MATT BROOKS

• Pickerington, OH
• Age: 25
• Diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes at age 8

Matt Brooks is 25, from Pickerington, Ohio, and was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was seven years old. A knee injury while playing soccer in high school put him off exercise completely in 2006, and the lack of physical activity made managing his diabetes difficult. On the advice of his endocrinologist, Matt took up sports again, this time setting his sights on cycling.

“My mother found this team on the internet and showed me that a group of riders with diabetes were doing the Race Across America. At the time I was already riding, but had never even considered racing. I started competing in 2007 and was hooked. Then I raced with Team Type 1 in the 2008 and 09 RAAM when we set the record.”

“It’s a combination of a healthy diet, constant checking of my glucose levels, an insulin pump and exercise that helps me to manage my diabetes now. And because of this I have a dream to race at a higher level this year. We have this squad of guys - some with diabetes, some without - and with great management and support behind us we hare being set up for a strong year in 2011.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

• Member, Winning RAAM 8-Person Corporate Team, 2009 (in world record time)
• Second place, Member, RAAM 8-Person Corporate Team, 2008
• Upgrading to Category 3 in his first 2 seasons of racing