210. The First Person to Summit Antarctica with Type 1 Diabetes: Rachel Smith
Tue Feb 03 2026
Rachel Smith is an OB-GYN, lifelong mountain-lover, and person with type 1 diabetes who set out to summit Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s tallest peak, in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. After climbs like Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua, she realized the biggest curiosity was not just the summit itself, but the diabetes strategy behind it: insulin safety, altitude, tech failures, and what it takes to navigate unpredictable blood sugars when you are far from help.
In this episode, Rachel takes us into a 13-day Antarctica expedition (8 days on the mountain), where the sun never sets, the cold hits -50°C, and even treating a low can become complicated. You will hear what surprised her most, what she would do differently next time, and the message she wants every person with diabetes to carry with them: progress over perfection, and your goals do not have to shrink because you have T1D.
WHAT WE COVER:
Why Rachel chose Mount Vinson and why she decided to share the diabetes side publicly this timeThe realities of climbing in Antarctica: 24-hour daylight, extreme cold, and carrying everything yourselfManaging T1D on Kilimanjaro (manual testing) vs. Aconcagua and Vinson (pump + CGM)What happens when diabetes tech fails at altitude and in the cold (pump alarms, sensors cutting out)How Rachel kept insulin from freezing and built in backups (including guide support)Fueling strategy on long climb days: lower-carb mornings, steady carbs during breaks, and why it matteredSafety conversations with guides: how hypoglycemia symptoms can mimic altitude sickness
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
1️⃣ Your plan needs redundancy. Remote climbs demand extra supplies, backup delivery methods, and contingency plans for freezing, loss, and tech failure.
2️⃣ The environment changes everything. Altitude, cold, disrupted routine, stress hormones, and long-duration exertion can make blood sugars feel unlike your norm. That is not failure, it is data.
3️⃣ Zoom out to rebuild trust. Rachel’s CGM graphs looked more stable in hindsight than they felt in the moment, which is a reminder not to let one chaotic window define your confidence.
WHAT’S NEXT:
💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D.
📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox.
Stay connected with us:
Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com
IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth
TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth
YT: Reclaim Your Rise
SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW
If Rachel’s story helped you feel more capable, especially if you have been telling yourself “I cannot” because of diabetes, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.
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Rachel Smith is an OB-GYN, lifelong mountain-lover, and person with type 1 diabetes who set out to summit Mount Vinson, Antarctica’s tallest peak, in some of the harshest conditions on the planet. After climbs like Kilimanjaro and Aconcagua, she realized the biggest curiosity was not just the summit itself, but the diabetes strategy behind it: insulin safety, altitude, tech failures, and what it takes to navigate unpredictable blood sugars when you are far from help. In this episode, Rachel takes us into a 13-day Antarctica expedition (8 days on the mountain), where the sun never sets, the cold hits -50°C, and even treating a low can become complicated. You will hear what surprised her most, what she would do differently next time, and the message she wants every person with diabetes to carry with them: progress over perfection, and your goals do not have to shrink because you have T1D. WHAT WE COVER: Why Rachel chose Mount Vinson and why she decided to share the diabetes side publicly this timeThe realities of climbing in Antarctica: 24-hour daylight, extreme cold, and carrying everything yourselfManaging T1D on Kilimanjaro (manual testing) vs. Aconcagua and Vinson (pump + CGM)What happens when diabetes tech fails at altitude and in the cold (pump alarms, sensors cutting out)How Rachel kept insulin from freezing and built in backups (including guide support)Fueling strategy on long climb days: lower-carb mornings, steady carbs during breaks, and why it matteredSafety conversations with guides: how hypoglycemia symptoms can mimic altitude sickness KEY TAKEAWAYS: 1️⃣ Your plan needs redundancy. Remote climbs demand extra supplies, backup delivery methods, and contingency plans for freezing, loss, and tech failure. 2️⃣ The environment changes everything. Altitude, cold, disrupted routine, stress hormones, and long-duration exertion can make blood sugars feel unlike your norm. That is not failure, it is data. 3️⃣ Zoom out to rebuild trust. Rachel’s CGM graphs looked more stable in hindsight than they felt in the moment, which is a reminder not to let one chaotic window define your confidence. WHAT’S NEXT: 💻Apply for coaching and talk to our team so you can reclaim the life you deserve with T1D. 📧Join thousands of T1Ds reading our newsletter every Tuesday: T1D tips and encouragement, straight to your inbox. Stay connected with us: Email us at: hello@riseyhealth.com IG: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth TikTok: @lauren_bongiorno | @riselyhealth YT: Reclaim Your Rise SUBSCRIBE & REVIEW If Rachel’s story helped you feel more capable, especially if you have been telling yourself “I cannot” because of diabetes, subscribe and leave a review so more people can find these conversations.