20/Happy Careers with Drs. Fred and Riyad

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 cal...

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: How scleral lenses change not just patients' lives, but entire families and communitiesPractical tips for getting started with scleral lens fittingDr. Barnett's...

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 ...

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: Why empaths in healthcare struggle with boundariesThe power of creative side projectsPractical advice for profess...

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. ...

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 reco...

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 memor...

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 meani...