We often look at successful athletes, musicians, and public figures as if they were born with an unshakable sense of purpose. But the truth is, they’ve had their share of doubts and missteps just like the rest of us. Chris Jarvis, an Olympian and the founder of I Challenge Diabetes, is no exception. His story isn’t just about athletic success- it’s about resilience, learning to navigate
life’s unexpected turns, and discovering strength in vulnerability.
Chris was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes shortly after his 14th birthday, a moment that would fundamentally reshape his life. For most kids, that age is already full of uncertainty, but Chris faced an even bigger shift. He wasn’t a star athlete at the time, just a kid playing sports without any major ambitions in that realm. But suddenly, he was thrown into the world of blood sugar monitoring, insulin injections, and the constant need to manage his health.
Interestingly, Chris’s diagnosis didn’t come as a complete shock to his family. His younger sister had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes five years earlier. Chris had watched her manage the finger pokes and the needles, but from the outside looking in, it was still a mystery. When his own diagnosis came, Chris’s instinct was to be strong, not just for himself, but for his sister. He wanted to be a protective older brother, showing her that they could both handle it. But in his effort to be tough, Chris admits that he might have created some emotional distance between them. “I think it kind of put us each into our own shell, and we didn’t talk about it,” he reflected. Still, the bond they shared over managing diabetes eventually strengthened. His sister became an athletic inspiration for Chris, a standout in both soccer and basketball, proving to him that diabetes wasn’t a barrier to success in sport.
Chris’s athletic career didn’t take off immediately. In grade 10, he joined the football team, but it wasn’t exactly smooth sailing. He was scrawny, still recovering from the weight loss that often accompanies type 1 diabetes. “I was the skinniest guy out there,” he laughed. The bigger, stronger guys on the team would always want to pair up with him for drills because they’d rather carry him than someone heavier. But Chris stuck with it — not because he was naturally gifted, but because he began to feel a sense of belonging. That feeling of being part of a team, of being supported, laid the foundation for his future athletic success.
Managing diabetes as an athlete came with unique challenges. Back then, the understanding of how exercise impacts blood sugar levels was limited. Chris would test his blood sugar before a game, feel like everything was fine, only to crash mid-play. “It was just suffering and trying to stay alive,” he said bluntly. He didn’t know how to adjust for exercise because the science and education simply weren’t there yet.
For years, managing his diabetes while training and competing was a process of trial and error —treating lows as they happened and hoping for the best.
What carried Chris through those difficult moments was the support of his teammates. He recalled times when his blood sugar would crash dangerously low during games, and his teammates were the ones who helped him through it. “Most of them didn’t know much about diabetes,” he said, “but they cared about me, and they cared about the team.” That sense of community and support became a core part of his athletic experience, and later, the foundation for I Challenge Diabetes, an organization he created to provide a similar sense of belonging and support for others with type 1 diabetes.
Chris’s path to rowing success was anything but linear. When he first started rowing in college, his coach doubted whether he could handle the demands of varsity-level competition with diabetes. “That doubt stung,” Chris admitted. But it also fueled him. He wanted to prove to himself, and everyone else, that he could compete at the highest level, regardless of his diagnosis. Not only did Chris make the team, but he eventually became the captain in his senior year, leading his team with both strength and vulnerability.
As Chris’s athletic career progressed, he began to realize that his experience with diabetes was not just a personal challenge; it was an opportunity to connect with others. Other athletes with diabetes began reaching out to him, asking how he managed his blood sugar while competing at an elite level. Chris was surprised at first, but it soon became a source of motivation. He realized that by sharing his story and strategies, he could empower others to pursue their athletic dreams without fear.
Today, I Challenge Diabetes reflects everything Chris learned through his journey. It’s not just about managing blood sugar, it’s about building a community where people living with type 1 diabetes feel supported and understood. Chris’s story teaches us that resilience isn’t just about pushing through hard times; it’s about learning to lean on others, finding strength in vulnerability, and using setbacks as fuel for growth.
Chris’s journey serves as a powerful reminder that we don’t always have control over the challenges life throws at us, but we do have control over how we respond. His story is proof that resilience and self-discovery go hand in hand, and that even the hardest moments can shape us into something stronger.
This is part one of a five-part series, detailing Chris Jarvis’ story, and the origins of I Challenge Diabetes, compiled and written by ICD intern Hodan Abdi.
