From Cirque du Soleil performer to occupational therapist

Teresa spent years performing as a synchronized swimmer in Las Vegas, first at Le Rêve and later in Cirque du Soleil’s O. But behind the scenes, she was also building an entirely different career as an occupational therapist. In this episode of the Recast and Rise Podcast, Teresa shares her unconventional path from earning her master’s degree in occupational therapy, to pursuing her longtime dream of performing, to juggling both careers for nearly a decade. Now, after recently leaving the stage, Teresa opens up about why she knew it was finally time to move on, how staying on-call helped her ease into the transition, and what life looks like as she puts her energy back into occupational therapy. We also talk about what occupational therapists actually do, the education required to become one, the many career paths available within the field, and practical ways artists can explore OT before committing to years of school. You’ll learn:▸ What an occupational therapist actually does and where OTs can work▸ How Teresa balanced performing, healthcare, and continuing education▸ What burnout taught her about knowing when it was time to leave the stage▸ How staying on-call helped her make her career transition more gradual▸ How artists can start exploring occupational therapy while they’re still performing▸ Why observation, research, and taking one class at a time can help you explore a new career path▸ How the drive, discipline, and resilience artists develop can translate into a completely different career ___________________________________________________ If you're a performer wondering "What’s next for me? ", let's connect! ⁠⁠💥  Connect with Teresa Liccardo  at: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/teresa_liccardo/👋  Connect with Eve on Instagram⁠⁠ ⁠: ⁠https://www.instagram.com/eve.recastandrise/⁠ And don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE for more inspiring stories and CAREER TOOLS for your next career change! 👉 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or watch the full conversation on YouTube.