Bret Michaels (Sexiest Man Alive)

Bret Michaels - Lead singer of Poison
DOB: March 15, 1963
Diabetes type: Type 1

Singer, songwriter, producer, director, actor - diabetes may have caused a few hiccups along the road of life but it has not stopped Bret Michaels from becoming one of the most recognized names in American rock.

As front man for the legendary rock band Poison, Michaels has sold 25 million records and scored 15 chartbusting Top 40 singles including "Talk Dirty to Me," "Something to Believe In," "Nothing But a Good Time" and the timeless #1 smash "Every Rose Has its Thorn." And in the new millennium Poison's music has been featured in such big screen flicks as "Mr. and Mrs. Smith," "Grandma's Boy" and "Deuce Bigelow-European Gigolo." They continue to be one of the industry's top grossing concert attractions.

Diagnosed at the age of 6, Bret Michaels has been living the diabetes lifestyle for decades and has seen advancements being made in the management of diabetes. Citing the incongruity of the rock star lifestyle and the diabetes lifestyle, balance was the key to maintaining his diabetes life and his life on and off the stage. It was a show at Madison Square Garden shortly after the release of the group's first album that led Michaels to come out to the diabetes community about his disease. A common flu combined with an insulin shot and a missed meal led to his passing out at the show. It was misinterpreted by the media as a drug stupor. For the sake of his fans, he shared his lifelong struggle.

Michaels has produced and written material for other artists including Stevie Nicks. He wrote and produced the song "Love's a Hard Game to Play" which appeared on Nicks' platinum album "Timespace: The Best Of Stevie Nicks." More recently Michaels could be heard providing background vocals along with Phil Vassar on the Kenny Chesney/Uncle Kracker duet single "Last Night Again."

In the mid-90s Michaels formed a film production company with actor Charlie Sheen. The partnership ultimately led to Michaels writing, directing and starring in several films including "A Letter From Death Row" which he executive co-produced with Sheen.

As an actor, Michaels has made regular appearances on such hit television shows as "Yes Dear," "Martial Law," and "The Chris Isaak Show." And he has also co-hosted "Access Hollywood" and been a judge on the wildly popular "Nashville Star" program.

Setting his musical sights beyond Poison, Michaels released his debut solo album "Songs of Life" in 2003 followed by the rootsy, Americana flavored sophomore record "Freedom of Sound" in 2005.

Poison's lead vocalist, Bret Michaels, has few peers when it comes to getting wild. But Michaels is actually a model of responsibility when it comes to keeping his diabetes under control.

"Everyday is an absolute battle," says the 39-year-old Michaels. "I don't care what anyone says. You have to wake up and say to yourself, 'I accept that I have diabetes, and I'm not going to let it run my entire life.' It's a fine line, a Catch-22, a balancing act. I work to enjoy my life like a regular human being and at the same time keep my blood sugar levels as decent as possible."
"I was 6 years old when I was diagnosed with diabetes," recalls Michaels. "I remember I was in between kindergarten and first grade. I'll never forget how extremely sick and dehydrated I was. Everything I drank or ate immediately came out of me."
"My stomach was bloated and I was literally drinking almost a gallon of water at a time," recalls Michaels. "Because my parents didn't know what diabetes was, they were giving me Cokes to drink, which was not only dehydrating me more, but making my blood sugar go up twice as much."

Unless treated properly, DKA can lead to a diabetic coma or even death.

"At about 2 or 3 in the morning, my mom and dad took me to the Harrisburg hospital," says Michaels. "In the emergency room, the doctors knew what the problem was right off the bat."

"I spent close to almost two full months in the hospital trying to figure out my blood sugar levels, what kind of insulin to give me," adds Michaels. "It was a very scary experience, more for my parents than for me. I was just a little hellion excited to play with the toys."
Doctors recommend that diabetics check their blood sugar often throughout the day, maintain a proper diabetic diet, and use exercise to help keep the insulin at a steady level.

"For me, being on the road with Poison for months on end can mess with my routine," says Michaels. "I test my blood sugar about six to eight times a day and eat smaller meals all day long to keep my blood sugar even."

"One huge blessing I've had is being able to get up and find a way to exercise," adds the rock star. "I either lift weights, run, or just do 100 push-ups before I go on stage. Any which way I can to keep my blood sugar levels down without pumping too much of the insulin into me."

Diabetes can also cause blindness.

"I get my eyes checked constantly," says Michaels. "So far, I have had a few vessels in my eyes burst, but they've healed themselves."

The high and low blood sugar levels can also affect a diabetic's emotional life.

"Sometimes the swings in the blood sugar level play havoc with your emotions and vice versa," says Michaels. "I have a lot to do with our band, and that brings a high stress level which can make my diabetes go out of control. As I go along I'm learning to better deal with my emotions."

In the world of diabetes, research continues to find ways to help the body produce its own insulin.
After touring with Hollyweird, Michaels is releasing Songs of Life, a new solo record.

"I think it's the best song writing I have ever done," says the singer-songwriter.

And to those who also suffer from diabetes, he urges, "Accept that you have the disease. Keep taking your insulin. Keep it under control. Also, enjoy your life. I have stayed in good physical shape by having mind, matter, and music over the disease."

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