{Interview} Pete Lomas, Founder of NJaP
Hey guys [waves]. Welcome back to another interview! I had a little chat with Pete Lomas, person with type 1 diabetes and founder of patch company Not Just a Patch.
T1D Inspiring Interviews Series
Hey guys [waves]. Welcome back to another interview!
I had a little chat with Pete Lomas, person with type 1 diabetes and founder of patch company Not Just a Patch.
Not Just a Patch is designed to give maximum protection for your Freestyle Libre, Dexcom, MiaoMiao or Medtronic devices. The patch design is completely unique and original, designed by Pete after he found himself preoccupied with just how loose his Libre was getting - before the 14 days of wear was up.
If you’re familiar with the patches, you’ll know how colour they are . They’re designed to make a statement, so you can own your T1D tech and wear your diabetes on your sleeve (as a badge of honour).
Pete kindly sent me a sample of patches earlier this year and I haven’t looked back. I am always 100% confident that my Dexcom is going to stay in place if I use NJaP. I also wrote a guest blog post for them which you can read here: it’s ALLL about CGMs.
So if you’re a device wearer and you’re in need of some patches - check out NJaP!
Without further ado, on to the reason why you’re all here - the interview with Pete!
Hey Pete! Welcome. Please tell us your type 1 journey! What age were you when you were diagnosed / what symptoms did you have?
I was 30 and living in London. I was training for the London Marathon and looking forward to spending Christmas in an Italian farmhouse with friends. I started peeing like crazy, was thirsty as hell and then my eyesight got blurry. I was telling my mate my symptoms and he suggested a Boots test kit. This led to a GP visit then a hospital trip. Woke up non-diabetic, went to bed diabetic. The twists and turns of life huh ;-)
What do you wish you'd known when you were newly diagnosed?
Nothing really…but if you want an answer, I wish I'd known what the catalyst was for the autoimmune response that killed the beta cells in my pancreas.
What is the worst thing about type 1 diabetes?
General inconvenience.
(Curveball) What is the best thing about type 1 diabetes?
I have a richer understanding of my body and its relationship to the things I put in it. And it's led me to create a business which has become a fulfilling passion and given my life a purpose that it previously lacked.
What are the main challenges of living with type 1?
1) It makes people around me worry and I don't want them to.
2) It impacts my health and my mood.
How do you deal with these challenges?
I try to reassure the people that it’s all OK and I take a balanced approach to life - enjoying as much as I can, not held back by diabetes.
Where do you find support/how do you access support?
I've just found a nurse educator, but until now I'd been pretty solo.
Can you recommend any great podcasts or blogs?
1) Beth's nutrition blog is practical and digestible (excuse the pun).
2) I like Dr. Rhonda Patrick's advice on nutrition.
3) Joe Rogan's podcast for entertainment and new perspectives.
4) Sam Harris's podcast for cultural, philosophical, political and social perspectives.
Have you ever 'hidden' your type 1 diabetes?
Hmmmm…no.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has affected your relationship with your body?
As above, much richer appreciation for the effects of food, exercise, stress and all internal and external stimuli.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has changed your approach to life and living?
Very little actually. I have found a community and feel part of that, as well the Not Just a Patch business has given me purpose and passion. I love helping T1Ds.
Type 1 diabetes is classified as a physical condition, but we all know there is an emotional burden too. Could you describe your experiences?
When I have hypos I tend to want to be left alone and can become frustrated. I don't like it when my partner thinks that I can manage my T1D better. I don't like my friends and loved ones worrying about me.
When did you launch NJaP and what was the reason behind that?
I had the idea in January 2019 and our first sale in July 2019. The reason was that I had been wearing the Libre for a year and found that by the end of the two weeks it was always getting loose and I was constantly thinking about it. I was also swimming more and had started doing hot yoga. With swimming 40 laps there was no way that the Libre stayed in place so I was making my own makeshift patches. I had been thinking about starting a business for a while and after listening to a podcast on entrepreneurship, this galvanised the idea to launch a CGM patch business. The design is unique and original and I am very proud of it.
What is your favourite patch / colour from the online shop?
Haha, well it was black at the start but now I tend to rotate with yellow being my current fave :-)
BONUS quick-fire round:
Pump or pens?
Pens
Finger pricks or CGM?
Finger pricks
Orange juice or jelly babies?
Jelly babies or dates or Haribo
Balmy summer nights or crisp wintry mornings?
Damn! Got to be a tie tbh - love them both
Yoga or swimming?
Haha probably yoga now, my body is falling apart and yoga is a little more gentle
Beach or mountains?
Damn again…tie
Porridge or pancakes?
Neither, I don't eat much breakfast these days as I do intermittent fasting as often as I can. If I do have breaky, it will be a bacon egg and cheese everything bagel or bacon, eggs, avocado, mushrooms and sourdough toasted
Diet Coke or Kombucha?
DC
Novorapid or Fiasp?
Novo
Vegemite or Marmite?
Haha got to be Vegemite but I do also like Marmite
Morning bird or night owl?
I've been both. Currently night owl due to business demands
Melbourne or Sydney?
I live in Sydney and it's the most naturally beautiful city in the world. I have many friends in Melbourne and have spent much time there and think that its culture and people are second to none
Thank you so much, Pete, for your wisdom and light in this T1D community of ours!
{Interview} Dan Newman, Type 1 Diabetes Blogger + Podcast Host
Well, hey - hasn’t it been a hot minute since I did an interview with someone marv from the type 1 community?
The T1D Inspiring Interviews Series is back!
Well, hey - hasn’t it been a hot minute since I did an interview with someone marv from the type 1 community?
Fear not, we’re back with a bang!
Dan Newman developed type 1 diabetes at the age of 10. He went on to experience diabetes distress in his teenage years and then developed chronic kidney disease in 2013. He places emphasis on being open in discussing his complications in a bid to reduce stigma and shame that can engulf these challenges. I for one (& I know there are many others) am extremely grateful for his honesty.
I first came across Dan on Jen Grieves’ podcast Type 1 on 1 - a pod where she interviews people doing wonderful things in the type 1 space. Dan’s episode is here. His wisdom and perspective shines through and his calming voice is a total tonic for the soul - you’ll be pleased to know you can hear more of his wisdom (& soothing voice) on his own fantastic podcast, The Talking Type 1 Podcast. Give it a listen (after you’re done with this blog post, of course!)
Without further ado, on to the reason why you’re all here - the interview with Dan!
Hey Dan! Welcome. Please tell us your type 1 journey! What age were you when you were diagnosed / what symptoms did you have?
I was diagnosed when I was 10 years old during the summer holidays. I remember that I was drinking a lot but because it was hot outside my family didn’t think anything of it. My aunt took myself and my cousins to the cinema (movies) and I was unwell and that continued during the rest of the evening. My mum called the emergency doctor and he said you need to take him to accident and emergency (emergency room) now. What seemed like many hours the doctor told me that I had diabetes. I think I was in the hospital for a week or two but I can’t remember because it was so long ago!
What do you wish you'd known when you were newly diagnosed?
That there would be difficult times particularly the mental aspect that comes with living with type 1 diabetes. I think just seeing type 1 diabetes as a physical condition didn’t help me because it’s a physical, mental, and emotional condition all wrapped into one.
What is the worst thing about type 1 diabetes?
The, at times, unpredictable nature of type 1. The fact you can do the same activities, eat the same foods two days in a row and have two different results can be frustrating at times.
(Curveball) What is the best thing about type 1 diabetes?
The best thing for me is the skills and qualities it has taught me as a person. These qualities include me being more resilient, understanding of others and determined to succeed in whatever I do in life.
What are the main challenges of living with type 1?
The challenge is that it’s an unpaid full-time job which you didn’t ask for, with no annual leave and you are the only employee. Type 1 is always there in the background no matter how much you tell yourself it isn’t. One challenge for me was to overcome trying to be the perfect diabetic who was always in range no matter when I tested my levels. I would think as the numbers as either good or bad and not just what they are - which is numbers.
How do you deal with these challenges?
I learnt to realise that trying to always have perfect levels whilst living with type 1 diabetes just isn’t possible. I learnt that the data from my blood glucose monitor was giving me information on what I needed to do next and that I was attaching emotion to the numbers.
Where do you find support/how do you access support?
The diabetes online community, in particular Instagram. I enjoy speaking to other type 1s from all over the world and speaking about the ups and downs of living with type 1. It’s nice to speak to people who just ‘get it’.
Can you recommend any great podcasts or blogs (as well as your own)?
One of my favourites is Type 1 on 1 | Diabetes Stories by Jen Grives. Jen is a great host and interviewer and I had the pleasure of being interviewed for her podcast. There’s also Emily and Miriam at Pancreas Pals and Brandon and Matt at Bolus Maximus both great podcasts. Finally, I have a podcast called The Talking Type 1 Podcast.
Have you ever 'hidden' your type 1 diabetes?
Definitely. I found type 1 particularly during my teenage years, so I would not tell many people at school. I’d inject under the table in class or go to the toilets to do my injection just so that I could appear normal to everyone else. I’ve hidden it in the workplace so in some jobs I only told one or two people who I felt needed to know just in case but I never actively spoke about my type 1.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has affected your relationship with your body?
I think being diagnosed at 10 I went through many life stages with type 1 so it was always part of my body. It has had a positive impact because I’m more aware if something isn’t quite right for example my levels usually go out of sync a week or so before I come down with a cold.
How do you think type 1 diabetes has changed your approach to life and living?
It’s taken a long time to get here but I now aim to do my best every day when it comes to managing type 1 which I use in my everyday life. Type 1 has also shown me that I can get through the worst situations, it’s not easy or pleasant at times but there is an end and I also use this in my approach to life and living.
Type 1 diabetes is classified as a physical condition, but we all know there is an emotional burden too. Could you describe your experiences?
I’ve had diabetes distress and diabetes burnout particularly in my teenage years and early 20s. I never knew that there was a reason for how I was feeling at the time it was just how I felt. I had two changes in my life which put me on the right path to coming out of diabetes burnout and I’m thankful that they happened when they did. I also set myself small goals of testing my levels once a day and build on it. If I missed a test that day I wouldn’t be hard on myself and start again the next day and build-up momentum. A big challenge related to this is that I had to overcome (still occasionally do) is not attaching emotion to my blood sugar levels. I’ve learnt that the numbers aren’t judging me they are just giving me information on what I need to do next. I do think it’s important to celebrate when your hard work being a pancreas has paid off, for example, if you lower your HbA1c, you hit your target time in range.
When did you launch your podcast, The Talking Type 1 Podcast, and what was the reason behind that?
I launched my podcast in March 2020. My reason was to help others living with type 1 by interviewing different people about their lives with type 1 and sharing their experiences with others who live with type 1 diabetes. I like learning about people and believe that everyone’s story of living with type 1 is unique and can help another person.
I remember how I felt alone at different times when living with type 1 and I don’t want anyone else to experience that feeling. Overall, It has been a rewarding experience to speak to each guest.
Do you have a favourite episode, or one that you're particularly proud of?
Good question! An episode that I’m proud of is episode 10 called Black, Diabetic and Proud. I speak to other black people living with type 1 diabetes about their experiences living with type 1. We cover a number of topics including diabetes and health discussions within the black community, representation within the diabetes community and more. I like this episode because it was an opportunity to amplify the voices of other black people living with type 1. I have other episodes which I like; I’ve spoken to someone who had a pancreas only transplant, someone who has recovered from diabulimia, someone who has lived with type 1 diabetes for over 47 years and a mum who wrote a letter to her son on his first diaversary which spoke about their experiences as a family during that first year. I’ve spoken to some great people.
BONUS quick-fire round:
Pump or pens?
Pump
Finger pricks or CGM?
Finger pricks
Juice box or jelly babies?
Both, but if pushed, juice box
Balmy summer nights or crisp wintry mornings?
Balmy summer nights
Diet Coke or Kombucha?
Diet Coke
Morning bird or night owl?
Night owl
Porridge or pancakes?
Porridge
Breakfast, lunch or dinner?
Dinner
The smell of insulin, love or hate?
Love