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Beatriz Estay is #b3strong
#b3strong is a brand-new challenge celebrating strength, community, and the many ways individual resilience and collective strength show up in our world. Today, we’re chatting with Beatriz Estay, the creative force behind The Letter Bea. The blog is a reflection of everything she loves, and a platform where she shares style and wellness tips as well as her experience with Type 1 diabetes.
Beatriz is answering our questions about the chronic condition, how her barre3 practice supports her, and sharing how she defines strength on her own terms.
B3 MAGAZINE: Among your lifestyle and wellness posts, you also write about your experience with Type 1 diabetes. Can you tell us more about the condition and share your personal experience with it?
BEATRIZ: I was diagnosed 12 years ago right around when I turned 13. My family was going through a huge transition as we moved from Chicago, IL to Tokyo, Japan. A few months into the move, I was hit with health issues I’d never experienced—I suddenly found myself thirsty all the time and had lost over 20 pounds.
But it wasn’t until I was watching a Jonas Brothers video (this was 2008, after all) that I started to put the pieces together. Before he sang, Nick Jonas shared the symptoms he experienced before being diagnosed with Type 1. At that moment, a lightbulb went off, and after a Google search to confirm, I realized that what he described was shockingly similar to what I was experiencing. I told my mom, and the next day, we went to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I spent the next 10 days in the hospital regaining my strength and learning how to live life with this illness. In those moments, it felt as if my entire life flipped upside down.
Type 1 diabetes is an incurable autoimmune illness where your pancreas makes little to no insulin, a hormone that converts the food we eat into energy. As a Type 1 diabetic, I’m insulin-dependent. Because my body can’t produce it, I have to give myself insulin every day. When I was first diagnosed, I was taking anywhere from 4-5 shots a day. I then transitioned to an insulin pump about 6 years ago.
Dosing for meals is much harder than it seems. The amount of insulin I need depends on my blood sugar level and carbohydrates, which means I have to count the carbs in everything I eat or drink. Add in how emotions (e.g. stress, anxiety), wellness and activities (e.g. working out, being sick), or different foods and drinks (e.g. alcohol, foods high in sugar, foods high in fat) affect your blood sugar and the equation can be quite complex.
Luckily, over the years you learn more about how your body responds. Working with my endocrinology team and nutritionists have helped me navigate this!
B3 MAGAZINE: It sounds like Type 1 diabetes requires 24/7 management. Where do you find the strength to maintain everything that goes into living with the condition?
BEATRIZ: It was extremely challenging the first couple of years, but I really didn’t have a choice. I have to do it to stay alive, and in a way, that’s been both a blessing and a curse. Living with T1D has helped me find my individual strength. I know now that it’s the choices I make that determine my health. Knowing that it wasn’t even an option, that living with Type 1 diabetes isn’t something I can opt out of, has made me much more motivated to take care of myself the best that I can.
Emotionally though, it took me a few years to feel confident with it. I was in middle school when I was diagnosed, and at that age, it was hard because the condition painted me as not being “normal.” I was so ashamed that I was skipping insulin doses or even avoid testing my blood sugar — all detrimental to my health. After a few years, I finally realized that it was better to drown out negativity and prioritize my health. Life with diabetes gradually became my new normal, and seeing it that way helped me realize that T1D doesn’t define me. I owe so much to my family and my support system for always being there.
Living life with T1D has taught me how strong I am and how to face challenges with positivity.
B3 MAGAZINE: How has your journey with T1D impacted your relationship with exercise?
BEATRIZ: There are many things that can impact insulin levels, and working out is a huge one. I’ve always loved sports, and I was involved in athletics all throughout school, but most times, it was challenging to go for even a 20-minute run without my blood sugar levels dropping. It wasn’t sustainable, because I have to chug apple juice to avoid low blood sugars mid-workout and I felt like I couldn’t succeed at anything. It was hard to feel physically strong when diabetes always seemed to get in the way.
B3 MAGAZINE: How did barre3 come into the picture?
BEATRIZ: I had heard great things about barre3 from my best friend who is a fitness instructor, and it happened that the barre3 Austin Four Points Studio was right next to my office. I decided to try it out, loved it, and the rest was history.
Barre3 is the first workout I’ve done that doesn’t negatively impact my blood sugar levels. The combination of cardio and strength conditioning strikes the perfect balance, because while cardio has a tendency to lower your blood sugar, resistance training raises it. As a result, my blood sugar is generally balanced during the workout, and I find that I can make it through a full 60-minute class without going low.
I feel great during and after every barre3 workout. The instructors are so helpful, kind, and attentive. They’re understanding when I have to bring my insulin pump bag into the studio and check in with me throughout class. Their support lets me pour all of my focus into the workout.
Barre3 has become an essential part of my life. I always schedule classes into my week, and I never feel like I need to push myself to go to class. I also love the online workouts and have been able to keep my barre3 routine even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
B3 MAGAZINE: What inspired you to start your blog, The Letter Bea?
BEATRIZ: At one of my internships during college, I was tasked with reaching out to influencers for brand partnerships. As I learned more about bloggers, from the content creation to community building, I was inspired to jump in and try it myself.
I love that having my blog has given me a platform to share my life with type 1 diabetes. When you meet another T1D, there’s an instant connection, and I feel that with a lot of my readers. But while we live with the same condition, we each have our own journey and can learn from one another. I could go on for hours about all of the amazing things I’ve learned from the community. I also have a lot of readers who don’t have T1D, and feel incredibly grateful that I can educate them and advocate for Type 1 diabetes.
When I started The Letter Bea, I didn’t want it to be only about my diabetes. Initially, when I was first diagnosed, I felt my diagnosis defined me. I was learning a completely new way to live my life, but with time, what felt abnormal just became my own way of living. It’s really heartwarming to reflect on how I feel now — empowered, healthy, and strong — compared to when I started this journey. Diabetes is an integral part of my life, but it will never stand in the way of my goals and interests.
Finding that acceptance was a huge step for me. I knew that it wasn’t my fault that I got Type 1 diabetes, but it would be something that I would always have to face. Sharing my story has been a vulnerable experience, but has left me with incredible connections. Nearly 40,000 Americans are diagnosed each year — we are truly all in this together.
B3 MAGAZINE: What does living a healthy life look like to you?
BEATRIZ: For me, so much of feeling healthy is about balance. We live in a world where you’re inundated with messages that push you to many extremes at once. Balance means creating space for everything you enjoy. Whether that’s getting ice cream or doing a workout, I like to focus on responding to my present needs and doing what serves me best.
Barre3 has been a big part of that. It was important for me to find something in my schedule that supports not only my health, but my self-care practice, too. The workout is certainly a challenge, but it feels good to push myself, and each time that I do, I show myself what I’m capable of. The softer moments of class where I can reflect on my heart is a special moment I never pass up.
Community is also key to living a vibrant and full life. There’s something incredible about being in the studio and knowing that every person moving alongside you is there because they want to better themselves in some way. Every time I walk into the studio, I am welcomed with a hug or a bright hello. It’s the little things that make a big difference. Whether that’s becoming stronger or simply feeling better—we’re all in it together.
B3 MAGAZINE: What advice would you give to someone who’s facing a challenge?
BEATRIZ: It’s been helpful for me to maintain a positive outlook. I believe that there is almost always something you can do about your situation. Yes, it’s important to take time to acknowledge and process what you’re feeling, but once I’ve given myself that space, I set myself up with an action plan for how to move forward.
When I was told there was no cure, I bawled my eyes out for what felt like months. There are days where I still cry — because it’s emotional, and that doesn’t make me any less stronger. In fact, I think letting myself feel my emotions supports progress. Looking at the glass half full, counting my blessings, and staying positive have transformed my life. The moment you find your inner power, you realize you can overcome anything. I feel so grateful that Barre3 has helped me find my strongest self.
B3 MAGAZINE: What does #b3strong mean to you?
BEATRIZ: For me, being #b3strong means facing challenges with positivity and strength — and, most importantly, living an empowered life with type 1 diabetes.
You can follow Beatriz on Instagram at @theletter_bea and her blog, The Letter Bea.
#b3strong is a brand-new challenge celebrating strength, community, and the many ways individual resilience and collective strength show up in our world. Today, we’re chatting with Beatriz Estay, the creative force behind The Letter Bea. The blog is a reflection of everything she loves, and a platform where she shares style and wellness tips as well as her experience with Type 1 diabetes.
Beatriz is answering our questions about the chronic condition, how her barre3 practice supports her, and sharing how she defines strength on her own terms.
B3 MAGAZINE: Among your lifestyle and wellness posts, you also write about your experience with Type 1 diabetes. Can you tell us more about the condition and share your personal experience with it?
BEATRIZ: I was diagnosed 12 years ago right around when I turned 13. My family was going through a huge transition as we moved from Chicago, IL to Tokyo, Japan. A few months into the move, I was hit with health issues I’d never experienced—I suddenly found myself thirsty all the time and had lost over 20 pounds.
But it wasn’t until I was watching a Jonas Brothers video (this was 2008, after all) that I started to put the pieces together. Before he sang, Nick Jonas shared the symptoms he experienced before being diagnosed with Type 1. At that moment, a lightbulb went off, and after a Google search to confirm, I realized that what he described was shockingly similar to what I was experiencing. I told my mom, and the next day, we went to the doctor, where I was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. I spent the next 10 days in the hospital regaining my strength and learning how to live life with this illness. In those moments, it felt as if my entire life flipped upside down.
Type 1 diabetes is an incurable autoimmune illness where your pancreas makes little to no insulin, a hormone that converts the food we eat into energy. As a Type 1 diabetic, I’m insulin-dependent. Because my body can’t produce it, I have to give myself insulin every day. When I was first diagnosed, I was taking anywhere from 4-5 shots a day. I then transitioned to an insulin pump about 6 years ago.
Dosing for meals is much harder than it seems. The amount of insulin I need depends on my blood sugar level and carbohydrates, which means I have to count the carbs in everything I eat or drink. Add in how emotions (e.g. stress, anxiety), wellness and activities (e.g. working out, being sick), or different foods and drinks (e.g. alcohol, foods high in sugar, foods high in fat) affect your blood sugar and the equation can be quite complex.
Luckily, over the years you learn more about how your body responds. Working with my endocrinology team and nutritionists have helped me navigate this!
B3 MAGAZINE: It sounds like Type 1 diabetes requires 24/7 management. Where do you find the strength to maintain everything that goes into living with the condition?
BEATRIZ: It was extremely challenging the first couple of years, but I really didn’t have a choice. I have to do it to stay alive, and in a way, that’s been both a blessing and a curse. Living with T1D has helped me find my individual strength. I know now that it’s the choices I make that determine my health. Knowing that it wasn’t even an option, that living with Type 1 diabetes isn’t something I can opt out of, has made me much more motivated to take care of myself the best that I can.
Emotionally though, it took me a few years to feel confident with it. I was in middle school when I was diagnosed, and at that age, it was hard because the condition painted me as not being “normal.” I was so ashamed that I was skipping insulin doses or even avoid testing my blood sugar — all detrimental to my health. After a few years, I finally realized that it was better to drown out negativity and prioritize my health. Life with diabetes gradually became my new normal, and seeing it that way helped me realize that T1D doesn’t define me. I owe so much to my family and my support system for always being there.
Living life with T1D has taught me how strong I am and how to face challenges with positivity.
B3 MAGAZINE: How has your journey with T1D impacted your relationship with exercise?
BEATRIZ: There are many things that can impact insulin levels, and working out is a huge one. I’ve always loved sports, and I was involved in athletics all throughout school, but most times, it was challenging to go for even a 20-minute run without my blood sugar levels dropping. It wasn’t sustainable, because I have to chug apple juice to avoid low blood sugars mid-workout and I felt like I couldn’t succeed at anything. It was hard to feel physically strong when diabetes always seemed to get in the way.
B3 MAGAZINE: How did barre3 come into the picture?
BEATRIZ: I had heard great things about barre3 from my best friend who is a fitness instructor, and it happened that the barre3 Austin Four Points Studio was right next to my office. I decided to try it out, loved it, and the rest was history.
Barre3 is the first workout I’ve done that doesn’t negatively impact my blood sugar levels. The combination of cardio and strength conditioning strikes the perfect balance, because while cardio has a tendency to lower your blood sugar, resistance training raises it. As a result, my blood sugar is generally balanced during the workout, and I find that I can make it through a full 60-minute class without going low.
I feel great during and after every barre3 workout. The instructors are so helpful, kind, and attentive. They’re understanding when I have to bring my insulin pump bag into the studio and check in with me throughout class. Their support lets me pour all of my focus into the workout.
Barre3 has become an essential part of my life. I always schedule classes into my week, and I never feel like I need to push myself to go to class. I also love the online workouts and have been able to keep my barre3 routine even amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.
B3 MAGAZINE: What inspired you to start your blog, The Letter Bea?
BEATRIZ: At one of my internships during college, I was tasked with reaching out to influencers for brand partnerships. As I learned more about bloggers, from the content creation to community building, I was inspired to jump in and try it myself.
I love that having my blog has given me a platform to share my life with type 1 diabetes. When you meet another T1D, there’s an instant connection, and I feel that with a lot of my readers. But while we live with the same condition, we each have our own journey and can learn from one another. I could go on for hours about all of the amazing things I’ve learned from the community. I also have a lot of readers who don’t have T1D, and feel incredibly grateful that I can educate them and advocate for Type 1 diabetes.
When I started The Letter Bea, I didn’t want it to be only about my diabetes. Initially, when I was first diagnosed, I felt my diagnosis defined me. I was learning a completely new way to live my life, but with time, what felt abnormal just became my own way of living. It’s really heartwarming to reflect on how I feel now — empowered, healthy, and strong — compared to when I started this journey. Diabetes is an integral part of my life, but it will never stand in the way of my goals and interests.
Finding that acceptance was a huge step for me. I knew that it wasn’t my fault that I got Type 1 diabetes, but it would be something that I would always have to face. Sharing my story has been a vulnerable experience, but has left me with incredible connections. Nearly 40,000 Americans are diagnosed each year — we are truly all in this together.
B3 MAGAZINE: What does living a healthy life look like to you?
BEATRIZ: For me, so much of feeling healthy is about balance. We live in a world where you’re inundated with messages that push you to many extremes at once. Balance means creating space for everything you enjoy. Whether that’s getting ice cream or doing a workout, I like to focus on responding to my present needs and doing what serves me best.
Barre3 has been a big part of that. It was important for me to find something in my schedule that supports not only my health, but my self-care practice, too. The workout is certainly a challenge, but it feels good to push myself, and each time that I do, I show myself what I’m capable of. The softer moments of class where I can reflect on my heart is a special moment I never pass up.
Community is also key to living a vibrant and full life. There’s something incredible about being in the studio and knowing that every person moving alongside you is there because they want to better themselves in some way. Every time I walk into the studio, I am welcomed with a hug or a bright hello. It’s the little things that make a big difference. Whether that’s becoming stronger or simply feeling better—we’re all in it together.
B3 MAGAZINE: What advice would you give to someone who’s facing a challenge?
BEATRIZ: It’s been helpful for me to maintain a positive outlook. I believe that there is almost always something you can do about your situation. Yes, it’s important to take time to acknowledge and process what you’re feeling, but once I’ve given myself that space, I set myself up with an action plan for how to move forward.
When I was told there was no cure, I bawled my eyes out for what felt like months. There are days where I still cry — because it’s emotional, and that doesn’t make me any less stronger. In fact, I think letting myself feel my emotions supports progress. Looking at the glass half full, counting my blessings, and staying positive have transformed my life. The moment you find your inner power, you realize you can overcome anything. I feel so grateful that Barre3 has helped me find my strongest self.
B3 MAGAZINE: What does #b3strong mean to you?
BEATRIZ: For me, being #b3strong means facing challenges with positivity and strength — and, most importantly, living an empowered life with type 1 diabetes.
You can follow Beatriz on Instagram at @theletter_bea and her blog, The Letter Bea.
