May 11, 2026, 7:03 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Matthias Steiner received the diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes shortly before his 18th birthday. His career as a weightlifter was not hindered by this, but the chronic autoimmune disease accompanies him to this day. In a conversation with FITBOOK editor-in-chief Nuno Alves at the OMR, the former Olympic champion explains what everyday life with diabetes looks like, why high blood sugar makes him irritable, and why soft drinks are particularly critical for him.
Diagnosis Shortly Before the 18th Birthday
Matthias Steiner won gold at the Olympics in 2008. What many don’t know: The former weightlifter competed with Type 1 diabetes. Steiner received the diagnosis one day before his 18th birthday. It’s important for Steiner to differentiate from Type 2 diabetes, which is often a result of an unhealthy lifestyle marked by overeating and lack of exercise. Type 1, however, is an autoimmune disease. “My immune system is attacking me,” he explains. In this form, the immune system attacks the body’s own cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This hormone normally channels sugar from the blood into the cells to provide them with energy. Therefore, Type 1 diabetes can occur despite a healthy lifestyle. “I was slim, athletic as a child, didn’t smoke, drank almost no alcohol, ate well, and still got Type 1 diabetes,” Steiner says. “It has nothing to do with that.”
Everyday Life with Diabetes–”You Don’t Have Pain”
“In the first years, you actually struggle with it: How do I get it under control, and what are the effects?” Steiner describes the beginnings. The fatal thing about diabetes is that you don’t necessarily feel the consequences immediately. “You don’t have pain. You might feel a bit sluggish, but we all feel that way sometimes when we’re overwhelmed,” Steiner says. That’s why the disease is easily underestimated in the first years.
Over time, however, he understood how important stable values are. Regular check-ups—such as of the eyes and circulation—are part of Steiner’s routine. It became increasingly clear to him: The better the blood sugar levels, the better everyday life functions.
Why Should Diabetics See an Eye Doctor?
Diabetes can damage the blood vessels in the eyes, which affected individuals may not immediately notice. Over time, this can lead to mild vision problems up to blindness. The German Diabetes Society (DDG) recommends that Type 1 diabetics have an eye check-up starting at age 11 or at the latest five years after diagnosis.1
Matthias Steiner: “How I Lost 50 Kilograms”
Matthias Steiner’s Low-Carb Products Under Review
When Sugar Rises, Mood Drops
With Type 1 diabetes, Steiner says he notices very quickly when his blood sugar is off. If the level rises too much, he feels it not just physically. “Then comes quick fatigue, quick irritability,” he says. Although he is usually a calm person, high blood sugar changes him significantly: “When the blood sugar is too high, I’m explosive.”
He also noticed how much diet affects the body. For Steiner, the impact of carbohydrate-rich foods and drinks is particularly drastic. “If I drink soft drinks now and eat a plate of pasta and don’t inject, then I’m quickly in a coma.” His insulin pump has helped him see these connections even more clearly. For pizza or a soft drink, he needs significantly more insulin than for vegetables or eggs.
The role of diet in health is also addressed by Nuno Alves in his book “Highway to Health–In 7 Steps to a Healthy Long Life”, which will be released on January 4, 2027.
Diabetes Means Management, Not Restriction
Even after more than 25 years, Type 1 diabetes remains a condition for Steiner that requires constant attention. “I have to make sure it fits 24 hours a day,” he says. He especially has to consider sports: Is he training? How will weightlifting later affect his blood sugar? Does he need to reduce the insulin pump at night or eat something beforehand?
For Steiner, it’s a lot of planning—but not a restriction. “It’s management. But it’s not a restriction,” he says. He simply takes a few extra minutes for each situation. He sees this not only as a necessity but also as a healthy way to deal with himself: “In the end, it’s even stress reduction because I consciously take time and say: I need time for myself.”