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Slash Titles are in. Why not showcase multiple interests? Kim Minert is a Hair Stylist/Diabetes Coach/Author/Public Speaker. At age 44 she was diagnosed with diabetes. Her diagnosis changed her life and led her to a new field of inquiry, along with her husband, Tim, who also has Type 1 diabetes. And, a new industry to showcase Kim’s speaking abilities and burgeoning expertise in diabetes.

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Hear her story of growing up in Round Up, Montana on a cattle ranch. In her twenties, she moved with her husband and their two girls to Scottsdale, Arizona, where she has been living for the past 30 years.

Kim wrote her book and took it on the road. She solicited more feedback. Made some changes like changing her book title as she understood what she was doing and who her target audience is. Her life took on new excitement and meaning.

Eventually, what emerged from her organic journey was a bundle of professional services and a book to help others. Her honed speaking skills, key insights outlined in her book, coaching, and her hard-earned expertise are taking her places she didn’t anticipate when she first was diagnosed 12 years ago. She found a new opportunity that is fulfilling her life and the lives of many others. I am a new fan.

Newly Diagnosed, Depression, and Lifestyle Changes

We narrow our diabetes conversation to the challenges of a new diagnosis, depression, and lifestyle changes. Kim’s book, Derail Diabetes, is a game-changer. I think you can hear loudly and clearly my struggles in coming to terms with my chronic health issue in today’s mentoring conversation. There are many of you on this journey, too. I am sure you can relate.

When Kim told me, a pre-diabetic diagnosis is like being a little pregnant, I was floored. You can hear it during our conversation. That comment also helped with my transitory journey to finally reach acceptance.

Before finishing these show notes, I was feverishly reading her book that just arrived in the mail (Thanks Kim!). Matthew, my husband, arrived home from his workout to find me sobbing.

Reaching Acceptance of My Diabetes Diagnosis

Phase One: Glorious Denial

I was noticing the inability within myself to really get a handle on my weight gain, which was unusual. I, jokingly, attributed my inability to get rid of my tummy fat to having our one and only daughter, Olivia, at age 41. She is now 15 years old.

Phase Two: Anger/Intervention/Searching

In 2013, I read Lyn-Genet Recitas’ ground breaking book, The Plan: Eliminate the Surprising “Healthy” Foods That Are Making You Fat–and Lose Weight Fast. I took Matthew and Olivia through the 30-Day plan to uncover foods that cause inflammation in my body. You discover this by eating certain foods and then weighing yourself the next morning. If your weight spikes up, even a little, your body is having a negative reaction to a certain food. Methodically, you begin to understand what inflammation feels like in your body and what foods trigger inflammation inside of you.

Phase Three: Bargaining/Taking Charge/Getting Help

2015, I am getting an annual check-up. I request a blood test. The pre-diabetic diagnosis is delivered by my physician. I go see the referred diabetic specialist and a nutritionist. I bargain with God. I will never eat sugar and carbs again! That lasted a day.

Phase Four: Depression/Inertia/Trial and Error

I go on with my life, feel less in control, and continue to change our eating habits, more veggies, less meat, less carbs, less sugar. I went through yoga teacher training and explored a vegan diet for four months. I learned of the Blue Zones research where pockets of centarians were living longer because of their lifestyles.

My Dad’s diabetes diagnosis goes from Type 2 to Type 1. I am realizing I could be in his shoes someday. OMG!

Recently, a close friend was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. She found out after collapsing at work. I become frightened for her. I help where I can.

I notice a heightened awareness within my body, inflammation. Day in and day out.

“When fat shows up around the waistline, it is a sure sign of “The Resistance,” Kim writes. “Most people think that gaining weight causes insulin resistance, but some leading physicians and researchers are pointing to the reverse, that it is the resistance that accelerates fat storing. It is a cycle that needs to be broken to regain our svelte physiques and good health! Current studies even indicate that the fat we have stored is biologically active, producing hormones that affect our health.”  (p. 43)

Step Five: Acceptance of this Chronic Disease/Share/Help Others

I decide to have my new acquaintance, Kim Minert, on my podcast so she can help my friend, other listeners, and myself become more aware about what insulin intolerance means. I begin talking publicly in this podcast about my struggles. Kim validates my struggle. If you have diabetes, you will feel validated too.

I decide to take stronger action to hone in on the foods causing inflammation. Kim has recipes in her book. I will try some of those. The decision begins to settle in. I am accepting the permanent lifestyle changes I need to make. It has been a long emotional journey to reach this point. I’m going to have fun and feel better with this next phase of my life.

Before Finishing These Show Notes. Matthew walks through the door and I relay through tears the carbs in the house that cause my body harm. Whole wheat bread, bagels, non-sugar cereals, peanut butter filled pretzels, pasta, brown rice, potatoes, sweet potatoes, crackers, etc. Matthew hugs me. He comforts me by telling me we will just get healthier. Simplicity. Optimism. YES!

He dries a few tears from my neck. “Let’s start getting rid of stuff,” he says. Kettle corn bag from an Open House we attended was slammed in the garbage first. Matthew then went for the Halloween candy from last year. Olivia needs to sort through that. The peanut butter pretzels are dumped out. That is good for now. We are all in this together. I am ready to finish these show notes and post them!

Mentoring Tips for Listeners

After you listen, take action and answer a few questions below:

• Add one or more vegetables to your daily intake.
• Purchase Kim’s book, Derail Diabetes. Even if you don’t have diabetes, it will give you insights into those you know who do.
• What were your key take-aways from our mentoring conversation?
• How does inflammation show up in your body? Where do you notice it? What happens?
• Find out more about inflammation by ordering The Plan below.
• If you are diabetic and would like to share with me a bit about your journey, connect with me.
• Check out the Mentoring Conversation Resources below.

Hair Stylist/Diabetes Coach/Author/Public Speaker, Kim Minert, Episode 95 Kim Minert