From TV Coach to Torah Guide: Dr. Oded Kravchik’s Journey

Dr. Oded Kravchik became a familiar face on Israeli television when he appeared on Channel 10’s documentary reality show “Saving Marriages,” trying to help couples on the brink of divorce. But anyone watching that show today might not recognize him. The clean-shaven, fast-talking expert has since gone through a deep transformation. Today, he sports a beard, wears black pants instead of jeans, and has embraced a life of Torah and faith.

Dr. Kravchik is still a sought-after coach, helping people improve their businesses and marriages. His clinic continues to serve athletes, couples, and entrepreneurs. He still lectures on goal-setting and personal achievement. But now, alongside his coaching sessions, he carves out time to learn Torah and deepen his Jewish knowledge. He also hosts programs on the Hidabroot Channel, such as “Healthy to Know,” and recently completed the first season of a coaching training course. We sat down with him to understand what brought about such a meaningful shift in his life.

Until a year ago, your life seemed full and successful. What sparked your journey toward Judaism?

There wasn’t one moment or sudden event. I didn’t come from a religious home or even a traditional one. Judaism simply wasn’t part of my world growing up. I had no strong opinions about it, I didn’t love or hate religious Jews. It was just foreign to me.

My wife, Galit, has a strong connection to faith, and being close to her definitely opened something in me. As I began lecturing more, I noticed that religious and even ultra-Orthodox people were attending my talks. Some of them approached me afterward and pointed out that things I said sounded similar to ideas found in Torah sources. That intrigued me, but it didn’t yet go deeper than friendly conversations.

Then I met a student of mine at Bar Ilan University’s Coaching School who was a Chabad chassid. He introduced me to Torah ideas through the lens of coaching and personal development. There was such deep wisdom there that it pulled me in. His insights were so rich that I found myself wanting to learn more about Judaism.

As someone with academic degrees in psychology, business, and coaching, what did Torah learning add for you?

Academic studies speak to logic. They touch the intellect, but they don’t always reach the soul. Studying Torah especially works like the Tanya offered something completely different. It gave me a new way to understand the soul, its spiritual layers, and how it expresses itself in the world. I had never encountered that kind of depth in my formal education. It drew me in and still does.

Did you start bringing Jewish ideas into your coaching work?

At first, I was hesitant. Most of my clients aren’t religious, and many were confused just seeing me with a beard. Even family members were puzzled. I had always been seen as rational and scientific, and now I was making this drastic change. Some worried something traumatic had happened to me.

I didn’t want to come off as preachy or like I was trying to persuade anyone. So at first, I kept Judaism out of my sessions. But as I gained confidence and clarity, I slowly began weaving in spiritual ideas where they felt natural. Some clients are actually eager to hear this side of me. Others are more cautious. The key is to know who’s sitting in front of you and share accordingly.

What was it like filming “Saving Marriages” while going through this personal transformation?

Before I returned to Torah, one of my big goals was to land a prime-time TV show. So when “Saving Marriages” happened, it felt like a dream come true. But it also created a huge conflict for me.

While filming, I was already deep in my teshuvah process (returning to Judaism). I had a rabbi guiding me through it, and I consulted with him regularly on everything from whether I should even do the show to how to handle specific halachic (Jewish law) questions.

The biggest dilemma I faced was about my beard. In Chabad, a beard has spiritual importance. But my contract with Channel 10 said I couldn’t change my appearance during filming. I asked my rabbis what to do, and they told me to shave. As soon as filming ended, the first thing I did was start growing it back.

And Galit?

She was my rock. Going through a shift this big especially in two very different worlds, requires support. Galit was there for me every step of the way. She helped me stay grounded and gave me the strength to keep going.

Looking back now, what do you think people can learn from your story?

That it’s never too late to start searching. Even someone with a full schedule, a successful career, and no Jewish background at all can find meaning, truth, and connection in Torah. I didn’t expect it but once I let myself get curious, my whole world changed. And now I try to help others grow in both body and soul.