Meet Danielle DonDiego | Obesity Medicine Doctor, Author, Business Mentor

We had the good fortune of connecting with Danielle DonDiego and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Danielle, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My why is actually deeper than it may appear from the surface. I am a business mentor for entrepreneurs, specifically those in healthcare. I believe diversifying your income while also being rooted in purpose is one solution to preventing burnout. In medicine burnout is all too common, and physician suicide is at an all time high. I believe some part of this is feeling like there isn’t another option other than our current situation, and healthcare experiences can be traumatic over time for its workers – especially after COVID. I speak to this experience by showing healthcare professionals other ways to expand their career without every decision being life or death. Entrepreneurship and coaching gave me freedom to practice as much or as little as I desired, and having that freedom reinvigorated my desire to practice medicine in ways that I could stay healthy and happy. I show others how to do the same.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
There are 2 professional avenues to work with me. As a board certified obesity specialist, I treat patients virtually with FDA approved evidence based medications for weight management, combined with nutrition and fitness professionals via Join Sequence and Weight Watchers. With obesity rates growing every year, we know more than ever that this disease is based in biology up to 70% and needs prescription treatment in addition to lifestyle changes. GLP-1 medications have been life altering for most of my patients, and the research in obesity medicine continues to grow exponentially for the future of our field.

As a mentor, I coach healthcare professionals through the process of becoming entrepreneurs, no matter how big or small their vision is. I am a multifaceted human, as as others, and I get to use my creativity to help bring others’ out of their professional shells. We have to put such blinders on to succeed in medicine for a decade or more, and often forget other parts of ourselves and things we are good at. I help bring these lost pieces to life in the form of a business, while maintaining fun and excitement in the process. Entrepreneurship is more about healing and rediscovering ourselves than it is the business itself, and I hold space for both.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
There is so much to do in Atlanta! My favorite thing about this city is how many concerts, comedy shows, and sporting events are always at your disposal. I’d definitely take them to an Atlanta United game. Then we’d go to dinner at my favorite Italian restaurant, Storico Fresco – the pasta is to die for! We’d continue to have drinks at the Garden Room which is a beautiful bar in Buckhead that looks like a secret garden. Since the holidays are coming up I’d also take friends to the botanical gardens during Christmas. It’s one of my favorite times of year. You can’t leave Atlanta without trying Fat Matt’s Rib Shack.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
This is hard because there are many! However, over the last few years there is one person that has helped me skyrocket my business and spiritual transformation, and that is Melissa Ruiz. Having a mentor who sees you and believes in who you really are behind your fears is instrumental. Stepping into my power was a real process of growth and development, and she helped me through every phase knowing my vision was clear and strong the entire time. I take good care of those that I mentor after having such a great example, knowing I needed a little extra push many times and several pep talks. Business is about 30% strategy and 70% belief in self.

Website: https://linktr.ee/drdondiego

Instagram: @drdondiego

Other: TikTok: @drdondiego

Image Credits
Alessio Filippelli – creative director Manuel Perugini – photographer