232: From an A1C of 12 to 50-Mile Ultramarathons: Chris Roome on Sobriety, T1D, and Project InsulNation

Chris Roome was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes at 12 after waking up in the ICU, but for years, managing his T1D wasn’t his priority. Through his teens and early adulthood, he struggled with teenage rebellion, addiction, an A1C of 12, and eventually reached a turning point that changed the course of his life.. Within a year of getting sober, his A1C dropped to under 6.Today, Chris has completed multiple marathons, 50+ mile ultramarathons, and founded Project InsulNation, an organization leading backcountry expeditions exclusively for adults living with Type 1 diabetes.In this episode, Chris sits down with Lauren to  share how recovery transformed the way he approached T1D, the exact insulin and fueling strategies he uses during ultra-endurance races, the moment his pump site ripped out halfway through a 50-mile trail run, and why he's on a mission to help more adults with Type 1 diabetes discover they're capable of far more than they've been led to believeWHAT WE COVER:What it was like waking up in an ICU at 12, going months without checking his blood sugar, and what finally forced everything to changeThe direct connection between getting sober and getting his A1C from a 12 to under 6 in one yearThe exact fueling and insulin strategy he uses to run 50-plus miles without his blood sugar crashingWhat happened when his insulin pump ripped out in the middle of a race, and how he still crossed the finish lineWhy endurance sports gave him a completely different perspective on living with Type 1 diabetesThe inspiration behind Project InsulNation and why he's creating outdoor expeditions specifically for adults with T1DWhat it looks like to join a Project InsulNation expedition, and who it's forWHAT’S NEXT:🏔️ Interested in joining Chris and Project InsulNation on their August Grand Teton expedition? Learn more and apply at projectinsulnation.com or follow them on Instagram at @project_insulnation.📱 The Risely App is here! Get support for the 180+ decisions you make every day, so you can build confidence with T1D without your life revolving around it. 🧠 Discover Your T1D Archetype! Take the free quiz to understand the pattern behind how you think, respond, and make decisions with T1D. 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D.📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox.Stay connected with us: Email us at: [email protected]    IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealthTikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealthYT: Reclaim Your Rise SUBSCRIBE & REVIEWIf hearing how Chris went from an A1C of 12 and active addiction to running 50-mile races made you rethink what's possible with T1D, subscribe and leave a review so more people living with this disease can find it.