Joseph (aka ‘Joe’) Eldridge was brought up among some of the most virulent supporters of American Football and NASCAR racing in the US state of Alabama. However, cycling became the sport that inspired this strong man from the south. It was an unlikely match for the tall and broad athlete, in spite of his size cycling became an integral part of Joe’s life for a multitude of reasons. One of these stemming from the misfortune of a diagnosis with the autoimmune condition: Type1 Diabetes. Exercise and specifically cycling he found assisted in the management of his condition. Thus, setting the scene for the subsequent direction of his life. Joe teamed up with fellow T1 Diabetic cyclist Phil Southerland in founding what is now the worlds first professional sports team consisting entirely of athletes with T1 Diabetes: Team Novo Nordisk (formerly Team Type1). As a founder and rider in this groundbreaking team each pedal stroke had a special purpose for this humble champion. Hear about his amazing story including all the ups and downs as a pro athlete dealing with an auto immune condition.

“It’s a determination, a desire, a mindset that you have to have in order to overcome the challenge that your body is actually not working as it should. So you have to figure it out, identifying and implementing this transfers to success in other aspects of life too!”

— Joe Eldridge

It was at 10years old in school in Birmingham, Alabama that Joe’s dwindling energy levels and worsening sickness alerted a school teacher who could identify the symptoms of T1 Diabetes. Joe was rushed to hospital by his mother where he was diagnosed with T1 Diabetes thus seemingly upending his young life and any plans/ goals he had for his future. A time of despondency would follow, but it was this experience in the hospital after his diagnosis that would help Joe overcome these negative feelings throughout his life with T1 Diabetes. When feeling overwhelmed by any challenge in front of him, Joe’s father would remind him of the other children who shared the ward with him at the time of his T1D diagnosis, most of whom were experiencing diagnosis’ far worse than T1 Diabetes. This dose of perspective helped keep Joe’s challenges in check so he could continue on his evolving sporting career.

Joe with co founder Phil Southerland the team of T1 diabetics they created to race across America in 2006- Team Type1.

Joe’s passion for cycling was growing stronger in spite of his T1 Diabetes diagnosis. Whilst racing in the collegiate cycling series in the USA he met another cyclist with T1D whom was also racing named Phil Southerland, subsequently the pair struck up a friendship and then an idea to create something meaningful for the T1D community was spawned. The idea of a cycling team for cyclists with diabetes was born. Team Type1 would begin as a team that competed in the Race Across America (RAAM). In 2006 they were treated as a team with a remote chance of finishing the gruelling event- they finished 2nd. The following year they returned, won the event and broke the record proving that athletes with T1 Diabetes had just as big a chance of success in sport as other athletes.

“We ended up breaking the record for the fastest crossing of the country ever by a group of people on bicycles. Additionally, we had type one diabetes at the same time! which was pretty neat.”

— Joe Eldridge

After winning the RAAM the ideas arose as to how to further expand the message of this team so it could reach even more people effected by Diabetes. The idea was born to create a professional cycling team incorporating athletes who lived with the condition. In 2008 Team Type1 competed with a roster of 5 pro cyclists with T1 Diabetes including Joe on the USA professional circuit. The athletes with T1D were joined by a selection of other pro cyclists who did not have the condition. Their results began to speak for themselves and the teams profile began to rise in the USA and abroad. By 2013 the team was brought by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and the team returned to a roster consisting entirely of athletes with T1D. Joe saw the positive impact of this team broadening to a wider community of not just those living with T1D but those with any challenge in their life. When the racing got harder, the purpose of this team is what helped fuel Joe’s effort and determination in some of the high profile races he was competing in. Joe went on to race on 5 different continents in 1 day road races and tours against some of the best in the world.

“The biggest part for me over any of the races was the people that I got to meet whom had diabetes and were impacted by the team. ”

— Joe Eldridge

Joe continued to refine his racing fuelled by his renewed purpose in not just racing for his own glory, but for that of his team and for a worldwide community of people who lived with the specific challenge of T1 Diabetes. This culminated in a national championship on the track in 2014 when Joe was a member of the team that won the Teams Pursuit national title.

All the whilst racing at the highest level Joe maintained a commitment to share the powerful inspiring message he and his team were spreading. Often accompanying a race Joe would be found attending a hospital event for people recently diagnosed with T1D or a high school where there were children who lived with the condition. After stopping professional racing at the end of 2014 Joe continued this powerful work which he found rewarded him just as much if not more than the racing itself.

“Surround yourself with encouraging, good people. That’s gonna help you on your journey and you will inevitably end up helping them on their journey. Also, it’s okay to give yourself a pat on the back and celebrate the small steps to your goals.”

— Joe Eldridge

Spreading the word that Diabetes need not hold you back in life.

Joe now still rides recreationally and runs a roofing company in suburban Atlanta, USA.

The Power in Purpose: Joe Eldridge's journey through pro cycling with T1 Diabetes

POWERED BY SQUARESPACE