We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Emilio Justo, M.D.. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Emilio below.

Emilio, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’d love to hear about the things you feel your parents did right and how those things have impacted your career and life.

My parents did many things right, but above all, they taught me the values of resilience, self-sacrifice, and the power of unwavering faith in both oneself and a higher purpose. One story stands out, a vivid reminder of their grit and love, which shaped the foundation of my life and career.

When we fled Cuba, my father made a decision that has forever stayed etched in my mind. At a time when Fidel Castro’s government seized personal wealth through a currency switch, my father, distrusting the regime, buried his savings in the backyard. That buried treasure—a symbol of his foresight and refusal to surrender—eventually became our ticket to freedom, purchased through the black market with the help of a Canadian diplomat.

After arriving in the United States, life didn’t get easier. My father worked two full-time jobs to provide for us, and my mother, despite having earned a doctorate in education in Cuba, re-enrolled in university to get her master’s degree, starting her career anew. During this time, I was sent to live with my grandparents, where I learned to adapt, thrive, and find joy in unexpected places despite being separated from my parents during my early formative years.

One unforgettable moment occurred when I reunited with my parents in Indiana. Despite their limited means, they celebrated my academic milestones, reminding me that success isn’t about where you start, but about the journey and effort you invest. During my freshman year of high school, when I spent two months in the hospital, my parents provided me with unwavering support and strength. They reminded me that setbacks were not the end of the story but the beginning of a new chapter. Their unyielding faith in my ability to rise above challenges became my mantra.

These lessons carried me through medical school, where I graduated as a physician at just 23, and later as I built my practice starting at age 27. My parents’ resilience and sacrifice gave me the tools to achieve what I have today—a fulfilling career and the opportunity to help others through my work as an ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon.

The Cuban Triad—self-discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification—isn’t just a concept I speak about; it’s a legacy from my parents. Their actions showed me how to embrace challenges, celebrate perseverance, and view delayed gratification as a stepping stone rather than a stumbling block. Their unwavering commitment to creating a better life for our family has inspired every step of my journey, and for that, I am eternally grateful.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My story begins in the vibrant, yet stifling, atmosphere of Communist Cuba. At just three years old, I fled with my parents, leaving behind everything but a legacy of resilience and determination that would come to define my life. The journey was harrowing—my father burying our savings in the backyard to escape Castro’s economic oppression and my family relying on a Canadian diplomat’s assistance to secure tickets to freedom. Those early sacrifices became the bedrock of my life philosophy, what I call “The Cuban Triad”: self-discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification.

Today, I am an ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon, but my work extends far beyond the operating room. I specialize in transformative eye and facial surgeries, including laser-assisted cataract surgery and CO2 laser blepharoplasty. With over 50,000 procedures performed, my mission is simple: to help my patients see and feel better about themselves. Whether restoring vision or rejuvenating the face, my goal is to improve lives—literally seeing the world more clearly or rediscovering confidence in the mirror.

My journey into medicine began with a deep desire to transform adversity into achievement. Growing up in the United States as a refugee, I witnessed firsthand my parents’ tireless efforts to provide a better future. Their sacrifices fueled my own drive, and I graduated valedictorian of my high school before entering the University of Michigan’s accelerated medical program. By 23, I was a physician. By 27, I had founded the Arizona Eye Institute & Cosmetic Laser Center. Today, my practice has three locations in Arizona, blending innovation, compassion, and patient-centered care.

But my work doesn’t end there. I’ve taken my life’s lessons—the triumphs and the trials—and shared them with global audiences. My two TEDx talks, “Delayed Gratification: Your Superpower to Success” and “Unleashing the Drive Within: The OBSESSION Advantage to Unprecedented Success,” have garnered well over 10 million combined views. In these talks, I draw from personal experiences, like selling college football tickets to make ends meet, to highlight how small sacrifices lead to monumental rewards.

Beyond the stage, I authored the Amazon best-seller, The Power of Pause: Mastering Delayed Gratification for Success. This book is a blueprint for anyone looking to overcome obstacles, harness patience, and achieve long-term goals. It’s both deeply personal and universally applicable, guiding readers on a transformation journey through practical strategies and timeless principles.

What sets me apart is the duality of my life’s work. As a surgeon, I change lives with precision and skill, giving people the gift of sight or a renewed sense of self. As a speaker and author, I inspire others to embrace the principles that allowed me to rise from refugee to renowned professional. My brand is built on authenticity and the belief that success is accessible to everyone, regardless of privilege or background.

What am I most proud of (aside from my wife and children)? Undoubtedly, it’s the lives I’ve impacted. From patients who regain their vision to audience members inspired to chase their dreams, every individual represents a ripple of impact. My parents taught me to value hard work and integrity, and those values continue to guide me today. Whether in the operating room, on the TEDx stage, or through the pages of my book, my mission is clear: to empower others to see their potential and realize it with passion and purpose.

For anyone who follows my journey knows this: success isn’t reserved for the privileged or the lucky. It’s a deliberate pursuit, built on the foundation of resilience, discipline, and patience. My story is proof that with the right mindset, anything is possible.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Resilience has been the cornerstone of my journey, and one story encapsulates its importance in both my personal and professional life. It was the late 1980s, and I had just completed my ophthalmology residency. At 27 years old, with lofty dreams but little experience in running a business, I stepped into a partnership with an esteemed, established ophthalmologist, Dr. Scott Skinner, in Phoenix, Arizona. The plan was clear: I would gradually buy into his practice over five years, eventually taking over as he transitioned into retirement. However, life had other plans.

Just two weeks into our partnership, Dr. Skinner was diagnosed with a grave illness that forced him to retire abruptly. Suddenly, the five-year roadmap condensed into a matter of months. At 27, I found myself negotiating to acquire the entire practice while juggling the overwhelming responsibilities of patient care, staff management, and the business’s financial health.

The situation became dire when I discovered I needed a $50,000 line of credit to manage payroll, rent, and operational costs until my new revenue stream stabilized. Repeatedly, banks denied my requests—my lack of collateral, youthful inexperience, and the inherent risks seemed insurmountable. With each rejection, my faith and perseverance were tested.

Finally, a small local institution, Sun City Bank, provided me with a lifeline at a crucial moment. Its president, Marty Ganzel, chose to believe in my potential and extended the credit I so desperately needed. That decision not only saved the practice but also ignited my journey of learning and growth as a business owner.

However, the challenges didn’t end there. Dr. Skinner passed away shortly after retiring, leaving me with the responsibility to lead his staff, uphold the trust of his patients, and navigate the nuances of managing a thriving medical practice—all while still in my 20s. The weight was immense, but I pressed forward, fueled by the lessons my parents had instilled in me: self-discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification.

Over time, I not only stabilized the practice but expanded it, introducing innovative procedures like CO2 laser blepharoplasty and establishing a reputation for excellence in patient care. That initial baptism by fire taught me that resilience isn’t just about surviving adversity; it’s about embracing challenges, learning from them, and emerging stronger.

Looking back, this story reminds me of a truth I often share in my speeches: setbacks are just setups for comebacks. Resilience is the ability to see opportunity in obstacles, and that ability has been my guiding light through every phase of my career. Today, as I mentor young professionals and share my journey through books and talks, I hope to pass on the same lesson: with faith, persistence, and resilience, even the most daunting challenges can be transformed into defining moments of triumph.

Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.

Yes, I bought my first medical practice at the age of 27 under extraordinary circumstances that tested every ounce of my determination and creativity. Fresh out of residency, I partnered with a well-established ophthalmologist, Dr. Scott Skinner, in what was meant to be a gradual five-year transition. But life had other plans. Just weeks into our agreement, Dr. Skinner was diagnosed with a severe illness that accelerated his retirement. Suddenly, the practice and its future rested entirely on my shoulders.

I knew I wanted this practice, not only to honor Dr. Skinner’s legacy but also to realize my vision of blending state-of-the-art care with patient-focused innovation. However, the acquisition process was anything but straightforward. Dr. Skinner, despite his circumstances, held firm on negotiations, and securing the necessary funding became a daunting challenge. Every major bank turned me down for a $50,000 line of credit, citing my lack of collateral and experience.

Just as hope was waning, a small local institution, Sun City Bank, took a chance on me. That pivotal decision was the lifeline I needed to finalize the purchase and breathe new life into the practice. I quickly learned the ropes of managing employees, navigating operational expenses, and building trust with patients. The process was a masterclass in resilience, adaptability, and the importance of creative problem-solving.

Over time, I expanded the practice, relocated to a more visible location, and incorporated cutting-edge procedures like CO2 laser blepharoplasty. What started as a challenging experience transformed into the cornerstone of my flourishing profession. That acquisition taught me that bold moves, coupled with unwavering determination, can turn even the most daunting challenges into opportunities for growth and success.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://DrEmilioJusto.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/emiliojustomd
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/dremiliojusto
• Linkedin: https://linkedin/in/emiliojustomd
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/emiliojustomd
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@dremiliojusto
• Other: https://tiktok.com/emiliojustomd