From Physio to Engineer: How Recursive Self-Improvement Powers a Mid-Career Shift

Making the leap from physiotherapy to software engineering has been challenging, but it’s also brought new perspectives on growth. One concept that’s driven my journey is recursive self-improvement: using each new skill as a stepping stone for the next, creating a cycle of continuous growth. Here’s how this idea has shaped my career transition and why it can be a game-changer for anyone pivoting into tech.

What is Recursive Self-Improvement?

Recursive self-improvement is simple: it’s using your own skills to improve yourself. For AI, it’s the process of getting better at improving itself, like compounding interest but for growth. In a career shift, it means every skill we pick up helps us learn the next, building momentum over time.

In my case, that’s meant using the skills I developed in physiotherapy—problem-solving, empathy, structured thinking—as a launchpad for software engineering. Every new concept I’ve learnt in tech has built on what came before, reinforcing my foundation and helping me accelerate.

Building on What You Already Know

One of the biggest benefits of a mid-career shift is that you’re never starting from scratch. The skills and experiences you’ve collected up to this point are an asset. In physio, I learnt to assess complex problems and explain them simply. Those skills didn’t disappear when I entered software; they gave me a head start.

For instance:

• Problem-Solving: In physio, each patient’s problem required a tailored solution. Coding is the same—break down complex issues, address them step-by-step.
• Empathy and Communication: In physio, communication is key to connecting with patients. In engineering, it’s crucial for understanding users and collaborating effectively.
• Continuous Learning: Health care demands constant growth. That prepared me to embrace the fast pace of software engineering and AI.

Each of these became a building block, helping me learn the next skill faster.

Creating a Feedback Loop of Growth

Recursive self-improvement is a feedback loop—each skill compounds, helping you tackle bigger challenges. After getting the hang of programming basics, I started learning about machine learning, which fed back into improving my coding skills. The loop of growth kept accelerating.

Here’s how I applied it:

1. Start with What You Know: My first project was a health-related app. Building something familiar helped me learn coding in context.
2. Apply and Refine: As I developed, each new skill—like debugging or optimisation—fed back into my understanding, helping me handle bigger challenges.
3. Expand the Scope: With a strong base, I dove into more complex areas like AI, which initially seemed intimidating but gradually became manageable.

This feedback loop doesn’t need leaps. Small, steady steps are what build momentum.

AI Tools: Your Allies in Self-Improvement

Recursive self-improvement has taken on a new dimension with today’s AI tools. When I started, tools like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot didn’t exist. I relied heavily on Google and Stack Overflow, and every new concept took time. Now, tools like ChatGPT, GitHub Copilot, Cursor AI, and Claude are my accelerators. They help me code faster, troubleshoot issues, and even brainstorm ideas. With each tool, I’m learning and building at a faster rate.

Here’s how each tool supports my growth:

• ChatGPT helps me with broad problem-solving, explaining concepts when I hit a roadblock.
• GitHub Copilot provides real-time code suggestions, keeping me in the flow without constant context-switching.
• Cursor AI makes exploring and managing complex projects more efficient.
• Claude aids in organising complex ideas, helping me structure projects and track requirements more effectively.

Together, they form a feedback loop that boosts my learning and productivity. These tools don’t replace skills; they amplify them, making recursive self-improvement even faster.

The 10x Engineer Myth: AI Doesn’t Level the Playing Field

There’s a myth that AI tools will “level the playing field” in software engineering, making it easy for anyone to achieve mastery. The reality is that AI doesn’t replace skill—it augments it. Experienced developers using these tools can achieve far more than a beginner relying on AI alone.

In fact, AI tools often make the idea of a “10x engineer” more attainable. They allow skilled engineers to be incredibly productive, leveraging their expertise in ways that weren’t possible before. In my experience, these tools have accelerated my learning, but without the fundamentals, they’d only go so far. AI isn’t a shortcut to mastery; it’s an amplifier for the skills we work hard to build.

Embrace the Journey: It’s a Marathon, Not a Sprint

A mid-career shift is a marathon. Recursive self-improvement is about steady steps, each one fuelling the next. The goal isn’t to figure it all out on day one. It’s about creating a loop of continuous improvement, where every skill fuels the next and makes you more adaptable.

If you’re considering a career pivot or already navigating one, keep in mind: the power of recursive self-improvement isn’t in massive leaps but in steady, intentional progress.

Final Thoughts

Recursive self-improvement has been my compass from physio to software engineer. It’s a reminder that we’re never starting from zero and that each new skill is a foundation for the next. AI tools have accelerated this process, but they’re there to augment our efforts, not replace them. As you face new challenges and broaden your expertise, embrace this cycle of growth. Every step builds momentum, bringing you closer to where you want to go.