In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with optometrist, humanitarian, and longtime Vision Source leader Dr. Mark Kapperman for a thoughtful conversation about faith, service, purpose, forgiveness, and the relationships that shape our lives.

Recorded during the Vision Source Exchange in Nashville, Tennessee, the discussion begins with reflections on independent optometry, the privilege of caring for patients over decades, and the meaningful relationships that develop through long-term healthcare. What follows is a deeply personal conversation about life beyond the exam room.

Mark shares the story of how a simple eye exam in the tenth grade changed the course of his life forever. After struggling to see well enough to play baseball, receiving his first pair of glasses became a transformative moment that inspired him to pursue optometry. Decades later, he continues to find fulfillment in helping others experience that same life-changing gift of sight.

Throughout the episode, both Katie and Mark reflect on the role faith has played in their lives. They revisit their chance encounter at a previous Vision Source Exchange, a moment they both describe as a “God moment,” and discuss how faith provides strength, direction, and perspective during life’s most challenging seasons.

The conversation also explores forgiveness, healing, mentorship, service, and personal growth. Katie courageously shares part of her journey through childhood trauma and healing, while Mark reflects on the importance of integrity, relationships, and maintaining perspective through mission work in Honduras, where he has served for more than two decades providing eye care to underserved communities.

Together, they discuss the value of time, the importance of community, and the realization that purpose is often found not in achievement, but in serving others and lifting people up.

This episode is a powerful reminder that success is not measured by titles or accomplishments alone. It is measured by the lives we touch, the people we encourage, and the faith that carries us forward.

Both Katie and Mark reflect on how their greatest fulfillment has come not from professional accomplishments, but from serving patients, communities, and people who need encouragement and support.

Faith can become an anchor during difficult seasons, helping people navigate challenges, heal from past wounds, and trust a greater purpose.

Whether through family, patients, friendships, or mission work, meaningful relationships and intentional use of time ultimately matter more than achievements or possessions.

“What we get to do every day is quite amazing.”

“There is nothing in this world that can ever hold you back from achieving your dreams.”

“We need family. We need colleagues. We need friends. We need each other.”

Dr. Mark R. Kapperman is a Chattanooga-based optometrist and founder of Kapperman McGarvey Eye Group, which he established in 1988. Over the years, the practice has grown into one of the region’s leading providers of primary eye care, known for its family-centered approach and commitment to exceptional patient experiences.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Kapperman has served in numerous leadership roles within the profession, mentored future optometrists, and contributed as adjunct faculty for multiple universities. His passion for service extends far beyond Tennessee through extensive humanitarian work in Honduras, Belize, and Panama, where he has helped provide vision care to underserved communities for more than two decades.

A dedicated advocate for both professional excellence and personal connection, Mark believes some of the greatest rewards in life come through serving others, building meaningful relationships, and investing in future generations.

He and his wife, Anita, are proud parents of three children, including two who followed in his footsteps as optometric physicians. His career reflects a lifelong commitment to patient care, leadership, mentorship, faith, and service.

Website

https://www.kmeyegroup.com/doctors/mark-kapperman.html

In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with optometrist, speaker, and longtime colleague Dr. John Womack for a heartfelt conversation about family, gratitude, purpose, personal growth, and the people who shape our lives.

Recorded in Atlanta before a professional training event, the conversation follows the show's signature “soft chews and hard chews” format, blending lighthearted stories with meaningful reflections on life's most important lessons.

Dr. Womack shares his journey from a small town in Georgia to building a successful career in optometry, while reflecting on the decision that unexpectedly shaped his life the most: returning to Florida after graduation. What seemed like a simple choice at the time ultimately led him to his wife, his family, and much of the life he treasures today.

Throughout the conversation, themes of gratitude and appreciation emerge again and again. John speaks openly about the mentors, family members, colleagues, and loved ones who helped him become who he is today, describing how he often feels he is standing on the shoulders of giants. He reflects on the importance of recognizing those influences and making sure the people we care about know how much they matter.

Katie shares stories of family traditions, raising daughters, serving an underserved community, and embracing opportunities that once felt intimidating, including becoming a public speaker. Together, they discuss patience, personal growth, accepting differences in the people we love, and the challenge of slowing down in a fast moving world.

One particularly moving moment centers on grief and loss as Katie reflects on the passing of her beloved therapist and mentor. The conversation explores faith, gratitude, and the lasting impact people leave on our lives long after they are gone.

Warm, reflective, and deeply human, this episode is a reminder that life’s greatest gifts are often the people who guide us, support us, and help us become who we are meant to be.

We are shaped by the people who invest in us Success is rarely achieved alone. Family, mentors, friends, and colleagues often play a critical role in shaping who we become and the opportunities we pursue.

Life changing decisions often seem small in the moment What feels like an ordinary decision can have extraordinary consequences. Sometimes the choices that shape our lives most are the ones we barely recognize at the time.

Growth often requires acceptance rather than control Learning to accept circumstances, perspectives, and personalities we cannot change can create greater peace, patience, and fulfillment.

“You stand on the shoulders of giants.”

“The easiest decision I ever made in my life was getting back to Florida.”

“It’s not up to me to change them, and they shouldn’t be changed.”

Dr. John Womack graduated from the Southern College of Optometry in 2002 and has spent more than 23 years serving patients across the United States.

He currently serves as Chief Medical Officer for Family First Vision Care and West Point Optical Group, a role he has held for the past seven years. Through this position, he works with doctors across more than 90 practices spanning 13 states.

In addition to his primary care practice work, Dr. Womack has served as a key opinion leader for Bausch + Lomb for over a decade and for LENZ.

Outside of optometry, one of John's greatest passions is distance running. He recently completed his 28th marathon in Oklahoma, a race he describes as one of the most meaningful experiences of his running journey outside of the famous Boston Marathon.

Throughout his career, he has remained grateful for the opportunities to learn, grow, and work alongside remarkable people, experiences he considers among the greatest gifts of his professional life.

Website: https://familyfirstvisioncare.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-womack-od-22605b80/

In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with optometrist, entrepreneur, leadership strategist, and founder of LeadOD, Dr. Ben Thayil, for a thoughtful and transformative conversation about leadership, purpose, authenticity, and the inner work required for meaningful growth.

What begins as a discussion about leadership development quickly evolves into a deeper exploration of personal transformation. Dr. Thayil shares the foundational belief behind his leadership philosophy: true leadership growth starts on the inside. Professional success, business growth, and external achievement can only expand to the level that a person has developed internally.

Throughout the conversation, Katie and Ben openly discuss therapy, emotional healing, childhood experiences, and the hidden struggles that often exist beneath outward success. Ben reflects on the realization that many of the barriers limiting his professional growth were not external obstacles, but unresolved personal challenges that required deeper self awareness and intentional work.

Katie shares her own journey toward greater authenticity and alignment, reflecting on the freedom that comes from embracing vulnerability and showing up as her true self rather than trying to meet external expectations.

Together, they explore topics including burnout, emotional intelligence, parenting, purpose driven work, identity, and the importance of seeing people as individuals rather than positions or titles. They also discuss how healthcare professionals often underestimate the profound impact they have on the lives of their patients.

One of the strongest themes throughout the episode is the idea that purpose transforms ordinary work into meaningful service. Whether answering phones, scheduling appointments, caring for patients, leading teams, or raising children, connecting daily actions to a deeper purpose creates greater engagement, fulfillment, and impact.

This episode is a powerful reminder that growth begins with self awareness, leadership starts within, and authentic human connection remains one of the greatest gifts we can offer others.

Leadership growth begins with personal growth Leadership development is ultimately personal development. As people grow internally, their ability to lead, influence, and create meaningful impact naturally expands.

Authenticity reduces burnout and creates alignment Maintaining multiple versions of ourselves can be exhausting. Greater authenticity creates clarity, purpose, and sustainable energy.

Purpose transforms ordinary work into meaningful service When daily tasks are connected to a larger mission, engagement, fulfillment, and impact increase dramatically.

“Leadership development is personal growth with a title.”

“We build better organizations by building better people.”

“When we find ourselves stuck externally, it's often because we're stuck internally.”

Dr. Ben Thayil is an optometrist, entrepreneur, and leadership strategist based in South Florida.

As the founder of Lifetime Vision & Eye Care and LeadOD, he works at the intersection of healthcare and leadership, helping professionals build organizations that not only perform well, but align with the life they want to live.

His work focuses on a challenge many high achievers quietly face: creating external success while feeling fragmented internally.

That insight forms the foundation of his upcoming book, Big E Energy, where he introduces an inside out framework for leadership and life. The book challenges traditional ideas about productivity and energy, reframing energy not as hustle or output, but as the strength that comes from alignment.

Through coaching, speaking, and leadership development, Dr. Thayil helps leaders move from feeling exhausted and disconnected to becoming focused, resilient, and fully engaged in both life and work.

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

Website: http://www.LeadOD.com