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.