Dr. Alma Regnault on Resilience, Reinvention, and Returning Home

When Dr. Alma Regnault sat down to help her daughter study for a science test and found herself dozing off from sheer exhaustion, she felt like she’d failed. But what followed was one of the most profound moments of her journey. Her daughter looked up and simply said, “Mommy, I know you’re trying your best.” That single sentence reminded Dr. Regnault why she kept pushing forward, for her daughters, for her patients, and for herself.

In this episode of Ryan Reflects, I had the privilege of speaking with Dr. Alma Regnault, an optometrist whose story beautifully illustrates how life often comes full circle and how embracing the unknown can lead you right back to where you’re meant to be.

From Venezuela to South Florida and Beyond

Dr. Regnault was born in Caracas, Venezuela, but moved to the U.S. at age two. Raised in South Florida by her mother and grandmother, she grew up surrounded by strong women who weren’t afraid to change a tire, fix a broken toilet, or reinvent themselves entirely. For example, her mother became a licensed optician in her fifties so she could one day work with her daughter.

Initially drawn to dentistry, Dr. Regnault shifted paths after shadowing both a dentist and her family optometrist. Optometry resonated with her, not just as a career, but as a calling. She went on to attend optometry school in Puerto Rico after being rejected from her dream program in Boston, an experience that was both humbling and transformative.

Dr. Alma Regnault Found Strength in the Struggle

Living and studying in Puerto Rico wasn’t easy. From power outages and potholes to studying at Starbucks for the air conditioning, Dr. Regnault experienced real adversity. But those challenges forged resilience. “Everything happens for a reason,” she said. “That school, that experience, it made me who I am.”

That mindset carried through her early career, from corporate optometry in Manhattan to more medically focused roles in Florida. When motherhood entered the picture, priorities shifted. Weekend hours lost their appeal, and Dr. Regnault began filling in at various clinics, learning, adapting, and always giving patients her full attention, no matter the setting.

Coming Home and Owning It

Then something incredible happened. A longtime mentor asked Dr. Regnault to fill in at a practice he had recently acquired. The address? Her hometown in Weston, the exact practice where she had first shadowed and fell in love with optometry 20 years earlier.

When the opportunity to buy the practice emerged, she blurted out, “Don’t sell it...sell it to me.” And just like that, the journey came full circle. Despite doubts, despite not knowing what “ROI” meant at the time, she leaned into the fear. With support from mentors, family, and a close-knit community, she became the proud owner of Weston Eye Care Center.

Today, her mom works alongside her in the optical. Her daughters stop by the office and see firsthand what hard work and perseverance can build. It’s not just a job, it’s legacy in motion.

Lessons for Optometrists and for Life

Dr. Regnault’s story isn’t just about career evolution, it’s about staying grounded in your values and being brave enough to grow. Here are a few takeaways from her journey:

• Own your path, even when it veers off course. Failure, redirection, and discomfort can all be part of a bigger plan.

• Every stop is a lesson. Whether you love or hate a job, it adds a tool to your toolbox.

• Don’t be afraid to ask for help. You weren’t meant to know everything and you don’t have to go it alone.

• Create a culture rooted in respect. From your staff to your patients, people feel when you genuinely care.

• It’s never too late. Reinvention doesn’t have an expiration date. If the door opens, walk through it.

The Power of Passing It On

Now, Dr. Regnault hopes her daughters, and other young optometrists, learn what her mom taught her: “Whatever you do in life, just be the best at it. Give it your all.”

Whether you’re in your first year of practice or your fifteenth, her journey is a reminder that it's okay to pivot, to dream bigger, and to believe that one day, you might end up exactly where you're supposed to be.

To hear the full episode and more inspiring stories, subscribe to Ryan Reflects on your favorite podcast platform.