Landy Peek (00:33)
so many women are told they're quote unquote normal on paper. Their labs look good while their bodies are saying otherwise. Perhaps you've experienced the afternoon crash after eating, foggy focus and a gut sense and something's just not right.
You just don't feel good in your body. Today, we're talking about insulin resistance and women's health. Welcome, I'm Landi Peake. And this is the Landi Peake podcast. If you've ever walked out of an appointment with more questions than answers or felt like you weren't heard when you're describing all your symptoms,
pat it on the back, told that you're fine when you don't feel it.
is the conversation for you. I'm joined by Chelsea Hammond, a physician's assistant and certified diabetes care and education specialist with nearly a decade in endocrinology. And she's the founder of Empowered Glucose. She's here to cut through the noise, let us know what insulin resistance actually is, why hormone shifts make women uniquely vulnerable.
think pregnancy, postpartum and perimenopause, how to make smart changes without getting stuck in the all or nothing thought process, and what tools like continuous glucose monitors can actually teach you in real time. We also talk about things like gestational diabetes and why it's not your fault. It actually can be tied to the placenta and
We go into mindset and support to make this not overwhelming and livable. I am so excited for you to hear this conversation. Let's dive in.
Speaker 1 (02:26)
I want to welcome Chelsea Heyman to the Landy Pig podcast. Chelsea, welcome. Can you share a little bit about who you are so the listeners can get to know you?
Speaker 2 (02:35)
Yeah, thanks so much for having me. I am a physician assistant and certified diabetes care and education specialist. And I have spent the last almost decade within the endocrinology and diabetes management space. And with my time within endocrinology, I have developed a strong passion for
diabetes care and management, specifically with women. So I recently created my business Empowered Glucose to help empower women to ⁓ feel confident in their care, educated, and help with the mental burden that surrounds a diabetes or insulin resistance diagnosis.
Speaker 1 (03:30)
tied in that insulin resistance because I think that is an under talked about area. And I want to make sure we go there because there is that like, Oh, we have a diabetes diagnosis, but insulin resistance comes up. And I don't think there's a lot of education and talk around that.
Speaker 2 (03:50)
Yeah, there's a lot of ⁓ misinformation out there and there's not a ton of information on what insulin resistance really is and how it impacts our health, especially as women, because all of our hormones play a part in insulin resistance. And as we get older and the estrogen levels decrease, that actually causes some insulin resistance. So.
It's a huge part, especially in women's health.
Speaker 1 (04:20)
That's really interesting and fascinating to know. So I want to talk about kind of who is that client that you're working with in that, like, what is she facing? What is she struggling? Is this a new diabetes diagnosis? Is this somebody that has had diabetes for a long time and struggling or both? Kind of who is that person that we're speaking to today?
Speaker 2 (04:44)
Yeah, so it is really anybody who is struggling with their diagnosis. So if you feel overwhelmed, if you feel kind of lost within the diagnosis, I want to be in your corner and I want to help you navigate the diagnosis so that you can feel confident and feel less overwhelmed by this diagnosis.
really for anyone with insulin resistance or diabetes, both type 1, type 2, even gestational diabetes. I personally had gestational diabetes in both of my pregnancies and I think that's what really spurred my passion too within the diabetes realm. And I just want to support women in all avenues of this diagnosis. So really all of the above. ⁓
Speaker 1 (05:39)
Great. And I'm glad you brought in that gestational diabetes because I, with my second, also had gestational diabetes. And that diagnosis really rocked me because I had a friend who was pregnant at the same time. We both, at the time, we doing, we were CrossFitters, eating super healthy. And all of a sudden, we both end up with this gestational diabetes diagnosis. Like, how? I thought I was doing everything right.
all of a sudden I need to change how I'm eating and pricking my finger and monitoring and then the freak out of what am I doing to my baby? And so can you just share like when you first get that diagnosis, what are the things that we need to be thinking and we need to have support in so that this isn't so overwhelming?
Speaker 2 (06:31)
Yeah, so mindset is a huge part in this. I, when I got the diagnosis, it also rocked my world as well. I am educated in diabetes management. I've had, ⁓ with my first pregnancy, I've, I had several years under my belt within managing diabetes. And yet I still felt
overwhelmed guilt, shame around the diagnosis. And when I took a step back after kind of living through that, I came to the realization that it's not your fault and you can, like you said, you were exercising, eating correctly, you can do all the right things and still
develop gestational diabetes or develop diabetes because a lot of it is related to genetics. With gestational diabetes, it's also related to the baby's placenta and there's really nothing you can do to prevent it. ⁓ You can do all the right things and you can still develop gestational diabetes. And I think it's important
for people to know that it is not your fault if you develop these diagnoses. There's so much to it that ⁓ plays a part.
Speaker 1 (08:09)
That's really nice to hear like eight years later. But yeah, there is that space of like, we go through the blame and the shame. And you know, what did I do wrong? And how could I have done this different? And hearing that it is something that is out of our control, and often has a genetic component component. So fascinating. has to do with babies placenta. I want to know more about that. But really in the space of okay, so
we can let go of the blame and shame. It's not our fault. Now what? Now what do we need to focus on and do? Cause a lot of, at least when I got my gestational diabetes diagnosis, it was, okay, you need to change how you're eating, but there's not a lot of guidance there. And you know, here's how you prick your finger and measure your glucose. Is it glucose that I'm measuring or is it? Yes. Been a while measuring my glucose and I had to keep a log and keep track.
Speaker 2 (09:02)
Click us.
Speaker 1 (09:08)
and send my diet to, you know, my provider, but there isn't a lot of like, okay, what can I do? How can I feel in control? It feels like there's a lot of things that are out of my control that I'm supposed to be doing, but I don't feel in control of the situation. How can I flip that script so I really feel in control?
Speaker 2 (09:29)
Yeah, so mental health is a ⁓ huge part in these diagnoses. And I found that journaling, gratitude journals, really working with somebody to kind of shift that mindset is so important. It's important to have a community surrounding it because then you feel that you're not alone in this. can be, it can feel
very lonely having a diagnosis like this. And when you are part of a support group or working with somebody who has been there, it really changes your mindset. You realize that it's more common than you think. ⁓ And again, not your fault. And there are so many people with different... ⁓
different stages and different body types, different diets, different lifestyle. And all of these people are developing this diagnosis and it's just important to know that you're not alone and you have the support if you find it.
Speaker 1 (10:52)
I think that's really wise. mean, in anything that we're dealing with and struggling with, having that support and not being, because it's so easy to isolate yourself, to step out of that isolation and have virtual or in-person support with either a group or a person that you're working with that can be your cheerleader and your guide is really huge in like, okay, I can now handle this. So when we're looking at kind of shifting, have, we need to shift our eating.
Are there things that we need to be aware of if we are somebody that has diabetes or who loves somebody that has diabetes? What do we need to know about like diet wise? Cause that shifts and changes.
Speaker 2 (11:36)
Yeah, so I want to meet people where they're at. It is, again, an overwhelming diagnosis and I don't want you to go and cut out all the carbs, go heavy on keto diets and whatnot because it is not sustainable. I personally have
attempted a keto diet in the past and it just was not sustainable. ⁓ I know a lot of people can sustain that and it's fine, but I that just feels overwhelming to me personally. And I know a lot of people trying to cut things, cold turkey can be overwhelming and discouraging. So I like to meet people where they're at, whether that be ⁓
If like a cheeseburger, have the cheeseburger, take the top bun off and have a side salad instead of fries. ⁓ if you like ⁓ pasta, then have like a small portion of the pasta and load it with veggies and protein and just incorporate more fiber from veggies and more protein, which can help balance your blood sugar overall.
So you're limiting the carbs, but you don't have to cut them out completely.
Speaker 1 (13:01)
that you're shifting away from the all or nothing approach because I think a lot of, I mean me, but a lot of people that are listening also have that like we dive in and dive in big and deep and then it's not always sustainable. So I'm gonna take out everything and be the best eater that I can possibly be and then I'm like, great, I can't eat anything and this isn't working and then you're more likely to kind of fall apart with that diet.
But giving that space of, okay, you can still eat what you want. We just have to be a little bit more moderated and we can look at how we can balance what we really want to eat with something that's really going to support our body. And I think that shift of approach where we get the permission to, this doesn't have to overhaul our life. This gets to be something that we work with and we still get to enjoy. And we're just going to be a little bit more mindful in how we're really approaching it.
Speaker 2 (14:00)
Exactly. I also struggle with the all or nothing mindset. ⁓ It's, it's so hard to kind of get have that mindset shift to be more of let's, you know, do things in moderation and take it one step at a time. I struggle with that myself because I am a perfectionist, but it is so important to get out of that all or nothing mindset because it can really
hinder your mental health.
Speaker 1 (14:31)
Right. It gives us that kind of block of like, ah, I'm stuck. And then when we're stuck, we lose the creativity to be able to open up to new and different ideas. And I love that. Okay, we're going to step back instead of go all in, let's step back and look, how can we shift and still live life the way we want to live
would you speak a little bit to that insulin resistance? Because I think there's a lot of people that are kind of on their edge where we're not diagnosed as having diabetes. And yet there's still these little red flags that we need to start being watchful. But there's often not a lot of other information coming from providers. And it's not something that you are supported around.
Speaker 2 (15:16)
All right, I'm glad that you asked that because insulin resistance is a huge thing and you don't necessarily have a specific test or definitive diagnosis. It's kind of, especially if your A1C is not, your A1C being ⁓ the diagnosis marker for diabetes. So if it's in a normal range,
you may still have insulin resistance and not know it. And really the biggest symptoms of having insulin resistance is feeling like you're crashing after meals. So feeling tired, just feeling blah after meals, if you're struggling with your weight and ⁓ just overall just
feeling blah, the best way to explain it with a lack of better words. But ⁓ it is usually a result of hormonal shifts as well. So like I said, with women, as our estrogen decreases, then that causes more insulin resistance. So that causes a... ⁓
a further issue with losing weight and such because of insulin resistance. And other hormones like cortisol, if you've heard of cortisol, it's your stress hormone that plays a factor in insulin resistance. And they all kind of intertwine with each other. So if you're stressed, if you're going through perimenopause or postmenopause, all of that can contribute to insulin resistance as well.
⁓ It is a huge thing and not everybody necessarily knows that they have it. And you really just have to kind of listen to your body and we can do things like test your blood sugar with a continuous glucose monitor or prick your finger if you would rather do that and see what your body is doing after meals. And it's really eye-opening.
to see how your blood sugar responds to your meals. I personally have had, I believe I have insulin resistance because if I have a carb heavy meal, I just feel awful. And recently, I am currently almost a year postpartum, but recently I...
had ⁓ pizza and it was like deep dish pizza and I just felt awful afterwards. And I went home, it was two hours after my meal and I decided that I was going to check my blood sugar. I still had supplies from when I had gestational diabetes and my blood sugar was high for someone who is not a diabetic.
My blood sugar was in the 200s and a normal blood sugar two hours after a meal is under 140. So I was panicking. So I put on a continuous glucose monitor and monitored my blood sugar and my blood sugar does come back down. But if I have carb heavy meals, it does spike relatively high for someone who doesn't have diabetes.
it ⁓ but it does come back down and that roller coaster of blood sugars can really make you feel awful and can cause all of these symptoms.
Speaker 1 (19:25)
Like, yes, yes, yes. think that's... And I'm in the normal range. I just had my blood work in the normal range, but I do feel that. And I just avoid, you know, heavy carb meals because I feel like crap after. Like, as you're talking about like spike, I'm like, ooh, I no longer have anything to go test. But I'm like, I'm curious just to see what's going on in my body because with perimenopause...
definitely having the roller coaster of hormones, how that is impacting my glucose levels, just like I'm one of those people like, let's test it and see it. I'm so curious and can I have the before and after? You know, all things anatomy. And I think that's such an eye opening awareness for people listening is that we can be in a
Speaker 2 (20:07)
Yeah.
Speaker 1 (20:20)
quote unquote, normal range. We also talked about this with our hormones. We can be quote unquote normal, but not optimal. We're not really functioning at that optimal range where we're feeling good. And I'm in that normal, but I also am aware that those heavy carb meals, like I am exactly as you described, like, ugh, I'm done. I have no energy. I really just.
fudge it on my own going, I eat what makes me feel good, which is good. And I'm not really addressing a problem that may be there, but had no awareness until we're sitting here talking that it could be there and you're describing me.
Speaker 2 (21:01)
Yeah, I also my blood work has been normal since I've been postpartum and have a normal a one C so I'm I don't have diabetes, but I know that my
how my body responds to carbs as a result of insulin resistance. And it is very common in someone who has a history of gestational diabetes and also family history of diabetes. I have a pretty strong family history of diabetes as well. So I have to be super cautious of what I'm doing personally as far as my diet, because one, it makes me feel like crap and two,
I have a high risk of developing diabetes in the future.
Speaker 1 (21:49)
that's really interesting. you and I, we're kind of in the same boat here. What can we do to really support our own systems in this possibly insulin resistant space that we can really take care and not tip over into diabetes later in life or really just feel good and get ourselves into that optimal space?
What are your suggestions of things that we need to be aware of, think about, possibly do?
Speaker 2 (22:22)
Yeah, so adjusting some of your lifestyle. Again, I don't want you to do all or nothing. I want you to cut back a bit on the carbs, eat carbs in moderation, add protein and fiber to your carbs because that will level out your blood sugar. And as well as some sort of activity, some sort of exercise. And one thing that I have found that has
helped myself and my blood sugar is taking walks after meals, especially those carb heavy meals. So taking a 10, 15 minute walk after eating can keep your blood sugar stable and prevent that spike afterwards.
Speaker 1 (23:07)
That's really awesome advice. just, mean, like intuitively there is kind of that like, I don't want to get off the couch after I eat that. And the shift in, okay, that little bit of movement, this isn't like I'm all into a huge walk. This is, okay, we ate dinner. It was a little carb heavy. Let's get everybody out and just go around the block. Is that 10 to 15 minutes? This isn't a big intensive ⁓ commitment of I have to go exercise.
just get moving and how that can actually shift our blood sugar because I hadn't really thought about ⁓ if I eat heavy carbs just going for a walk is going to make me feel better.
Speaker 2 (23:48)
Yeah, and you can make it a family event too if you're a mom and you want to take your kids outside, let your kids ride their bikes or walk with you. It's a great family bonding opportunity as well to kind of get out and walk like after dinner or whatnot.
Speaker 1 (24:05)
It's yes. Easy to do something that we do as a family a lot after dinner because we need to get the like crazies out before. I mean, we need a little energy expelled for everybody. So thank you for that simple ways that we can kind of shift. What else with this insulin resistance do we need to be aware of? We're talking about like high carb meals, not probably the best if we're feeling crashing afterwards, getting out and moving, adding some protein.
Speaker 2 (24:13)
huh.
Speaker 1 (24:35)
What else is gonna end and fiber you had added. So adding protein, moving, not focusing on the high carb meals that probably make you feel crappy. What else or is this kind of like a big shift that little things that make a big shift in how we're showing up and feeling in our life.
Speaker 2 (24:54)
Yeah, so incorporating all those little things will make a huge impact. Having somebody in your corner to support you in this is, you know, important as well. ⁓ Also, if you are struggling with other hormonal issues like perimenopause or menopause, seeing your healthcare provider to discuss your estrogen levels because that can contribute to
⁓ your insulin resistance and insulin sensitivity as well.
Speaker 1 (25:28)
Great, so talk to me about insulin sensitivity versus insulin resistance.
Speaker 2 (25:33)
Yeah, so insulin resistance is essentially your body, as the term kind of sounds, your body is resistant to the insulin. So your body is not utilizing that insulin appropriately. And insulin sensitivity is ⁓ how your body responds to the insulin. if it is, if your body is, ⁓
sensitive to insulin, then your body may drop, ⁓ your blood sugar may drop low. ⁓ Or if you are ⁓ less sensitive to the insulin, then your blood sugar may run higher. So it's the terms can kind of interchange, but ⁓ resistance is your body resisting the insulin that your body is producing.
⁓ And insulin sensitivity is how your body is utilizing that insulin, if that makes sense.
Speaker 1 (26:35)
It does. And thank you for that because that really clarifies. So when we're talking about insulin sensitivity, how can we tune in that we might have insulin sensitivity? Are there just like insulin resistance, kind of those markers of you eat a high carb meal and you feel really crappy, or is this something that is really kind of undiagnosed going under the radar and we're not as a not, there's not those key markers that we can tune into.
Speaker 2 (27:03)
Yeah, it's very similar to insulin resistance. There aren't too many like key markers that you can ⁓ use to diagnose insulin sensitivity, but all the hormonal changes that happen with insulin resistance, it's very similar to insulin sensitivity.
Speaker 1 (27:24)
You talked about ways that we can kind of monitor a blood sugar and that when you have that really heavy carb moment and you're like two hours later and your blood sugar was in the 200s, You put on a continuous monitor. Can you share about like, what are the ways, if we're curious and I'm thinking, okay, maybe I'm insulin resistant.
And I want to just kind of monitor it and figure it out. What are the tools that I can get easily to really start getting that information about my own body?
Speaker 2 (27:54)
Yeah, so you can get a lot of these tools over the counter now. You can get a prescription for them, but a lot of insurances will not cover them if you do not have a diagnosis of diabetes. You can get a blood glucose monitor, a glucometer where you prick your finger and you can get those over the counter. There's some like
store brand that are store brand monitors that are less expensive than the name brands. So you can get that at the pharmacy. You can also get a over-the-counter continuous glucose monitor now. It is awesome because it is relatively inexpensive compared to the prescription continuous glucose monitors and
These over-the-counter monitors are for people who don't have a diagnosis of diabetes or have a diagnosis of diabetes and not on insulin, and you just want to see what your blood sugar is doing with your oral medications or other type 2 diabetes medications. So I have purchased continuous glucose monitors to see what my body is doing.
after having gestational diabetes and ⁓ just being curious on what my blood sugar is doing. And you can get that ⁓ even off of Amazon or off the website. The one that I use is Stelo. ⁓ I don't have an affiliate with them or anything, but I personally really like Stelo. It's S-T-E-L-O.
And it is, I believe it can be a bit pricey depending on what your budget is, but it's about like 80, $90 a month for two sensors, I believe. And that last two sensors last you a full month. So if you're curious on what your blood sugar is doing, you can certainly pick one of those up and...
put it on and wear it for a couple of weeks and see how your body is responding to different foods.
Speaker 1 (30:19)
That's really fascinating. So when you're talking continuous, can you describe kind of like how it works and what happens? Because I know, I mean, very familiar with prick your finger method, but this isn't like going and pricking your finger every couple of hours or after you eat or whenever you need to do it. This is continuous. So is it something that you place on your body and then just wear it for weeks on end is what it sounds like.
Speaker 2 (30:43)
Yes, so you essentially get like a little inserter and the inserter has the sensor within it. You put it on the back of your arm normally and then you just kind of press it on. There's a needle that pushes the sensor into the subcutaneous tissue, that like fatty tissue.
and the needle comes out with the inserter and then you're left with like a circular continuous glucose monitor that is stuck on your skin with adhesive. And there's just a little tiny ⁓ sensor that is like basically the width of a strand of hair and that stays in your skin and your tissue and
it continuously records your blood sugar. So it is taking the blood from ⁓ that space and measuring your blood sugar throughout the day. You wear it for about two weeks depending on the brand of continuous glucose monitor, but the Stello is 15 days wear. So you wear it for two weeks and
You don't have to prick your finger. You don't have to calibrate it at all. You just slap it on and then you have an app on your phone that you can get the readings from.
Speaker 1 (32:17)
is really cool and gives you a lot of real time information in what's going on in your body. And then you're not forgetting, you know, things and having to prick your finger and having all the tools and blah, blah. That's a really neat way that you can start really getting in tune with your body and seeing what's going on and what happens when I eat a really high carb meal and what happens when I eat more protein and go for a walk.
Speaker 2 (32:42)
Yeah, it's a great tool to have and I have found that people who are seeing their blood sugars and seeing what food does to their blood sugar really makes a huge impact in how they're managing their blood sugars and managing their lifestyle. ⁓ I, for my patients within my endocrinology clinic, if I slap a continuous glucose monitor on them,
they can bring their blood sugars down just by having that on alone because they are able to see what their blood sugar is doing and so they're more mindful of what different foods are doing to their body.
Speaker 1 (33:25)
That is really cool because it is it's just that information for you to say, oh, well, that food does that or that, you know, whatever it is we're doing, the amount of food, the food type is making an impact. We're able to make real time behavior changes that don't feel so big. it's that as a provider, you are seeing that decrease.
because of just those slight behavior changes. And if we love a certain type of food but have no idea how it's impacting us, then we just keep eating. Or it's just that grab and go bar that you eat the granola bar in the car because it's there for all the kids and you're hungry. But then you realize, wait, that's spiking my blood sugar. Maybe if I just bring myself a different snack, those little changes can really make a big difference in how you're feeling and living your
Speaker 2 (34:18)
Yeah,
Speaker 1 (34:22)
my gosh, that is so incredible. Thank you, Chelsea, so much for just really sharing the and starting the conversation around diabetes and ⁓ insulin sensitivity and insulin resistance. Is there anything else that you want to share? Last piece of advice or things the listener really needs to know or hear around diabetes?
insulin resistance, insulin sensitivity.
Speaker 2 (34:47)
Yeah, so I just want listeners to know that you are not alone in this journey. Find someone in your corner to help you through this diagnosis, whether it be family, whether it be ⁓ your healthcare provider or a coach, and just find that support person because that is going to help, help your shift your mindset.
⁓ Mindset is huge. I want you to know that you are not alone and there are ways, small steps that we can help improve your health overall and help the way you feel.
Speaker 1 (35:31)
⁓ wise words, you're not alone. It's not your fault. And surround yourself with people who understand and get it because that's going to be huge. I know as I went through gestational diabetes, having a friend also go through it was really big because we could talk about things together and not just be like, what, I'm the only one at the party that can't eat stuff. We can really come in with a plan and support each other. So that does make a huge difference. Yeah.
know there are people out there listening that would love to continue the conversation with you. Can you share, how people can connect with you and then any programs or things that you're offering as support for people.
Speaker 2 (36:13)
Yeah,
as far as what I do and what resources they, that listeners can receive from me, I have a fully self-paced
diabetes education course. So it includes the science behind diabetes, what diabetes is, what insulin resistance is. It includes lifestyle strategies to improve blood sugar. It includes who should be on your care team and medication options that are out there for diabetes and ⁓ also includes a support group. ⁓
Empower Glucose Support Group. So ⁓ that's available. And then I also provide one-on-one diabetes and insulin resistance coaching where I kind of dive into your personal experience with the diagnosis, whether it be a new diagnosis or you've had it for a while and just need refreshers or need additional help. I meet with people weekly and we kind of dive into
education strategies to help your insulin resistance and diabetes and try to improve your blood sugar and overall health overall and hopefully give you that clarity and confidence and support that you need without the shame and guilt and overwhelming feeling.
Speaker 1 (37:50)
my gosh, incredible. And I will have all of the links down in the show notes. So if you want to connect with Chelsea, you can hop down to the show notes and easily click a link and be there. Chelsea, thank you so much. I really appreciate your time and your expertise.
Speaker 2 (38:06)
It has been such a pleasure. Thank you so much for having me on.
Landy Peek (38:10)
Chelsea, thank you so much for bringing the clarity so many women have been looking for. It's not about being perfect, and it's not about all or nothing. It's just allowing yourself to get curious and to honor what you're feeling inside your body, not just what your lab work is saying. If.
You heard yourself in this conversation. I invite you to let this be your permission to drop any blame. Listen to your body and make one simple move today.
Take a short walk after dinner, add in a little bit more protein, do whatever you need, have the conversations that really do support you, ask different questions or push a little bit more at your next appointment. You don't have to overhaul everything to change how you feel. If you want more of Chelsea, please find her at Empowered Glucose. And if this episode helped,
send it to a friend who is also struggling with not feeling great after meals. That's how this conversation reads women who need it most. And I wanna let you know, I am so grateful that you're here. You don't have to hold it all. You are worthy of ease and support, not because you have earned it in any way, shape or form, but because you're human. And I know for the strong one, that's often hard to hold.
Keep choosing the small scene next step. It's more than enough. I'm in your corner cheering for your steadiness, your spark and you. And I can't tell you how grateful that I am that you are here listening and doing something good for yourself. Until next time, I want you to have an amazing day and I will talk to you on the next episode.
Speaker 2 (40:00)
Hey, before you go, just a little bit of legal. This podcast is designed for educational purposes only. It is not to replace any expert advice from your doctors, therapists, coaches, or any other professional that you would work with. It's just a chat with a friend, me, where we get curious about ideas, thoughts, and things that are going on in our lives.
As we're talking about friends, if you know someone who would benefit from a conversation today, please share because I think the more that we open up these conversations, the more benefit we all get. So until next time, give yourself a big hug from me and stay curious because that's the fun in this world.
