DiabetesSangha Fall 2026 Meditation Retreat

At the carefree age of 56, I was quite surprised to be diagnosed with Diabetes, on Valentines Day no less. Talk about Self-Compassion. For my first year I lived a life trying to accept this misdiagnosis of Type 2 Diabetes, only to be correctly diagnosed as Type 1 eighteen months later. During that time, I developed an engaged yoga practice which helped me heal my mind and body. In the early days of COVID under home confinement (everything from home) I began my relationship with a mindfulness practice which helped me immensely in so many ways.

I am passionate about connecting in this community and in finding ways to give back , to continually share my experiences, and in growing from these relationships.

I was diagnosed with Type One Diabetes when I was 8, and while I had some exposure to meditation in middle school, I didn’t start really practicing until many years later, and only then with hopes that it would make me a better college football player. Once my playing career ended, I realized meditation practice was the real gift all along, and took a deep dive into it. I primarily practice in a meditation tradition called Rinzai Zen, but also explore meditation from the lenses of other Buddhist traditions, and from the viewpoint of modern Psychology and Neuroscience, which is where my professional work is.

Each practice helps me be a little more the person I want to be, not separating myself from T1D, not separating from the joys nor hardships of life, and not separating from the sunrises and sunsets, the waves on this ocean of life, or the delicious snack behind me.