“Every time I get outside, I’m owning my Type 1,” says Lubowsky. Photo courtesy Cassandra Lubwosky

Meet Cassandra Lubowsky, aka “The Big Lubowsky,” a lively outdoor guide with experience in just about every outdoor sport: rafting, mountain biking, climbing, backcountry camping, and kayaking. She thrives on challenging herself through adventure, but her greatest challenge of all? Dealing with Type 1 diabetes. 

Born and raised on the East Coast, Lubowsky not only found her love for the outdoors in the Blue Ridge Mountains, but also discovered a purpose in life—to help others with Type 1 diabetes feel confident and comfortable outside. “I feel like camping can be your escape,” Lubowsky said. “And that wilderness is the best place to go if you’re feeling overwhelmed. I want to help people discover that.”

Lubowsky learned she had Type 1 diabetes when she was 13 years old. At that point, she had already fallen