Today we’d like to introduce you to Beth Santiago
Hi Beth, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
When I was a young child, my parents brought my siblings and I to a wholistic doctor who informed them I had all of the signs that would lead to a diabetes diagnosis. At that time, my parents started a deep dive, as much as was possible at that time, into understanding how to consume healthy foods and live a healthier lifestyle.
My grandfather was a very uncontrolled type 2 diabetic and passed away after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Fast forward to adulthood, my college sweetheart was a very brittle type 1 diabetic. This is where I learned the most about diabetes and what life was like for not only those living with diabetes, but for their loved ones as well. This is also where my deep desire to understand diabetes and help manage this cumbersome disease came to life for me.
Helping those living with diabetes, as well as their loved ones, and alleviating the load they carry became my passion very quickly and changed my focus from Psychology (I wanted to be a therapist), to becoming a Registered Nurse so that I could pursue the career of diabetes education.
I landed my dream job as a diabetes educator, shortly after a devastating divorce, and believe with everything in my being that God had His hand in all of it. Despite the struggles that came with such a difficult time in my life, He has led me right to where I need to be.
While working as a Master’s prepared diabetes nurse educator, I became pregnant with my first beautiful baby and was diagnosed with gestational diabetes. The emotional roller coaster was awful and the diagnosis felt devastating, but in the end, God’s plan always prevails. I believe my experience with my diabetes diagnosis has helped me serve my people at a level I was unable to provide prior to my own personal diagnosis.
My sweet family moved to SC (long time dream of myself and my husband’s – entire family really) April of 2024 and we continue to pinch ourselves daily to remind ourselves this is really our lives!
When we moved, I stayed with my job remotely, but in August 2024 was informed the hospital was being closed and I would be without employment in 30 days. I felt led to go out on my own, something I had talked about often but had no idea how to implement. I decided to jump in, put the work in, and trust God to walk beside me through the unknowns of entrepreneurship as a wife to an amazing and busy husband and a mom to 3 of the most special little humans He saw fit to bless us with.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It’s been an absolute roller coaster! Hahaha. The things I have struggled with are basically all things business! As a nurse, I never learned anything about marketing, website development, seo optimization, and SEVERAL other things I have had to pour hours into to understand and implement.
But the challenge has also been so amazing and I have met some absolutely wonderful people along the way. The support of those living in this area has been heart warming and another reason we always wanted to move here.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about myDiabetes Educator?
As a Registered Nurse and a CDCES (certified diabetes care and education specialist) working with diabetics for over 10 years, I started my own private 1:1 diabetes coaching business.
I work with people living with all types of diabetes and at all different places in their diabetes journey. I love data analysis, reviewing insulin pump and CGM (continuous glucose monitor) downloads, teaching my clients how to interpret them, and helping with the implementation of change to better their glucose management.
I’m a super health food nut, though I love my Friday night family pizza night too! So I also love to show people how to eat in a way that they do not feel that they are giving up their favorite things, but enjoying their foods while ensuring the foods aren’t putting their glucose on a roller coaster ride.
I approach my clients with empathy, compassion, and an understanding of the emotional impact living with diabetes, or watching a loved one with diabetes, can have. My approach is to meet my clients where they are and build a personal and individualized management plan that works for them. I see too many providers trying to force their one approach on everyone and from my experience, this just doesn’t work.
I take pride in my deep desire to make my clients feel heard and understood, meet them where they are and show compassion always through the often difficult road to change and growth.
My services are primarily offered virtually, but I am willing to meet locally if that is preferred. I will be hosting online group options soon and this will be promoted through my social media and website. My desire is to help as many people living with diabetes as I possibly can.
We’re always looking for the lessons that can be learned in any situation, including tragic ones like the Covid-19 crisis. Are there any lessons you’ve learned that you can share?
Yes! That meeting virtually can be just as effective for diabetes coaching, and even MORE convenient for everybody! Also, despite the divisive messages, to stick together and show love and empathy despite our differences.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mydiabetesedu.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mydiabeteseducator/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565205206915
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bethany-santiago-07675b53/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@myDiabetesEducator
Image Credits
Timothy Patno, of Timothy Michael Photography took the professional headshots.
