Your Music Is Still in You: A Nurse’s Bold Leap Into Art

If you’ve ever doubted whether you still had the “music in you,” to take a bold leap at midlife, this conversation with Edi Matsumoto offers proof that reinvention is possible. After 30 years as a nurse practitioner and disallusioned by the health care system, Edi traded in her stethoscope for a paintbrush. We talk about the moment she realized her calling had shifted, the leap of faith that led her to open her own gallery in California, and how a whimsical concept called “Otter Therapy” became a genuine source of joy and healing for thousands of people.

In this episode, you’ll discover:

Why burnout and disillusionment can be the universe’s way of pointing you toward your next chapter, not a sign that you’ve failed.

How Edi found her niche by paying attention to what people genuinely responded to, not just what she thought she “should” be painting.

Why the Japanese concept of ikigai offers a simple framework for midlife reinvention.

How community, like Edi’s monthly “Carmel Bohemian Club” gathering, became essential fuel for staying the course when self-doubt crept in.

About My Guest

Edi Matsumoto spent nearly 30 years as a nurse practitioner before leaving healthcare in 2021 to become a full-time artist. She’s the creator of “Otter Therapy,” a series of whimsical fine art pieces that reimagine beloved paintings and portraits with sea otters. She’s also the owner of own gallery in Carmel-by-the-Sea, California. Edi is the author of “Otter Therapy” and hosts a monthly community gathering for local artists called the Carmel Bohemian Club.

Connect with Edi

Website: edimatsumoto.com

Email: edi (at) edimatsumoto.com

Book: “Otter Therapy” available on Amazon and in bookstores