Sailing Spirit: Liz Cooke’s Journey Beyond Limits

There are moments in life when the weight of our challenges feels insurmountable. For most of us, it’s easy to let those obstacles become barriers, stopping us from pursuing what we love. But then there are people like Liz Cooke, whose resilience and courage remind us that no matter how difficult the road, we can still chase our dreams. Liz’s story is one of unwavering strength—a story that speaks to the heart of what it means to push past limitations and redefine what’s possible.

At first glance, Liz’s life seems ideal: she is a successful lead consultant and director at Previa, a wife to her husband Toby, and a devoted mother to two daughters. But behind this image of success is a woman who refuses to let the burden of multiple autoimmune conditions—Type 1 diabetes, Multiple Sclerosis, and Graves’ disease—dictate the course of her life.

Liz’s diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes at 48 was nothing short of shocking. The news seemed surreal for someone who had always lived an active and vibrant life. “I was 48 years old and living my normal life. I suddenly started losing weight but thought nothing of it and left it alone. But when my sister commented on my sudden weight loss, I decided to see a doctor,” Liz recalls. “The doctor was initially concerned it might be colon cancer, but after some tests, my sugar level was at 19, and the doctor insisted I go straight to the hospital.”

Crew on XS Moment upon arrival at Constitution Dock in Hobart. Dr Dave Austin, Fred Lieder, David Walker, Liz Cooke

That diagnosis marked the beginning of a new chapter in Liz’s life. But instead of letting fear or frustration take over, Liz embraced the challenge with the same passion and determination that she brings to everything in her life. “When I first got diagnosed, there was a massive learning curve in relation to the impacts different foods have on your blood sugars,” she says. Liz began to understand the intricacies of managing her condition with the help of a Dexcom continuous glucose monitor (CGM), which allowed her to manage her blood sugar levels in real-time.

“I use the word condition, not disease,” Liz shares. “Because I think when you say disease, people think sick, and I am not sick and stuck in bed, and I don’t have to be. It’s a mindset!”

That refusal to be defined by her conditions became the foundation of her resilience. Liz’s approach to life is not about ignoring the reality of her health but about embracing her full identity. She’s not just a patient managing diabetes—she’s a mother, a wife, a consultant, and a sailor. Sailing is more than a hobby for Liz; it’s a passion that has carried her through some of life’s toughest challenges.

Liz and Toby first sailed together around Australia early in their marriage, a journey that ignited her love for the sea. But her greatest test came 22 years later when she set her sights on the Sydney to Hobart yacht race. This wasn’t just a race—it was a personal mission to prove that she could still achieve greatness, even with the weight of her conditions.

“Having been a while since I had done competitive offshore yacht racing, I really had to prove myself,” Liz says. The preparation was intense: months of sea safety courses, rigorous physical training, and the added layer of constantly managing her Type 1 diabetes during the race. Her Dexcom CGM became an invaluable tool, allowing her to focus on the competition, and ensuring she could manage her health without missing a beat.

Throughout the race, Liz’s Dexcom provided reassurance during moments of doubt. “I can’t imagine trying to manage glucose without my CGM to provide that reassurance that I was ok during the times I may have been feeling a little off,” she explains. Every moment out on the water was a testament to her strength, endurance, and refusal to give up.

When Liz crossed the finish line in Hobart, it was more than just a win—it was a triumph of spirit. Her daughter flew down to meet her, and at that moment, Liz’s journey came full circle. The joy of victory wasn’t just in completing the race but in knowing she had sailed through the storm life had thrown at her, defying the odds and emerging stronger than ever.

Liz Cooke and her daughter Lucinda who flew down for the finish.

To those who are newly diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, or to anyone who faces life-altering challenges, Liz’s message is clear: “Don’t let diabetes define you as you are a whole lot more than your condition. Be the person you want to be, and the health stuff will fit in around it. You can still achieve your dreams; everything is possible, and anything is possible.”

Liz Cooke’s story reminds us no matter what obstacles life throws in our way, we have the strength within us to overcome them.

Her journey shows us that limitations—whether physical, emotional, or societal—are not the final word. With courage, determination, and a refusal to be held back, we can all chart our course towards greatness, just like Liz.