What if everything you thought about work is wrong?

When I was 22, in 1989, I was offered an international job in Germany doing technical translation. But after 6 months, I realized that it would become a long, slow death sentence.

I grew up working class, and money was tight, so landing work in Europe, with great pay and benefits seemed so sexy — with all the hallmarks of success for me fresh out of undergraduate studies. However, the constant sitting was causing back and neck pain. Because it was Germany (where the health care system included preventative care, even back then) I was…