Why We Do What We Do: Purpose, Patients, and Life’s Defining Moments with Tony Sommer
In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu welcomes back repeat guest Tony Sommer for a thoughtful and deeply personal conversation about authenticity, growth, fear, family, and the wisdom that comes through life experience.
Recorded once again in Atlanta, the episode reflects the comfort and familiarity that has developed since their first conversation months earlier. What begins with lighthearted discussions about pollen, travel, and Disney gradually unfolds into a meaningful exploration of identity, grounding, and what it truly means to live authentically.
Tony shares his deep connection to the field of myopia management, revealing how his own experience with progressive myopia prevented him from becoming a fighter pilot after attending the Air Force Academy. What initially felt like a personal loss ultimately became the driving force behind his passion for helping clinicians protect children’s vision and future opportunities.
The conversation also dives into vulnerability and fear. Tony openly shares his lifelong fear of heights despite serving in the military and becoming a parachutist in an effort to confront that fear directly. Katie reflects on her own journey toward authenticity, explaining how she has stopped trying to remove her conversational quirks and instead embraced simply being herself.
Together, they discuss the wisdom that comes from life’s trials, including parenting adult children, healing from childhood trauma, learning patience, and releasing the need to control every outcome. Katie speaks candidly about learning disabilities and the coping mechanisms she developed from childhood experiences, while Tony reflects on the growing importance of family, grounding, and multigenerational connection in his life.
Throughout the episode, both return to one central truth: growth does not come from avoiding challenges. It comes from remaining grounded, present, and authentic while moving through them.
This episode is a warm, vulnerable, and deeply human reminder that wisdom is not about having everything figured out. It is about continuing to learn, adapt, and show up honestly as yourself.
Key Takeaways
Authenticity creates freedom and connection
Both Katie and Tony reflect on how embracing quirks, fears, and imperfections creates deeper connection and removes the exhaustion of constantly performing different versions of yourself.
Wisdom is built through life experience and reflection
Parenting, trauma, career pivots, setbacks, and personal challenges all become opportunities for growth when approached with reflection and openness.
Fear does not have to stop action
Despite a lifelong fear of heights, Tony became a military parachutist and continues pushing himself outside his comfort zone. Courage is action despite fear, not the absence of it.
Quotes from the Episode
“Authenticity is critical… you can’t be different people all the time.”
“I’m not late, I’m on time. I’m safe and I’m present.”
“The only way you can move to the next level is to see what wisdom comes from the experience.”
About Tony Sommer
Tony Sommer brings more than two decades of leadership experience in specialty vision care and medical technology, combining commercial strategy with a deeply purpose driven approach to innovation.
Most recently, Tony served as General Manager, Americas, for CooperVision Specialty EyeCare, where he led growth across the United States, Canada, and Latin America while advancing specialty lens adoption and myopia management initiatives.
Prior to CooperVision, he served as Senior Vice President of Sales and Marketing at Visioneering Technologies, helping launch and scale the NaturalVue portfolio and build the company’s U.S. commercial infrastructure from the ground up.
Earlier in his career, Tony led the U.S. Vision Care Sales organization at Bausch + Lomb, guiding teams through major periods of market transformation and growth.
Before entering the eye care industry, Tony served as a U.S. Air Force officer and combat veteran, deploying in support of Operations Desert Storm and Iraqi Freedom. His military experience shaped the leadership philosophy he carries today: mission driven, team focused, and centered on meaningful outcomes.
Tony lives near Atlanta, Georgia with his wife and their three children. He continues to advocate globally for access to vision care and for developing the next generation of leaders who serve both patients and purpose.
Connect with Tony Sommer
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsommerjr
Latest Project | Treehouse Eyes
https://www.treehouseeyes.com/
WATCH EPISODE
YouTube: https://youtu.be/lSA6IiG62ls
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