20/Happy Careers with Drs. Fred and Riyad – Details, episodes & analysis

Dr. Dana Blakolmer is an optometrist from Oshawa, Ontario, with 30 years of practice experience. After learning her grandmother was a residential school survivor who had hidden her indigenous identity all her life, Dana began connecting with her roots — and eventually started providing eye care to Indigenous communities in rural British Columbia.

In this episode, we explore:

• How Dana discovered her Indigenous heritage after her grandmother's passing
• What it's like to run a mobile eye clinic
• Importance of cultural safety and awareness
• Why primary care, done with full presence, is more than enough
• What 30 years of practice teaches you that optometry school never could

Dana's core belief: you never stop learning, and the moment you think you have the answers is the moment you need to stay humble.

Whether you're navigating burnout, considering rural or Indigenous eye care, or simply trying to reconnect with why you chose this profession — this one's for you.

What does it look like when your career becomes a platform for real change?

Dr. Shaina Nensi is the current president of the Ontario Association of Optometrists, owner of Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy, and the eyecare provider to Indigenous fly-in community in Northern Ontario.

In this episode:

• Losing the OAO board election the first time — and why she ran again
• What it's really like to run a clinic in a remote Indigenous community with handheld equipment and paper charts
• What leadership actually taught her about listening, patience, and real change
• Imposter syndrome at the presidential level, and how she moves through it

Shaina's guiding principle? Only take on what you're truly passionate about. When your work is a passion project, even the hard parts feel purposeful.

Whether you're a new grad figuring out your niche or a seasoned optometrist wondering if there's more — this one's for you.

Connect with Dr. Shaina Nensi:

• Avenue Optometry & Vision Therapy: https://avenueoptometry.com/
• Ontario Association of Optometrists: https://optom.on.ca/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shainanensi/

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 sports vision program that ships training kits worldwide, from Florida to the Czech Republic.

Plus, we introduce our new segment "Highlight Reel," where we call back to memorable moments from previous guests like Alexis's passionate approach to emergency patients and Ben's inspiring commitment to helping others—even taking a $30,000/year job teaching in Nicaragua after residency.

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 conversations with strangers.

Whether you’re an optometrist curious about travel work, a student exploring career options, or simply someone looking for inspiration on designing a meaningful career, this episode offers both practical insights and stories.

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Dr. Fred's connection points:

Free Sunday Newsletter: https://www.fredhcho.com/#/portal

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fredhcho/

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:

• Why she left teaching for optometry—and how she blends both passions through patient care and mentoring interns.
• The challenges (and joys) of running and expanding her practice.
• How community involvement led her to leadership roles, the Chamber of Commerce, and even a seat at the UN General Assembly.
• Her philosophy on avoiding burnout: boundaries, delegation, and focusing on what brings joy.
• Why following your passions—whether it’s parenting, business, or advocacy—is the real key to a happy career.

This is an inspiring, wide-ranging conversation about what it means to design a career (and a life) you truly love.

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, you’ll walk away with practical strategies to create an environment where people feel valued, driven, and genuinely happy to show up each day.

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 career that energizes you, this episode offers valuable lessons on staying true to your “why,” embracing growth, and turning small starts into meaningful impact.

Key Topics:

• Early career disillusionment and how mentorship helped Riyad rediscover his passion
• Combining general optometry, neuro-visual rehab, sports vision, and speaking
• Balancing workload with intentional breaks and a flexible schedule
• The entrepreneurial leap: growing a vision therapy clinic from one patient to nearly 100 per week
• Overcoming rejection, slow growth, and misconceptions about success

Tune in for an authentic conversation about the ups and downs of crafting a unique and meaningful career — and how you can do it too.

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 surprising ways his blog and side projects opened doors he never anticipated. Whether you're in healthcare or not, this episode offers honest insights and practical tools to help you design a career that's uniquely yours.

Key Topics:

• Recognizing burnout (even when things look good on paper)
• What is a portfolio career and why it matters
• How to start a passion project without quitting your job
• Building autonomy no matter where you work
• Why your “Monday morning feeling” might be telling you something

If you're feeling stuck, restless, or just curious about alternative career paths, this is the episode for you.