Domi connecting with diabetes community through ‘In Range’ podcast

Feature Photo: Getty Images

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Max Domi felt it was the ideal time and perfect platform to talk the talk about type 1 diabetes when he launched his “In Range” podcast this past November.

It was no coincidence that on World Diabetes Day, playing in his 10th NHL season and second with the Toronto Maple Leafs, Domi announced his new venture aimed at helping and supporting athletes and others dealing with the disease.

The 29-year-old, who released the book "No Days Off: My Life with Type 1 Diabetes and Journey to the NHL" in 2019, was eager to reach a wider audience and felt “In Range” (a reference to the critical target for keeping blood sugar levels within a safe range each day) was the right vehicle to achieve that objective.

“When the podcast world started to take off – I had never really done anything like that – I thought it was an amazing opportunity to carry on from the book and go into more detail,” said Domi, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12.

“It’s very similar to why I wrote the book,” he continued. “Being young and living out my dream of playing junior hockey with the London Knights and playing for Team Canada at the world juniors – I would meet kids, and they were inspired by what I was able to do living with type 1 diabetes.

“I would meet with kids and parents after games and got a lot of great feedback - I felt like I was able to do something good for people who were going through something similar. It got to the point where I couldn’t meet with everyone, so I wanted to see what else I could do.”

His teammate for the podcast is Dr. Andrew Koutnik, a leading expert in metabolic health, human performance and type 1 diabetes management. 

Koutnik, who also has type 1 diabetes, jumped at the chance to work with Domi.

“Max is an extremely authentic person, who at his core, is a very kind and genuine human being,” said Koutnik. “He has lived with type 1 diabetes for a long time, and it is a disease that has a profound effect on your everyday life. To see where he is now is a remarkable example of resilience.

“I am blowing no smoke here – Max is the real deal when it comes to wanting to help people.

“He didn’t care how far this podcast went, how wide it went, his mindset was, ‘If we can help one person, let’s do this.’”

Domi knew instantly Koutnik was the right partner for the podcast.  

“Andrew, who is one of the smartest people I have come across, knows so much about diabetes,” said Domi. “I asked if he would be open to a podcast. We had so many of own conversations about diabetes and I knew we had to get him out there more.

“Kids don’t have the exposure to his expertise and here I am, the luckiest guy in the world, being able to talk with Andrew. He was game to do the podcast – he’s the man. He flew to Toronto, and we filmed a few episodes. That’s how it all came together.”

Koutnik is thankful it did.

“We have known each other for a while and we both share a passion for wanting to help people. But we have two different life journeys – Max has reached the peak of performance as an elite-level hockey player and I am in a different world, that of science and research.

“It has turned out to be a wonderful friendship and the podcast is just a maturation of what is often a very normal conversation for us.”

There are four episodes of the podcast to date.

Domi and Koutnik wanted the focus of the podcast to be on sharing information and what they have learned through their own personal journeys.

“I have always enjoyed meeting people and talking to them – that has always come easily to me,” said Domi. “Andrew just validates everything and for me, the podcast very much feels like we are having a typical, casual conversation. It’s about as natural and organic as it gets, which is why I think people can relate to it.

“We are not telling people what to do – we are explaining what we have learned along the way. We don’t want people to go through this on their own.”

“I completely align with that approach,” added Koutnik. “There is a complete absence of anything like this. That’s what motivated us to do this. We hope that what we discuss can translate to people who may have some other struggle they are dealing with.”

Feedback from listeners has been unanimously positive.

“We wanted to be authentic and talk about topics about what we felt would be interesting,” said Koutnik. “The feedback so far is from a lot of people in this community who shared a deep appreciation for someone having the presence and advocating for them – that has been cool for me, someone who is living with this disease.”

Having once believed playing hockey at an elite level was unattainable in the days and weeks following his diabetes diagnosis, Domi eventually found joy in sharing his story with others.

It was a conversation with a Hockey Hall of Famer that became a life-changing moment for a then-teenage Domi.

“About a year after I was diagnosed – I was around 13 – I met my hero, Bobby Clarke. As a diabetic, there are times when things will pop in your head like, ‘Poor me. Why me? It isn’t fair and no one knows what I am going through.’ When I saw that famous image of Bobby Clarke hoisting the Stanley Cup over his head, despite being a type 1 diabetic, it made me realize that no matter how bad a day I was having, seeing what he was able to do motivated me to push through.

“When I met him, it amplified things by what seemed like a billion. Him taking the time to talk to me had a profound impact on me. I said if I ever had the chance to live out my dream of making it to the NHL then I would want to help as many people as possible.”

Domi is doing exactly that.

He sees himself and others living with diabetes as a unique and connected community.

“I learn just as much from the people I speak with, whether they are four or 60, as they learn from me because we share something in common.

“There is this awesome bond you have when you are a type 1 diabetic. I don’t take that for granted. It’s a magical feeling when you walk down the street and all the sudden, you see someone with a CGM (continuous glucose monitor) censor or insulin pump and you say, ‘That’s my guy or that’s my girl.’ We have a special bond without having to say anything. It’s a cool connection and I don’t take it for granted.”

Koutnik continues to marvel at Domi, the player and person.

“Max is the master and commander of his own metabolism and body, but it requires a great deal of insight and an incredible level of dedication. With the personality that Max has, it makes him the ultimate role model for people navigating this disease.

“This podcast opens a window into the true person Max Domi is. When he’s on the ice and completely locked in, that is also Max Domi, but on the podcast, he is that same authentic person.”

With the puck dropped on his new venture and a handful of episodes in the queue, Domi views the podcast in the same way he looks at life inside and outside of the arena.   

“I am learning. Every day I try to learn, whether it’s diabetes, hockey or being a better person. That’s the key for me – to always be willing to learn. I want to be a good listener and educate myself.

“I have learned that it’s been great to be a student of life.”

The “In Range” podcast is available on Spotify, Apple, and YouTube.