
What Can Optometrists Learn From Predator? Leadership, Service, and Career Growth
From Defocus Media Eyecare and Optometry Podcast Network by Defocus Media Eyecare and Optometry Podcast Network
June 5, 2026 · 57 min
About this episode
The episode discusses lessons from the movie Predator related to military service and career growth in optometry.
Optometry careers rarely follow a straight line. During a recent episode of the OD’ing on movies podcast, Dr. Jacobi Cleaver and Dr. Jacob Wilson welcomed Dr. Brian Sturgill to discuss the cult classic movie Predator, but the conversation quickly evolved into something much deeper: military service, traumatic brain injury care, entrepreneurship, and building a meaningful career in optometry. The episode blended humor, movies, and real-world insight while highlighting how diverse the profession of optometry can truly become. Key Takeaways * Military optometry can provide unique career opportunities while helping offset student loan debt. * Rural optometry often allows doctors to practice at the highest level of patient care. * Traumatic brain injury care is becoming an increasingly important niche within eye care. What Is Military Optometry? Military optometry involves providing vision care and eye health services to active-duty service members, veterans, and specialized military teams. Optometrists may work in clinical care, emergency eye care, concussion management, and rehabilitation settings. Dr. Sturgill shared his experience serving in the Air Force after graduating…
People in this episode
Hosts: Dr. Jacobi Cleaver, Dr. Jacob Wilson
Guest: Dr. Brian Sturgill
Topics covered
- optometry
- military service
- career growth
- traumatic brain injury
- entrepreneurship
Keywords
- optometry
- military optometry
- career opportunities
- traumatic brain injury
- entrepreneurship
Mentioned in this episode
Books & works: Predator
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