"Why a Two-Year-Old? Why Not Me?" – James Bracey on His Daughter's Type 1 Diagnosis
Drew's Daily DoseShow Notes
James Bracey is one of Australia’s most recognised sports presenters—fronting Channel Nine’s NRL and State of Origin coverage, plus Olympic Games coverage. But behind the scenes, James is also a father navigating the daily highs and lows of raising a daughter with type 1 diabetes.
When Matilda (Tilly) was diagnosed at just two years old, James and his wife Margot were thrown into a world they knew nothing about. In this raw and emotional chat, James opens up about everything—from the chaos of diagnosis to midnight alarms, finger pricks and birthday parties with jellybeans on standby.
But amidst the exhaustion, fear and steep learning curve, James has found purpose, perspective, and an unshakeable pride in his daughter’s strength.
Here’s what we’re covering:
-That surreal moment in the GP’s office that changed James’ life forever
-The terrifying drive to hospital—and the chaos that followed
-What no one tells you about managing type 1 diabetes in toddlers
-How food became both a battleground and a language of love
-The silent burden dads carry—and why James is finally talking about it
-James’ biggest fear as Tilly grows up—and how he’s preparing for it
-What he’d do if he could wave a magic wand and cure diabetes tomorrow
-The exquisite letter to diabetes that left us all in tears
… and a whole lot more
Chapters:
⏳ [00:00] Diagnosis Day: The GP, the Finger Prick, the Rain
⏳ [02:18] Meet James Bracey: Sports Broadcaster, Proud T1D Dad
⏳ [07:13] “Is This Really Life Now?” The Emotional Aftershock
⏳ [13:34] Injecting a Two-Year-Old: The Part That Broke James
⏳ [18:14] Mealtimes, Meltdowns and the Jellybean Negotiations
⏳ [21:19] Finding the Loop: Tech, Community and the OmniPod
⏳ [26:15] Hope vs. Burnout: The Battle for Balance
⏳ [32:00] Birthday Parties, Buffets and Food Fixations
⏳ [36:24] Type 1 at Work: Balancing Live TV and Blood Sugars
⏳ [43:00] Swimming, CGMs and Surprising Blood Glucose Drops
⏳ [48:10] Stigma, Misconceptions and the ‘Bad Diet’ Myth
⏳ [51:16] The Magic Wand Moment: What a Cure Would Mean
⏳ [53:33] Breakthrough T1D: Raising Funds, Raising Awareness
⏳ [58:48] “Go Easy on Yourself”: James’ Advice to Fellow T1D Parents
⏳ [01:01:27] Dear Diabetes: James’ Letter That’ll Stay With You Forever
Hope you enjoy!
You can get in touch with James on Instagram @james__bracey
To learn more about Medtronic https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/
Explore the MiniMed™ 780 https://www.medtronic-diabetes.com.au/products/minimed-780g-guardian-4-sensor Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
More from Drew's Daily Dose
From singing in Church to selling out stadiums, Marcia Hines has lived a life powered by rhythm, resilience and responsibility.
What happens when your child is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes—and you're both doctors, but still completely unprepared?
When Sarah Klau and Verity Simmons were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, they weren’t handed a playbook. No manual. No step-by-step.
When Lisa Clark was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at just five years old, her life—and her family's—changed forever. Managing the condition in the 1970s meant urine testing, stainless steel syringes, and a revolving door of hospital visits. But what followed is one of Australia’s most remarkable medical stories.
When paediatric nurse practitioner Lucy first stepped into the world of diabetes care, she thought it’d be a temporary gig. Just a break from the heartbreak of palliative care. But 24 years on, she’s become one of the most respected figures in the type 1 diabetes community—advocating for change, championing tech, and supporting thousands of families through the diagnosis that shakes their world.