Rewind, a new venture and clinical program partnering with University of Michigan Health to help people reverse type 2 diabetes, hosted its second-annual Defeat Diabetes Rally Saturday, June 3. The rally took place at Pendleton Hall, located at the University of Michigan Union, and brought together a passionate community of individuals, families, healthcare professionals and Ambassadors dedicated to defeating diabetes.
Over 100 medals were awarded in person to members of the Team Rewind community in recognition of achievements ranging from reversing type 2 diabetes, to losing 15% weight, to reaching “2 years strong” keeping the weight off. Hundreds more medals were granted virtually to members living across the state of Michigan. Adding to the excitement, the medals were awarded by Michigan Football legend and Heisman trophy winner Desmond Howard. The ESPN college football analyst and co-host of ESPN College Gameday is an Ambassador for Rewind. After awarding the medals to each member, Howard shared lessons from his own career as inspiration and encouragement.
“You have to have confidence in yourself,” Howard shared with the audience. “You have to see yourself doing something extraordinary — even when you’re at your lowest point.” Discussing the importance of Rewind’s Mentor program, Howard spoke about the impact mentors had on his own life and career: “I’m a big, big believer in the mentor-mentee program. I believe in mentors.”
For Rewind members, the Rally interactions offered the opportunity to create camaraderie and connections with other peers in the program. Many found themselves sharing stories of why they joined in the first place, or what they’d learned while in the program that was different from other health and wellness programs they’d tried in the past.
“Two years ago, I would say that I was not a healthy eater,” said member Jim Mather. “I just ate the wrong foods, I impulse ate, and I ate too much in quantity. How this has helped me day-to-day is I feel that I’ve transitioned from feeling there are certain foods where I think ‘I can’t eat this, or I can’t eat that.’ Now I’m at a place where I think, ‘I just don’t want that. Like it’s not what I want.’ And so that’s been a big shift for me. I don’t feel like I’m restricted from anything anymore.”
Following the medals ceremony, an inspirational Chalk Talk discussion focused on shifting our identities and how that connects to habits, featuring Desmond Howard, along with Rewind member, Ambassador and radio host Sam Web, and Rewind member and mentor Kevin Maxwell.
Explaining his “walk through the door” mantra that helped him take the first step toward reversing diabetes more than two years ago, Maxwell shared with the audience, “All of those ‘I should have’ things — for me it was about actually starting the program. And taking to coaching. That was about ‘I will not only hear you, but I will listen’. If you just stay on course, and you can just keep going, and keep listening, and keep leaning on the people around you – then you can do some of the stuff that I’ve done. I mean, I’ve lost 65 pounds, that’s a big deal! And I’ve been able to maintain it into the second year.”
The Defeat Diabetes Rally proved to be a powerful gathering, inspiring everyone in the room and fostering a spirit of celebration. Participants from all walks of life came together to share their stories, exchange knowledge, and renew their commitment to going beyond weight loss — to keeping the weight off and disease in remission long-term.
Departing from the Union, newer member Carolyn Murray said, “I didn’t really know what to expect with the Rally. I am really overwhelmed by how great it was. I’m still processing everything, but I’m shocked by how encouraging it was and how supported I feel. The biggest takeaway today is that everybody is on their own journey. Even people who are fit are still looking for something. It’s encouraging to know we’re not alone, and that I can do this.”
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