Dr. Amir Marvasti - Ophthalmologist and Refractive Surgeon #304
Bridging Two Worlds: Dr. Amir Marvasti on Purpose, Humanizing Eye Care, and Legacy
Host Savia Rocks opens Season 7 of the Us People Podcast with a focus on creativity, shedding cultural trauma, finding purpose, and leaving a legacy that benefits humanity. She interviews Dr. Amir Marvasti, an ophthalmologist and eye surgeon, who shares his background of being born in Texas, raised in Iran until age 18, and then immigrating to the U.S. to rebuild his life in California describing how living between Eastern and Western cultures shaped his identity.
Amir explains the contrasting influences of his parents: his father (also an ophthalmologist) modeled discipline, hard work, and goal-driven sacrifice, while his mother modeled a different kind of sacrifice centered on family, along with openness, emotion, and adaptability; he describes himself as a bridge carrying both energies.
He discusses defining himself beyond titles, emphasizing that doctors are human, and says his fulfillment comes from helping others especially opening doors for people who were told they could not succeed while connection is central to his sense of purpose and how he evaluates himself when he ‘looks in the mirror.’
On peace, Amir frames it as accepting what is out of his control while doing his best with what is within his control.
00:00 Meet Savia Rocks + The Legacy Mindset (Season 7 Teaser)
01:10 Welcome to Season 7: Introducing Dr. Amir Marvasti (Ophthalmologist)
03:06 Amir’s Origin Story: Growing Up Between Iran & the U.S.
04:53 Parents, Sacrifice & Identity: Discipline vs Openness
08:25 Mirror Question: Purpose, Fulfillment & Being More Than a Title
14:52 Connection, Grief & Hard Conversations After Losing His Mother
15:58 A Day in the Life of an Ophthalmologist: Humanizing Vision Care
21:08 Silent Eye Diseases & Elective Surgery: Glaucoma, Checkups, LASIK
22:53 Why Ophthalmology? The Childhood Moment That Sparked His “Why”
25:22 Finding the ‘Why’: Role Models, Patients, and Purpose
27:15 The Hard Road to Ophthalmology: Rejections, Gratitude, and Drive
29:04 If Not an Eye Doctor: Identity, Meaning, and Human Connection
29:26 Inside the OR: Excitement vs. Stress and the Weight of Vision
33:45 Judgment & Self-Pressure: Turning Criticism into Useful Feedback
36:05 The ‘And Then What?’ Question: Redefining Success After Loss
40:18 A Quote to Live By: ‘Do It Now’ and the Cost of Later
41:44 What Peace Means: Control, Acceptance, and Daily Practice
42:56 Legacy in Real Time: How You Make People Feel Every Day
44:38 Where to Connect + Final Thanks, Sign-Off, and Closing Track
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amirmarvastimd/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amir-marvasti-md-facs-1920a6236/
Website: https://www.coastalvisionmedical.com/eye-surgeons-orange-county/dr-amir-h-marvasti.html
Thank you so much Dr. Amir Marvasti for seeing the vision, of giving vision back to people to see the beauty in everyday life. - Savia Rocks
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“Beautiful is in the eye of the beholder, perfection is in the beauty of seeing past the imperfections of what is genuinely missed that is when you really see the beautiful.”
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