What Really Grounds Us With Tony Sommer: Faith, Family, and Letting Go

In this episode of Chu on This!, Dr. Katie W. Chu sits down with Tony Sommer, whose journey spans military service in the U.S. Air Force, corporate leadership, and ultimately a purpose-driven career in optometry and myopia management.

Recorded in an Atlanta hotel just hours after Dr. Chu landed, this intimate conversation weaves together stories of service, family, fear, faith, and vulnerability. Tony reflects on leaving the military to prioritize family, navigating the corporate world, and discovering fulfillment through meaningful, values-aligned work. Along the way, he shares moments of courage, including confronting deep fears, redefining success, and learning to surrender control.

Dr. Chu also opens up about her own transformative experiences — leaving an abusive marriage, confronting childhood trauma, and choosing vulnerability as an act of strength. Together, they explore how their generation was taught to “suck it up,” and why unlearning that mindset has been essential for healing, leadership, and inner peace.

This episode is an honest, wide-ranging dialogue about choosing courage over comfort, releasing facades, honoring legacy, and understanding that true success has nothing to do with material goods — and everything to do with impact, faith, and connection.

Key Takeaways

Vulnerability is not weakness — it’s strength refined. Katie and Tony reflect on how openness around fear, trauma, and uncertainty has become a powerful source of connection and leadership. Vulnerability allows others to feel seen and less alone.

Success isn’t material — it’s relational and meaningful. Tony shares how releasing the pursuit of titles, status, and possessions brought clarity and peace. True success is measured by impact, wisdom, and the people you help along the way.

Courage often means choosing discomfort in service of purpose. From facing fears in the wilderness to launching deeply personal work, both speakers highlight moments where courage required stepping into discomfort to live more fully aligned lives.

Quotes

“Being vulnerable now is one hundred percent a sign of strength.”

“Material goods aren’t success. Impact on others is.”

“You can’t live authentically if you’re always wearing a facade.”

Connect with Tony

Website: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tsommerjr

My latest project: https://www.treehouseeyes.com/