ERIC TOZER

Los Angeles, CA
Age: 28
Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 22

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Two year captain of UC Santa Cruz soccer team.
NCAA Men’s Soccer Final Four All Tournament team (2004)
Completing first attempt at a triathlon as a Half Ironman distance
First time on a road bike was completion of the 200-mile STP race (Seattle to Portland)
Big Blue Adventure race 1st place finish 2008, 2009

MEET ERIC TOZER

When were you diagnosed with diabetes?

After graduating from college, while traveling around Europe I lost almost 20 pounds and began feeling the common effects of Hyperglycemia. Unaware of what was happening I continued my travels and upon returning to the states I found out that I had type 1 Diabetes. I was 22 years old and weeks away from moving across the country, away from my loved ones, to begin my career. Fortunately, I was able to get set up with a doctor, nutritionist, and the rest of my diabetes team who helped me get my sugars under control and feel comfortable and confident with my diabetes management.

How did your family feel about diabetes when you were first diagnosed?

I remember my family being sad and worried. As incredibly strong as they are, they were worried about how difficult my life would be from that point on. One thing that they quickly realized was my drive to take control of my diabetes and the desire to not let it stop me from achieving anything. Having no real firsthand experience with diabetes, my family and I were somewhat naïve to all the incredible advancements in diabetes care. Within a few visits to my endocrinologist, my family and I were able to bring my A1C down from 13 to 7.0 and with it came some relief. In almost no time at all, with the help of products like the continuous glucose monitor, my insulin pump and my bolus and basal insulin, along with other pieces of my diabetic arsenal, my daily management became much easier than we had originally expected.

How do you feel about diabetes now?

Diabetes provides me with a daily challenge of trying to be my best with my insulin, diet, blood sugar monitoring and exercise. The advancements in technology that make it easier to track blood sugar and deliver insulin also makes my day-to-day life that much easier. Building a support group around me who is knowledgeable about type 1 is very helpful; sharing ideas, stories about successes and failures with diabetes management in combination with exercise, training and competing with type 1 athletes has been hugely beneficial to my diabetes management.

Why is exercise and competition a part of your life?

The great Vince Lombardi said, “The quality of a man's life is in direct proportion to his commitment to excellence”, which is something I take to heart in every aspect of my life. I’ve been a competitor ever since I can remember which has played a huge role in taking control of my diabetes, as the competitive mindset, carries over to my diabetes management. On a health benefit level, exercise is simply a must for anyone, diabetic or not. My triathlon training has a beneficial effect on my day to day diabetes management as it becomes more routine and easier to manage my blood sugars. Along with the fact that my blood sugar readings trend lower and tend to be more stable with fewer highs and lows, my daily insulin requirement also tends to decrease with regular exercise and competition. Another benefit of competing is the healthy diet required to compete at my highest level; I eat healthier in order to fuel my body to get the most out of it which helps manage my weight on top of my overall health.

What drew you to Team Type 1?

I was put in touch with one of the TT1 founders and I immediately felt the positive impact on my life of having someone with the knowledge, experience, and mindset to control diabetes while being active and competitive. I was able to watch the team expand and succeed from the original group winning the RAAM (Race Across America) to the 70+ athletes it is today, sharing the message and instilling hope and confidence in other diabetics around the world. There are now even more athletes in the TT1 ranks who share the vision of having a positive impact on the diabetes world both on and off the race course. As exciting as it is to race alongside some of the best athletes around (diabetic or not), the opportunity to give back to the diabetes community played a monumental role in joining TT1. We are fortunate enough to have been blessed with gifts and abilities in our lives, however, many times the challenges associated with having diabetes can be a powerful blessing both in our lives and in our community as we use these gifts to instill hope in other patients. TT1 provides the platform for us to make use of these gifts and abilities as well as use my personal challenge to help educate and inspire others.

Tell us about an athletic achievement that you find especially significant.

My first triathlon ever was a Half Ironman. In the build up to the race I had plenty of skeptics tell me I was crazy for thinking I would be able to do a half Ironman in my first triathlon race; with or without diabetes. My outlook on finishing the race was a metaphor to my diabetes management; with the proper planning any goal can be achieved, whether it is taking control of your diabetes to reach a desired A1C, or crossing the finish line with a certain time.

If there is one piece of advice you could give to someone who was newly diagnosed with diabetes– what would it be?

You are not alone on this journey; your family, friends and healthcare team are all in your corner supporting you. The healthcare team will set you up with the proper medicine, diet and exercise plan, along with the proper technology to monitor your diabetes. Nothing in your life will change for the worse. In a few short months that which may seem overwhelming will be second nature. Having diabetes does NOT have to change your goals or dreams in life.

In what way have you found that your diabetes has helped you grow as an individual?

The focus, discipline and attention to detail are characteristics that helped me better manage my diabetes; these characteristics have helped me develop all areas of my life as a professional, athlete and individual as well.

Are there any areas of your diabetes management that you are currently targeting to improve?

I want to minimize the occasional elevated morning-blood sugar levels as well as gain a better understanding of the effect that exercise has on my blood sugar levels.

Tell us about an athletic goal you have for the short term – say less than one year from now.

I want to earn a place on the podium at a Half Ironman and Ironman triathlon and qualify for the Boston Marathon.

How about an athletic goal that you have for the long term?

Qualify for IronMan Kona and inspire other diabetics to qualify for their own personal “Kona”..

Eric, thank you for taking the time to talk with us.

Thank you.