How Adam Abdin’s 'Amazing Race' Journey Earned Him a Beyond Type 1 Honor (Exclusive)

Adam Abdin was 12 years old when he told his older brother, Joseph Abdin, that he felt like he was dying.

More than a decade later, the 24-year-old law student is standing on stage at Beyond Type 1's 10-year celebration being honored with the Diabetes Spotlight Award after competing on The Amazing Race, all while managing his Type 1 diabetes in real time.

“Honestly, it didn’t feel real,” Adam exclusively tells Men’s Journal following the Nov. 15 ceremony. "To go from that scared kid to someone being recognized by one of the most respected diabetes organizations in the world was overwhelming in the best way. It made everything I’ve carried for years feel like it finally had meaning.”

The Palm Beach, Florida native is currently racing around the world alongside Joseph on season 38 of the Emmy-winning CBS series, which features a cast of previous Big Brother players. (Joseph competed on Big Brother 24 during summer 2022.) Despite not winning a leg–yet, the Abdins have no-so-quietly established themselves as rootable underdogs, most recently finishing third and making it into the top five as the show heads toward its finale.

Though, Adam's decision to compete on the show didn’t come easily. "When the show first approached me, I did not want to do it,” he admits. “Even after agreeing, my instinct was to take off my Dexcom and Omnipod because I didn’t want them to get in the way. But instead, I learned they helped me. They allowed me to stay safe and allowed the world to see that diabetes is not a liability. It is part of my story.”

Growing up, diabetes shaped how he viewed his own limitations. “When I was younger, I skipped out on family vacations because of my diabetes. I felt held back and scared,” he says. “So to come full circle and not only travel the world, but do it as part of one of the biggest competitions on television, was surreal.”

Behind the scenes, managing Adam's blood sugar was always top of mind for their team. “It affected us every single episode,” he explains. “Carrying two 40 to 50 pound bags and running long distances would drop my blood sugar fast. That meant Joseph often had to do physical tasks while I brought myself back to a safe range.”

But Joseph, a 28-year-old attorney, never saw it as a burden. “The extra care he has to take with his Type 1 was never something I viewed as a limitation,” he tells MJ. “If anything, it highlighted the resilience, discipline, and mental toughness he’s carried for years. Those qualities aren’t small things, they’re proof of who he is at his core.”

In fact, Joseph describes Adam as an anchor for him. “When emotions are high or the pace gets chaotic, he’s the one who strips everything down to the facts, makes the smart call, and keeps us moving,” he says. “Adam doesn’t get pulled into the social noise. He kept me grounded in the bigger picture.”

Still, there were moments that tested them both throughout the race, and they ultimately did check in last during a lucky non-elimination leg. “He was running on fumes, visibly low, and still refusing to slow down because he kept saying every second mattered,” Joseph recalls of Leg 8. “Most people would have quit by now. But he didn’t. He kept moving.”

One limitation Adam couldn't control was having to skip the skydiving task in Romania. “The legal team simply could not get clearance for my devices in time,” he explains. “Before that, though, I had already walked a plank hundreds of feet in the air in Prague… That moment reminded me that diabetes adds another layer of risk and awareness, but it does not take away my ability to show up.”

He credits the production team for helping him stay safe, from having orange juice ready before challenges to never making him feel limited: “They supported me and never made me feel like my condition limited what I could contribute."

His visibility and vulnerability on the show is part of why Beyond Type 1 is recognizing him. "My biggest priority was making sure people with Type 1 diabetes felt seen," Adam says. “I wanted them to know that even though this condition is unpredictable and exhausting, it does not take away your potential.”

Joseph agrees, adding, “There are so many young Type 1 kids who will see him and see possibility instead of fear."

Adam ultimately hopes this moment becomes a launchpad into more advocacy. “This experience showed me that my voice is reaching people in ways I never expected,” he says. “Organizations like Beyond Type 1, CBS, and Omnipod see the value in pushing diabetes awareness into mainstream spaces. And I want to be part of that movement. My goal is to turn visibility into meaningful change for the diabetes community.”

For him, the race — and this recognition — isn’t just about being on TV: "I want to use this platform to create impact. Whatever form that takes, I know this is only the beginning."