Last week we had an opportunity to interview Hanna Boëthius and here is what she had to say.
Tell us a little bit about yourself.
I’m a diabetes expert who loves amazing food, long, fast walks, yoga, and inspiring company. I live in Switzerland, although I’m Swedish by birth, and have lived with Type 1 Diabetes since the age of 2 in 1985. I spent the majority of my life with diabetes struggling with my blood sugar levels, going from dangerously high to life threatening lows in just a few hours. I’m glad I’ve found lifestyle choices I can apply to help other people with diabetes to get healthier and happier today.
At what moment in your life did you decide that you were going to become a Certified Nutrition Coach?
It was after a severe burn out that took me way too long to recover from. I started thinking about what it is I actually wanted to do with my life, and figured I was interested in, and had 26 years of experience with, food and nutrition at that point. I also thought it would be an easy education to complete, as I knew so much about nutrition from having lived with diabetes for so long. Boy, was I wrong! My world was turned upside down and I finally found what I had been missing all those years; a sustainable, easy and healthy way to achieve normal blood sugars. This includes eating food that is low in carbs.
For those that do not know can you tell us what is the difference between a Certified Nutrition Coach and a Certified Diabetes Educator?
A CDE has studied more practical applications to life with diabetes. A CNC has studied nutrition and how that works in the body. I have spent over 5 years researching everything about diabetes since then, plus my personal experience, and that of my clients, to form a slightly different, but very hands-on, view of diabetes than a CDE might have.
Do you work with individuals online, via email or skype?
I only work with my clients over Skype and email. They are situated all over the world. And they are all amazing!
What are some of the motivational and inspiring ways you teach your clients that help change their diabetes management?
I work a lot with the mind-body connection, self acceptance and yummy food. There’s nothing more motivational or empowering than when you notice you’re in control of your blood sugars, at least most of the time!
What helps you stay inspired and motivated?
The drive that I’m in this for life. I do a lot of mental work with myself, meditation, yoga, and long walks for example, in order to live better with a chronic disease such as type 1 diabetes. And as I previously mentioned, there’s nothing more motivating than seeing consistently good results and lower HbA1c’s!
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Do you have days when you do not feel as inspired or motivated? What do you do on such days to help bring your inspiration back?
There are always better and worse days for everyone, myself included, otherwise we wouldn’t be human. When I have a less-than-inspired day, I usually take excellent care of myself, pamper my amazing body and gather courage for the next day.
What would you like to say to people with diabetes who are struggling on their daily journey with diabetes and feel like giving up?
There is always a solution that suits you, your body, your situation and your diabetes. But you need to be willing to find it, and it might not be what you expected it to be.
Do you ever get frustrated seeing people not give their 100% in making changes to their lifestyle that can be beneficial for them?
Of course. I have to be honest and tell you that patience isn’t my strongest quality. But I also realise and appreciate that change takes a lot of time, and is sometimes one step forward and 3 steps back. And that’s ok. As long as you keep working towards what you want to achieve and don’t give up, you’re making progress.
If you had a magic wand, what is one thing that you would want to change about your life?
Naturally, I would love to be able to say that I used to have diabetes. Until then, I’d love to have more time, energy and money for traveling.
If you were not a CNC, what would you be doing right now?
I would help people with diabetes in some other way. Helping people with diabetes is my true passion in life and if the food and nutrition parts of it wouldn’t be available, I’d do something else in a similar field.
How should someone contact you if they are interested in working with you?
Please email me on me@hannaboethius.com and we’ll chat.
You can also contact Hanna through her website Hannaboethius.com
Hope you learned something from this insightful interview.
TheDiabetesCouncil Article | Reviewed by Dr. Sergii Vasyliuk MD on May 28, 2020