We recently connected with Esther Zeledon and have shared our conversation below.

Esther, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

More than a business, my venture embodies a global movement. Born from my work in international development where I collaborated with communities and governments worldwide, my focus has always been on striving for transformative impact. But in that work, I also learned some hard truths: Change is met with resistance, and the trailblazers of the world face a constant uphill battle. Creating outcomes that align the mission, vision, and purpose of people and organizations often requires changing deeply ingrained mental models, habits and behaviors, and strongly held perceptions. So launching a global movement to address the world’s most complex issues requires individuals and teams to engage in profound introspective work. It’s a challenging and emotional undertaking, but I believe that the traditional way of thinking is literally killing us.

Societies worldwide have created structures that value productivity over authenticity, encourage toxic competition, and promote a checkbox version of success that is increasingly unattainable. And the impact on the big hearted high achievers of the world has been massive. From toxic workplaces to plummeting morale to a growing epidemic of loneliness and isolation, we’re seeing skyrocketing depression and mental health issues, cancers appearing at younger ages, and a global increase in violence, especially against women. The inability of individuals to find their purpose and live a life aligned to it creates stagnant communities, vulnerable societies, and ultimately, people who never realize their full potential.

My life has borne witness to the harm that comes with persistent misalignment, both personally and professionally. Having navigated a life once rigidly defined by external metrics, I’ve lived through bureaucratic bottlenecks in humanitarian assistance, infighting within teams, and the hyperscrutiny that falls on changemakers. And I’ve seen how the blind chase for the so-called American Dream results in frustration, depression, anxiety, and perhaps worst of all, no real or lasting impact. I’ve seen creativity, innovation, and progress get shut down. This matters because the world’s trailblazers — those who boldly become “the first” in so many ways — want more than anything to have a positive impact and leave a lasting legacy. But in my work and travels worldwide, I’ve also learned that each and every one of us has a trailblazer inside and a unique problem solving how-to, seeking to be unleashed.

So, this is the premise of my global movement: That our duty is to value and promote each other’s highest aspirations. I’ve emerged from my own journey with a clear vision of my contribution to the world: I possess a unique ability to unlock purpose, mission, and vision, whether for an individual, a team, a community, or even a country, and this serves as the foundation for and the motivation behind BeActChange.

Esther, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

At the core of BeActChange is a mission fueled by an unsettling statistic: 92% of people abandon their dreams, with only 8% bringing them to fruition. Our journey began from a profound desire to change these odds. With a background marked by overcoming personal and professional obstacles, I was driven to create a platform where individuals and organizations could transcend traditional limitations. Our services—spanning strategic coaching, workshops, and inspirational speaking engagements—are designed to empower trailblazers and high achievers to align their actions with their deepest values and visions. We navigate our clients from the brink of potential to their highest aspirations, overcoming lack of clarity, goal misalignment, and the paralyzing fear of stepping into one’s greatness.

What truly sets BeActChange apart is our unwavering belief in the transformative power of authenticity and strategic action. This belief is encapsulated in our book and workbook, “Creating Your Limitless Life,” priced less than a cup of coffee to ensure accessibility for all. Sparking a global book tour, our work has ignited a movement, inspiring individuals worldwide to pursue their dreams with conviction. We pride ourselves on being not just advisors but partners in our clients’ journeys towards clarity, resilience, and unprecedented success. Our ultimate pride lies in witnessing the profound transformations our clients achieve—transformations that ripple through their lives, communities, and the very fabric of society. As you get to know BeActChange, we want you to see more than our accomplishments; we invite you to join a community dedicated to living purposefully and impacting the world positively.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Building a social media audience was a formidable challenge for me, especially considering that my target audience tends to be very private. They often worry about scrutiny from friends or family, so while they may have social media accounts, they don’t tend to be active posters, rarely reveal their faces, or engage in comments. Building engagement and following through social media is thus quite strenuous. Especially after consulting social media marketing gurus, I questioned my approach, feeling I was missing the mark due to the lower engagement levels I initially experienced. However, I soon realized the importance of resonance over visible engagement. Those that felt touched by my message would approach me via direct message or in person to talk about my page and posts, and this gave me confidence that my message was indeed getting through. Direct messages and personal posts became my most engaging content, revealing the silent impact of my efforts.

To navigate this, I leaned heavily into creating reels, sharing my personal and travel experiences, and emphasizing the self-driven nature of my journey. The key was to provide value through service—constantly asking myself how I could assist, what would be beneficial, and what my audience would appreciate.

For those embarking on building their social media presence, my advice is twofold: be consistent and speak directly to your audience’s current needs and interests. Remember, it’s a mutual journey—it’s about them as much as it’s about you. Focus on delivering value in a way that aids them, rather than fixating on follower count. Your goal should not be to accumulate followers but to serve your audience, help individuals, and make a meaningful impact. Engage genuinely, seek feedback, and adapt your strategy to ensure you’re meeting your audience where they are, creating a space that fosters both engagement and value.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

As a trailblazer, I’ve constantly faced the chorus of skepticism telling me my dreams and visions were mere fantasies—unattainable and too far-fetched. This noise has been a constant companion, from my early dreams of traveling the world, to being the first to study earth and environmental science at my college. It echoed during my tenure directing a significant national and multinational portfolio, as I raised $100 million, and the negative voices were loud and clear as I embarked on creating my business and movement, where I found myself amidst more naysayers than supporters. In so many instances throughout my life, I’ve found myself effectively forging new paths for others to follow.

But as a true trailblazer, I trusted my gut, knowing deep down that I was on the right path. This conviction was my guiding light, even when my motives were questioned and my character was slandered, sending me into a profound depression. Despite this, I picked myself up, learning invaluable lessons from the ordeal, and continued to advance my vision with even stronger determination.

Today, I stand not just as a survivor of personal trials and persistent professional barriers but as a testament to the power of vision, purpose-driven action, and resilience. I’ve established a thriving business, living a life without limits where everything I envisioned has become my reality. My journey reaffirms that for the trailblazer within each of us, no dream is too lofty when you commit to making it your legacy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.beactchange.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/be.act.change
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/estherzeledon/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@be.act.change

Image Credits
All my photos