Canadian powerlifter with type 1 diabetes continues to thrive with expert care from Sinai Health
Diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when he was just five years old, Jeff Becker faced a lifelong condition that could have sidelined his passion for competitive powerlifting.
Supported with specialized care from his team at the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes (LSCD), Jeff has found a balance between high-level training and diabetes management.
Even at a young age, Jeff was drawn to powerlifting. Growing up on a dairy farm in rural Ontario, Jeff kept busy with long days of feeding and milking cows, bailing hay, and helping care for more than 300 acres of land. Yet he still found ways to pursue his passion and push through the effects of his condition, with little in the way of tools to cope.
“I worked out with weights in my parents’ basement, after my farm work was done,” Jeff said. “I could feel low blood sugar coming on but glucose monitoring tools weren’t available during my childhood.”
In his early 20s, Jeff studied agriculture at the University of Guelph still keeping up his training between classes and schoolwork. His hard work paid off —after graduation, he would go on to compete internationally in powerlifting, earning 1 North American gold medal, 6 world masters championships medals, and 7 world silver medals among many others.
Specialized diabetes support at Mount Sinai Hospital
In the 1990s, Jeff was still training and competing at a high level, all while experiencing his diabetes symptoms. He pushed through them, managing fatigue, fluctuating energy levels and signs of low blood sugar during both training and competitions. It was at this time that he was referred to the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes (LSCD) at Mount Sinai Hospital.
Recognized nationally for its leadership in diabetes care, research and education, LSCD is one of Canada’s leading academic centres supporting people with complex diabetes. At LSCD, he met with Dr. Bernard Zinman, who has since retired, later transitioning to the team that continues to guide his care today – endocrinologist Dr. Caroline Kramer, registered nurse and diabetes educator Barbara Cleave, and clinical dietitian Tara Koyama.
Working closely with Jeff, Dr. Kramer and Barbara fine-tuned his insulin plan to reduce the frequency of low blood sugar crashes he was experiencing, while Tara helped him expand his diet to include more low glycemic index foods. The result was a significant improvement in his day-to-day health and energy.
While Jeff no longer competes, the care he’s received has enabled him to maintain his active lifestyle and lifelong passion for travel. To date, he has explored more than 25 countries across Europe, as well as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Chile, Argentina and beyond.
"While Jeff still has to be mindful of low blood sugar, he’s no longer experiencing the crashes he used to,” said Tara. “He continues to train and perform at a high level, and as a world traveler, managing insulin while crossing time zones can be challenging. We’ve worked with him to adjust his insulin for travel, which has helped make those transitions smoother.”
When asked what advice he would offer others living with diabetes, Jeff offers perspective that is grounded and resolute: “I remember that everything — plants, animals — lives and dies. We’re all terminal, in a way. Treat your body like a vehicle: exercise daily if you can, even just 10 minutes in the morning. Build from there. Aim for your personal best.”
Diabetes on the rise in Canada
More than 11.7 million people in Canada are living with diabetes or prediabetes. Nearly one in 10 adults over the age of 20 has been diagnosed with the condition. For many, receiving the diagnosis can be overwhelming, often compared to the stages of grief.
“Be good to yourself,” advises Barbara Cleave. “A diagnosis can come as a shock. Many people don’t expect to hear they have diabetes, but often feel a sense of relief in finally understanding why they’ve been feeling unwell.”
While adjusting to life with diabetes can take time, there is reason for hope. Care and treatment options have come a long way.
“With the right approach, people can manage this condition effectively – especially considering the therapeutic arsenal that is now available,” says Dr. Kramer. “If you’ve been diagnosed with diabetes, work with your health-care team to create a personalized plan. That includes understanding your sugar numbers, staying active, and building a healthy diet that works for you.”
Tara echoes this message of encouragement: “There are so many advances in medications for type 2 diabetes, and insulins for both type 1 and 2,” she says. “Not to mention how far diabetes technology has come. Having well-controlled blood sugars is now more achievable than ever. You can still have a healthy, active, long life with diabetes.”
Learn more about the Leadership Sinai Centre for Diabetes at Mount Sinai Hospital, which treats more than 20,000 patients each year.
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