20/Happy Careers with Drs. Fred and Riyad

In this episode of 20/Happy Careers, Dr. Fred Cho sits down with Dr. Fiona Soong to explore her career journey.

We chat about her early days working in Bermuda, the fascinating world of clinical research, becoming a KOL in myopia control, and looking beyond at her next career chapter.

Fiona shares lessons she's learned along the way, things she'd do differently, and the importance of pursuing curiosity both inside and outside the clinic.

In this episode of 20/Happy, hosts Dr. Fred Cho and Dr. Riyad Khamis reunite with their classmate Dr. Clement Nwadozi to explore how his multicultural upbringing shaped his approach to optometry and patient care.

Dr. Nzi shares his journey from West Africa through Cuba, Hong Kong, and Canada before settling in Lansing, Michigan. He discusses the value of optometry residencies and his transition to practice ownership.

The conversation dives into burnout prevention, the importance of taking calculated risks, and how autonomy and meaningful work contribute to career happiness.

Dr. Melissa Barnett is a world-renowned expert in scleral lenses and specialty contact lenses who has authored over 300 articles and delivered 500+ lectures world-wide. Today, her greatest satisfaction comes from something different: coaching and empowering other optometrists to reach their full potential.

In this episode, we explore:

Whether you're interested in specialty lenses...

Dr. Diane van Staden joins Fred and Riyad to share her remarkable journey from clinical optometry to public health advocacy, academia, and career coaching. After practicing optometry in South Africa, Diane made a bold decision to leave clinical practice without a roadmap to address the public health crisis in eye care access.

In this conversation, Diane reveals how she navigated multiple career pivots—from implementing optometry services in underserved provinces to leading health professions education at the university level. She opens up about her decision to walk away from a clear path to becoming Dean of Health Sc...

After 10 years of practicing dentistry, Dr. Laura Brenner made a bold decision: she left clinical practice to become a certified professional coach, blogger, and speaker.

In this conversation, Laura shares her journey from burnout to fulfillment. She opens up about being a perfectionist and people pleaser, and how she now helps others design careers on their own terms.

We discuss:

Laura's message is clear: change is possible when...

In this episode, we explore the intersection of beauty trends and optometry with Dr. Janice Luk, discussing dry eye, lash culture, collaboration beyond traditional eye care, and how curiosity and passion can shape a more fulfilling, unconventional career. 

This episode is for optometrists and students who feel the pull to create something more—whether that’s speaking, writing, teaching, building, or simply designing a career that feels aligned.

Ever wonder if there's more to optometry than grinding through back-to-back patients? Dr. Sandra Chiu certainly did. After years of working grueling schedules in Toronto's busiest practices, the pandemic gave her an unexpected gift: time to think about what she actually wanted.

In this raw and inspiring conversation, Sandra shares how she went from Toronto valedictorian to burned-out associate to thriving small-town practice owner—all while rediscovering her love for optometry along the way. She talks candidly about recognizing burnout, taking the leap into ownership, navigating decision fatigue, and why she now refuses to work weekends (spoiler: no...

Dr. Brittany Hewitt, an optometrist turned mental health counselor, shares her personal burnout journey and how the pandemic gave her space to reconnect with forgotten passions.

We discuss the silent signs of healthcare burnout affecting 57% of professionals, practical prevention strategies like mindfulness and setting boundaries, and why protecting time for hobbies is essential. 

Dr. Hewitt reveals how pursuing counseling psychology transformed both her careers and offers advice on recognizing stress signals before hitting the wall. A must-listen for any healthcare worker feeling overwhelmed or seeking better work-life balance.

Join optometrists Fred and Riyad as the duo shares valuable lessons the hosts wish had been learned during optometry school. Recording from Corner Brook, Newfoundland, Fred and Riyad discuss essential career advice for current students and recent graduates.

Whether you're a pre-optometry student, current student, or recent graduate, this episode offers practical insights from professionals who've been in your shoes.

In this episode, we dive deep into the fascinating world of sports vision with Dr. Riyad, who shares his journey working with elite hockey goalies and expanding into pickleball training. We explore what sports vision is, how it helps athletes improve reaction speed by 10-15%, and why peripheral vision is the anchor of your entire visual system.

Riyad reveals the common misconceptions coaches have about vision training, explains the difference between "soft" and "hard" vision, and shares memorable stories from working with athletes—including a goalie drafted to the Vancouver Canucks. We also discuss his new virtual sp...

In this episode, Drs. Fred and Riyad dive into the world of travel optometry—what it is, perks & challenges, and how to get started. Dr. Fred shares stories from practicing in rural Newfoundland and Manitoba, where eye care is often scarce but deeply impactful. From iceberg views on the way to clinic to unexpected emergencies, he reflects on how this career path reshaped his perspective on work and fulfillment.

We also introduce our new segment, Monday Fuel, where we share small but meaningful moments that help kickstart the week—from latte art to conv...

This episode of 20/Happy Careers features Dr. Benjamin Konig, associate professor at Kentucky College of Optometry (KYCO), International affairs director (KYCO), and board of director for VOSH international.

He shares his experience teaching in Nicaragua and how simply being present sent a powerful message to his students: they mattered, they were valued, and the world was rooting for their success. He reflects on how helping isn’t always about big gestures—it can be as simple as showing up and letting others know they are seen and supported.

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brianna Rhue—optometrist, tech entrepreneur, and national speaker—to explore why growth and risk-taking are essential ingredients for a fulfilling career. From co-founding Dr. Contact Lens to redefining what it means to lead in optometry, Brianna shares her journey of betting on herself, embracing discomfort, and building a career that lights her up. If you’ve ever felt boxed in by your job title, this conversation will inspire you to take the leap toward your own version of success. 

In this episode of 20 Happy Careers, Dr. Fred Cho and Dr. Riyad Khamis sit down with their classmate and colleague, Dr. Alexis Keeling—a powerhouse optometrist, leader, and community advocate.

Dr. Keeling’s career began in teaching before she made the leap to optometry, a profession she had dreamed of since childhood. But her story doesn’t stop there. She has led provincial and national optometry organizations, gives back to her community generously, and represented Canada at United Nations General Assembly in New York.

We dive into:

A thriving work culture is the backbone of a team's success and happiness.

In this episode of 20/Happy Careers, Drs. Fred and Riyad sit down with Michael Van de Ven, Business Unit Director of Bausch & Lomb, to uncover how building a positive work culture and a supportive team can transform not only your workplace, but your entire career trajectory.

From the art of delegation to the discipline of long-distance running, Mike shares lessons on leadership, preventing burnout, and staying connected to your “why.” Whether you lead a team or work within one...

What happens when a seemingly successful career no longer feels fulfilling?

In this kickoff episode of 20 Happy Careers, Dr. Fred Cho opens up about his unexpected journey from burnout to rediscovering meaning and excitement through travel optometry. Joined by co-host Dr. Riyad Khamis, the two optometrists dive deep into the myths of career “success,” the warning signs of burnout, and how small, intentional steps can lead to a career that aligns with your passions and values.

Dr. Cho shares how a two-week locum transformed his outlook, what it really means to have career autonomy, and the...

In this episode of 20/Happy Careers, Dr. Riyad Khamis shares his inspiring journey to building a passion-driven career in optometry.

Discover how he reignited his passion for neuro-visual rehab and vision therapy through greater autonomy and mentorship, started a thriving vision therapy clinic from scratch, and expanded into sports vision and speaking engagements — all while maintaining balance and avoiding burnout. Dr. Khamis also offers honest insights into the early struggles, rejection, and mindset shifts that paved the way for his success.

Whether you’re feeling stuck in your profession or searching for ways to design a ca...