How Mike Benko Diabetes Changed His Life and Career

Mike Benko is a medical professional, a craftsman, and a husband to Gray Benko, a photographer and interior designer. He is also one of the stars of the new Magnolia Network series Happy to Be Home With the Benkos, where he and his wife transform historic homes in South Carolina. But behind his cheerful and creative personality, Mike has a personal challenge that he faces every day: type 1 diabetes.

What is Type 1 Diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that occurs when the immune system attacks and destroys the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use glucose (sugar) for energy. Without insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, causing high blood sugar levels and various health problems.

Type 1 diabetes usually develops in childhood or adolescence, but it can also occur in adults. It is not caused by lifestyle factors, such as diet or exercise, and it cannot be prevented or cured. People with type 1 diabetes need to take insulin injections or use an insulin pump to manage their blood sugar levels. They also need to monitor their blood sugar regularly, follow a healthy diet, and stay physically active.

How Did Mike Benko Discover He Had Diabetes?

Mike Benko was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was 29 years old. He had been working as a senior sales representative for GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), a pharmaceutical company, in Orlando, Florida. He had been feeling tired, thirsty, and hungry for a while, but he attributed it to his busy and stressful job. He also noticed that he was losing weight without trying, but he thought it was a good thing.

One day, he went to a routine physical exam and found out that his blood sugar level was over 600 mg/dL (normal range is 70-130 mg/dL). He was immediately hospitalized and given insulin to lower his blood sugar. He was shocked and scared by the diagnosis, as he had no family history of diabetes and he had always been healthy and fit.

How Did Mike Benko Change His Career After Diabetes?

After his diagnosis, Mike decided to leave GSK and pursue a career in the diabetes industry. He joined Novo Nordisk, a company that specializes in diabetes care products, as an executive territory manager. He said that working for Novo Nordisk changed his life as a person with diabetes, as he learned more about the disease and how to manage it better. He also felt more motivated and passionate about helping other people with diabetes.

He stayed with Novo Nordisk for six years, during which he achieved many successes and promotions. He then moved to Tandem Diabetes Care, a company that makes insulin pumps and other devices for people with diabetes. He worked as a regional sales manager for Tandem Diabetes Care until he decided to join his wife on their TV show Happy to Be Home With the Benkos.

How Does Mike Benko Manage His Diabetes Now?

Mike Benko uses an insulin pump and a continuous glucose monitor (CGM) to manage his diabetes. An insulin pump is a small device that delivers insulin through a thin tube under the skin. A CGM is a device that measures blood sugar levels every few minutes through a sensor inserted under the skin. These devices help Mike adjust his insulin doses according to his blood sugar levels, food intake, and physical activity.

Mike also follows a healthy diet that includes low-carb, high-protein, and high-fiber foods. He avoids foods that spike his blood sugar, such as refined sugars, processed grains, and starchy vegetables. He also drinks plenty of water and limits his alcohol intake.

Mike is also very active and enjoys working out, playing golf, and doing home improvement projects with his wife. He says that exercise helps him lower his blood sugar levels, improve his mood, and maintain his weight.

What Advice Does Mike Benko Have for Other People With Diabetes?

Mike Benko says that having diabetes is not easy, but it is not the end of the world either. He says that people with diabetes can still live happy and fulfilling lives if they take care of themselves and follow their doctor’s recommendations. He also says that people with diabetes should not be ashamed or afraid of their condition, but rather embrace it as part of who they are.

He encourages people with diabetes to educate themselves about the disease and its management, seek support from others who understand what they are going through, and find ways to cope with stress and emotions. He also urges people with diabetes to be proactive about their health and check their blood sugar regularly, take their medications as prescribed, eat well-balanced meals, stay hydrated, exercise regularly, get enough sleep, and visit their doctor often.

He says that living with diabetes is a journey that requires constant learning and adapting. He says that he still faces challenges and struggles with his diabetes, but he also celebrates his achievements and victories. He says that he is grateful for his family, friends, and fans who support him and inspire him to keep going.

He says that he hopes that by sharing his story, he can help raise awareness and understanding about diabetes, and inspire other people with diabetes to live their best lives. He says that he is proud to be a person with diabetes, and he is happy to be home with the Benkos.

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