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My situation...

So, here's the deal. I'm currently in an IT career, but I'm pretty bored. I make approximately $140k/yr working 45 hour weeks. Even with this, I'm unhappy. I'm at a desk all day. I work to make other people rich. I'm not really doing anything to give back. I leave work most days with an empty feeling.

Lately I've been thinking about changing careers and massage therapy is something that I've always been interested in. From what I've read, I'd have to expect some lifestyle changes.

At any rate, I have a couple of questions and I would GREATLY appreciate any feedback or advice you can give me.

1. Should I expect a HUGE change in lifestyle?

2. What schools do you recommend? I've been looking at the Costa Rica School of Massage Therapy.

3. In you opinion is this career one that you love or one that you are doing just to make money?

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Richard Britton on April 1, 2013 at 4:13pm

Hi man

Little piece of advice, if you want to change career into bodywork then great! However, I cannot recommend massage training.

My advice would be to find out if you can train part time to become Osteopath or Physical Therapist. It takes longer but you will end up with a much more rewarding career where you could build your income back up specially if you save up money to invest in your practice after.

If you go down the Massage and associated modalities route you are going to struggle financially forever unless you just invest in a business and employ loads of therapists to work for you. Frankly you could do that now with your income. That would be something you could do in your spare time, build it up until it is a steady business.

But if you really want to work with people and to treat them, Osteopathy is probably your best option.

I definitely would not advise you to try massage therapy full time.

All the best

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Permalink Reply by Celest McGonagill on April 3, 2013 at 8:59pm

Hello, I went from an IT career into massage therapy. Prepare for a huge pay cut! On the up side though, you won't be sitting on your bottom all the time when you are a massage therapist and you won't leave your job feeling empty.When you've given a good massage you can see the results in the eyes of your client. If you are a man be prepared for discrimination. Personally, I prefer a massage by a man but a lot of people are hesitant to be massaged by a man. I love being a massage therapist but I'm having a rough time making ends meet. I do work as an MT full time in a sports & rehab setting. I give about 5-7 10-15 minute massages a day. The rest of the time I'm delivering physical therapy treatments like what a physical therapy technician would do. It's all very rewarding and I've met some great people. I also have my own outcall business but aren't doing much to build it right now due to personal reasons. I rarely miss my IT job but I do miss the money. Hope this helps.