Episode 67 - Sheku Kanneh-Mason MBE: 'The more people around me who understand type 1, the safer it is'

How do you manage your blood sugars when you’ve got TWO BILLION pairs of eyes on you?

Well, if you’re as focused as world-renowned cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, it’s just another day. The particular day I’m referring to is playing at the Royal Wedding of The Duke and Duchess of Sussex Harry and Meghan in 2018. As you do.

Sheku is of the most celebrated and in demand cellists in the world, achieving astronomical success at the age of just 23. But in speaking to him it’s clear that his motivation is purely in the act of playing and sharing his great love of music. That being said, garnering two classical BRIT awards, a GQ cover, collaborations with some of the world’s most celebrated musicians and an MBE to his name while managing type 1 diabetes since the age of 12 more than deserves to be acknowledged.

In this episode we discuss Sheku’s life of travelling and playing, his concert rituals, how the support of his family has helped him deal with his condition, why being open about his type 1 diabetes is important - and how he strategically used to prick his fingers to avoid desensitising his playing hand before moving onto a CGM.

‘Type 1 diabetes has become less of a standout issue in my life,’ he says. Here’s to that.

FIND SHEKU:
Check out Sheku’s website.
Listen to Sheku’s album 'Song'.
Follow Sheku on Twitter.
Say hi to Sheku on Instagram.