Bet on Yourself Before You’re Ready: Building Something That Matters with Dr. Yi Jiang
In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with board-certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist Dr. Yi Jiang for a thoughtful conversation about medicine, entrepreneurship, community, relationships, and what happens when you choose to move forward before you feel completely ready.
Yi shares why he returned to Southern California after completing his medical training in Chicago and chose to establish his practice in the San Gabriel Valley. Drawn to the area’s large immigrant population, he saw an opportunity to provide more than specialized retinal care. He wanted to help patients navigate a healthcare system that can often feel confusing, intimidating, and difficult to access.
Together, Katie and Yi discuss the importance of healthcare literacy, communicating with patients in ways they understand, and the trust that develops when a doctor becomes not only a healthcare provider, but also an educator, advocate, and trusted guide.
The conversation then moves beyond medicine as both reflect on how their priorities have evolved over time. Yi shares why free time has become one of life’s greatest luxuries and how growing his practice taught him that not everything has to be done immediately or alone. For two naturally driven professionals, learning to delegate, trust others, build better systems, and accept that the work will still be there tomorrow has become an important part of growth.
Yi also shares his love of hiking and travel, including encounters with strangers in Patagonia that left a lasting impression. Together, he and Katie reflect on the people who unexpectedly cross our paths and how even brief relationships can shape who we become.
At the heart of the episode is one defining question: When have you bet on yourself before you felt ready?
For Yi, that moment came when he moved to Los Angeles without an established professional network and chose to start his own practice. Just six months later, COVID changed everything. Rather than abandoning the vision, he used that difficult season to strengthen his systems, build relationships with his team, and lay the foundation for the practice he has today.
Katie shares her own experience of repeatedly moving forward despite an internal voice telling her she was not ready or deserving. Now, she reflects on finally knowing her worth and having the confidence to pursue opportunities she once might have questioned.
This episode is a powerful reminder that feeling ready is not a prerequisite for moving forward. Sometimes confidence comes after the decision, and sometimes the greatest thing you can do for your future is simply choose to believe in yourself and take the first step.
Key Takeaways
You don’t have to feel ready to bet on yourself
Yi did not have an established network in Los Angeles or experience running a business when he decided to build his own practice. Six months later, COVID created an obstacle nobody could have predicted. His journey shows that being ready is not about knowing exactly what will happen. It is about believing enough in your vision to begin and adapting when circumstances change.
Great healthcare is built on trust, education, and human connection
For both Katie and Yi, patient care goes far beyond diagnosis. Especially within immigrant communities, healthcare professionals have the opportunity to educate, reduce fear, communicate clearly, and build relationships that can last for years.
Growth sometimes means accepting that you cannot do everything yourself
Yi reflects on moving away from the need to complete every task immediately and recognizing the value of systems, collaboration, delegation, and trust. For high achievers, success is not always about doing more. Sometimes it is about creating the space and support that allow everyone to contribute to a shared vision.
Quotes from the Episode
“When you bet on yourself, and I encourage everyone to do so, really believe and pursue your desires and what you see as a better vision.”
“Every person you meet influences you.”
“I always think it’s good to bet on yourself, even when you feel like you’re not ready.”
About Dr. Yi Jiang
Dr. Yi Jiang is a board-certified ophthalmologist and retina specialist based in Los Angeles.
In addition to his clinical work, he is passionate about practice growth, physician leadership, and building innovative models for delivering high-quality eye care.
His approach is grounded in the belief that exceptional medicine is not only about clinical expertise, but also about communication, education, trust, and helping patients feel confident navigating their own healthcare journey.
Through his work in the San Gabriel Valley, Dr. Jiang serves a diverse patient population and remains committed to building care models that are both clinically excellent and deeply human.
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YouTube: https://youtu.be/VgHjIvtJ8Vc
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