For Varsity Blues men's volleyball standout Maxime Gratton, high-performance sport has always been about more than winning championships, though he's certainly done plenty of that. A fifth-year transfer from McMaster now pursuing a Master's degree in developmental psychology and education at U of T, Gratton arrived with one of the most decorated résumés in Canadian university volleyball. 

But behind the accolades is a lifelong, daily opponent few ever see. 

Gratton was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes (T1D) at age nine, a moment he remembers most for the love and strength shown by his parents as they helped him navigate an abrupt lifestyle shift. Their support built the foundation he still leans on today, especially as he balances varsity volleyball with the constant calculations and unpredictability of T1D. 

"It took me a really long time to figure out effective ways to balance diabetes and high-performance sport," he says. "Even now, I'm still learning."  

Modern tools like an insulin pump and continuous glucose monitor help him respond quickly, but the real challenge is interpreting the ever-changing variables: meals, stress, sleep, training load, type of workout, timing of practices.  

"These factors all compound, making constant management overwhelming at times, but I've accepted that it's a part of who I am now, which helps with having to balance them all," says Gratton. "Considering these factors has become more of a sixth sense for me now." 

One of the toughest parts isn't physical, it's psychological. Blood sugar fluctuations sometimes force Gratton to step out of practices or even games, a reality that can feel at odds with the culture of competitiveness. 

"In an environment where excuses are often quickly attributed to individuals who show a lack of persistence, it can be difficult to do the right thing for my health," he said. "To this day, I find it difficult to admit when my performance is affected by my blood sugar due to the fear of possible judgment, but I've been lucky to have coaches and teammates who are understanding and kind enough to have never made me feel bad for taking a break when needed." 

That struggle has shaped him into an empathetic, aware and grounded teammate.  

"Having diabetes has helped me approach situations with more of an open and understanding perspective," he says. "Recognizing that there are a plethora of factors happening behind the scenes that inform individuals' behavior and actions, creates opportunities for inquiry and understanding rather than falling into immediate judgment and basic biases." 

On World Diabetes Day, Gratton hopes young athletes facing new diagnoses see possibility, not limitation. 

"Don't let diabetes get in the way of what you want to do," he says. "Even if it wins the battle on some days, don't let that be definitive.  

"Approach diabetic mistakes and mishaps the same way you would with your sport - accept that they happen, learn from them, and then try to set yourself up so that they don't happen again.  

"And if they do, be kind to yourself - it's a lifelong marathon, not a sprint."