Meet Chaka. When he finally went to the doctor, he already knew something wasn't right.
For nearly two years, he had avoided making the appointment.
A few years earlier, he had been told he was on the verge of diabetes, but instead of following up, fear kept him away. He didn't want to hear that things had gotten worse.
Deep down, he suspected they had.
He was constantly tired. His skin had become irritated. He struggled with dandruff, back pain, and carrying extra weight. Looking back, he now realizes many of those symptoms were his body asking for help.
When the lab results came back, they confirmed his worst fears.
His A1c had climbed from 5.6 to 11.4, his average blood glucose was 282 mg/dL, several vitamin levels were low, and his doctor told him he was only one step away from developing kidney disease.
For Chaka, that moment became a crossroads.
Choosing a Different Future
Diabetes wasn't new to his family: His grandfather had diabetes. His father had diabetes. He had watched firsthand what living with chronic disease looked like, and he didn't want the same future for himself.
As a pastor, Chaka spent much of his life serving others. But during this season, he realized he had stopped taking care of himself.
Depression had led to years of comfort eating. Fast food became part of his daily routine, especially while traveling between ministry commitments. Whether it was McDonald's, Popeyes, Indian food, or whatever was convenient, eating out had become a habit that left him feeling worse physically and emotionally.
When someone close to him told him he was on a "slow progression toward death" if nothing changed, the message hit hard.
"I had to decide," Chaka says. "Was I going to choose life or choose death?"
That decision changed everything.
Discovering a New Way to Think About Food
Chaka's mother introduced him to Mastering Diabetes by sending him one of the educational webinars. After watching it, he decided to enroll in Mastering Diabetes Coaching Program.
What immediately stood out wasn't just the nutrition. It was the structure: The recipes. The exercise videos. The educational lessons. The progress tracking. The coaching. The community.
For the first time, he felt like he had a complete system instead of trying to figure everything out on his own. "It was me choosing me," he says.
The transition wasn't effortless.
One of his biggest surprises was learning to cook without oil.
Standing in his kitchen looking at multiple bottles of cooking oil, he wondered how he was supposed to prepare meals without them.
Instead, he learned to cook with vegetable broth and quickly discovered that whole-food, plant-based meals could be just as satisfying.
His first recipe was the Three Bean Quinoa Bowl. It became the beginning of an entirely new lifestyle.
Chaka's Before and After Results
The improvements came quickly.
Header | Before | After |
|---|---|---|
A1c (%) | 11.4 | 5.9 |
Average Blood Glucose (mg/dL) | 282 | Regularly in the 80s and 90s |
Weight (lbs) | 248 | 219 |
Energy | Fatigued | Significantly improved |
Within his first follow-up appointment, Chaka had already lost 18 pounds.
His physician expected him to lose six or seven pounds while taking a very small dose of Mounjaro. Instead, she was amazed by his progress.
She looked at him and said, "Whatever you're doing, keep doing it."
He continued to lose weight, his A1c dropped from 11.4 to 5.9, his blood sugar readings fell from the upper 100s into the 80s and 90s, and for the first time in years, he felt like he was taking control of his health instead of watching it slip away.
Finding His "Why"
One lesson from had an especially profound impact on Chaka. His coach challenged him to identify his "why."
At first, he thought it was simply about lowering his blood sugar. But as he reflected, his vision became much bigger.
He wanted to run a 5K. He wanted to complete an obstacle race. He wanted to enjoy life with energy instead of exhaustion. Most importantly, he wanted to become the healthiest version of himself.
That purpose became the fuel that kept him moving forward on difficult days.
Why Coaching Made the Difference
Looking back, Chaka believes the support system was just as important as the nutrition itself.
His coach helped him review blood sugar readings, answer questions, recommend recipes, and encourage him whenever challenges came up.
The community also played a major role.
Watching other members share recipes, celebrate victories, and encourage one another reminded him he wasn't facing diabetes alone.
For someone who had spent years feeling isolated by his diagnosis, that sense of connection became incredibly motivating.
"It wasn't just about changing my diet," he says. "It was about changing my whole life."
What Chaka Wants Others to Know
Today, Chaka encourages others to begin by asking themselves one simple question: Why
Because once you know why you want better health, every decision becomes easier.
He also believes success comes from much more than food alone. Sleep. Movement. Stress management. Education. Community. Accountability. Together, those habits create lasting transformation.
His advice is simple: Eliminate as many processed foods as possible. Trust the process. Lean on the community. And remember that you don't have to do it alone.
Ready to See Results Like Chaka?
If you've been avoiding the doctor, struggling with high blood sugar, feeling overwhelmed by a new diagnosis, or wondering if it's possible to turn your health around, Chaka's story shows that meaningful change can happen faster than you think.
Book a free discovery call with one of our advisors and learn how to begin your own transformation.
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