A few years ago, I was juggling a big project at work, moving from Italy to the US, and rebuilding my life from scratch. In the middle of all that, something simple—but brutal—hit me: back pain.
I kept working, of course, and I mentioned it to my team lead at the time, Ivan. Today I see him as a real mentor. He told me something I’ll never forget:
“Spend as much on your chair as you spend on your computer. I learned it the hard way, just like you’re learning it now.”
He pointed me toward the well‑known brands—Steelcase, Herman Miller—and warned me not to trust cheap chairs to do the same job.
I’ve always struggled with spending money on myself, so seeing chairs that cost thousands of dollars scared me. But after some research, I found companies that refurbish these high‑end models. They explained their process, the quality, and the savings. I took the leap.
I paid less, got a great chair, and my back pain disappeared for years.
Now that it’s creeping back, I’m reminded again how much our work depends on our bodies being able to support us.
The short version
If you’re early in your career, please take care of your body.
You can study hard, code all day, push yourself—but you also need movement, rest, and a setup that doesn’t slowly break you.
Your future self will thank you.
I hope this small experience helps someone out there.
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