Meet Tzvi Doron

In May 2023, Tzvi Doron stood at a crossroads, contemplating a decision that would alter his life and career. After five and a half years at a digital health company, he was about to leave behind the stability and familiarity of his full-time job to pursue an uncertain path.

Tzvi's journey began in a modest office in the heart of a bustling city, where he practised as a doctor of osteopathy. Drawn to the holistic approach of osteopathic medicine, which emphasises the treatment of the whole person rather than just symptoms, Tzvi felt this path would allow him to make a meaningful impact on his patients' lives.

For those outside the USA, the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO USA) is one of two ways to obtain medical training in the USA, the other being MD. Individuals who hold a DO USA are fully qualified physicians licensed to prescribe medication and perform surgery in the USA. Medical practitioners who hold the DO credential are not to be confused with other types of health practitioners who hold qualifications in osteopathy obtained outside of the USA.

After completing his residency in Family Medicine—a three-year program designed to provide a broad base of medical knowledge—Tzvi took a job as a primary care doctor in a clinic for the underserved. These clinics, known as federally qualified health centres, cater to economically disadvantaged populations. "Family Medicine is kind of like a hodgepodge," Tzvi explained. "You do some Paediatrics, some Women's Health, some Internal Medicine, and you can do some electives. It was the most general."

Tzvi's experience at the clinic was a study in contrasts. On one hand, he found the work incredibly rewarding.

He formed deep, meaningful relationships with many of his patients despite the often grim realities they faced.

One patient, in particular, left a lasting impression on Tzvi. “His name was ‘Billy’,” Tzvi recalled. “He had HIV, which had progressed to AIDS and was living on the streets. He refused treatment and had undiagnosed mental health issues. But he would come to the clinic regularly for other issues, like skin infections from living on the streets. I couldn’t get him to take his HIV medication, and I knew he was going to die without it. It was heartbreaking.”

Despite these bonds, the emotional toll of working in such an environment was heavy.

As Tzvi spoke about his time at the clinic, I could see the deep impact it had on him. The frustration of not being able to help patients like Billy seemed to haunt him, yet it also fueled his desire to find a better way to serve others.

After a few years, Tzvi realised that he couldn’t sustain this work long-term. “I didn’t have the constitution for it,” he admitted. The weight of the daily challenges and the emotional strain were too much. It was then that he transitioned to a for-profit direct-to-consumer telehealth company, a move that marked a significant shift in his career.

At the telehealth company, Tzvi’s role was twofold. He worked on building clinical journeys and integrating them into digital experiences, collaborating with product managers and designers. Additionally, he oversaw the clinical practice, managing hiring, education, and daily operations. “It was a totally different animal,” he said. “I was the first clinical employee, and as the company grew, I found myself in a leadership position.”

The company initially focused on treating erectile dysfunction, a condition that, while important, wasn’t what Tzvi had envisioned when he entered medicine. “We always planned to expand,” he noted. “We moved into other areas like men’s hair loss, prescription treatments for skin aging, and eventually, obesity.”

Working in telehealth provided Tzvi with a new perspective on healthcare. He learned about business, marketing, consumer psychology, and more. “It gave me a lot of opportunities to use different skills and think about the world differently,” he said. However, as time went on, Tzvi’s other interests began to surface more clearly.

This realisation marked a turning point. Tzvi began to see himself less as a traditional doctor and more as a guide. He was drawn to helping people articulate their inner worlds and navigate their personal journeys. “That’s why my blog isn’t about medicine,” he explained. “It’s about consonance—living a life aligned with your values.”

In May 2023, after much contemplation, Tzvi decided to take a leap into the unknown. “It was a tough decision,” he admitted, recalling the moment he chose to leave his full-time job. He wasn’t entirely sure what his next steps would be, but he knew staying would mean compromising his values and continuing to live with the discomfort of that dissonance.

With his decision made, Tzvi began to look for new opportunities. However, his initial search was disheartening. “I realised that looking for new roles while still employed was ineffective,” he said. “My mind wasn’t ready to move on.” After some soul-searching, Tzvi decided to leverage his experience to start his own company, Consonant Consulting. The name itself was a deliberate choice, reflecting his commitment to living and working in alignment with his values.

I couldn’t help but admire Tzvi’s courage. Leaving a stable job to venture into the unknown requires a level of bravery and conviction that many of us aspire to but seldom achieve. Tzvi also acknowledges his privilege in doing this and appreciates that others, perhaps with dependents, may not have the same choices.

Starting Consonant Consulting was far from easy.

His initial months were filled with uncertainty. Securing clients proved challenging, and defining the exact nature of his consulting services took time. But Tzvi was undeterred.

He leaned heavily on his network, reaching out to former colleagues and connections. One of his first projects came from a woman he had previously worked with. “She saw on LinkedIn that I’d left my job and reached out,” he explained. “They needed help with protocol development, and it was a great fit.” This project, though modest, was a crucial first step in building his new career.

The turning point came with a particularly impactful project. “I was helping a digital health company with their product development in the obesity space,” Tzvi recounted. The work was complex and demanding, but it also reaffirmed his decision to pursue consulting. “Seeing the difference I could make, not just in terms of product development but in guiding the company to align with a more holistic approach to healthcare, was incredibly rewarding.”

Listening to Tzvi, I realised that this was more than just a career change; it was a profound personal transformation. He wasn’t just redefining his professional path—he was redefining himself.

As Tzvi's consulting business grew, so did his understanding of his own professional identity. He no longer saw himself primarily as a doctor. "My true passion is guiding others," he reflected. This realisation prompted him to engage in more writing and spiritual studies, further exploring the intersection of professional success and personal fulfilment.

Tzvi’s blog became a platform for sharing his insights, not just on healthcare but on living a life of consonance. “Writing helps me clarify my thoughts,” he said. “It’s also a way to connect with others who might be feeling the same dissonance I had experienced.”

Now, after his first year, Tzvi’s consulting business is growing. He’s working with multiple companies, helping them navigate the complex world of digital health. His role varies from project to project—from product development and marketing strategy to team building and clinical journey design.

Yet, beyond the technical aspects of his work, Tzvi finds great satisfaction in helping companies understand their core values. "Why do you exist?" he would often ask his clients. "If your answer is just to make money, then we're not aligned." His ability to guide organisations towards a more meaningful existence is perhaps his most significant contribution.

Despite the financial uncertainties of starting your own business, Tzvi feels a profound sense of fulfilment.

The rewards of living a life aligned with his values far outweigh the monetary losses. He has embraced the uncertainty and found a path that allows him to positively impact the human spirit.

As Tzvi looks back on his journey, he sees not just a series of professional shifts but a personal transformation. In living his truth, Tzvi had found his own consonance—a harmony between his work and his soul- which has made all the difference.

Tzvi’s Wisdom

• Prioritise alignment with core values: Ensure that your professional life is in accordance with your personal beliefs and values. This alignment is crucial for long-term fulfilment and success.

• Leverage your network: Use your existing connections to open new doors and create opportunities. Your network is a powerful resource that can help you navigate transitions and find new paths.

• Embrace the inner voice: Learn to listen to your inner voice, even when it’s uncomfortable. This voice can guide you towards actions that may feel uncertain but are ultimately in your best interest.

Read Tzvi’s blog here and learn more about Consonant Consulting

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