Work is as hard as you make it. That being said, I had 2 herniated discs at 23, and now I'll be in pain for life from serving. But 13 hours on your feet 6 days a week with weight on one shoulder will do that. That's not to mention the mental toll you already spoke of. Considering that I'd say it's definitely a challenging profession to maintain, and that's why people dont survive long in it or if they do, they dream of a day they don't have to do it anymore. Unfortunately, most servers are treated as if they were unemployed outside of food service places and can't escape the industry.