The Power of Teamwork in Type 1 Diabetes: Transparency as a Training Partner
For Brielle Eder, living fully with Type 1 diabetes means leading with purpose, educating her circle and training her team to act when it counts.
By
Mike DeMarco
| Published on October 27, 2025
3 min read
Credit: Adobe Stock/WavebreakMediaMicro
Independence means having ownership over your health. But real freedom doesn’t mean doing everything on your own. Leaning on others is an advantage when it comes to managing ongoing health routines or chronic conditions.
In the first episode of The Educated Patient Podcast, I spoke with Brielle Eder, who was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes after a routine blood test at age 24. As a long-distance runner, Brielle suddenly faced a diagnosis impacting every corner of her life. Instead of letting it define her, she saw it as another endurance challenge she could train through.
While she could have doubled down and tried to do everything herself, Brielle chose connection. She equipped herself — and the people around her — with the tools to succeed together.
Brielle focused on clarity, making sure the people close to her knew what to do if she needed help. For example, her network knew where her glucagon was in case of an emergency.
If you think of the patient like an athlete and the support system as the coaching staff, communication is everything. The athlete needs to let the team know how she responds to stress, feedback and fatigue so she can perform at her best.
So if Brielle’s glucose drops midrun, she’s ready to act, but she’s not alone in it. Her people know what to do and how to help. Her transparency turns potential fear into confidence.
Through honest conversation, Brielle gives herself the freedom to live fully and pushes past the limits of her diagnosis.
Intentional communication strengthens your support system. It’s not just when you’re managing a health diagnosis — it could be when you’re leading a team or just trying to show up better for your family. Transparency is a daily strength exercise.
Here are five ways to build a transparent support network:
1. Lead with purpose
Know why you’re communicating. Whether you’re sharing for safety, inclusion or clarity, do it with intention.
2. Educate your circle
Tell your circle what you’re going through and how to support you. Give your people enough health literacy to show up for you — it builds confidence on both sides.
3. Practice delegation
You might want to do it all, but real independence comes from shared responsibility. When you give your network small roles, you can focus on what truly matters.
4. Build high-trust relationships
Set expectations early: what kind of help is helpful, what feels like overstepping and when you need space. High-trust relationships thrive on boundaries as much as openness.
5. Keep dialogue two-way
Conversations have to be a two-way street. Encourage the people around you to ask questions, check in and give feedback.
Transparency takes discipline. Like any training plan, you get stronger with each rep. The more often you practice it, the freer you become.
Watch the full podcast and learn more about Brielle’s journey here.
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