How Susan Reversed Type 2 Diabetes at 77 and Regained Her Freedom

Article written and reviewed by Robby Barbaro, MPH
Published May 26, 2026

Meet Susan. When she received her A1c result of 8.1, she immediately thought about her mother.

She had watched diabetes slowly take over her mother’s health for years. What started with no medication eventually progressed to oral medication, then insulin. Over time, her mother lost her eyesight, developed severe complications, and was preparing for kidney dialysis before she passed away just before turning 64.

Susan promised herself long ago that if she ever developed diabetes, she would do everything possible to avoid that same future.

So when she received her diagnosis, she acted immediately.

The very next day, she downloaded the Mastering Diabetes book.

Trying to Eat Plant-Based But Still Struggling

Years before her diabetes diagnosis, Susan had already been told she had fatty liver disease. Back in 2018, her doctor advised her to eat a plant-based diet to help improve her health.

The problem was that she never received clear guidance on how to actually do it.

Like many people, Susan thought she was eating healthy because she was avoiding some animal products and including more plant foods. But much of her diet still included heavily processed foods and too many refined carbohydrates.

Over time, her health continued declining. Eventually, she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

At first, her symptoms seemed mild. She mainly noticed afternoon fatigue and low energy. But emotionally, the diagnosis carried much more weight because of what she had witnessed happen to her mother.

She knew exactly where uncontrolled diabetes could lead.

Looking for a Different Future

When Susan found Mastering Diabetes, she was already familiar with Cyrus and Robby’s work, but she had never felt the need to fully commit to the program before her diagnosis.

That changed instantly once she saw her A1c.

As she read the book, the explanation of insulin resistance and the role of dietary fat began to make sense. She realized that although she had been eating plant-based for years, she had not been eating in a way that truly restored insulin sensitivity.

This time, she wanted to do it correctly. And she knew she needed support.

A Difficult Start That Became a Breakthrough

Susan is very honest about the fact that the beginning was not easy.

Even though she followed the program carefully, her blood sugar did not immediately improve the way she hoped. During the first six weeks, she struggled emotionally and questioned whether things were working.

At the same time, her medical team continued encouraging her to cut carbohydrates and increase dietary fat.

That advice deeply conflicted with what she was learning inside the program.

Instead of abandoning the process, Susan doubled down on choosing better carbohydrates. She focused on whole foods, consistency, and patience.

Then things began changing. The weight started coming off. Her blood sugar improved. And eventually, her A1c began dropping rapidly.

Susan’s Before and After Results

Within six months, Susan experienced a dramatic transformation in her health.

Header

Before

After

A1c (%)

8.1

4.9

Weight (lbs)

148

119

Cholesterol (mg/dL)

200s

163

Metformin

1,000mg once daily

NONE

After approximately four months, her A1c dropped from 8.1 to 5.4. Then it fell to 5.2. By six months, it reached 4.9.

At the same time, she lost nearly 30 pounds, improved her cholesterol significantly, and completely eliminated her need for metformin.

Most importantly, she regained her health and confidence.

More Energy Than She Had in Years

One of the first symptoms Susan noticed before diagnosis was overwhelming afternoon fatigue.

That completely changed after improving her insulin sensitivity.

Today, she says she has energy all day long. She regularly goes to the gym, spends time in the pool, travels, golfs, and stays physically active without feeling exhausted.

At 77 years old, she feels capable of continuing the adventurous lifestyle she loves. That freedom means everything to her.

Discovering That This Lifestyle Is Sustainable

One of the most important realizations Susan had was that this was not another temporary diet.

For the first time, she found a way of eating that felt sustainable long term.

She genuinely enjoys the food. Some of her favorite meals include the red lentil and vegetable miso soup from the Mastering Diabetes meal plan, quinoa chili, and hearty whole-food meals that keep her full and energized.

Instead of feeling deprived, she feels nourished. And unlike previous approaches, she no longer feels trapped in cycles of restriction, cravings, or confusion.

Learning to Advocate for Herself

Susan also became passionate about educating herself and advocating for her own health.

One of the most frustrating parts of her experience was realizing how little nutritional guidance many patients receive after diagnosis.

Even while her results were improving, she continued hearing recommendations to cut carbohydrates and increase fat intake.

But Susan trusted the process because she could see the results herself.

Her energy improved. Her blood sugar improved. Her weight improved. And eventually, the data became impossible to ignore.

That experience taught her the importance of becoming her own advocate and seeking out information that addresses the true root cause of insulin resistance.

A New Relationship With Aging

Perhaps the most powerful part of Susan’s story is her perspective on aging.

She strongly rejects the idea that getting older automatically means declining health, low energy, and dependence on medication.

“You are never too old to change things,” she explains.

At 77 years old, she still wants to travel, golf, take photographs, stay active, keep up with her grandchildren, and continue exploring life. And now she feels physically capable of doing those things.

The transformation gave her confidence that the years ahead can still be vibrant and full.

The Greatest Gift of All

When Susan reflects on what Mastering Diabetes has given her, one thing stands out above everything else.

Freedom. Freedom from diabetes. Freedom from medication. Freedom from fear about where her health was heading.

She now understands how to eat in a way that supports her body, improves insulin sensitivity, and allows her to maintain the results long term.

For Susan, that knowledge changed everything.

What Susan Wants Others to Know

Susan knows how overwhelming a diabetes diagnosis can feel, especially if you have watched family members suffer from the disease.

But she also knows that meaningful change is possible.

Her advice is simple: It is never too late. No matter your age, your past, or how discouraged you feel, your body can still respond positively when you create the right conditions.

And sometimes, the transformation is far greater than you imagined possible.

Ready to See Results Like Susan?

If you are struggling with type 2 diabetes, high A1c, low energy, medication dependence, or fear about your future health, Susan’s story shows that another path is possible.

Book a free discovery call with one of our advisors and learn how to begin your own transformation.

Book Your Call Now

Lower Your A1c and Fasting Blood Sugar... Guaranteed

Your results are guaranteed. Join more than 10,000 ecstatic members today

Personalized coaching puts you in immediate control of your diabetes health, helps you gain energy, improves your quality of life, and reduces or eliminates your meds.

About the author 

Robby Barbaro, MPH

Robby Barbaro, MPH is a New York Times bestselling co-author of Mastering Diabetes: The Revolutionary Method to Reverse Insulin Resistance Permanently in Type 1, Type 1.5, Type 2, Prediabetes, and Gestational Diabetes.

Robby was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 12 and has been living this lifestyle since 2006. In that time, while eating pounds of fruit every day, his HbA1c has been stable with a current A1c of 5.3%, TIR of 92%, and average total daily insulin use of 30 units.

Robby graduated from the University of Florida and is the cofounder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green. He worked at Forks Over Knives for six years before turning his attention in 2016 to coaching people with diabetes full time.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at VegFest LA, and has been featured on The Doctors, Forks Over Knives, Vice, Thrive Magazine, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds.

Robby enjoys exercising every day, spending time with friends, and sharing his lifestyle on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.