What happens when your passion for medicine clashes with the realities of the profession? How do you find new meaning after burnout? Join host Dr. Gershon Alaluf and guest Dr. Bondurant for an eye-opening episode of Irreplaceable Truths. With unfiltered honesty, Dr. Bondurant shares his journey through veterinary medicine, the emotional toll of practice, and why he chose to pivot toward public health and advocacy. This episode explores the deeper layers of identity, fulfillment, and the courage it takes to start again.

What you’ll discover:

• How personal tragedy reshaped Dr. Bondurant’s path
• The high cost of emotional labor in private practice
• Why leaving clinical work doesn’t mean giving up on the profession
• Strategies for building a sustainable career in veterinary medicine

Who will love this episode:

• Veterinarians & veterinary students
• Animal care professionals
• Veterinary educators and mentors
• Mental health advocates in vet med
• Anyone rethinking their professional identity

Stay Connected:

• Like this video if you found value in this discussion!
• Drop your questions or share your veterinary stories in the comments.
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Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all major platforms.

Follow us: @Pacific.Lens.Studios

Contact: [email protected]

Timestamps:

00:00 Meet Dr. Bondurant and the path to veterinary leadership

06:27 The unseen emotional toll of “doing it all”

13:35 Unlearning toxic norms and setting new boundaries

21:20 Leadership that prioritizes empathy and connection

29:18 Vet med culture and its slow shift toward wellness

37:40 Giving permission to pause, rest, and heal

45:03 What support really means in high-pressure settings

53:29 Final reflections on change, mentorship, and hope

Ep. 21

#veterinarymedicine #vetmentalhealth #publichealth