Title

close iconicon dots

Personal Stories

A Chat with T1D Influencer Sami Parker on Insulin Resistance and Resilience

Samantha Parker, who goes by Sami, sits across from me outside a coffee shop. Growing up in Southern California and attending Pepperdine University in Malibu, Parker has all the classic swagger of a native Californian. Despite this being our first time meeting, she gives me a big hug before sitting down. 

A Chat with T1D Influencer Sami Parker on Insulin Resistance and Resilience

I was first introduced to Parker through her Instagram account, Type1Sami, where she chronicles her life with type 1 diabetes and insulin resistance. Freshly diagnosed, my hospital nurse showed me her Instagram and encouraged me to follow her journey. Now, four years later, we meet for the first time al fresca. 

Parker was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age twelve, just a few months shy of her thirteenth birthday. 

“I think it was a perfect age because I knew life before, but it was also a really good age to where you’re not in high school yet — you’re still malleable,” Parker said. 

It's Not About Being Perfect

Parker grew up as a dancer, sometimes dancing for seven hours a day. Dance seems to act as a thread through her story, something she’s done since before her diagnosis, through it, and after it. And, being a dancer, Parker had always been active and driven, even from a young age. So, when she was diagnosed, diabetes became just another thing she could push herself to excel at. “I feel like it's more of a mentality of like, resilience,” Parker said. “I would never want a disease to beat me. I want to beat the disease.”

While this drive pushes Parker towards tackling her diabetes, she maintains that it's about conquering the condition in her own way, not about being perfect. “My blood sugars aren't perfect, but I am a perfectionist in terms of, like, I want to be the most productive I can be and achieve what I can,” Parker said. “I like challenging myself, so I think that's like a big motivator.” 

Type1Sami and Just My Type

Parker started the Type1Sami Instagram account in 2019 but saw an influx in growth in 2022 after her work with the podcast Just My Type.  The podcast ended, but Parker’s Instagram continued to grow as she did. But fame and fortune were never goals for Parker — just making a place where fellow T1Ds can find someone else who knows what they’re going through.  “If someone says ‘Oh, you have a large audience or following’… I don't view it like that,” Parker said. “It’s just a page with people who are all type 1 in the community.” 

With her page now having over sixteen thousand followers, Parker reflects on her own experience as an early diabetic and aims to create the kind of space she was looking for at that time.  “You’re just trying to share information,” Parker said. “Because if I had had this when I was twelve, it would have saved my life.” 

It's a Balancing Act

Parker’s perspective on living with type 1 relies on compassion and balance, something that can be hard for people living with a condition that so heavily affects many aspects of our health. “I always say, I'd rather be balanced and have an A1c of seven than be a perfectionist and have an A1c of 5.8, truthfully,” Parker said. “Mentally, I think that's way more of a mind-eff than if your A1c is 6.9 and you’re living life enjoyably.”

I ask Parker what motivates her in all these different ventures and living through diabetes, and she hesitates to answer. It’s a hard question; sometimes, we do things without really thinking about where our inspirations come from. Eventually, she replies, playing with the small silver cross hanging around her neck, and talks about her relationship with herself and her personal faith.

“I do think like, I feel blessed that I got [type 1 diabetes], which sounds weird because I think the mentality is that people feel like they are attacked, but they got it, like, ‘Why me?’” Parker said. “And I feel like it's a reversal of, well, ‘Why not me?’ Like, I can tackle it. He clearly gave it to me because He knew I could handle it. So, I very much use that as momentum.” 

On Insulin Resistance

One of the main draws of Parker’s account is her vulnerability, showing both her highs and lows as they come. At the age of fifteen, Parker discovered she was insulin-resistant on top of having type 1 diabetes. Insulin resistance happens when the cells in the body struggle with allowing insulin to lower the glucose. 

Additionally, Parker was diagnosed with adrenal PCOS, a condition that increases her testosterone and cortisol, which leads to higher blood sugar levels and more insulin resistance. “Adrenal glands over-secrete cortisol, which inevitably increases your testosterone, which increases blood sugar,” Parker said. “High testosterone is basically insulin resistance.”

Cortisol, the hormone released during moments of stress, raises blood sugar by activating the body’s fight or flight response. Since the body believes itself to be in danger, it releases stored glucose to give the body energy, leading to high blood sugar in individuals with diabetes. 

Parker's battle with insulin resistance and adrenal PCOS resulted in years of ups and downs when it came to her blood sugar. However, Parker was still determined to display her truth of living with type 1 diabetes and show her struggles with maintaining a steady blood sugar regularly.  “In terms of sharing highs and lows and people thinking I’m a bad diabetic, the one thing is like, I've just never cared what other people thought, ever, to be completely honest,” Parker said with a chuckle. “I just don't care because I’ve dealt with so many different things.”

GLP-1s and Type 1 Diabetes

Due to her struggles with insulin resistance, Parker recently started taking a semaglutide medication, known better by its brand name Ozempic, a drug developed for type 2 diabetics that has made its way into the public eye as a weight loss drug used by celebrities. But, through posting about her experience with the drug on her page, Parker wants to alter this connotation and inspire people to advocate for the drugs they need regardless of public perspective. 

“I hope that taking Ozempic will help increase my time in range, help with combating weight gain, and also just give me that satiated feeling after I eat and not always feeling hungry as a type one diabetic,” Parker said on Instagram. “I wanted to document the process so that other type 1s don't feel alone.” 

Parker’s experience taking Ozempic is one of many conversations she covers in her podcast, “Type 1 Tea,” which she shares with T1D author Ginger Vieira. “It's called type one tea, and we do it now once a week,” Parker said. “We just put out an episode that's just 30 minutes of us talking about a topic that basically is controversial… just different things that a lot of people are always curious about.” 

Honey Health App

In addition to her successful Instagram page and podcast with Vieira, Parker has partnered with Honey Health, a diabetes care app, to develop a fitness page called “Sweat by Sami,” where she shares workouts for those living with diabetes. “I just want to provide those living with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, gestational diabetes, prediabetes —a platform where you can find a daily dose of exercise for you,” Parker said in a video. 

Also on the Honey Health app is Sami and fellow T1D Bellé Krueger’s podcast-style show, “The Daily BS,” where the two discuss diabetes-related topics such as their experiences with different continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) or insulin pumps, self-advocacy and dating with type 1 diabetes. 

Be Resilient

Having lived through the many ups and downs of diabetes, Parker has now started pursuing a bachelor's degree in nursing—on top of her bachelor's and master's in Exercise Physiology—so she can better support the diabetes community. 

“Everyone’s funny,” Parker says with a smile. “They’re like, ‘Why are you going from a master's-back?’ I’m like, ‘Because I didn't know what I wanted to do!’ I thought I did, and then I was working in the diabetes community and was just like, ‘How can I most work with diabetics?’” Parker offered a mantra for newly diagnosed T1Ds, urging them to give themselves grace and compassion and face adversity head-on. “Be selfish, be confident and be resilient.” 

Latest News

Read all
arrow
T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test got another award - Diabetes Center Berne Innovation Challenge

Diabetes Center Bern announced the Top 6 projects of the Diabetes Innovation Challenge.

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsT1D Strong DNA test has been awarded at ADA 2024 conference

Our DNA test is selected as one of the finalists for the American Diabetes Association Innovation Challenge 2024!

T1D Team

T1D Team

T1D Strong NewsAchieving the Milestone - 100 Articles Published!

We're just getting started! Committed to empowering the T1D community, we continue to share knowledge and stories.

T1D Team

T1D Team

Read all
arrow

Related Articles

The latest news, technologies, and resources from our team.

Advocate Rob Howe on Living Out Loud with Diabetes
Personal StoriesAdvocate Rob Howe on Living Out Loud with Diabetes
Frederick Banting: The Man Who Created Insulin 
Personal StoriesFrederick Banting: The Man Who Created Insulin 
Diatech Diabetes Co-Founders John Wilcox & Luis E. Blanco
Personal StoriesDiatech Diabetes Co-Founders John Wilcox & Luis E. Blanco
Trying to “Reverse” Type 2 Diabetes with Extreme Diet & Exercise When You Actually Have Type 1
Personal StoriesTrying to “Reverse” Type 2 Diabetes with Extreme Diet & Exercise When You Actually Have Type 1
Major League Baseball Players with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal StoriesMajor League Baseball Players with Type 1 Diabetes
Misdiagnosed with T2D for 10 Years: Did Doctors Cause Her Retinopathy?
Personal StoriesMisdiagnosed with T2D for 10 Years: Did Doctors Cause Her Retinopathy?
DiabeticU: An All-in-One Diabetes Health Platform
Personal StoriesDiabeticU: An All-in-One Diabetes Health Platform
Pillar of Health is Reshaping Healthcare in Rwanda for T1Ds
Personal StoriesPillar of Health is Reshaping Healthcare in Rwanda for T1Ds
Heroic Diabetes Founder Jaren Smith
Personal StoriesHeroic Diabetes Founder Jaren Smith
Diabetes Psychologist and Author Mark Heyman
Personal StoriesDiabetes Psychologist and Author Mark Heyman
A Diabetes Educator Fights for a Patient’s Correct Diagnosis
Personal StoriesA Diabetes Educator Fights for a Patient’s Correct Diagnosis
Connected in Motion’s Lucy McGroarty on the Power of Community 
Personal StoriesConnected in Motion’s Lucy McGroarty on the Power of Community 
Misdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Epilepsy: A Cautionary Tale for Primary Doctors
Personal StoriesMisdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes and Epilepsy: A Cautionary Tale for Primary Doctors
Meet ADA Innovation Challenge Winner Katharine Barnard-Kelly
Personal StoriesMeet ADA Innovation Challenge Winner Katharine Barnard-Kelly
T’ara’s T2D Misdiagnosis Story 
Personal StoriesT’ara’s T2D Misdiagnosis Story 
How to Navigate College with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal StoriesHow to Navigate College with Type 1 Diabetes
Lance Bass Misdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes - He really has Type 1.5
Personal StoriesLance Bass Misdiagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes - He really has Type 1.5
Misdiagnosed with Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes at 24 Years Old
Personal StoriesMisdiagnosed with Prediabetes & Type 2 Diabetes at 24 Years Old
Type 1 Olympic Athletes Past and Present
Personal StoriesType 1 Olympic Athletes Past and Present
Glucose Goddess® Laura Lastoria is Redefining T1D Healing through Humor
Personal StoriesGlucose Goddess® Laura Lastoria is Redefining T1D Healing through Humor
International Wellness Coach Lisa La Nasa on Thriving with Diabetes 
Personal StoriesInternational Wellness Coach Lisa La Nasa on Thriving with Diabetes 
Meet Diabetes Virtuoso Ginger Vieira
Personal StoriesMeet Diabetes Virtuoso Ginger Vieira
Finding the Rhythm: Singers and Musicians with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal StoriesFinding the Rhythm: Singers and Musicians with Type 1 Diabetes
A Conversation with UK Diabetic Dad Paul Sandells
Personal StoriesA Conversation with UK Diabetic Dad Paul Sandells
Diabetes Dad, Author and Activist Tom Karlya
Personal StoriesDiabetes Dad, Author and Activist Tom Karlya
Race Car Drivers with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal StoriesRace Car Drivers with Type 1 Diabetes
Managing Type 1 Diabetes in the Workplace
Personal StoriesManaging Type 1 Diabetes in the Workplace
Scott K. Johnson on Diabetes Resilience, Technology, and Finding His Voice in the T1D Community
Personal StoriesScott K. Johnson on Diabetes Resilience, Technology, and Finding His Voice in the T1D Community
Meet Sarah Petti – Diabetes and Women’s Health Advocate
Personal StoriesMeet Sarah Petti – Diabetes and Women’s Health Advocate
 T1D Athlete Issac Traudt Scores Big in Sweet 16
Personal Stories T1D Athlete Issac Traudt Scores Big in Sweet 16
Top Nutrition Tips from Registered Dietitian Rachel Stahl Salzman
Personal StoriesTop Nutrition Tips from Registered Dietitian Rachel Stahl Salzman
3 T1D Supermodels Making a Splash on the Runway
Personal Stories3 T1D Supermodels Making a Splash on the Runway
Mary Tyler Moore – The First T1D Celebrity Advocate
Personal StoriesMary Tyler Moore – The First T1D Celebrity Advocate
Neil Israel, master animator and diabetes educator
Personal StoriesNeil Israel, master animator and diabetes educator
Unstoppable: Athletes with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal StoriesUnstoppable: Athletes with Type 1 Diabetes
Entrepreneur and Advocate Danica the Diabetic
Personal StoriesEntrepreneur and Advocate Danica the Diabetic
DiabetesSangha’s Peter Friedfeld on his Misdiagnosis and Managing the Ups and Downs of T1D
Personal StoriesDiabetesSangha’s Peter Friedfeld on his Misdiagnosis and Managing the Ups and Downs of T1D
Trevor Williams – DiabetesMine Patients Voice Scholarship Winner and T1D Advocate
Personal StoriesTrevor Williams – DiabetesMine Patients Voice Scholarship Winner and T1D Advocate
Kerry Murphy - Founder of FOLLOWT1Ds Advocates for Schools to Remote Monitor Students with T1D 
Personal StoriesKerry Murphy - Founder of FOLLOWT1Ds Advocates for Schools to Remote Monitor Students with T1D 
Amy Tenderich –T1D Visionary and Founder of DiabetesMine Innovation Days
Personal StoriesAmy Tenderich –T1D Visionary and Founder of DiabetesMine Innovation Days
Meet Gina Anzures—Artist and Advocate Extraordinaire
Personal StoriesMeet Gina Anzures—Artist and Advocate Extraordinaire
T1D Expert, Lucía Feito Allonca on the Importance of Advocacy
Personal StoriesT1D Expert, Lucía Feito Allonca on the Importance of Advocacy
Letting Go – One Mom’s Struggle to Trust Her Adult Son with T1D
Personal StoriesLetting Go – One Mom’s Struggle to Trust Her Adult Son with T1D
Spotlight on Diabetes Educator Carla Cox
Personal StoriesSpotlight on Diabetes Educator Carla Cox
Adult Onset Diabetes – A Personal Story
Personal StoriesAdult Onset Diabetes – A Personal Story
Supreme Court Judge and T1D: Sonia Sotomayor
Personal StoriesSupreme Court Judge and T1D: Sonia Sotomayor
9 Things Not to Say to Someone with Type 1 Diabetes
Personal Stories9 Things Not to Say to Someone with Type 1 Diabetes
No Limit on Life 
Personal StoriesNo Limit on Life 
Professional Musician Jonni Lightfoot Opens Up About the Challenges of Life with T1D
Personal StoriesProfessional Musician Jonni Lightfoot Opens Up About the Challenges of Life with T1D
When Type 1 Strikes in Midlife
Personal StoriesWhen Type 1 Strikes in Midlife
Load More
background image

Knowledge Base

Resources

Knowledge hub for advanced information on Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

I May Have T1D Rather Than T2D?

Understanding common queries and exclusive information about diabetes of any type.

Learn more

arrow

Life with T1D

Strategies to enhance lifestyle optimization with Type 1 Diabetes.

Learn more

arrow

Personal Stories

Life stories of relentless individuals fostering resilience and empowering others.

Learn more

arrow

Newly Diagnosed

Insightful guidance, strategic tips, and inspiring narratives.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Basics

Fundamental lifestyle suggestions for optimal nutrition, emotions and innovative routines.

Learn more

arrow

Daily Management

Revamp your lifestyle with our transformative guidelines for Type 1 Diabetes management.

Learn more

arrow

T1D Strong News

Stay updated with the latest from T1D Strong: product updates, company events, notable achievements and our future plans.

Learn more

arrow