StephenSa

Actually, my life has changed a lot in the past few years. I moved from Chicago to Dallas. I met a girl and married her. I moved from the city to the suburbs. I have a freakin' house! Woof! What hasn't changed in forever (about fifteen years) is my way of making a living. I work in televison production, making commercials for local businesses. Contrary to popular belief, they don't so much throw the money at you in my job. I make around 43K a year. Not great but not horrible. I can pay the bills and have a bit left over. Not much, but a bit. The thing is I never liked what I do for a living. From day one it has been a miserable job. Certainly there are things that are worse and some people love doing this but I really get no satisfaction from it. I dread going in to work each day and have pretty much topped out at what they will pay me with the exception of a 2 to 3% raise I MIGHT get every year or so. I've really reached a bit of a dead end here. Therefore... I am seriously considering changing careers. A few years ago I lost fifty pounds and got myself in really good shape which I have maintained. I love going to the gym and learning all I can about health and fitness. I've decided to get my personal trainer certification and embark on a new career as a trainer. I figure to take an extreme drop in pay for a couple of years and once one is out of television production it is most difficult to get back in so it is a risk but I'm really very seriously considering it. My wife has agreed to support me but I have to admit the prospect scares the crap out of me. So what do you think? Am I nuts to leave a guaranteed paycheck and fairly cushy job or am I gutsy for recognizing a bad situation and taking steps to change it, risk be damned! Any opinions are appreciated, especially anyone that has done something similar and lived to tell about it! Thanks.