I think you’ve hit a key psychological insight. And they have a choice to also push through an existential Sunk Cost fallacy.

I spent the first 11 years of my professional career in the Navy flying airplanes. It was a niche skill set. When I left, I had the airlines available, by I would’ve been bored to tears in the job.

So at 35 I started over in a new career. It’s been challenging - but there is a future. I’m 6-8 years (at least) “behind” my colleagues.

The choices we make have consequences. And if you have your health, you can always choose to change your course.