From MDI to Omnipod: How I Found Freedom After 20 Years with Type 1 Diabetes

7 January, 2026

Diagnosed on 11 August 2005, I have lived with Type 1 diabetes for nearly two decades. For most of that time, I relied on multiple daily injections (MDI). It worked, it was a system that allowed me to keep my diabetes mostly invisible to the outside world. I could manage it quietly, discretely, without feeling like I had to announce to everyone, “Hey, I’m diabetic” but it also meant a lot of mental energy, constant planning, and a life that revolved around blood sugars, meals, and exercise.

On top of that, I have played competitive soccer for most of my life, have a career in Speech Pathology and every second I can I am traveling around the world. Managing my diabetes around training, matches, clients and travel was a full-time job in itself. A high-intensity and active lifestyle, with Type 1 diabetes don’t always mix easily I’d sometimes run high during or after a game or crash unexpectedly hours later. Different cuisines and activity levels in different countries kept me guestimating a bolus. With MDI, I was always reacting rather than proactively managing those changes.

So when I heard about Omnipod, I thought: What if this could make things easier?

I was drawn to Omnipod because it’s tubeless, discreet, and offered a chance to see what life with a pump could be like without the parts that didn’t appeal to me, like tubing. At first, I told myself, “I’ll give it a go. If it doesn’t work out, I can always go back to pens.” But from the first few weeks, I realised how much mental space it freed up. At first, though, it felt strange. I actually felt a bit like I was mistreating myself because so much of the mental energy that went into injecting was suddenly gone. No constant injections, no stopping mid-training session to calculate a bolus, manageable lows before a client session because I had too much insulin on board. It was oddly freeing… and I didn’t quite know what to do with that freedom at first.

The benefits became clear pretty quickly; Whether I’m on the soccer pitch, in the gym, or just living my day-to-day life, I feel like I can proactively manage my blood glucose instead of always reacting after the fact. I can sleep through the night without constant alarms or highs and lows waking me up. I can wear it under my clothes, and most people never know it’s there — unless I want them to.

Honestly, I thought I might try Omnipod for a while and then go back to injecting. But it’s been such a smooth transition, I haven’t looked back. Of course, it’s not all perfect. My running joke is how many times I have (nearly) ripped my Pod off accidentally, when it’s on my leg, while pulling my pants down. It’s like a little game of “where did I put my Pod?!” every time I get dressed so it doesn’t accidentally get caught. But honestly, that’s been the biggest “challenge” so far nothing major, nothing that’s made me second-guess the switch.

After 20 years with Type 1 diabetes, and a life filled with highs, lows, and everything in between, I never imagined technology would come this far. Omnipod has given me freedom, confidence, and control. Today, I feel like I can handle whatever diabetes throws my way and I can still chase my goals on and off the field, in the clinic, and around the world. If you’re on the fence, know this: you are not alone, and there are tools that can help you feel more in control of your health and your life.