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Transforming Diabetes Health With Determination and Resilience | Mysty’s Success Story

Article written and reviewed by Cyrus Khambatta, PhD
Published July 25, 2023

Meet Misty Westfall, a resilient individual who took charge of her health and transformed her life with the Mastering Diabetes Method and coaching program. Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and facing alarmingly high blood glucose levels, Misty decided it was time for a change. 

Embracing the Mastering Diabetes program, she embarked on a journey to adopt a plant-based lifestyle and experience the profound impact it would have on her health and overall well-being. Join us as we explore Misty's inspiring success story and the remarkable improvements she achieved through this transformative program.

A Life-Altering Diagnosis

Misty's journey began when she went for a routine physical, only to receive an unexpected and concerning call from her doctor's office. Her fasting blood glucose level was an alarming 404, and her A1C was north of 15, indicating significant challenges with diabetes management. Devastated by the diagnosis, Misty knew she needed to take immediate action to regain control of her health.

Embracing the Mastering Diabetes Program

Misty's nurse practitioner recommended the Mastering Diabetes Program as a potential solution to address her health concerns. Intrigued by the program's focus on a plant-based diet, she decided to dive in headfirst. Clearing out her fridge and immersing herself in Mastering Diabetes resources, Misty committed to turning her health around.

Finding Empowerment Through Knowledge

Before officially enrolling in the coaching program, Misty took the initiative to educate herself about plant-based eating by watching YouTube videos and conducting her own research. Her dedication to learning and understanding the principles behind the Mastering Diabetes Method empowered her to make informed decisions about her dietary choices.

Working with a Supportive Coach

Upon enrolling in the coaching program, Misty connected with Coach Marco, whose positive and encouraging nature made a lasting impact. Marco guided Misty through the process of fine-tuning her diet and navigating potential roadblocks, ensuring her success in the program. His support and accountability played a pivotal role in Misty's journey to optimal health.

Plant-Based Nutrition and Weight Loss

Adopting a plant-based lifestyle allowed Misty to shed an incredible 88 pounds, bringing her energy levels to an all-time high. With her A1C dropping from a concerning 15+% to a remarkable 7.9%, Misty witnessed the transformative power of nourishing her body with plant-based foods. Whole grains, greens, and a variety of colorful fruits and vegetables became staples in her diet, providing her with the nutrients and vitality she needed.

Setting Realistic Goals and Showing Grace

Misty was determined to tackle her cheese addiction, a common challenge for many transitioning to a plant-based diet. With unwavering commitment and support from her coach, she successfully eliminated cheese from her meals, feeling lighter and more energetic as a result.

Misty's impressive progress inspired those around her, demonstrating the potential for positive change through a plant-based lifestyle. By modeling her newfound energy and well-being, she encouraged friends and family to consider healthier choices for themselves.

Misty learned the importance of setting realistic goals and being forgiving of herself when occasional slip-ups occurred. With Coach Marco's guidance, she understood that perfection wasn't necessary for progress, and she embraced the concept of giving herself grace during special occasions or while traveling.

Thriving in Physical Activity

As Misty's energy soared, she found herself engaging in activities she hadn't enjoyed in years. Running, a long-forgotten passion, became part of her routine, and she delighted in the sense of accomplishment it brought.

Misty's journey with the Mastering Diabetes Method showcases the life-changing power of a whole-food, plant-based diet. Through dedication, knowledge, and unwavering support from her coach, she achieved significant weight loss, a drastic reduction in A1C levels, and a renewed zest for life. Misty's success story serves as a testament to the potential for transformative health improvements when adopting a plant-based lifestyle. 

As she continues to inspire those around her, Misty's journey reminds us all of the possibilities that lie within our reach when we prioritize our well-being and make conscious choices to nourish our bodies with wholesome, plant-based foods.

About the author 

Cyrus Khambatta, PhD

Cyrus Khambatta, PhD 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.

He is the co-founder of Mastering Diabetes and Amla Green, and is an internationally recognized nutrition and fitness coach who has been living with type 1 diabetes since 2002. He co-created the Mastering Diabetes Method to reverse insulin resistance in all forms of diabetes, and has helped more than 10,000 people improve their metabolic health using low-fat, plant-based, whole-food nutrition, intermittent fasting, and exercise.

Cyrus earned a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Stanford University in 2003, then earned a PhD in Nutritional Biochemistry from the University of California at Berkeley in 2012. He is the co-author of many peer-reviewed scientific publications.

He is the co-host of the annual Mastering Diabetes Online Summit, a featured speaker at the Plant-Based Nutrition and Healthcare Conference (PBNHC), the American College of Lifestyle Medicine Conference (ACLM), Plant Stock, the Torrance Memorial Medical Center, and has been featured on The Doctors, NPR, KQED, Forks Over Knives, Healthline, Fast Company, Diet Fiction, and the wildly popular podcasts the Rich Roll Podcast, Plant Proof, MindBodyGreen, and Nutrition Rounds.

Scientific Publications:

Sarver, Jordan, Cyrus Khambatta, Robby Barbaro, Bhakti Chavan, and David Drozek. “Retrospective Evaluation of an Online Diabetes Health Coaching Program: A Pilot Study.” American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, October 15, 2019, 1559827619879106. https://doi.org/10.1177/1559827619879106

Shrivastav, Maneesh, William Gibson, Rajendra Shrivastav, Katie Elzea, Cyrus Khambatta, Rohan Sonawane, Joseph A. Sierra, and Robert Vigersky. “Type 2 Diabetes Management in Primary Care: The Role of Retrospective, Professional Continuous Glucose Monitoring.” Diabetes Spectrum: A Publication of the American Diabetes Association 31, no. 3 (August 2018): 279–87. https://doi.org/10.2337/ds17-0024

Thompson, Airlia C. S., Matthew D. Bruss, John C. Price, Cyrus F. Khambatta, William E. Holmes, Marc Colangelo, Marcy Dalidd, et al. “Reduced in Vivo Hepatic Proteome Replacement Rates but Not Cell Proliferation Rates Predict Maximum Lifespan Extension in Mice.” Aging Cell 15, no. 1 (February 2016): 118–27. https://doi.org/10.1111/acel.12414

Roohk, Donald J., Smita Mascharak, Cyrus Khambatta, Ho Leung, Marc Hellerstein, and Charles Harris. “Dexamethasone-Mediated Changes in Adipose Triacylglycerol Metabolism Are Exaggerated, Not Diminished, in the Absence of a Functional GR Dimerization Domain.” Endocrinology 154, no. 4 (April 2013): 1528–39. https://doi.org/10.1210/en.2011-1047



Price, John C., Cyrus F. Khambatta, Kelvin W. Li, Matthew D. Bruss, Mahalakshmi Shankaran, Marcy Dalidd, Nicholas A. Floreani, et al. “The Effect of Long Term Calorie Restriction on in Vivo Hepatic Proteostatis: A Novel Combination of Dynamic and Quantitative Proteomics.” Molecular & Cellular Proteomics: MCP 11, no. 12 (December 2012): 1801–14.
https://doi.org/10.1074/mcp.M112.021204





Bruss, Matthew D., Airlia C. S. Thompson, Ishita Aggarwal, Cyrus F. Khambatta, and Marc K. Hellerstein. “The Effects of Physiological Adaptations to Calorie Restriction on Global Cell Proliferation Rates.” American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism 300, no. 4 (April 2011): E735-745. https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00661.2010




Bruss, Matthew D., Cyrus F. Khambatta, Maxwell A. Ruby, Ishita Aggarwal, and Marc K. Hellerstein. “Calorie Restriction Increases Fatty Acid Synthesis and Whole Body Fat Oxidation Rates.” American Journal of Physiology. Endocrinology and Metabolism 298, no. 1 (January 2010): E108-116.
https://doi.org/10.1152/ajpendo.00524.2009