Doing Diabetes Your Way: Empowering People To Manage Diabetes on Their Own Terms
In the world of diabetes management, one size does not fit all. Doing Diabetes Your Way is an ongoing video series that offers accessible, relatable content that encourages individuals to manage diabetes in a way that fits their lifestyle.
Created by diabetes research company dQ&A, Doing Diabetes Your Way is an online video platform that aims to fill the gap between medical guidance and real-life experiences so people with diabetes feel supported and informed on their healthcare journey.
The series offers educational and practical advice on topics like diabetes technology, nutrition, and finances through free videos and downloadable handouts. Doing Diabetes Your Way just launched season two, which covers everything from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) and insulin tips to budget-friendly recipes and practical ideas for staying active.
We spoke with Phyllisa Deroze, director of content strategy at dQ&A and co-host and director of Doing Diabetes Your Way, to learn more about this exciting new resource.
Embracing your individual journey
For Deroze, the project was born from a desire to address a critical gap in diabetes care.
"A lot of information given to us by providers is very specific to a 'diabetes diet plan' or a certain way of eating," she said. "What happens in that messaging is that sometimes the identity of the person living with diabetes becomes secondary, or even erased. Doing Diabetes Your Way reminds us that you are the center of your own diabetes journey."
The inspiration for the series came from Deroze's personal experience of being diagnosed with diabetes in 2011. As an African American woman from the South, Deroze was shocked to find that standard diabetes guidance overlooked foods that are central to her cultural identity, like grits.
"I saw various nutritionists, endocrinologists, and diabetes educators who never mentioned anything about grits," she recalled. "But when I came across an African American woman at my doctor’s office who shared that she still eats grits, it felt so liberating to know that I didn’t have to erase my identity to manage my diabetes well."
The video series is designed to reflect the diverse realities of diabetes management, offering something for everyone. For some, getting more physical activity may mean joining a Zumba class; for others, it might mean taking a walk with their dog every day.
“We wanted to make sure the messaging is not about a prescribed way of living with diabetes," said Deroze. "It’s about the individual figuring out what works best for them."
Key topics covered
Deroze said Doing Diabetes Your Way has garnered a broad and engaged audience, with many expressing gratitude for the platform’s inclusive approach. The series covers a wide range of topics, with each episode addressing a key area of diabetes management.
For example, one of their first videos offers a comprehensive overview of CGM devices to help viewers understand the various options that are available to them.
Food-related content is another major draw, with an upcoming episode focusing on plant-based diets. In this video, Kyle Banks, founder of the diabetes organization Kyler Cares, shares what he enjoys about eating plant-based foods and prepares one of his favorite dishes.
Another upcoming video that Deroze is excited about focuses on financial health, an often-overlooked aspect of living with diabetes. The video offers practical advice on how to save money while staying on top of the latest treatments and technologies.
“There’s so much focus on the physical health of people with diabetes that the financial health aspect often comes secondary,” she said. “Providers often may not consider the financial burden of living with diabetes, yet it’s something that people with diabetes have to think about every day.”
Reliable information in a relatable format
Deroze shared that when she was first diagnosed, she was given pamphlets that looked like they were printed 20 years ago that she couldn’t relate to at all.
Doing Diabetes Your Way is supported by an advisory board that includes an endocrinologist, a diabetes care and education specialist, academic researchers, and advocates. With a diverse group of experts contributing to the project, the platform offers reliable, up-to-date information presented in a format that’s both engaging and easy to understand.
"My hope for Doing Diabetes Your Way is that it grows to a point where it becomes a resource that providers recommend to their patients when they’re diagnosed with diabetes,” Deroze said. “We fill in the gap between what the healthcare provider is telling people with diabetes and the real-life experience of living with diabetes.”
The bottom line
Doing Diabetes Your Way, which releases new videos on the last Thursday of every month, is much more than a resource – it’s a community where people living with diabetes can find support, advice, and inspiration. By offering tools that everyone can relate to, Deroze said she hopes the video series is making a tangible difference in the lives of those navigating the complexities of diabetes management.
Learn more about resources for people of color living with diabetes here: