HOW A FITNESS INFLUENCER IS HELPING STOP THE STIGMA AROUND TYPE 2 DIABETES

When 30-year-old athlete and fitness influencer Kendra Rosychuk first started feeling off—hot flashes, fatigue, a nagging sense that something wasn’t right—diabetes wasn’t even on her radar. After all, she worked out regularly, ate well and built a career promoting healthy living. So when she was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, Kendra was shocked and confused.

“How could someone like me get diabetes?” says Kendra. “I’m supposed to be this fitness influencer and wellness advocate, and now I have diabetes. I felt like I was letting myself down, and the people who looked up to me.”

That moment of disbelief was the start of a transformation. A year later, she’s channelling that life-altering experience into purpose, teaming up with Diabetes Canada to stop stigma, educate others and show that living well with diabetes isn’t just possible—it can also be empowering.

Why many Canadians still misunderstand type 2 diabetes

Kendra’s reaction to her diagnosis is a familiar one—and that’s exactly the problem. Many people still think of type 2 diabetes as something that happens only to people who don’t take care of themselves. A staggering 61 per cent of Canadians cite lifestyle, poor diet or obesity when asked what causes diabetes, according to a Nanos poll commissioned by Diabetes Canada. In fact, 30 per cent of Canadians believe that most people who develop diabetes have only themselves to blame.

Although lifestyle habits impact the condition, they’re not always the reason someone develops it in the first place. Type 2 diabetes is a chronic condition influenced by a mix of factors like genetics, biology (insulin resistance), environment, age and ethnicity. These lifestyle myths are not only harmful, but they can also be isolating. When people are made to feel responsible for their diagnosis, they’re less likely to seek help, talk openly about their experience or access care that could improve their health.

Those same misconceptions at first weighed heavily on Kendra, leaving her in disbelief after her diagnosis. Before she could reconcile her identity as a fitness influencer and a person living with diabetes, Kendra needed to question everything she thought she knew about this complex condition.

Battling the stigma around type 2 diabetes

Nothing combats misinformation like fact-based research; the more Kendra learned, the more her shame melted into compassion and determination. “I really had to unlearn a lot and understand that [diabetes] is not just all about your lifestyle choices. There’s so much more that goes into it that’s kind of out of our control,” says Kendra.

She soon discovered that genetics play a major role. From Sucker Creek First Nation, Alta., Kendra knew that Indigenous communities face higher rates of diabetes. Learning more about the lasting impacts of colonization and residential schools—like being displaced from traditional lands, and lack of access to healthy and affordable food—helped her better understand why type 2 diabetes is more prevalent among First Nations, Inuit and Métis communities.

Now, part of her advocacy is focused on educating her Indigenous followers and encouraging them to get tested. Both her parents have diabetes, so she suggested her younger siblings get tested. “I’m 30 years old and I have a brother who’s 20 and a sister who’s 14. So, I encouraged them to get tested, just to see,” says Kendra. “And, then, what do you know? Both of them also have it.”

By sharing her story, she hopes to show that diabetes doesn’t always jibe with stereotypes, and that no one should feel embarrassed for having it. Her journey from self-blame to advocacy reflects a broader shift that Diabetes Canada is pushing for: moving from judgment to understanding, and from shame to empowerment.

How sharing her story helped Kendra find her power again

“I think I was unknowingly contributing to some of the stigma prior to being diagnosed. After understanding diabetes better, I felt it was really important to speak up and spread awareness,” says Kendra. “There are millions of people living with diabetes. You’re not alone. Don’t blame yourself; you don’t need to feel shame or guilt. We all deserve to feel healthy, seen and supported.”

Over the past year, Kendra has found comfort and confidence by connecting with others who share her experience. “Hearing other people’s stories helped me feel more comfortable and empowered to speak up about my own,” she says. “There was just so much support and love that came from it. So many people reached out to share their own stories, offer encouragement and advice. It reminded me that I’m part of a much larger community.”

In partnership with Diabetes Canada for Diabetes Awareness Month, Kendra is reminding people that living with diabetes doesn’t mean giving up on health—it means redefining it. “I know there are a lot of other people out there just like me, she says. “I want them to know that it’s not just about lifestyle—it really can happen to anyone.”

2025-11-03T14:32:13Z