
LIVE with The Famous Dr AL and Dr. Emilio Justo
- S3E193
- 30:01
- February 6th 2025
Unleashing Success with Dr. Emilio Justo – The Power of Delayed Gratification and the Journey to Fulfillment
Introduction
- Dr. Allen Lycka introduces Dr. Emilio Justo, a highly accomplished ophthalmologist and cosmetic surgeon with nearly 50,000 procedures since 1989.
- Dr. Justo shares his inspiring background as a Cuban refugee and the superpowers that fueled his success: self-discipline, resilience, and delayed gratification.
Early Life and Climb to Success
- Dr. Justo discusses his journey from a Cuban refugee to a top surgeon in the U.S.
- He shares how a challenging high school medical crisis shaped his resilience and propelled him to the University of Michigan's accelerated pre-medical program, graduating from medical school at 23.
The Cuban Triad: Self-Discipline, Resilience, and Delayed Gratification
- Dr. Justo introduces his "Cuban triad" concept as a key to his professional and personal success.
- He highlights the importance of these three values, noting how they helped him navigate life's challenges and become a successful surgeon.
A Lasting Career in Surgery
- Dr. Justo reflects on his 36-year career, the physical toll of his profession, and the gratitude he feels for his good health.
- Despite the challenges, his passion for surgery keeps him going, performing around 1,600 surgeries annually.
Entering the Public Speaking Arena
- Dr. Justo describes how he transitioned into public speaking, delivering TEDx talks on delayed gratification and the positive side of obsession.
- His TEDx talks have reached millions, showcasing his passion for helping others unlock their potential.
The “SUCCESS” Acronym
- Dr. Lycka shares his acronym for success:
- S – Set goals
- U – Understand your “why”
- C – Cultivate resilience
- C – Commit to learning
- E – Embrace challenges
- S – Stay focused
- S – Share your success
- Dr. Justo echoes these principles, noting the importance of setting challenging goals and celebrating small achievements along the way.
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing Failures
- Both Dr. Lycka and Dr. Justo emphasize the importance of confronting fears, learning from failures, and viewing setbacks as temporary detours on the road to success.
- Dr. Justo shares how failure has shaped his journey and sees it as an essential part of personal growth.
Success as a Continuous Journey
- Success, according to Dr. Justo, is not a destination but a lifelong journey of self-improvement and setting new goals.
- He stresses the importance of celebrating small wins, staying motivated, and focusing on the journey rather than just the end goal.
Balancing Personal Development and Career
- Dr. Justo discusses the significance of taking time for personal growth amidst a busy career, especially as one gains experience and wisdom.
- He offers advice on self-education and small weekend activities that contribute to lifelong learning.
Advice for Living a Fantastic Life
- Dr. Justo shares his recipe for a fantastic life: setting goals, maintaining positivity, showing gratitude, and believing in a higher purpose.
- He encourages listeners to pursue their passions, remain humble, and stay focused on personal goals, regardless of external challenges.
BIO:
Emilio Justo, MD is a 35-year veteran of ophthalmology and cosmetic surgery, along with being a 2x international TEDx speaker, Master Teacher and Thought Leader. While arriving in the USA as a Cuban refugee at age three, Dr. Justo is an ardent advocate of the superpowers of Self-Discipline, Resilience and Delayed Gratification, not to mention the "Obsession Advantage" to unprecedented success. Dr Emilio Justo and his wife, Allison, reside in Paradise Valley, Arizona along with their beloved three teenage children.
Social Media:
Follow Dr. Emilio Justo on your favorite social media platform for daily inspiration, guidance, & fun: @DrEmilioJusto @DrJusto @emiliojustomd @emiliojustomd @emiliojustomd
LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™️ Dr. AL
Broadcast on syndicated radio and available as a podcast, LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL is where resilience, mindset, and personal transformation take center stage. Hosted by Dr. Allen Lycka — internationally acclaimed cosmetic dermatologist, bestselling author, and global keynote speaker — the show inspires listeners to thrive in health, business, and life.
Dr. Lycka is celebrated as a pioneer in modern cosmetic surgery, but his life took a dramatic turn in 2003 when he was misdiagnosed with ALS and given just six months to live. Choosing courage over fear, he embraced an Unshakeable™ mindset and not only survived but built a powerful second act as an author, mentor, and media personality. His journey inspired the bestselling book The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life with a foreword by Jack Canfield of Chicken Soup for the Soul.
Now, with over 500 episodes of his original show behind him, Dr. Lycka brings his signature energy to a new stage. Each episode delivers high-impact conversations with thought leaders, entrepreneurs, bestselling authors, innovators, and celebrities — offering strategies for resilience, success, and reinvention.
Listeners can expect:
- Proven mindset tools for overcoming adversity
- Health, wellness, and lifestyle insights
- Business and leadership strategies
- Inspirational stories of transformation and triumph
If you’re ready to unlock your potential, rise stronger, and build an Unshakeable™ future, this show delivers the wisdom and motivation you need.
Meet the Unshakeable™ Host

Meet the Host: Dr. Allen Steven Lycka, The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL
Dr. Allen Steven Lycka, known as The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL, is a bestselling author, international speaker, and one of the world’s leading voices on resilience, reinvention, and personal growth. For over 30 years, he was celebrated as a top cosmetic dermatologist, pioneering advances such as laser-assisted tumescent liposuction and Moh’s Micrographic Surgery. He won the Consumers Choice Award for Cosmetic Surgery for 16 consecutive years, authored 17 books and 30+ academic papers, and hosted the #1 internet radio show Inside Cosmetic Surgery Today.
In 2003, Dr. Lycka’s life took a dramatic turn when he was misdiagnosed with ALS and told he had only six months to live. Choosing courage and the Unshakeable™ mindset, he continued practicing medicine while seeking answers, later discovering he was living with Chronic Lyme disease. His journey of resilience and reinvention inspired the international bestseller The Secrets to Living a Fantastic Life (with Harriet Tinka), followed by The Pillars of Success (with Jack Canfield) and bLU Talks Presents: Business, Life and the Universe (with Corie Poirier).
Today, Dr. Lycka is recognized as a transformational coach, thought leader, and host of LIVE with The Famous Unshakeable™ Dr. AL, where he interviews bestselling authors, entrepreneurs, and innovators to share practical tools for success, health, and thriving through change.
Dr. Lycka is happily married to Dr. Lucie Bernier-Lycka for 44 years, and together they have four daughters and nine grandchildren. He proudly counts his family as his greatest accomplishment and the foundation of his Fantastic Life.