Today’s guest is passionate about empowering people to take better charge of their health.

In this episode, Laurence Girard, CEO of Fruit Street Health, talks with Dr. Priscilla Janice Marbell. A medical doctor, certified health educator, and certified health coach, Priscilla has worked for Fruit Street Health’s Digital Diabetes Prevention and Weight Loss Program for two years as a lifestyle coach.

In this episode, Priscilla and Laurence discuss:

* The importance of diabetes self management programs and chronic disease self management programs, and how you can’t expect your healthcare provider to do everything for you.

* How some people who join in-person diabetes prevention programs simply fail to turn up to sessions.

* Priscilla reads an encouraging message she received from someone who recently graduated from Fruit Street’s virtual diabetes prevention program: “It's not easy to change habits and to stick to them. I'm hopeful, though, and I can't thank you enough for the support and push to keep going. I know it's a job, but you've made it genuine. And I'm glad you’re my coach.”

* How each person’s health journey is unique to them. For example, some people use the Sharecare Health & Well-being app and also use calorie-counting apps. Another example is that some people insist on weighing themselves every day, while others only want to weigh themselves once a week.

* The sense of community and emotional support that participants in group diabetes prevention programs feel. For instance, many participants really love the Fitbit challenges. (Fitbit are physical activity trackers that are worn on your body, like a watch or a clip. Fitbit challenges are ways people can “compete” against other people. Examples include: Who can do the most steps today? How many participants can reach their daily step goal?)

Thanks to our guest Dr. Priscilla Janice Marbell. You can connect with Priscilla via LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priscilla-janice-marbell-md-mph-ches-chwc-8975286b.

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Learn more about Fruit Street’s Digital Diabetes Prevention and Weight Loss Program: https://www.fruitstreet.com/program.

This episode was produced by Story On Media & Marketing: https://www.successwithstories.com.