Esther Zeledon on Purpose, Power & Redefining the American Dream

Episode Introduction

What happens when you realise the American Dream isn’t your dream?

In this deeply inspiring episode, Steve sits down with Dr Esther Zeledon - scientist, diplomat, coach, author, and founder of Be at Change - to unpack her remarkable journey from chasing external success to creating a life of true alignment, service, and purpose.

Born into an immigrant family, Esther carried generations of sacrifice and expectation — only to discover that fulfilment doesn’t come from titles, homes, or accolades, but from courageously choosing your own definition of success.

From losing $400,000 in contracts overnight to rebuilding her mission-driven enterprise from the ground up, Esther shares raw lessons on resilience, identity, and the quiet power of listening to your inner voice amidst the noise of the world.

This episode is a masterclass in reclaiming purpose, building community, and learning that every detour, no matter how painful, can lead to deeper impact.

About Our Guest

Dr Esther Zeledon is the founder of Be at Change, a social enterprise empowering individuals and organisations to lead with purpose and authenticity.

A former US diplomat and humanitarian leader, Esther holds a PhD in Environmental Science and Policy and has spent her career designing programmes across Latin America, Africa and the United States to drive inclusion, sustainability and human potential.

She is also the author of Creating a Limitless Life: How to Discover Your Purpose, Redefine Success, and Build a Life You Love, blending science, personal transformation and global insight to help people step into their power.

Follow Our Guest

Website: https://www.beatchange.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatchange

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon

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Host Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestevehodgson

Show Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharewithsteve

Episode Highlights

00:00 – From losing $400,000 in contracts to hitting rock bottom — and rebuilding from service.

00:44 – Meet Esther Zeledon: scientist, diplomat, coach and founder of Be at Change.

02:00 – What “the noise of life” means: choosing which inner frequency to turn up.

03:00 – Growing up in an immigrant family and inheriting generational sacrifice.

05:00 – Gratitude and release: how Esther reframed the “noise” that shaped her.

08:00 – The moment she realised the American Dream wasn’t her dream.

10:00 – Carrying the double burden of being an immigrant and a survivor.

12:00 – Climbing every ladder of success — and still feeling empty.

13:30 – The breaking point: “This is not my legacy.”

15:00 – Blowing up her life: leaving the six-bedroom house, the staff and the safety net.

17:00 – Redefining freedom: minimalism, simplicity and conscious design.

19:00 – Building a positive-only community and rejecting comparison culture.

22:00 – Isolation, identity loss and the courage to start over.

25:00 – Finding a global sisterhood and rediscovering purpose through service.

29:00 – The 2024 collapse: losing all her contracts and being told to “get a job.”

32:00 – Reconnecting to her mission: “I am of service.”

34:00 – Turning loss into light: rebuilding through workshops and coaching around the world.

36:00 – Ambition vs purpose: choosing alignment over metrics and ego.

40:00 – Legacy through impact: stories of transformation and ripple effects.

43:00 – Why every detour leads you closer to your truth.

46:00 – Esther’s POWER framework for rediscovering purpose.

48:00 – Writing your living obituary: what story are people telling about you?

50:00 – The “$40 billion question”: how to reveal your unique way of solving problems.

55:00 – The real measure of success: love, service and alignment.