Mavis has lived a remarkable life. Raised in England during wartime, she learned to make the most of simple, nourishing foods, from garden-fresh produce to home-churned butter and carried that love of wholesome cooking with her when she emigrated to the Australian bush. Over the decades, however, the advent of the supermarket and changing lifestyles began to affect her health.

“When I grew up, food was simple and nothing came out of a packet. My grandfather was a gardener by trade, and we ate what we grew. We kept chickens, ducks and geese and people in our street would share a pig each year. Looking back, it was a way of life built on real food.

“I emigrated to Australia 65 years ago and spent much of my life in the bush. My husband and I raised five children and we spent 20 years travelling around the country. We’d often pull up at the local bakery, and he’d have a meat pie, and I’d have a sticky bun. One day, walking back to the car, I felt faint. I thought it was my blood pressure, but it turned out to be type 2 diabetes.

“There’s no diabetes or dementia in my family, so the diagnosis surprised me. I have a nursing background, so I was aware of diabetes, but it wasn’t so common back then. When I was diagnosed, I didn’t get much information or support; I was left to figure it out on my own.

“My son, who’s a vet and interested in nutrition, sent me the DiRECT study. I followed their 12-week meal replacement plan and lost 20 kg. My numbers were all in the right place, and my GP was thrilled. But by the end of it, I was left wondering, what now? Then, quite by chance, I saw an ad for Defeat Diabetes and clicked on it. I’ve used it every day since. It has honestly saved my life.

“When my husband passed away two years ago, everything fell apart. I put on weight, and my health slipped again. One day, I woke up and thought, I want to feel well again. Since then, I’ve lost another 7 kg and feel better than ever. I go to the gym and aqua exercise three times a week and love staying active. I move quicker than people half my age. I said to my son, I can’t believe how well I feel and how good I look!

“I’m now off metformin and only take blood pressure medication. The clarity of thinking is incredible. I’d forgotten what it was like to feel well; now I feel like I’m walking on air.

“I’ve always loved to cook. I never had a sweet tooth (though I did like a sticky bun!). I make my own mayonnaise and tomato sauce, render my own fat, and love experimenting with recipes. Defeat Diabetes is very cordon bleu! I adore the Silky Salmon Curry - that sauce! - and I often make the Cottage Cheese Wraps or Cheesy Bread for picnics or to take to friends’ for afternoon tea.

“I usually only eat once or twice a day now. If I have breakfast, it’s scrambled eggs from my own hens, bacon and mushrooms or tomato and a pot of tea. My main meal is lunch, today it’s pork fillet and vegetables. In the afternoon, I might have Cheese and Rosemary Crackers and cottage cheese. Defeat Diabetes really takes the guesswork out of what to eat and I love that I can scale up the recipes so I always have leftovers in the freezer for later.”

“Science has always been my thing. I love following the research and understanding the ‘why’. I’ll tell people that diabetes is about insulin. The more I’ve learned, the more empowered I feel.

“The best part is seeing how my family has taken notice. My five children and ten grandchildren have all watched my journey. They know the path their grandmother has been down, and they’re paying attention. It’s my life, but it’s also about them; the less they have to worry about, the better.

“I’ve gone back to basics with how I eat, and I feel all the better for it. I’m so grateful for the Defeat Diabetes team. I’d give those two men - Dr Brukner and Dr Mason - a medal for what they’ve done. It’s incredible value, and I use it every single day. It’s given me not just my health back, but a life worth living.

“Last year, I travelled to Japan with my granddaughters, walking more than 5km a day for two weeks. I’ve got my health back, my energy back, and best of all, my life back.”