Phil talks to Cycling news

Rwanda: Year 2

“We’ve packed up 200 blood glucose meters, 100,000 donated test strips and more than 10,000 lancing devices to bring with us into Kigali, and we’re committed to seeing that every one of the 650 kids in Rwanda with type 1 diabetes gets enough supplies to manage and control his or her disease for a year,” Team Type 1 –Sanofi CEO Phil Southerland said.

More information can be found at Team Type 1 website.

Honored to be mentioned by Riva Greenberg in Huffington Post some weeks ago.  Ms. Greenberg also honored my mother, Joanna Southerland. 

In Italy

Team Type 1 make Italian news. Watch here!

Dear Friends, Fans, Supporters:

I would just like to say a big thank you for being a part of my story, and my life. Today is a very special day, in that my life's memoir, Not Dead Yet, hits the book shelves. This is one of my proudest days, and I am hoping just a spring board to allow Team Type 1 to continue to help people around the world with their diabetes, while also working to make change on a broad scale level. It would mean the world to me if you would grab a copy for yourself, and share with your friends, family, colleagues who may benefit from this story.

I have included a few links to reviews that were written, and also links to purchase. Again, I can't thank you enough for your support, and for helping me to change the way the world views diabetes. If you grab a copy, it would be fantastic if you could let your Facebook friends and followers know, as I know all will get something out of Not Dead Yet.

Thank you again, and have a GREAT day.

Phil

Take a look at the following reviews:
Diabetes Mine
Diabeteshealth

Hope Warshaw


You can purchase at any of the following including Kindle or IPad Version.

Amazon.com
Barnes & Noble
Borders

Rwanda

Phil traveled to Rwanda


Children with type 1 diabetes in Rwanda will live longer, healthier and happier lives thanks in part to a program set up by Team Type 1, a professional cycling squad based in the United States, and a partnership of international government and academic health organizations.

Team Type 1's CEO and founder Phil Southerland returned to Kigali in February and brought together representatives from Rwanda's Ministry of Health, the Rwanda Diabetes Association, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control, U.S. Embassy in Rwanda and the University of Pittsburgh to set up a project aimed at educating local doctors and patients about diabetes detection and access to information and donated supplies. (MORE)

1) Medical Supplies

2) The second part of our work in Rwanda is training doctors and nurses from 500 health care clinics to diagnose and detect diabetes, and then providing information to patients about free access to the donated supplies, Southerland said.

Speak Italian? Italian TV and News

Phil on National Public Radio's "Only a Game"

from Boston - listen here or download Podcast LINK

Or DOWNLOAD Podcast of the 3/5/11 show.

Phil, Team Type 1, Type 1 Research

> Phil talks about Team Type 1's partnering to research on the impact of exercise on diabetes.

World Diabetes Day Tallahassee

TALLAHASSEE
Today - Come Anytime between 10 & 5 (details below)
INDOOR CYCLING at Sweat Therapy Fitness
1122 Thomasville Road Unit 10
Tallahassee, FL 32303 850 222-1781

TWO: Eat @ Tijuana Flats - mention diabetes - Mahan or Pensacola Streets.

THREE: Take part in BLUE lighting ceremony @ Chez Pierre, Thomasville Road and post-ride stretch.

SUNDAY DETAILS: Sweat Therapy, begins at 10 A.M. and ends at 5 P.M
Simply sit in a bike, pedal, and help kids with diabetes!
TMH Diabetes Center - Diabetes Risk Assessment
Water, Food, CupCakes, HoneyTree, next to Finnegan's Wake
Bike a thon. Donations to ride accepted at door OR Click and Join one of our Teams or Donate
Your donation: 50% Goes to LOCAL diabetic children to attend diabetes camp through TMH Diabetes Center AND 50% Goes through Rotary to Team Type 1 to donate insulin and diabetic supplies to children with diabetes in Rwanda. Team Type 1 is racing in Rwanda.




EAT SUNDAY NOV 14, 2010:
Tijuana Flats MENTIONING "DIABETES"IS NECESSARY
3111 Mahan Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
850-597-7001
2020 W Pensacola St.
Tallahassee, FL 32304
850-574-4689

My Hometown Team UP for Diabetes November

TEAM UP FOR DIABETES
PROVIDE DIABETES EDUCATION AND DIABETIC SUPPLIES FOR KIDS

You can have your cake and eat it too, EXERCISE if you do! Ask for blue cupcakes at THE CAKE SHOP.

Sweat Therapy Fitness 11.14.10
Indoor Cycling
1122 Thomasville Road Unit 10
Tallahassee, FL 32303 850 222-1781

SUNDAY, 11.14. 2010 - Beginning at 10 A.M. and ending at 5 P.M
Simply sit in a bike, pedal, and help kids with diabetes!
TMH Diabetes Center - Diabetes Risk Assessment
Water, Food, CupCakes, HoneyTree, next to Finnegan's Wake
Bike a thon. Donations to ride accepted at door. Click Join one of our Teams or Donate
50% Goes to LOCAL diabetic children to attend diabetes camp through TMH Diabetes Center

50% Goes through Rotary to Team Type 1 to donate insulin and diabetic supplies to children with diabetes in Rwanda. Team Type 1 is racing in Rwanda.

Calendar to see "what's happening for diabetes awareness."

Email: joanna@teamtype1.org or call 850.443.0152 to get involved.

ONGOING: BUY Cupcakes with BLUE icing at The Cake Shop 1908 Capital Cr. NE Tallahassee any day through Nov. 14 and around Tallahassee. Funds go to Team Up for Diabetes!

ONGOING: Buy special vitamins and food at Honey Tree Natural Foods Portiona of proceeds donated to Team Up for Diabetes!

MONDAY, NOV 8th: FSU CYCLING TEAM Spins at Integration Statue with BLUE icing cupcakes for donation to the cause at Florida State University to support World Diabetes Day. Funds go to Team Up for Diabetes.
Tuesday NOV. 9th - Alpha Phi Omega RHO Chapter - selling blue cupcakes around Ogelsby Union (donations go to above cause)

SUNDAY, NOV 14, 2010: WORLD DIABETES DAY! Come to Sweat Therapy Fitness after 10 A.M to 5 P.M and be part of any "relay" team pedaling to "fight diabetes." Riders only have to be 48" tall and be able to pedal.
Join one of our Teams or Donate


SUNDAY NOV 14, 2010:Tijuana Flats MENTION DIABETES IS NECESSARY
3111 Mahan Dr.
Tallahassee, FL 32308
850-597-7001
2020 W Pensacola St.
Tallahassee, FL 32304
850-574-4689

FOLLOWING WEEK
SATURDAY Nov, 20th, 2010: Premier Health SUPER CLASS (donations accepted for the Blue Cupcakes funds go to Team Up for Diabetes!

SUNDAY Nov 21 2010: Go to Fermentation Lounge, buy BLUE Beer, and BLUE cupcakes - we are about eating and drinking responsibly. Portions of proceeds donated to Team Up for Diabetes!
TUESDAY, November 23, 2010: Eat at Red Elephant Restaurants in Tallahssee, Florida. Portions of proceeds dontated to Team Up for Diabetes!

910 Kerry Forest Pkwy C3, Tallahassee - (850) 668-7492 1872 Thomasville Rd, Tallahassee - (850) 222-7492

World Diabetes Day Nov. 14, 2010

Posted last year "World Diabetes Day:

I hope everyone is rocking, and thanks for the comments. Things have been hectic as always, and I have been running my mouth with a new focus. The way the world works for me, is when I get a vision, and enough people tell me it is crazy, or I can't do it, then I feel the need to prove them wrong, especially if it benefits the people.

When I was in Vienna for EASD, I found out the the cost to provide insulin for all 70,000 people who will die early deaths if not received is $10million/year. With all the money going out there to save banks, pay A-Rod's salary (that is somehow now justified) I figured this project is doable. Thanks to the major success of Team Type 1, I have been able to get meetings with the people necessary to make this possible, and it is now a realistic goal, where as for the past 5 years, it has just been a dream. I heard the # in Vienna, and for my entire vacation, this was all that went through my mind. Is it pressure? Yes. Do I like this pressure? Definitely! So we now have a 2-pronged attack. Getting the team, and a rider with diabetes into the Tour is the goal, and by doing so I think the visibility garnered for diabetes will warrant support to pay for supplies to give the less privileged with diabetes a chance for success in life.

RACE ACROSS AMERICA

Phil for JDRF Fundraiser in Atlanta Georgia

We Are The Champions - Phil Southerland and Team Type 1 from Kris Bagwell on Vimeo.

Tour of California

VSP

Phil with VSP - sponsor of Team Type 1.

A Versus TV Interview

Team Type 1 was recently featured in a segment on Versus, a sports focused cable network, during their coverage of the Amgen Tour of California.

The segment highlights us talking about our hopes and dreams and our motivation. Everyone on Team Type 1 hopes their actions inspire others living with diabetes to dream big. Check out Team Type 1’s interview with Versus.

The Diabetes Game or The Fitness Game: Ouch!

Howdy from Atlanta!

I hope everyone is doing well, and excited about a great day of turkey. I am just back from partaking in "El Tour de Tucson," which I did on behalf of JDRF. I got in Wednesday night, so that I could go around and visit doctors offices, hospitals, and was amazed at the fact that everyone knew about "the race." There were 9,000 +/- people signed up and ready to rock for the 109 mile venture through the desert. Sometime Thursday night, I came down with a stomach bug, which knocked me dead. By Friday mid afternoon, I had decided I was not going to do the race. No sense in trying to ride 110 miles if you can't hold food down, and haven't been training at all, right?

But then I get the pediatric ward of the UMC Hospital. I got to go around and visit with kids who were in renal failure, cancer patients, hit by a car, depression, and a few others. I see all these kids locked to their beds, but with the best attitudes. I got to compare surgery scars with this one girl, and hers were WAYYY cooler than mine. They all wished me luck on the ride, and I knew I had to do it. That night I gave a brief talk at the JDRF kick off dinner, and it was great to connect with old friends, and meet new ones there. I went straight to bed after, having eaten a total of 100 calories for the day.

Wake up 5:30, BS of 71, and go to breakfast with a sick stomach. I managed to eat some oatmeal with fruit, and drink 1/2 a cup of coffee, but it was enough to tell get the arrow on my FreeStyle Navigator going straight up. Head out the door, and ride 7 miles down to the ride with my buddy John Murphy, and at the start line 15 minutes pre, I was 169 trending down. Not good before a ride that long, right? Wrong! I eat a banana, and then we set off in an all out race for the first few miles. Felt ok sitting in, but when I hit the wind it was like a sack of bricks nailing me.

We make it through the first dirt, I drank some HEED, and then had 3 cliff blocks, and decided to check at about mile 15. 240 with an arrow straight up... So I switch to water only. I should have done some insulin for breakfast, but without a guarantee of holding down food, I didn't. Drinking water, drinking water as the miles fly by, and then I am 296 straight up I flattened out by the time I hit 324 mile 40, but the cramps (combo of dehydration/high BS) kicked in. This was right after the 2nd creek crossing, and it was all out war for position there. I went in 5th, and cruised through, but when it went full gas out, I just went tempo for the next few miles. Settled into the 2nd group, and tried with Jedi mind power to "not cramp!!!" At about mile 60, I was dying, and ready to quit. The cramps were coming strong, and I was not prepared for a ride of this length. Mind you, this was my 3rd ride in 3 weeks, as had been on the road traveling a ton.
I kept drinking water, and I think my BS peaked out at 374. Then it started coming down. As the decent of BS happened, the legs felt better. There was one more long gradual climb that I started near the front, and drifted all the way off the back by the top, but was able to get back on. Then I saw BS dropping, got a lift and sat last wheel for a while. We hit mile 80 at 3hrs and 15 minutes, and I knew with only 30 miles to go, and a block head wind, life would be ok.

Speed picked up, and I stayed right at the back, meeting a few friends, having some good conversation. Misery loves company, and no one (in my area of the pack) was feeling exactly chipper at that point. So we trudged along for the last 30 miles, over one climb, and into Tucson. I was about ready to cry at any given point my legs hurts so bad, as did my butt, neck, knees....

Got to the finish in the 2nd group, in a time of around 4:25, which was fast enough for me. Moral (1) of my story here: If you are going to ride a bike for a prolonged period of time, it is highly recommended to actually ride your bike... I know with some fitness it could have been much more fun, but nevertheless, it was an extremely rewarding experience. Went to the pool right after, and managed to eat a few french fries, and a chicken finger, which was the extent of my recovery meal...

Moral (2:) When you are down (or way up) a few points in The Diabetes Game, it doesn't mean the end, it just means adjustments. Instead of putting down calories for the ride, I put down water. If I would have had a pump, I could have fixed it, but I didn't, so had to make due with water. There is always a way to improve the situation, which may not be ideal, but is doable.

At the dinner that night, I hear the lady who won the spirit award tell her story. It was her 2nd bike ride, and the first she did was 52 miles. She got her clipless 2 days prior to the ride, and she finished the 109 mile ride. After I heard her talk, I shut my mouth, as I may have only ridden 3 times in 3 weeks, but the legs of 150,000ish miles in them over the years, which is tough for the muscles to forget.

Next up is Turkey day with the family, which I am excited about, and then on Monday I head to NYC for Partnering for a Cure conference. This will be very cool, and I should get to hear some wonderful speakers, and sharpen my game, while at the same time, searching for partners in the "Cure death from diabetes" campaign which we will be rolling out. More news to come on that, but for the time being, let's all be thankful for what we have, and have a great day with family, friends, or both!

Thanks for reading, and have a great day!
Happy Thanksgiving!!!

Phil
@philsoutherland

Diabetes Game: Game Changes...

Howdy from Atlanta,

Yes, I said it, from Atlanta. These past few months have been nothing short of crazy, but awesome at the same time. I am in the middle of an 11 day stretch at home. Out of curiosity I took a look at the calendar, and prior to this stretch, I have only had 11 days at home since Aug 11, however I have got to take 32 different flights to who knows where. Lots of exciting trips, big planning, and hopes to make the team bigger, better, and stronger, and change the world at the same time.

So I last said my program for heading over seas. To do this I would take my basal insulin in 2 doses, and then do an increase of rapid. Out of laziness, it has taken some time to get back to my normal 1x day basal. For some reason or another my morning dose got to be bigger than my night dose. This was good for a while, but then sometime last week, I started going into the 160-180's at 4am. I had taken a break from Navigator, just to go to make sure I still had the talent via BS testing. Brutal reality is that I don't. I had more highs, and more lows than I have had in the last 4 months. It is just challenging to have full control when only seeing snap shots of where you are. The thing I like most about the CGM is that it is a movie, and it tells you a bit about the future, so that you can make these adjustments before there are issues. So I get back from Montreal and immediately put Navi back on. I see that it is 4am where the trend goes up. I try increase in basal, and no avail. My doc Bruce Bode told me I was having some growth hormone spikes in the night. No simple suggestions other than to get up and do a shot at that time. So on Sunday, I was slated to do the 100 mile Spin for Kids Ride. I backed my basal off by 3 units in the am to prep my body for the beating it was not prepared for. To make up for it that night, I did an increase of 3 units, and what do you know, perfect BG all night. Two possibilities here.
1. Bike riding is very good for blood sugar, and the increase in metabolism helped this happen.
2. Basal increase at night was the factor.

So to further this study, I took a few days off the bike, and kept the insulin constant to see. Granted, the metabolism stays hot for a few days after riding, but taking the time off should do the trick. So the next night, perfect BS again, and then the same again last night. So I am now working towards getting back to once a day. I will stay 2 days on this current dose, and then do a decrease in the am, and increase in pm. I should be back to once per day by Sunday, and I am hoping to get 2 good rides in this weekend.

I know I mentioned Montreal earlier, but I did not speak of the sense of accomplishment I got for getting there. In my world of not knowing where I am, I tend to forget some small things from time to time. This time, not so small. I get to the airport with 1hr 15 minutes to spare, which is plenty of time, only to realize I left my suits at home. I call Delta to learn that the next flight is in the am, which would mean missing some very important meetings with great people. So I begin the race home, grab my suit bag, and with 43 minutes before my flight (33 minutes before they close the door,) left buckhead to head to the airport (Mapquest says 25 minutes.) I somehow get parked, and get to the check in with 23 minutes pre-flight, get my ticket with 21 minutes to go, and take off in a sprint. I get to the long line at security, and pulled a Tommy-Boy yelling EXCUSE ME... The wonderful people in that line let me cut, I got through, and then a full sprint to A30. As I get to Gate A24, I cracked. I was winded, dead, and back was killing me from running with 3 bags. I dug real deep, and resumed the sprint seeing the door at A30 closing... So I scream from 100 yards away "Montreal, Montreal, Montreal!!!" only to see a hand come through and the door open, and I got on my flight. My buddy Christian of Dex4, put all bets against me, knowing I would never make it, so it was high fives all around. My door, to my seat on the plane in 33 minutes, which I believe is a world record that will never be seen in Guiness... I felt about as good as one could feel in that moment, and it really did set the tone for the entire week.

So back to that diabetes game. I think the lesson to be learned here, is that we are always going to change, and we always have to adapt. You have to try new things to get the control you want. It is important to look for the trends, and then find a way to get ahead of that trend. My problem was 4am, and it was either going to be play with my basal, or to get up at 3am and bolus. I am kind of partial to my sleep, so decided to play with the basal.

All in all, great to be home for a few days, and glad to be back on the bike. I really can't put into words the good feeling you get from spending a few hours out there with your buddies, and going into that hurt box. It may sound sadistic, but the pain on the bike turns into stories later, and a overall great feeling. So I am back on the bike, loving it, and will continue to ride for fun.

Have a great night, and thanks for reading!!

Phil
@philsoutherland

Diabetes Game and overseas...

Howdy from Munich,

Past week has been pretty rocking. First was EASD in Vienna which gave some great promise to our Euro/World Wide expansion, but also to know that there is still much work to be done so that the diabetes world over here learns about Team Type 1. Had great meetings, hung out with my buddy Kyle Rose, Jay D. (who taught me of a few "Dunniganisms") and many others. It was a grand time for sure.

I read the comment by "jpnairn"
re: goal of sub 5 A1c for type 1 diabetic.
Reminds me of anorexia.
Sub 6, I'd give you an Attaboy. Sub-5, I can't encourage. Sure you can do it. You could probably go sub 4 if you really tried.
The goal should not be to get it as low as it can go. The goal should be to get it to a healthy level.

If I had a 4.8 with a lot of dangerous lows, then I would agree. But, I use "The Best" treatment and technology out there. I do not suggest anyone set their goal at sub 5, and if they did aim for that, to use the exact same stuff (FreeStyle Navigator, basal and fast acting insulin, Dex4) that I do. I am OCD, and I channel that OCD behavior towards my blood sugar. 69 is too low, 119 is too high. I check, and I correct. Some days things are smooth, and that means I do 5 shots. Some days (yesterday) things are tricky and I do 13 shots.
My 28 day average is 102, with 38 mg/dl standard deviation, 88% in target, 4% above target, and 8% below target.
I am trying to lower the standard deviation, and the time below target. My last Glycomark test, which measure the variability in your blood sugar was 11.1, and above 10 is considered excellent.

The motto of Team Type 1 is "A1C: Strive for 6.5" I stand by that. If you can get to 6.5 successfully and safely, then aim for 6.3, then 6.1. The fact of the matter is, that people without diabetes have A1C's between 4.0-6.0. If you can get to that range, then odds are you will have 0 complications just like they do.

Lastly, I am on my 9,900th day as a person with diabetes. I want to be the best I can be, and stay motivated. For me, motivation comes with goal setting, and working towards them. If I set an easy goal, then it is not really worth the effort to achieve it. Goals are meant to be challenging, meant to push, and it was no easy task to lower my A1C like that. It took work, and I am damn proud of the result for my efforts.

So about this travel thing: Flying for a 6 hour time difference can mess things up. Being on an Omni-Pod is easy, as the basal stays the same, or can be micro adjusted. Using basal insulin can be a bit more tricky. So after screwing up a few times, I decided to split dose my basal insulin. This started a week before the trip to get each dose to about even. And then on the night time dose on the plane, I did 1 extra unit to make up for the lack of activity. Then the morning dose was also 1 extra unit, which was too much of an increase, so I was correcting via food a lot...

A couple of runs the first 2 days, and jet lag was gone. Funny enough, my body is so not used to running so both times required a big bolus after even though I ate nothing during the run. I reckon as I get back in shape (long way to go) that this will stop eventually stop. So now the fun begins of trying new stuff, screwing up, adapting, and getting on track. Gotta do something to keep this diabetes game fresh and fun! In the end, I know that running will help all work well again, so really can't wait.

So whatever your A1C is, that is great cause that is where you are. But where you choose to be 1 month from now, a day from now, a year from now is all up to you. If your goal is to get from 10 to 8, that is great. From 8 to 7, congrats. I would say to set a goal that will push you to make the adjustments necessary to get there. Good luck!!

And Have a great day!!!

Phil