't look like there's his tattoos don't look like they have like, got no texture. Like, by the way, how did they do that? Even? Like, that's insane. When you see that? Yeah.
Speaker 1 13:31
Yeah, I think it's so different. Now. You know, especially it just viewing the last maybe like, you know, like I said, I've been here now for seven years, I've been getting getting tattooed, at least for 10 Just seeing the technology differences, you know, there's wireless pens, and you know, we're no longer using like those like, screaming loud coil machines. Some of us are, of course, but yeah, you know, someone who's got like a more, you know, classic style to them, you know, American, traditional, all that kind of stuff. You know, they might be using that kind of stuff just to get that same result. But you know, I think
Scott Benner 14:04
this episode is sponsored by Medtronic. diabetes, Medtronic diabetes.com/juice box. And now we're gonna hear from Medtronic champion. Jalen.
Speaker 2 14:14
I was going straight into high school. So it was a summer heading into high school was that particularly difficult, unimaginable, you know, I missed my entire summer. So I went, I was going to a brand new school, I was around a bunch of new people that I had not been going to school with. So it was hard trying to balance that while also explaining to people what type one diabetes was. My hometown did not have an endocrinologist. So I was traveling over an hour to the nearest endocrinologist for children. So you know, I outside of that I didn't have any type of support in my hometown.
Scott Benner 14:47
Did you try to explain to people or did you find it easier just to stay private?
Speaker 2 14:52
I honestly I just held back I didn't really like talking about it. It was just it felt like it was just an repeating record where I was Saying things and people weren't understanding it. And I also was still in the process of learning it. So I just kept it to myself didn't really talk about it.
Scott Benner 15:07
Did you eventually find people in real life that you could confide in. I
Speaker 2 15:11
never really got the experience until after getting to college. And then once I graduated college, it's all I see, you know, you can easily search Medtronic champions, you see people that pop up, and you're like, wow, look at all this content. And I think that's something that motivates me started embracing more, you know, how I'm able to type one diabetes. To hear
Scott Benner 15:32
Jay Lynn's entire conversation stay till the very end, Medtronic diabetes.com/juice box to hear more stories from the Medtronic champion community. The Dexcom g7, is sponsoring this episode of The Juicebox Podcast and it features a lightning fast 30 minute warmup time, that's right from the time you put on the Dexcom g7. Till the time you're getting readings, 30 minutes, that's pretty great. It also has a 12 hour grace period, so you can swap your sensor when it's convenient for you. All that on top of it being small, accurate, incredibly wearable, and light. These things in my opinion, make the Dexcom g7. a no brainer. The Dexcom G seven comes with way more than just this. Up to 10. People can follow you, you can use it with type one, type two, or gestational diabetes, it's covered by all sorts of insurances. And this might be the best part, it might be the best part alerts and alarms that are customizable, so that you can be alerted at the levels that makes sense to you. dexcom.com/juicebox links in the show notes links at juicebox podcast.com to Dexcom. At all the sponsors. When you use my links, you're supporting the production of the podcast and helping to keep it free and plentiful.
Speaker 1 16:52
There are so many different styles of tattoos right now and stuff growing every single day, I think there's going to be even more styles by the the next five years. And the stuff that's possible now compared to what it was in maybe like the early 2000s. And even like the 90s is just like astronomically different. It's almost like oil painting. I'm like, How did how did they make it look so real? And it's in a living, breathing human being? It's crazy.
Scott Benner 17:20
I'm stunned by how well they, how they look how the tools have come along in the end the artistry. And I'm also stunned by how sometimes I'll see my tattoos in a mirror and they'll startle me. Yeah, because I forget that I have them. Which is actually has happened to me once for sure. Like where I actually swatted at my shoulder. Like I thought there was something I was like, it was like what the hell. That was just there's a giant tattoo on my shoulder that I somehow forgot I had. And the reason I have more than one is because I initially got one on the side of my calf. And one day toweling off after a shower, it gave me this weird feeling that it was floating and disconnected. So I put more stuff with it and attached it to itself in a ring. Because I don't know, like that was actually my artistic thought was I don't know how artistic it was. But like it visually looked wrong to me for this just one thing to be there like that. Yeah,
Speaker 1 18:14
definitely. That's like, I feel like that's a totally common thing. I hear that often. Or I'll hear people who want to, like, make everything perfectly symmetrical. So not too far fetched.
Scott Benner 18:24
And I'm like, it's funny. I'm almost I don't know, I'm not embarrassed by my tattoos. But they are definitely indicative of how old I was when I got them and what was popular at the time. And like all that stuff. It's interesting. Yeah, you look at somebody who's like 75 years old, like they have Popeye on their arm. How do they how did that happen? Like, how did they not know not to do that? And now I look at my tattoo. And I think Oh, that is definitely what someone thinks when they look at my
Speaker 1 18:51
Yeah, they're like, little like, I don't know, time stamps of little things that like meant something to you at that time, or, you know, a moment in time that like felt, you know, really great or, you know, whatever it can mean to anybody but I, you're you're preaching to the choir here I have, I have lots of tattoos from different times. And I, I started getting tattooed, I had a fake ID and instead of like going to the bar, I would like go to tattoo shops, and I would like try to get tattooed at like 16 and 17. And the legal age here is 18. And all of those tattoos, I will confidently say I absolutely have either gotten covered up or removed because I'm just like, yeah, those weren't great ideas.
Scott Benner 19:35
Your parents must have been thrilled. And by the way, this is what happens in Buffalo. It's freezing and there's nothing to do right. That's right. Yes, sex are good at that too, I guess are pretty much your options. Uh huh. I so I guess for people who don't know, I have Calvin and Hobbes on my right leg.
Unknown Speaker 19:53
That's amazing.
Scott Benner 19:54
Oh my god. It started off with just the cover of the baby. If people know the books the baby sitters club, the two of them are just standing together looking mischievious like next to each other. But I also have a spaceman, spiff. And when he's the giant, and when he gets in a time machine, which is really just a cardboard box and a couple of other things all like spun together, I basically took the the popularity at the time of tribal tattoos and did it with this instead and just put like a ring. And honestly, it looks old now. Like I should probably either get my leg cut off or have it colored or something like that. I don't know exactly what. But anyway,
Speaker 1 20:31
you should just leave it. Yeah, you should, you should leave it because I feel like you're gonna look back at that and be like, remember when I did that really silly thing.
Scott Benner 20:37
I remember two things about getting a tattoo. One of them was my mom telling me that it would never come off after I got it. I said yeah. And I remember saying to her Oh, thank you. I wasn't certain of that. That was my sarcastic reply. I was 19. Yes. And when my kids talk about getting tattoos, I'm oddly against it. Yeah,
Speaker 1 20:57
that's fair. I feel like it's a rarity. Now to not have tattoos. I feel like everyone has at least one or one small one. And I'm like, I think it's so cool. When I come across someone who's like, I've actually never had a tattoo. And I'm like, Wow, that's crazy.
Scott Benner 21:10
Just to go, let's offend people for a second. Sure. What's the difference? And if I'm wrong, then you'll just tell me I don't see it this way, Scott. But what's the difference between someone who just wants to get ahead too, and somebody who's making a tattoo part of an aesthetic or a look?
Speaker 1 21:24
Yeah, I think I think it's different for everyone. You know, while some people think it's like, so for example, I'll tattoo people all the time, who are like, I'm never gonna get anything on me. Unless it means something to me. And I can totally respect that. And then there's the total opposite side of the spectrum where people are like, I'm really uncomfortable in my body, and I want to get this tattoo to maybe, like, have me like this space. There's definitely a common misconception, for example, with people who have like, like, even I've done this, like, people carry, like, some extra weight, like on their stomach and they're like, ah, you know, like, I don't want to get my stomach tattooed. Unless it's like, flat or like washboard abs and I'm like, Nah, you know, like, maybe if you got a tattoo on the spot like you like an image that you really like, it might bring you some some peace in how you feel or kind of like rebrand it for yourself. And it almost comes from like a similar maybe like a body modification or like, people who will go and get like, to a medical spa and like, get something like that done. So it's definitely just in the in the sense of like, it depends on what someone's looking to get out of it. You know,
Scott Benner 22:29
I'm I call your episode rebrand your belly. So Exactly. Oh, my gosh, alright. Well, we've talked about this more than we should have. I'm sorry, diabetes, when you were seven. Are there other people in your family? You have type one or are other autoimmune issues?
Speaker 1 22:42
Yeah, so no other autoimmune issues, but my aunt's on my dad's side is also type one, but she didn't get hers until a little bit later in life.
Speaker 3 22:51
Okay, in like her 30s or 40s 50s. Yep. Yeah. 30s 30s. Okay, so you're the only one younger? Did she get it before you? Where did you get it first? Yeah,
Speaker 1 23:02
she got up before me. I think it was even before I got mine. So I grew up kind of knowing I spent a lot of time with her. So I grew up knowing a little bit into that world.
Scott Benner 23:14
It's interesting. So when you were diagnosed, you immediately like, oh, that's what my aunt has.
Speaker 1 23:18
Yeah, I didn't quite understand it. Because I was, of course, I was I was seven, I think at the time, so it was like, very confusing to me. You know, I remember going right into the doctor's office with my parents, I had a, you know, the same same, you know, song and dance that everyone kind of, has gone through of like, really thirsty, sleeping a lot, something was wrong, losing some weight, you know, and then going to the doctor or getting that news of having to, you know, go to the hospital, that kind of whole situation. So I didn't understand it. And I was like, you know, seeing my parents reaction. I was like, oh, no, something is wrong.
Scott Benner 23:51
So that was probably like, my sisters fault. This my sisters.
Unknown Speaker 23:55
Yeah. All right.
Scott Benner 23:59
But no other autoimmune stuff.
Speaker 1 24:00
No, yeah. In surprisingly, like, you know, I'm very blessed to have like, everyone else. My family is like, we have a really, really great bill of health. And I'm grateful for that. But yeah, so when reality kind of set in, and I was in the hospital for like, a week or so, that was almost like the bonding factor of like, your aunt has this and she's living with this and you are going to be able to live with that too. So that was like, although really young, I was like, okay, like, if she can do it, I can do it. You still recall that as being helpful. Yeah, absolutely. And like, it wasn't as like alienating as it felt because it was like, Well, Mom, do you have this? No. Well, does dad have this? No. So I'm like, Okay, well, then why? You know why? Why? Trying to wrap your head around that as like a seven year old kid. It just It doesn't? It doesn't happen. So a lot.
Scott Benner 24:52
No, I don't I don't know how you would do your brothers and sisters. I'm sorry. I forget if I asked.
Speaker 1 24:56
Oh, no, that's okay. Yeah, I'm an only child. So Nothing to reference there either. So
Scott Benner 25:01
interesting. Alright, so, diagnosis seven, there's no way you have a pump 23 years ago,
Speaker 1 25:06
right? No. So yeah, I grew up during a time where it was all manual injections and manual finger pricks. And that was really, really hard because as a kid to intuitively lean into having a feel yourself, you know, fluctuate levels, and especially just starting out. It was really, really confusing for me.
Scott Benner 25:27
Are you regular an MPH? 23 years ago? Are we using 11? Lantus? levemir? Yeah, I
Speaker 1 25:33
was using Lantis in human log at the time. Okay. That's what you started with. Yep. Okay.
Scott Benner 25:37
Did they have you counting carbs? Or were you doing an exchange diet?
Unknown Speaker 25:41
I was counting carbs. Yep.
Scott Benner 25:42
Okay. Do you recall if it worked? Like, do you recall, the doctors were happy or not happy with your results? Were you were your parents? What was it? Like, you know, dealing with all that?
Speaker 1 25:52
Yeah, it was really hard. You know, it was like fluctuating, there are times where like, things worked out really great. But I think what the most challenging part was just like, a kid wanting to be a kid, you know, I remember like, not understanding certain holidays. Like, why can I have Halloween candy? Why can't I have cake on my birthday? You know, just, hey, like, you know, my friends are having a sleepover. And, you know, my parents were like, AF, I don't know, if I trust that, you know, you're going to be able to go over there and like, make it through the night without like, sugar low? Can we trust that the parents know how to handle this? So a lot of that was always really like, the harder part for me. And then I know, like, for that for the actual, like, I don't know, what am I trying to say the results themselves? I think it was, it was always mixed. Because it I mean, again, like if I was having a hard day, or if I'm being a starboard kid, and I'm not trying to finish my dinner, that would mess everything up. And at the time, you know, my parents did the best they could. But again, I was a kid being a kid, and, you know, I'm running around all day, I'm having a sugar low, or I want to go play outside having worked for flow. And I remember there would be times where, you know, I want to do things that other people were doing, you know, I couldn't do it. Because it was just gonna mess with my sugar a little bit too much. And my parents were like, Eff, you know, we can't, like we can't have you be, you know, out doing that kind of stuff. And it was like, it was hard for me to digest, because I was like, you know, How come everyone else gets to, like, do all this stuff. And I don't, you know, but I think the the return on that was like, I had a really huge sense of like, learning responsibility. And like, learning how important it is to be, like, intuitive with your body. And like, how that feels. Yeah. And that was like, amazingly helpful for like, other areas in my life. Just
Scott Benner 27:47
Were your parents scared? Or were you were they reacting to some real problems that they were seeing, and they just didn't know what to do about them?
Speaker 1 27:55
I think it was definitely both, you know, I think probably them just being like, new parents. And then like, you know, trying to juggle this, like, you know, for lack of a better word, a wrench just thrown into, like, what is probably already hard. So I don't I don't have kids, but I can imagine having a kids probably really hard and then having to deal with like an illness like that on top of it was probably just like, a lot, just day to day. And there's like, yeah, there's, there's times you know, when I was a kid, I remember having like some really bad lows, some really bad highs. And, you know, there was like, lapse with them. So, you know, there'll be times where I'll be like, Okay, I worked all week, I'm exhausted, we're ordering pizza, I don't feel like cooking, you know, and then the, you know, all the problems that can come with that. And then I'm having a sugar high. And I think like anyone to be like, perfect parent on it. 24/7 is like unrealistic. So I think it was just like, trying to find that balance. And then trying to also be a parent on top of that, which like, made the varying results of like, sometimes my blood sugar would be amazing. And my agency was on point. And, you know, everything was like really great. And then I'll have like, a streak of like, you know, having a couple bad months and like, I'm kind of off the track here. Like, I remember even just going through puberty like that was like, that was a huge wrench in my blood sugars, because I've all of a sudden, everything was just like, your blood sugar is crazy high or, you know, you all of a sudden can be doing everything perfect. And you just wake up one day and it's like, Nope, this is not working out. So
Scott Benner 29:31
well. I get that also, were you an only child because that's what they wanted or were they having trouble having kids?
Speaker 1 29:38
I think that's what they wanted. Yeah. And I I think after having me they're like, I think this is enough.
Scott Benner 29:47
Are you a problem?
Speaker 1 29:48
I don't think I was but I think it was just like probably a lot for them to kind of to juggle at the time. So and like where I came from, like my parents were together for a little bit now. After but a little bit like some time had passed, and they ended up, you know, getting divorced and splitting up. So it was like, you know, most of the time I was spending time with mom and mom's like a single parent and trying to raise me with all the extra things on the on the track here. So yeah, it was just I think, a difficult for both of them.
Scott Benner 30:18
Yeah, no, I take your point. Anyone ever asked you for a tattoo? And you did it. But even now, in your head, you think they shouldn't have done that? Like, if I was in charge? I wouldn't have done that. Like this one popped into your head when I say that? Yeah,
Speaker 1 30:33
of course. I think there's like tons of tons of examples of this. It could be like, a placement thing. It could be like, you know, the couple who just met and they want to get each other's names on them. You know, this, this was definitely something that like I experienced more so in the beginning of my career, when, you know, when you're not as confident in what you do, you try not to show it, but I think that it can be easy for people to come in and just be like, hey, I want to talk to you can you do script, I saw that you you know, had it in your portfolio. I want my girlfriend's name, you know, on my neck, and I'm like, that's not really good idea. You know, how long have you guys been together? And they're like, you know, we absolutely not, you know, but when I was, you know, there's so many different personalities that you deal with, with with tattoos, you know, I've tattooed anyone from a lawyer and a doctor to someone who, you know, walks a completely different opposite end of that spectrum.
Scott Benner 31:30
Well, what if they're drunk or high? Would you say no, then Oh, no.
Speaker 1 31:33
Yeah, absolutely. Not, like, definitely, like liability issues, but also like, like, usually, if someone if they're drinking can bleed more, and then it's just never. Yeah, it's just never gonna, like heal, right? And I don't need them coming back and being like, I regret this. Can you cover it up? And I'm gonna be like, No,
Scott Benner 31:53
what I was getting tattoos. It was a Yo, you brought a bottle for the new artist, like, you know, and it was just that thing you knew to do. Like, it was the, like, the strangest thing. I don't even know how I knew to do that. Yeah, then, you know, you're an hour into it. And you realize this guy's like, he's getting pretty wrapped. And you're like, should I really be letting them do this, but then just it seemed like it was this happy place. He just was I don't know if he still does that like that or not? I'm not sure but but I remember like having a thought like an hour into it. Like, maybe that was a mistake.
Speaker 1 32:28
Yeah, all worked out. Very weirdly common thing with like, especially just like, you know, old school tattoo artists, you know, things are very different before. Yeah, the boom of like, the internet, like Instagram and even, you know, even MySpace, geez. You know, like, tattooing was very much kind of like a gentlemen's handshake. While there's like definitely magic in that, it's obviously great that like, you're not going to go into your, you know, local tattoo shop and hopefully find someone who's drunk ready to talk to you. I can't guarantee that, but I would
Scott Benner 32:59
hope just like it's gotta be we'd nowadays right? Yeah, so that is what I prefer that thank you.
Speaker 1 33:06
Yeah, I was gonna say like, especially if you're on like the West Coast, like, I spent a little bit time I lived out in California for a bit. And I worked at shops, and they would just, they'd have a bong on the table, and the artist would finish the test. You walk out there and just be like, ripping it all day. I'm like, how do you guys not have?
Scott Benner 33:29
I just can't imagine. So listen, I'm not artistic. And I mean, this like, like, physically, I can't draw or I don't see dimensioned. Well, like all that stuff, right? Like I shading, I'd be bad at all of it. As a matter of fact, Arden's in a class right now where she had a, she had to do a self portrait, it had to be on a big piece of, of medium. So I think it was like, I don't know, but it must have been like three feet by like two feet, like a big piece. You know, she's like, I'm in a rush. I don't have a lot of time to do this the way I want to. So I'm going to sit down and get it done. And like a couple of days later, it was finished. And I said, How many times just start and stop this. And she's like, What are you talking about? Like this is this is the one like I just did one. And I can't even imagine how to like, do that without, like making so many mistakes that it has to be crumbled up and thrown away. Like I don't have that ability. And then to take that feeling inside of me. And think like, to make it permanent on somebody, I'd be out of my mind. I wouldn't be able to do that. But I have no skills either. So my question is, what kind of art were you doing before you were tattooing?
Speaker 1 34:34
So before I was tattooing? I did I painted every night at my table, and I was lucky enough to know that I wanted to be a tattoo artist. I kind of like grew up around people who had tattoos. So once I realized that, you could do that as a job. I kinda, I wanted tattoos and I wanted to tattoo so most of the things that I was drawing were already tattoo related. And when I first started tattooing, I was really hyper focused on life. American traditional, so anything that I could get my hands on, you know, I would go to the bookstore and I would grab anything that had the word tattoo on it, if it was like a magazine or like an old, you know, Sailor Jerry book, like the little sailor just like designs, and I would just take tracing paper and just trace every page. And then eventually, I would take the tracing paper and put it on like a watercolor paper and create these, like, you know, what, what would be now tattoo flash. And then once I realized that I really wanted to be a tattoo artist, I wanted to learn the styles that were like, you know, at the forefront of that. So I could make myself essentially, like, valuable to a tattoo studio. So, you know, I would take charcoal, and I would, you know, try and draw from life, there was a rose or something outside that I saw, you know, and even before the American traditional stuff, I would just, I was always drawing even as a kid, for as far as I can think back. I really enjoyed drawing. It changed when you know, the thing that I love doing that essentially could have been my hobby or therapy turned into a career. Yeah.
Scott Benner 36:10
So yeah. How long did your apprenticeship last?
Speaker 1 36:13
There was about two and a half years. And so I apprentice here in Buffalo. And then right after that, I moved to Los Angeles. And I was living there for a little bit. And I was a shop manager at a really, really busy street shop. It was like 14 artists, it was like upstairs and downstairs. So answering phones running all around and setting people up tearing them down. And then on my off days, I would work like in the valley, taking like in a street shop, just taking like all types of just different walk ins. That's where I learned how to tattoo, I would say the apprenticeship was great. And working as a studio manager was great. But being thrown into that fire and like dealing with hard personalities and time constraints and challenging areas. That's like really where the pressure like was on me. Hard
Scott Benner 37:04
personalities. Sounds like the name of your podcast where you tell a different story about an asshole that you've tattooed every
Unknown Speaker 37:10
week. I could probably write a book. Yeah.
Scott Benner 37:14
If you started doing this, at what age Tell me again, I'm sorry, that
Speaker 1 37:18
was 2016. So I think I just turned these I think I just turned 21 maybe 20 or 20. Okay,
Scott Benner 37:26
you were doing it? Like you use Control IQ now, is that right?
Unknown Speaker 37:30
I do. Yep. Right. You
Scott Benner 37:32
do control IQ. You have G six Dexcom? Because it's still not ready for G seven as of us talking. So, but you're not wearing that? Seven years or years ago, right?
Speaker 1 37:43
No, so I did. Yeah, I was doing manual injections.
Scott Benner 37:47
And what was that? Like? Because the work is intense. You can't be stopping and starting. I wouldn't imagine you're on your feet, then you're sitting down. You're moving your hand constantly. Was it hard on your blood sugar? And how did you handle it without a CGM?
Speaker 1 37:59
It was horrible. Yeah, it was so bad. My blood sugar was out of whack all the time. You know, and it really was horrible. I'm in mental health as well, because I would you know, as tattooers we usually start, you know, our lives are polar opposite then like a nine to five. So we're starting our first tattoo usually at 12 o'clock. So at this point, I've already had breakfast, and I'm, you know, getting ready to have lunch. And I would be like, Well, I don't even want to eat lunch. Because as soon as I sit down to do this tattoo, I know my blood sugar is just gonna go really crazy high. And there is no worse than like tattooing with high blood sugar. It is so hard. You know, tattooing, in general is pretty tough on your body. I'm not someone that will prioritize money over doing a good tattoo, because then it's just my reputation would be shot. So you know, I can't put my bad day on someone else. So you know, there's been times you know, if it's really bad, I have to be like, Hey, I can't touch you today like my my blood sugar is out of whack. I can't get it out of the three hundreds I feel horrible. I don't want to like do that to you. So that was definitely front and center stage for a lot of the beginning points in my career and then just running around like crazy that you know, even polar opposite like when I was at that studio, as the shop manager, you know, I would be running upstairs setting a bunch of people up and then I have to go back downstairs and I'm running up and down stairs like all day not eating and then I'm like, Oh, of course my blood sugar's low. I didn't have any snacks or anything but the days going by so quick and I had so much to do and so much to look after that I would like put myself on the back burner. Okay, so once that CGM came out and like I was able to pair that with, like the pump technology, like not only has the like quality of my life gotten better, but also like the quality of my work as well, like in 10 folds. You know, just having that alarm go off. I'm like, Oh, I have to put my Self first, right now, I can take a brief a pre like a pause, and, and be present with myself, or if I'm starting a tattoo, and I can't rip my gloves off, like, at least I know that like, if I'm like heading up after a snack or something before I start, you know, I'm gonna get that control IQ technology. Whereas before, it was just like a slippery slope of just kind of like, years and years of like, okay, like, what's gonna happen, what's going to happen and either I'm not going to eat all day, because I'm running around like crazy, or I'm going to be able to, like, have more time to check into this and be, you know, present with myself.
Scott Benner 40:35
When you say it's difficult, are we talking about like confusion, like or foggy head or being tired or irritable, or what parts of it made it hard for you, I mean, hard enough that you canceled.
Speaker 1 40:47
So I'm someone that like before control IQ and before having like a CGM, I would definitely run a lot higher. And a lot of that also, too, is like paired with a lot of my personal anxiety, I could probably speak for every type one that like, you know, lows are super scary, and they feel really intense, where, like, I would purposely almost run a little bit higher when I would go into work and stuff just because I didn't even want to deal with it. And I'm like, Ah, you know, I've got more tokens in the bank here, you know, I can, I can maybe like, pop into work at 200 run around all day. And then like, it'll kind of go back into where I want it to go like 151 30. But, you know, on the on the flip side of like playing those, like dangerous games, and being young and doing that, and less structured, I would just run the risk of running high. So, you know, if I was high for too long, you know, if I'm high, having a high from 9am to two in the afternoon, then I'm like, potentially getting ketones, and now I'm having insulin resistance. And then pairing that was like a manual injection, hoping that like, it's still not going up per my last like injection, it just was so so much harder to handle. And quite frequently, it would just be like, if I don't feel good enough, like, you know, I'm feeling like tired or exhausted or I it's really hard to focus right now. Because I'm feeling like, you know, just like dehydrated or like, just like, very off and to like, be present with someone make sure that they're like, like, you know, tattooing hurts. So, you know, a lot of my job too is like making sure that they're as comfortable as they can be in that environment. And then the added layer of like, if I have a really large appointment, sometimes people are coming in getting really meaningful pieces, they want to talk about it. So while I'm tattooing, you know, someone can be like, trying to have like a really hard to heart moment with me or like talk about something that's potentially like traumatic. And if I can't be present in that moment, I'd like never want my client to feel like I don't care about that. So yeah,
Scott Benner 42:47
it feels to me too, that you have like two different jobs. If somebody wants to have a heart to heart conversation with you, you have to be able to listen, respond and continue to make the tattoo the right way. Yeah, that's two different thought processes at one time.
Speaker 1 43:00
Yeah, 100% and then trying to like, play mathematician and hope that like you're feeling your best on top of that, intuitively without any like, that's a lot. It was so hard. Is
Scott Benner 43:12
this a thing? You You can make a I don't know how to put this can you make a good living doing this?
Speaker 1 43:17
Oh, yeah, absolutely. And it's definitely a job that like what you put into, it's what you're gonna get back, you know, so, I'm at the point now, where I have owned two studios, right now I own my own studio. So I've got some other people working for me, you know, I've been able to teach people. So like, you know, at the, at the position where I'm at, I think that like, you know, I just want to be able to pass that on to other people. So they can also have like, a really good life. Man, I don't know if I would bother doing anything else. That's why like, full circle to it is so important that I like, take care of my body right now. So I can do this for as long as I can
Scott Benner 43:54
be able to go for a while. Hey, if you have your if you have your own place, and there are people working there, do they work for you? Like they're an hourly employee? Or do you take a piece of the work they do? And you kind of give them a space? Yeah, it's
Speaker 1 44:07
kind of like a like independent contractor type thing. So you know, there's like commission or there's booth rent, that's typically like how it goes, Booth rents usually, like reserved for people who are like, for lack of better word, like a veteran, you know, someone who has their own clientele. They've been doing it for 10 years, and they're just kind of looking for a space. Yeah. Whereas like, most of the situation is like commission based. I prefer commission based with my employees anyways, just because I have a little bit more control over like, the quality of tattoos that happen, as well as like, the supplies we're using, like, there's no question on like, you know, we were not ordering for example, our stuff from like, Amazon, like, we want to make sure that we're like giving our clients like the best like that they can receive. So like in doing that, like, you know, the Commission employees almost essentially pay for that pay for booking system like a shop manager, all of that stuff that kind of just get gives us like a little bit more of an edge on like, you know, making the experience better.
Scott Benner 45:04
I would think also, you don't want somebody in there just renting a space doing a bad job, and then the stinks on you because they're gone. Yeah. And your place is still there. Right? Yeah, you know, there's hairdressers around here that I've started noticing. They're basically like, we work hairdressers. And you know what I mean by that like, like space that you rent. So you see somebody coming to get their hair cut, and at the same time, they're arriving, the hairdressers arriving, right? They go into a space that has everything they need, the hairdresser usually has their own like tools with them. They cut their hair, and then they leave again, like the hairdresser doesn't work there. It she's just Richier here just renting this space. And the place is just always open and available. So they like put in a code they go in and they use the space and they leave again. Yeah,
Speaker 1 45:49
yeah, that's similar to kinda like how the booth rent situation works. And like, I can see the appeal to that in the freedom sense and how like, you know, other artists want those things or like could benefit from those things. But yeah, it's it's very, very similar. hairdressing and tattooing. It's
Scott Benner 46:07
crazy. I never know, is there a license you need or anything like that? Yeah.
Speaker 1 46:12
So everywhere is different. You know, some of the more stricter places, for example, is like actually in like Portland, you have to actually go to a tattoo school and have a certain amount of
Scott Benner 46:22
good, they're doing the road and everything. I'm just kidding. It sounds like a good idea, actually.
Speaker 1 46:28
It like, yeah, it's a whole thing. And then there's other places where you don't even need a license, which is really strange. Like the health department doesn't get involved at all. That's not at all. Yeah, it's very, very strange. So like, for example, where I'm from, if you have $50, you can go to the Health Department. Take like a 10 question quiz. And if you have a shop you can use that will let you know, have you then you're licensed for that studio.
Scott Benner 46:58
Jessica? Is it a quiz? I'm guessing I could get right. And I've never tattooed anybody? Yes, yeah. 100%.
Speaker 1 47:06
And, you know, with anything, of course, there's like just so many issues with that, you know, there's no CPR training, there's no blood borne pathogen training. You know, like, it's wild to me that, you know, if you want to be like you said, like a hair stylist or barber that you have to have a certain amount of hours to like, cut hair that grows back. But if someone comes in and they're like, hey, I want my eyelids tattooed, like I can fully do this essentially procedure on somebody that's permanent, right? That could really hurt them if done incorrectly. And it's like, totally fine. Well, yeah,
Scott Benner 47:41
definitely a procedure. I mean, you're really having something. I mean, if if you've never had a tattoo before, at this point, like everyone has one, but I guess that's not really true, but it hurts. Yeah, it doesn't feel good. And it doesn't stop hurting as it goes along. It's just your your body becomes more like hamburger as it's happening. So it's a different pain as it gets older. Yeah, there's nothing like I do know some people who enjoy it. And I'm not here to judge them as I will admit to you I like getting a root canal there's this part and I've had a couple of I'm so sorry that I have bad teeth. But I've had a couple of root canals in my life. And they're after they take out the like the root from the canal. They kind of go in and clean the canal out with this. It's almost feels like a burr that's bumpy and when it's in there you it almost feels like it's bouncing up and down and people were bothered by this or having a like a like a massive stroke right now as I'm talking about it. But as that thing's in there turning and bumping. I love that feeling. Yeah,
Speaker 1 48:42
that see, I don't know. I don't know. I hate all in every case. Like you wouldn't think so. I'm I'm pretty much covered head to toe and tattoos and I've only ever had like wisdom teeth pulled. So I'm like, I don't know.
Scott Benner 48:55
I also I sleep. I sleep through dental procedures. Yeah,
Unknown Speaker 48:59
see, I could never lay
Scott Benner 49:00
down and I'm like, how are you? Oh my god. Oh my God, no one's gonna bother me. It might be a function of being a parent. Jessica, I'm not sure. But like, you're there and you're like, No one's counting on me. Like I'm here for an hour I'm here for 90 minutes whatever I put my headphones in. I look at him and I go just jack me open. I'm going to sleep and they put like this rubber. Like, I don't know what they call it like a jet like a wedge in your mouth to hold your mouth open because I'm not going to be able to hold low myself because I'm Daddy going by by I'm taking the that I lay down. I actually I get like the I feel them like shaking my shoulder to wake me up and I'm like, Oh, we're done.
Speaker 1 49:35
Yeah, you know, I get it. I've got some clients like that. I'm like, couldn't be me. But like, again, more people. Like yesterday.
Scott Benner 49:44
Would you say that people sleep through a tattoo?
Speaker 1 49:47
Oh, yeah, for sure. Like people. I mean, they don't like go to sleep. But you can tell they're in that very comfortable, like meditative state where like, you know, you just kind of gotta like, shake them up and be like, hey, you know we're finished up here. Yeah, what's
Scott Benner 50:00
your line racist stuff? Like, yeah, somebody came in and wanted something like oddly like, just offensive. You'd be like, I'm not doing that. Yeah,
Speaker 1 50:10
no way. Like I even like, even like borderline stuff of like, I'm not I'm not doing a confederate flag. I'm not doing any of that
Scott Benner 50:17
kind of stuff. Let's be honest. You're in Buffalo someone's asked for that, right?
Speaker 1 50:20
Oh, yeah, for sure. I luckily I've made my studio like, pretty loudly known, like, you know, there's stuff on the door like, Don't come in here. You're gonna be you know, racist or homophobic or sex like any of that stuff. Like, yeah, don't be Don't be weird. And you know, that's Don't
Scott Benner 50:40
be weird. We can get through this. Yeah, exactly. You charge by the, by the time it takes or by the intricacy of the piece, or do you just charge as much as you think you can get away with.
Speaker 1 50:50
So it's kind of tough. So I since I've been doing this for so long, and I have had a lot of like, street shop experience. My studio is kind of like a hybrid studio. So although we take walk ins, we also are mostly by appointment only. Right now, I do charge hourly. But it's really tough because I'm a really fast tattooer. So, you know, for example, these people will come in and be like, Alright, we're going to start a sleeve. And I'm like, outlining a whole sleeve and like four hours. And, you know, I'm sure my clients are like loving that, that they're getting, you know, a lesser, lesser, expensive experience. You know, there's there's certain things where I'm like, Okay, I know, this only took us three hours, but you need to pay for the, for the fact that, you know, I scheduled you all day for this. So it I think it needs to turn into like, almost like you can either pay hourly for this, or, you know, let's discuss what this is going to look like as a flat rate. Because
Scott Benner 51:44
May I make a suggestion? Yeah, hourly with a minimum of and then you and you add the minimum then so you look at the piece and you say, look, I gotta make $500 Here, or I'm screwing myself. So it's our, you're gonna pay my hourly rate, but it's a minimum of this many hours. I don't know how much you get an hour, but then it's a minimum of this many hours. If I get it done sooner. That doesn't matter. You're still paying the minimum. That's how yeah, see? That's brilliant. That's what I would do. Okay, I'm glad I can help today. Yeah, control IQ. How long have you been using it?
Speaker 1 52:19
Oh, this is my fourth year with it. I briefly switched to Omni pod for a little while. And this This is like, hilarious. But scary story. I went to my enduro and what I went on to Omnipod. And I was like, you know, very excited about it being to Bliss wanted to give it a try. And I remember sitting with her and setting it up and she goes, she goes, we don't need to put the safety on this. Like you've been doing this for so long. I'm sure you got this. And I was like, Yeah, you're right. You know what, I got this. And I'll never forget it. I sat down at dinner. I typed in 15 units. And of course it was it was supposed to be 15 grams of carbohydrate.
Scott Benner 52:54
Hey, give yourself 15 units that said,
Speaker 1 52:57
Yep, so it was it was exactly, you know, I'm looking down my sugar's 140. And, you know, I've got 15 active units in and I'm, like, you know, immediately panicking, you know, and I, I went to like, the local hospital, and I'm like, Hey, like, I need to do something. Now. I don't like I don't know what to do. And I'm just watching my Dexcom like, go from like, you know, slightly dropping to, like, double dropping. And I remember the, the hospital front desk was like, well, here's a sandwich and an apple. And I'm like, Oh, that's not going to be enough
Scott Benner 53:34
for too far into this now. But um, why did you not man, I asked, like, why did you not just take your insulin to carb ratio and figure out how many carbs you needed to combat the 15 units?
Speaker 1 53:43
Hey, you know what, I don't know. I think it was just like, I was out. And I was I was I was with some friends. And I was just like, being, you know, kind of like careless with it. And I was like, oh, you know, like, in the middle of dinner, having a conversation and, you know, I'm drinking a cocktail to on top of it. And I, you know, I was just getting lost in the sauce. And I, I just, you know, typed in 15 You know, like, I normally would on my other pump. And I just, yeah, immediately, immediately made a mistake. And I was like, oh, no, you
Scott Benner 54:11
end up in the hospital because by the time you pulled yourself together to do something, it was kind of too late to do anything else.
Speaker 1 54:16
Yeah. So I actually walked out of the hospital and I had a friend who is also type one, and she also tattoos and she, she put me on to those. It's I guess, a glucagon that like is like, the powder that you can like put back so yes, yeah. Yeah. And that honestly saved my life. You know, I grabbed that. I went around and got some juice and my partner and I, we called an ambulance and the ambulance just kind of sat with us and I really didn't have to do much and that that immediately took care of everything. I think I got to like 50 It was pretty quick and then I took that and it just turned it right around. And I'm so lucky I had that on me and my you know on my health insurance didn't cover that I paid out of pocket for it. But I'm fairly happy I got that. Because, you know, who knows what happened, I probably would have ended up in the hospital and they would have been a big thing. And yeah,
Scott Benner 55:11
you know, I'm proud. I'm proud of you for having me, especially if you have to pay cash for it. Because it's a, it's a thing that, you know, people are like, Oh, I'm never gonna need it. But you know, it's like a seatbelt when you need it. You're, you don't have time to put it on later. It's like you have to have it. Ready to go. Yeah, in the moment. I'm not coming down on you here. But what's your insulin to carb ratio?
Speaker 1 55:30
So right now it's every 10 unit, or any every 10 grams is one unit. With that
Scott Benner 55:35
math, you would have needed 150 carbs to combat the 15 unit Bolus.
Unknown Speaker 55:39
Yep. And that would have been really hard.
Scott Benner 55:44
Are you tiny person? Yeah.
Speaker 1 55:45
I'm not a tiny person. But I don't have a huge appetite.
Scott Benner 55:49
Not a big eater.
Speaker 1 55:50
I just feel like, you know, it would have been like, I don't even know I would have had to been having some like, super bad food.
Scott Benner 55:57
Oh, you would have needed like a would you have needed like one of those iced coffees with like caramel in it and a slice of pizza that might have done it for you at that ratio?
Speaker 1 56:08
Like, IV drip of like regular Mountain Dew.
Scott Benner 56:15
Regular Mountain Dew in a long time?
Speaker 1 56:17
God, yeah. Yeah. So like I said, I was, I was lucky to have that, you know, again, I grew up with the, with the red one where you had to like, it was like a manual shot. And I've never used that knock on wood. And that was my only time and my entire life that I had to do something like that. And after that happened, I was like, I'm going back to my tandem pump.
Scott Benner 56:40
So that's interesting, though, because it didn't really have anything to do with a different pump. It had to do with your, like, uncomfortable, like Miss with a newer pump. And you're exactly nurse practitioner who for some reason didn't think safety settings were important, right? But because what's your biggest Bolus? Usually?
Speaker 1 56:55
It's a little bit tough for me because again, I don't really eat too too much. Mostly my meals are around, like 30 to 40 grams.
Scott Benner 57:04
Oh, so you only use like three or four units at the most? Yes. Oh, 15 must have scared the king out of you. Yeah, yeah, I get it now.
Speaker 1 57:12
Never seen those numbers. Okay. I'm horrified. Yeah, like double digit numbers. I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm gonna
Scott Benner 57:22
like, Oh, I just killed myself say Goodbye, everybody. Yeah, no, no, I get
Speaker 1 57:26
I remember. Like, I looked down. And again, I was like, my friend was like, Hey, are you okay? And I was like, Oh, no.
Scott Benner 57:35
And she has type one as well.
Speaker 1 57:37
No, no, I literally, that wasn't the person that was Yeah, I was just with some of my friends. The other person I was talking about was someone who was like, Hey, you should carry these around on nice. And I'm, I'm happy because my my doctors didn't tell me that was even an option that I could get those things. You know, they just had prescribed me again that like syringe method.
Scott Benner 57:56
Yeah. Which by the way, you're never gonna get to use one of those because if I think I'm right that next month they're done. I think eel I think Lily stopping making them. Like this year.
Unknown Speaker 58:07
I'm pretty like switching over
Scott Benner 58:09
I think Lily is getting out of the game. Oh, wow. She voc hypo pen back shimmy. I think those are the two retail versions at this point. There might be another mixed one like, like the red box still from another company. But I think it's one of those competent, maybe Novo makes one. But I think they're just not common. People don't have them. I think they'll get overtaken in the market as my expectation. So I think I think you're gonna see nasal like, powder or heipo. Pen, one of the one of the two. Yeah, you know what, I can't believe I haven't asked you in an hour. Two things. One of the things I'll ask you in a second, but the one I can't believe I haven't asked you is I actually have an episode with a paramedic, I think because I at one point, like people love to share their diabetes tattoos online. I'm sure you're aware of that. And oh, yeah. Yeah. And it's cool. Like, you know, like, I think some of them have some really great tattoos, but some of them are counting on their tattoos as an indicator to paramedics or, you know, medical people that they have type one diabetes. And I thought, I wonder if that's really a good idea. So this paramedic on, and she said, we are trained not to look at that stuff. And I was like, oh, okay, and she told me if I remember the episode correctly, it's jewelry around your wrist mostly is the best place maybe a necklace, but you could have, hey, I have type one diabetes written on your forearm and a paramedic might never look at it. Yeah. So do you know that and you tell people that I've
Speaker 1 59:40
actually like never weirdly had anybody come in to get any sort of like medical it tattoo. But I know that people do get them. But I didn't know that. paramedics were trained to not look at it. I guess I can understand probably why because what if it was a tattoo for someone else? Yeah, and you know, what if they treat you for something you don't have, I guess, you know?
Scott Benner 1:00:08
I know what you're saying you're like, you're like, oh, no, we can't do anything this this lady has blah, blah, blah, you're like, No, that's actually that was for her sister. And no, no, I got you know, yeah, I forget her exact explanation, but she said, do not count on tattoos to be seen by, by emergency services people. I was like, Oh, no kidding. Yeah. Okay.
Speaker 1 1:00:28
I believe that. I, you know, and again, too, I weirdly don't I like I said, I'm covered head to toe. And I don't have anything like that. And I also don't wear anything. I mean, I know I have my phone and stuff like that, that has that option and stuff. And I have, you know, my pump and stuff like that on my arms. But yeah, that's so that's so strange. I didn't even I didn't even think about that. But I have seen them. I've you know, I'm in a lot of the groups online and stuff like that. And, you know, people will definitely have them, but if they do, I'm gonna let them know that. So
Scott Benner 1:00:59
you said you're covered head to toe? Yep. And do you? Have you it sounds like you're dating. But I feel like I heard you say partner at some point. But have you ever had an experience where like a potential mate was either turned on or turned off by them?
Speaker 1 1:01:15
Yeah, definitely. I think it's like, sought out sometimes. And vice versa. You know, there's, there's tons of things like, a lot of people don't like tattoos, for personal reasons, or religious reasons and stuff like that. I think like, you know, my partner is also really covered in tattoos. She's not a tattoo artist, but she has a bunch of tattoos on her. And I think, I don't know, it's so strange, because I feel like I live in my, my small bubble, and I hang out with other tattoo artists, and I'm at my studio all day. And if I leave, I go do a guest spot around other tattoo artists. So to me, we all kind of like, look the same. You know, I'll go out in public in certain places. If I go to dinner, or I'm traveling or something like that, I realized quickly how tattooed I am. I'm like, Oh, wow. You know, my, my world is, you know, I've created my world in this way. But I realized pretty quickly, you know that I look different than a lot of the other people around, you know, I face tattoos. And you know, my neck is tattooed. And my hands are tattooed. Even if I'm really covered up and stuff at home people, people see them. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:02:22
it's interesting when it's your world, you don't think anything of it. And but I just saw a meme the other day, that was basically it was it was not basically this is what it was this guy with like, all these kind of like, I'm gonna tell you they were bad face tattoos. And the top of the meme it said something like in 1986 This was a crackhead. And then on the bottom, the same picture and it says in 2023 This is a famous singing artist. Yeah. And I was like, Oh, that's right.
Speaker 1 1:02:52
Oh, 100% It's so strange. And like, even when I started tattooing, like, you did not tattoo your hands, face and neck that was like, you know, like moral that was even taught on to me, you know, if someone, the young kid comes into my studio, who doesn't have a career that is, you know, something in the arts, you know, I'm probably not going to slap a big tattoo on the side of their face, like, you know, I'm not, I'm here to kind of honor these people. And not that I'm here to tell anybody what, what to do, or, you know, dictate their body and anything like that. But, you know, I have to kind of be almost like a gatekeeper in that sense. And, you know, it's like, again, I'm not here to, like, tell anybody anything, but, you know, I don't want to put something on someone that they're going to regret or like, a bad job, you know, so, yeah, you know, the person who's like coming in, and like, hey, I want my brand new girlfriend's name on the top of my eyebrow. I'm like, yeah, it's not happening, you know, from just having them think a little extra step on that hand tattoo that they think they want so badly.
Scott Benner 1:03:51
Also, there's a lot of, I was gonna say, there's places you can't really do tattoos because they were off like, you can't do the soul of your foot. But first of all, it feels like I think that that would really hurt. But like, if you did that, like, wouldn't the skin just regenerate so quickly that it would go away eventually. And isn't that true on like, your palms, your hands and other places, too?
Speaker 1 1:04:08
Yeah. So I actually have my palms done, and they stay. So there is a way to getting them in. And it's basically like, you know, we call it sewing it in. And it's it's essentially almost like a controlled blowout. So it's really horrible to receive getting done, and they don't always stay. You know, everyone's body metabolizes things differently. Interesting. So that's why you see in tattooing a lot of different like, gimmicky stuff. That doesn't make sense. Like there's creams that can remove your tattoos and it's just like, scientifically, not even possible, right? So, like, stuff like that, like, you know, getting it to stay like yeah, you can get a palm tattoo or maybe a tattoo on the bottom, but that might require you to go through and do it in multiple sessions. So the body can like build up that ink that like, you know, each time it's almost like another layer that can left. But luckily for me, you know, when I did my my palms and my hands and stuff like that, it stayed the first time. You know, I didn't have to go back to do it. But it was, it was horrible to get and like my healing sucks 10 times worse than like a regular person just from being a type one diabetic. So, you know, there's been tattoos I've gotten through the years that just haven't been super great to heal. And even to this day, the one area that like I don't have tattooed are the tops of my feet. And that's just because I'm so nervous about, you know, just the potential risk of that.
Scott Benner 1:05:34
Have you noticed healing? Does it change when you're a one sees more stable and lower? Yeah, definitely.
Speaker 1 1:05:40
Yeah. And since again, like the control IQ technology and the, you know, having the pump and stuff like that, like my agency has dropped, like, almost, you know, perfect range. So like, I'm like, Okay, I'm getting all the tattoos I like, you know, have like, considered not getting. I have, like, you know, some challenging areas. But, yeah,
Scott Benner 1:06:00
my first idea for a tattoo was to have the soul of a sneaker tattooed on the bottom of my foot.
Speaker 1 1:06:04
Oh, my goodness, yeah, it would hurt.
Scott Benner 1:06:07
I said, I was like, I said, like, I hear my ideas. And when I say that, when he goes, You don't do that. And I was like, Okay, that'll hurt a lot. And I was like, Okay, so, but and he's, but it was my first like, odd thought. I was like, what if I put the soul of a sneaker at the bottom? I thought that'd be weird. But I don't know. Like, I just don't have like, I don't think I'm a person who looks like they have tattoos. First of all, like, like, yeah, you know what I mean? Like, I just I'm not I definitely I don't I shouldn't say I think I don't look, I know I don't look like somebody who has tattoos. So often when people see them, they're kind of like, stunned that I have them at all. And I have a giant like circuit board on my shoulder. Yeah, that looks like it's like under the skin kind of feeling like it looks like the skins burned around it. And it's like exposing this hole in my shoulder. That's a circuit board. If you told me to go get another tattoo right now. I would never be able to i There's no way I would think of anything except like my kids names. Yeah. And if you asked me, Hey, here's your tattoos that you've been living with for 33 years. Would you get them again? I'd be like, yeah, probably not. Because I'm different. It's really, really interesting. Hey, if I came into you, and I said, I want authentic prison tattoos. Could you make them look like prison tattoos? Sure.
Speaker 1 1:07:19
Yeah. I mean, that's, that's like definitely a style. Is it? Really, you know, just, yeah, absolutely. There's all different types of that, you know, there's, like, if you wanted them to look really like they're like sticking poked in, you know, that's, that's definitely a style or if you're like, I want that like, single needle fine line, like, you know, full black and gray back piece with like, prison imagery. You could do that, too. So yeah, definitely.
Scott Benner 1:07:48
How many times have you tattooed the word Metallica on somebody?
Speaker 1 1:07:51
I think maybe twice. Not too bad. No. In my town, we had like mandatory Metallica from like five to six on the radio growing up. So we have lots of Metallica fans here.
Scott Benner 1:08:06
The little Ride the Lightning guy with the electric and is here. You must have done one of those.
Speaker 1 1:08:10
Right? Yeah. Yep. With the like. Yes.
Scott Benner 1:08:14
Yeah, no, you're exactly and I think the same thing. I just want to say before I forget episode 387 with ginger Lok, who's a paramedic called somebody called 911. And it's all about how she identifies type ones in emergency situations. So it's actually really cool. But anyway, okay, so Jessica, I got fascinated by talking to you about your tattoos and everything and your job. So is there anything about diabetes in general that we didn't talk about that you wanted to bring up today?
Speaker 1 1:08:40
I don't think so. Yeah, I feel like we nailed all the points which is just like yeah, like what it was like working you know with it before and you know, the format was so awesome to know because I had no idea so yeah, I feel like there's tons of really great things in here shared so Oh, I
Scott Benner 1:08:56
do I really do. Do you want to share your your shop or a handle online where people could find your anything?
Speaker 1 1:09:01
Yeah, definitely. All my stuff is just through my Instagram. So if you go to it's at Jess Fox tattoos, you can find all my stuff there and there's like, links with everything. You can see my work.
Scott Benner 1:09:13
Alright, I'm gonna look at it right now on che e ss Fox. I wish I wasn't able to say this, but I'm so pleased with myself that I spelled tattoos correctly. I can't even because there's something about the Double T and the double O that I just my brains like No, no, you're doing it wrong. But I gotta write on the first shot. I just want to say that oh, this one so I
Speaker 1 1:09:33
get that all the time. Like when I'm like paying a bill or like giving my email to like, where they're like always spelling it wrong. So you did great.
Scott Benner 1:09:42
And I was really pleased with myself then I so much so that I said it that the tattoo with the girl with the rows in her hair. Is that somebody specific or is it just art? It's actually
Speaker 1 1:09:51
based off a sculpture. So it was like a pose from a sculpture and then yeah, just like a flower with like a little like ornamental thing on the bottom and that's I. So if you look at most of my works like a lot of like, dark art and black and gray, but as of recently, I've been having a lot of fun dipping my foot into like, color new Neo traditional. So it's
Scott Benner 1:10:13
also very smart of you to take video of them because until art and started in art school, I didn't realize that being sent like a static flat image of something really is not the same as even just somebody taking a camera and just kind of rolling it around a little bit. So you can see a little more like from different perspectives. When she was gone the first time I remember her sending a picture of something. And when she brought it home, I was like, oh my god, it looks so much different in person than it did it like statically and I anyway, so that was cool the way you were doing it with a camera right. Thank you, actually. Oh, look at all this. You're terrific. Good for you. This is wonderful.
Unknown Speaker 1:10:47
Thank you. I appreciate that.
Scott Benner 1:10:48
Do you still use deodorant to pull the ink off of the paper of the tracing paper? Yeah,
Speaker 1 1:10:54
so it's definitely like it's the same stuff but formulated just in a more like sterile way. So yeah, like a Speed Stick? Absolutely.
Scott Benner 1:11:08
No, I remember the first time it happened to me. I was like what's going on right now?
Speaker 1 1:11:13
Yep. This one? Yeah. Look at you. Just put up fancy label on it. And so
Scott Benner 1:11:20
is the girl with the with the snake on her leg? Is that is that the girl you're with? Are you just posing with something you did? Hands
Unknown Speaker 1:11:28
on? What photo? If it was like
Scott Benner 1:11:31
the stairs? She's going up the stairs? You're sitting seated on the stairs? Yeah, yeah, that's my partner. Oh, lovely. Oh, look, did you do this work on her or no,
Speaker 1 1:11:39
this snake I didn't. But the other leg we just started like this year. So we're in the middle of kind of like working on a really huge leg sleeve.
Scott Benner 1:11:45
Interesting. Oh, this is like the dating equivalent of making somebody pregnant. They can't get away from you after you've done something like this to them.
Unknown Speaker 1:11:52
That's right.
Scott Benner 1:11:54
Like, you can wave if you want. But every time you look at your leg, you're gonna remember me. Oh, my God. All right. Well, I really do appreciate you doing this. Can I ask you one last question? What made you want to come on the podcast? Yeah,
Speaker 1 1:12:08
I love all your work. And like I said, I travel a lot for work. So a lot of the times, like, you know, I feel like a lot of diabetes education comes from other people and just like different experiences that they have gone through. And, you know, there's been things that I've dealt with like, specifically, like I was having a lot of stomach issues for a little while. And that's like, how I found you folks, and just hearing your stories, and everything you are going through as a parent and stuff like that. And it's been so helpful for me again, and learning all different types of stuff that like, you know, I was like, Man, I would love to talk to you someday. So wow, that's
Scott Benner 1:12:42
so nice to have you. Well, first of all, just let me tell you this before I answer my follow up, my is my follow up question. My wife just texted me. I was pizza for lunch. I'm going to assume she said, Man, I want pizza for lunch. And I've responded right now. I was a monkey in my dream. Let her try to figure out why the hell I said that. Okay. Oh, could we call your episode I was a monkey nuts too long. So what was wrong with your stomach? You were having digestive issues? Yeah,
Speaker 1 1:13:10
I don't know. It was really strange. I, I took a trip to Iceland. And it was like, super awesome. I came home and like for six months, I had really bad stomach issues. And my doctor was like, you must have got something from there. Like, you know, it had to have been from there had to been from there. And it was like, every time I ate just everything was like really horrible. And it was just like the blanket statements all the time. Like, must be you know, gastritis or guest to processor. Yeah. And nothing was helpful. And then you had a episode on here with a couple of different things. It was like supplements. I can't remember what it was like,
Scott Benner 1:13:51
supplements or something like that. Right? That episode. Yeah. Yep.
Speaker 1 1:13:55
And I did that. And it was actually incredibly helpful. And then you had a couple and like, I had been going for months seeing specialist and everything and like nothing was helping me and it was like, Okay, I need to talk to somebody who like, maybe understands it in a way that like, you know, what I deal with on a day to day basis? Because it just was yeah, it like the the whole situation that I was going through with them. They were just kind of just prescribed me like, here's an antacid try that. Here's this try that and like nothing was helping. And I was like, I think this, like there's a root of this problem. You know,
Scott Benner 1:14:32
I'll get a guy on a podcast to help me. Right? Yeah. And it's like
Speaker 1 1:14:36
so crazy because I was just like, you know, I was like, Well, what I what else do I have to lose? Like, you know, I can take a supplement. Maybe my stomach's gonna hurt. Who cares? My stomach already hurts. Yeah.
Scott Benner 1:14:45
What would you do magnesium? Yep. digestive enzyme.
Speaker 1 1:14:50
Yeah, it was the one I'll never forget it because it tastes horrible is the won't the bore bile in it?
Scott Benner 1:14:56
Oh, yeah. You're not supposed to smell them sweetheart. Any your way you Get your mouth real good throw it and just boom knock it back as fast as possible yeah they put up yeah poop in them there's poop in them so
Speaker 1 1:15:09
so whatever bacteria or whatever we I put back into my stomach I think it just totally made everything better and the whole time I was like there's no way I picked up anything and like another like country like it just you know it wasn't like I was having all this exotic food.
Scott Benner 1:15:23
Maybe your digestion slowed down or something but although I did Google Reiki avec food poisoning and there's a lot on Reddit so maybe so maybe Iceland issues urgent warning as frozen frozen items so there's a lot don't Google right here Vic food poisoning because you're gonna see that maybe maybe something you ate killed the your gut bacteria or something like
Speaker 1 1:15:46
that? Yeah, yeah, it could have been so I'm gonna
Scott Benner 1:15:49
do so much more around some supplements in the coming months. My hardest problem to defeat is to get a quiz I either have to have the experience on my own enough that I'm comfortable speaking about it, or I need to get somebody on it knows what they're talking about. But there's so much bro science around supplements that it's hard to know if people really know what they're talking about. Or if they've Googled something and now they're trying to make money off of people. So it's, it's a hard thing to talk about, but it's right here on my whiteboard. Where's my whiteboard scatterbrained ideas, do a series called bitch sessions where I have type ones come on, and give each 110 minutes to complain about diabetes. That's one of my ideas. I love that it's gonna be great. By the way, no one steal that. Because if I see I hear this on another podcast, I'm going to clip your podcast I'm gonna put my audio of me saying on it. I'm gonna call you out on why. And then I have like Grand Rounds. We're working on that now. But supplements and nutrition is on my list with like a big line underneath of it. Because I know if you get if you get good information, it can really help you. So anyway, I'm glad you found it and that it was helpful and thanks for sticking around and continue to listen. I appreciate that too.
Unknown Speaker 1:16:57
Yeah, absolutely.
Scott Benner 1:16:59
Oh, hold on a second for me.
A huge thanks to touch by type one. Don't forget to head to touched by type one.org and get your free tickets to the big event. Touched by type one.org. Today's episode of The Juicebox Podcast is sponsored by the Dexcom g7 Which now integrates with a tandem T slim x two system. Learn more and get started today at dexcom.com/juicebox. Jaylen is an incredible example of what so many experience living with diabetes, you show up for yourself and others every day, never letting diabetes to find you. And that is what the Medtronic champion community is all about. Each of us is strong and together, we're even stronger. To hear more stories from the Medtronic champion community or to share your own story, visit Medtronic diabetes.com/juicebox And look out online for the hashtag Medtronic champion. Thank you so much for listening. I hope you enjoy my full conversation with Jalen coming up in just a moment. Thanks for hanging out until the end. Now you're gonna hear my entire conversation with Jalen don't forget Medtronic diabetes.com/juice box or the hashtag Medtronic champion on your favorite social media platform.
Speaker 2 1:18:18
My name is Jalen Mayfield. I am 29 years old. I live in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, where I am originally from Waynesboro, Mississippi. So I've kind of traveled all over. I've just landed here in the Midwest and haven't left since
Scott Benner 1:18:33
ice. How old were you when you were diagnosed with type one diabetes?
Speaker 2 1:18:35
I was 14 years old when I was diagnosed with type one diabetes
Scott Benner 1:18:40
15 years ago. Wow. Yes. Okay. 14 years old. What do you like? Do you remember what grade you were in?
Speaker 2 1:18:45
I actually do because we we have like an eighth grade promotion. So I had just had a great promotion. So I was going straight into high school. So it was a summer heading into high school
Scott Benner 1:18:54
was that particularly difficult going into high school with this new thing?
Speaker 2 1:18:57
I it was unimaginable. You know, I missed my entire summer. So I went to I was going to a brand new school with, you know, our community, we brought three different schools together. So I was around a bunch of new people that I had not been going to school with. So it was hard trying to balance that while also explaining to people what type one diabetes was,
Scott Benner 1:19:18
did you even know or were you just learning at the same time? I
Speaker 2 1:19:21
honestly was learning at the same time, my hometown did not have an endocrinologist. So I was traveling almost over an hour to the nearest you know, pediatrician, like endocrinologist for children. So you know, I outside of that I didn't have any type of support in my hometown.
Scott Benner 1:19:39
Was there any expectation of diabetes? Is somebody else in your family have type one? No, I
Unknown Speaker 1:19:43
was the first one to have type one in my family.
Scott Benner 1:19:45
And do you have children now? I do not know. Do you think you will one day, still
Speaker 2 1:19:50
gonna validate but right now I've just been traveling books at all my career myself. So
Scott Benner 1:19:55
what do you do? What's your career? Yeah, so
Speaker 2 1:19:58
I am a marketing leasings specialist for a student housing company. So we oversee about 90 properties throughout the US. So I've been working for them for about
Scott Benner 1:20:06
eight years now. And you get to travel a lot in that job. Yes,
Speaker 2 1:20:10
I experience a lot of travel. It's fun, but also difficult, especially with all your type one diabetes supplies, and all your electronics. So it's a bit of a hassle sometimes. What
Scott Benner 1:20:20
do you find that you absolutely need with you while you're traveling? diabetes wise,
Speaker 2 1:20:24
I have learned my biggest thing I need is some type of glucose. I have experienced lows, whether that's on a flight traveling, walking through the airport, and I used to always experience just being nervous to ask for some type of snack or anything. So I just felt, I felt like I needed to always have something on me. And that has made it my travel a lot easier.
Scott Benner 1:20:46
So growing up in the small town, what was your initial challenge during diagnosis? And what other challenges did you find along the way?
Speaker 2 1:20:56
Yeah, I think the initial one, I felt isolated, I had no one to talk to that it was experiencing what I was going through, you know, they were people would say, Oh, I know, this is like hard for you. But I was like, you really don't like I, I just felt lonely. I didn't know you know, people were watching everything I did. He was like, You can't eat this, you can't eat that. I felt like all of my childhood had been, you know, I don't even remember what it was like for life before diabetes at this point, because I felt like that's the only thing I could focus on was trying to do a life with type one diabetes, when
Scott Benner 1:21:31
you found yourself misunderstood? Did you try to explain to people or did you find it easier just to stay private?
Speaker 2 1:21:38
I honestly I just held back I didn't really like talking about it. It was just it felt like it was just an repeating record where I was saying things and people weren't understanding it. And I also was still in the process of learning it. So I just, you know, kept it to myself didn't really talk about it when I absolutely had to,
Scott Benner 1:21:55
did you eventually find people in real life that you could confide in.
Speaker 2 1:21:59
I think I never really got the experience until after getting to college. And then once I graduated college, and moving to an even bigger town, that's what I finally found out was people were I was like, Okay, there's a lot of other people that have type one diabetes. And you know, there's a community out there, which I had never experienced before, is
Scott Benner 1:22:21
college where you met somebody with diabetes for the first time, or just where you met more people with different ways of thinking. So
Speaker 2 1:22:27
I met my first person with diabetes, actually, my freshman year of high school, there was only one other person. And he had had it since he was a kid like young once this was like, maybe born, or like right after that timeframe. So that was the only other person I knew until I got to college. And I started meeting other people, I was a member of the band, and I was an RA. So I was like, Okay, there's, you know, there's a small handful of people also at my university. But then, once I moved to, I moved to St. Louis. And a lot of my friends I met were like med students, and they were young professionals. And that's where I started really getting involved with one of my really close friends to this day. He was also type one diabetic. And I was like, that's who introduced me to all these different types of communities and technologies, and which is really what helped jumpstart my learning more in depth with type one diabetes.
Scott Benner 1:23:18
Do you think I mean, there was that one person in high school, but you were young? Do you really think you were ready to build a relationship and around diabetes? Or did you even know the reason why that would be important at the time?
Speaker 2 1:23:30
I didn't, you know, I honestly didn't think about it, I just was i Oh, there's another person in my class that's kind of going through the same thing as I am. But they've also had it a lot longer than I have. So they kind of got it down. They don't really talk about it. And I was like, Well, I don't really have much to, like, connect with them. So sorry. Connect with them all. Yeah,
Scott Benner 1:23:50
no. So now once your world expands as far as different people, different backgrounds, different places in college, you see the need to connect in real life, but there's still only a few people, but there's still value in that. Right? Correct. What do you think that value was at the time?
Speaker 2 1:24:05
I think it was just what making me feel like I was just a normal person. I just wanted that. And I just, I needed to know that. Like, you know, there was other people out there with type one diabetes experiencing the same type of, you know, thoughts that I was
Scott Benner 1:24:20
having. When were you first introduced to the Medtronic champions community? Yeah.
Speaker 2 1:24:25
So about two years ago, I was, you know, becoming more I was looking around and I noticed stumbled upon the Medtronic community. And I was like, this is something I really really I kind of need, you know, I said I, all throughout these years, I was, you know, afraid to show my pump. You couldn't I would wear long sleeves. Like I didn't want people to see my CGM because I didn't want people to ask me questions. And you know, I just felt so uncomfortable. And then I noticed seeing these people really, in the Medtronic community just they embraced it. You could see them they weren't afraid to show it and that was something I was really like. came forward to
Scott Benner 1:25:00
how is it knowing that your diabetes technology is such an important part of your health and your care? And having to hide it? What did it feel like to have to hide that diabetes technology? And how did it feel to be able to kind of let it go,
Speaker 2 1:25:13
I refuse to go anywhere, like, Hey, I would run to the bathroom, I just didn't want to do it in public, because I felt like people were watching me. And that was just one of the hardest things I was trying to overcome. You know, I was fresh out of college, going into the professional world. So you know, going out on work events and things like that. I just, I just didn't think I just didn't think to have it out. Because I was so afraid. But then, once I did start, you know, embracing again and showing it that's when the curiosity came. And it was actually genuine questions and people wanting to know more about the equipment that I'm on, and how does this work? And what does this mean? And things like that, which made it kind of inspired me? Because I was like, Okay, people actually do want to understand what I'm experiencing with type one diabetes.
Scott Benner 1:25:58
What did you experience when, when the internet came into play? And now suddenly as easy as a hashtag, and you can meet all these other people who are living with diabetes as well? Can you tell me how that is? Either different or valuable? I guess, compared to meeting a few people in real life?
Speaker 2 1:26:15
Absolutely. I think if you look back from when I was first diagnosed to now, you, I would have never thought of like, you know, searching anything for someone with, you know, a type one diabetes. And now it's like, it's all I see, you know, you can easily search Medtronic champions, and you see people that pop up, and you're like, wow, look at all this content. And I think that's something that, that kind of just motivates me, and which is how I've kind of came out of my shell and started embracing more and posting more on my social media with about, you know, how I live with type one diabetes. And I think that's something that I hope can inspire everyone else. What
Scott Benner 1:26:50
was it like having more personal intimate relationships in college with type one,
Speaker 2 1:26:54
I think it was kind of hard to explain, you know, just, for example, like, no one really knows, it understands, like what alo is. And I think that was a very hard thing for me to explain, like I, you know, it can happen in any moment. And I'm sweating. I'm just really like, not all there. And I'm trying to explain, like, Hey, this is what's going on, I need your help. And I think that was something that was hard for me to, you know, I did talk to people about it. So when this happened, they were like, oh, you know, what's going on with your mate? I'm actually a type one diabetic? This is what's going on? I need your help. What about?
Scott Benner 1:27:32
Once you've had an experience like that in front of someone? Was it always bonding? Or did it ever have people kind of step back and be maybe more leery of your relationship? After
Speaker 2 1:27:45
I would tell someone I had type one diabetes after some type of event or anything like they were kind of more upset with me that I didn't tell them up front? Because they were like, you know, I care about you, as a person I would have loved to knowing this about you. It's not anything you should have to hide from me. And that was a lot of the realization that I was going through with a lot of people.
Scott Benner 1:28:02
Okay, let me ask you this. And now we talked about what it was like to be low, and to have that more kind of emergent situation. But what about when your blood sugar has been high or stubborn? And you're not thinking correctly, but it's not as obvious maybe to you or to them? Yeah.
Speaker 2 1:28:17
So I also I go through my same experiences when I have high blood sugars, you know, I can tell like, for my co workers, for example, I didn't really talk to you know, when I go out backtrack, when I visit multiple sites for work, I usually don't announce it. And so sometimes, I'm working throughout the day, I might have snapped, forgot to take some insulin, and my blood sugar is running high, and I'm a little bit more irritable, I'm all over the place. And I'm like, let me stop. Hey, guys, I need to like take some insulin, and I'm sorry, I'm not I didn't tell you guys. I'm a diabetic. So you may be wondering why I'm kind of just a little bit snippy, you know, so I like to make sure I do that now going forward, because that's something I noticed. And it was kind of hindering me in my career because I was, you know, getting irritable, because I'm working nonstop. And I'm forgetting to take a step back and focus on my diabetes,
Scott Benner 1:29:08
right? Hey, with the advent of new technologies, like Medtronic, CGM and other diabetes technology, can you tell me how that's improved your life and those interactions with people? Yeah, I
Speaker 2 1:29:19
can. I feel confident knowing that it's working in the background as someone and I always at least said it I have been showing that's really bad with counting my carbs. So sometimes I kind of undershoot because I'm scared, but it allows me to just know that, hey, it's gonna it's got my back if I forget something, and I think that allows me to have a quick, have a quick lunch, and then I'm able to get back into the work day because it's such a fast paced industry that I work in. So sometimes it is easy to forget. And so I love that I have that system that's keeping track of everything for me.
Scott Benner 1:29:52
Let me ask you one last question. When you have interactions online with other people who have type one diabetes, what social means Do you find the most valuable for you personally? Like what platforms? Do you see the most people and have the most good interactions on?
Speaker 2 1:30:08
Yeah, I've honestly I've had tremendous interactions on Instagram. That's where I've kind of seen a lot of other diabetics reach out to me and ask me questions, I comment and be like, Hey, you're experiencing this too. But I've recently also been seeing tic TOCs. And, you know, finding on that side of it, I didn't, you know, see the videos and upload videos, and I'm like, I would love to do stuff like that, but I just never had the courage. So I'm seeing people make like, just the fun engagement videos now, which I love, you know, really bringing that awareness to diabetes.
Scott Benner 1:30:38
Isn't it interesting? Maybe you don't know this, but there's some sort of an age cut off somewhere where there is an entire world of people with type one diabetes existing on Facebook, that don't go into Tik Tok or Instagram and vice versa. Yeah. And I do think it's pretty broken down by, you know, when that platform was most popular for those people by age, but your younger people, I'm acting like, I'm 100 years old, but younger people seem to enjoy video more. Yes,
Speaker 2 1:31:05
I think it's just because it's something you see. And so it's like, and I think that one thing, and obviously has a big stereotype around diabetes is you don't like you have diabetes. And that's something I always face. And so when I see other people that are just, you know, normal, everyday people, and I'm like, they have type one diabetes, just like me, they're literally living their life having fun. That's just something you'd want to see. Because you don't get to see people living their everyday lives with diabetes. I think that's something I've really enjoyed.
Scott Benner 1:31:34
What are your health goals? That when you go to the endocrinologist, and you make a plan for the next few months, what are you hoping to achieve? And where do you struggle? And where do you see your successes, I'll
Speaker 2 1:31:45
be honest, I was not someone who is, you know, involved with my diabetes, I wasn't really focused on my health. And that was something that, you know, you go into an endocrinologist, and you get these results back. And it's not what you want to hear. It makes you nervous, it makes you scared. And so I have personally for myself, you know, I was like, This is my chance, this is my chance to change. I know, there's people that are living just like me, everyday lives, and they can keep their agencies and their blood sugar's under control. How can I do this? So I go in with, you know, I would like to see it down a certain number of points each time, I would love for my doctor to be like, Hey, I see you're entering your carbs, I see your, you know, you're not having lows. You're not running high, too often. That's my goal. And I've been seeing that. And that's what motivates me, every time I go to the endocrinologist where I don't dread going. It's like an exciting visit for me. So
Scott Benner 1:32:33
you'd like to set a goal for yourself. And then for someone to acknowledge it to give you kind of that energy to keep going for the next goal.
Speaker 2 1:32:40
Yeah, I feel as a type one diabetic, for me, and it's just a lot to balance. It's a hard, hard journey. And so I want someone when I go in, I want to be able to know like, Hey, I see what you're doing. Let's work together to do this. Let's you don't want to be put down like you know, you're doing horrible you're doing it's just, it's not going to motivate you because it's you're you're already fighting a tough battle. So just having that motivation and acknowledging the goods and also how we can improve. That's what really has been the game changer for me in the past two years. John,
Scott Benner 1:33:18
I appreciate you spending this time with me. This was terrific. Thank you very much.
Unknown Speaker 1:33:21
Absolutely. Thank you.
Scott Benner 1:33:23
If you enjoy Jalen story, check out Medtronic diabetes.com/juicebox. Once there was a time when I just told people if you want a low and stable a one C, just listen to the Juicebox Podcast. But as the years went on, and the podcast episodes grew, it became more and more difficult for people to listen to everyone. So I made the diabetes Pro Tip series. This series is with me and Jenny Smith. Jenny is a Certified diabetes Care and Education Specialist. She's also a registered and licensed dietitian and a type one herself for over 30 years and I of course, am the father of a child who was diagnosed at age two in 2006. The Pro Tip series begins at episode 210 with an episode called newly diagnosed or starting over and from they're all about MDI Pre-Bolus Sing insulin pumping, pumping and nudging variables exercise illness, injury surgeries glucagon long term health bumping and nudging how to explain type one to your family. Postpartum honeymoon transitioning all about insulin Temp, Basal. These are all different episodes, setting your Basal insulin, fat and protein pregnancy, the glycemic index and load and so much more like female hormones and weight loss. Head now to juicebox podcast.com. Go up in the menu at the top and click on diabetes pro tip. Or if you're in the private Facebook group, there's a list of these episodes right in the feature tab. Find out how I helped keep my daughter's a one C between five two and six two For the last 10 years without diet restrictions juicebox podcast.com Start listening today. It's absolutely free. If you're not already subscribed or following in your favorite audio app, please take the time now to do that. It really helps the show and get those automatic downloads set up so you never miss an episode. Thank you so much for listening. I'll be back very soon with another episode of The Juicebox Podcast. The episode you just heard was professionally edited by wrong way recording. Wrong way recording.com
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