Dr. Esther Zeldon on Career Burnout, Anxiety, and Finding Purpose After a Toxic “Successful” Life
Descripción del Episodio
What happens when you do everything right, earn the degrees, land the title, and build security, yet still feel empty inside? In this powerful Season 16 opener, G Rex and Dirty Skittles sit down with Dr. Esther Zeldon to talk honestly about burnout, anxiety, people pleasing, and the moment you realize the life you built is slowly eroding your mental health.
Sh!t That Goes On In Our Heads — a 2024 People’s Choice Podcast Award Winner (Best Health) and 2024 Women in Podcasting Award Winner (Best Mental Health Podcast) with over 3.5 million downloads and counting — continues its mission to spark unfiltered conversations about the human mind.
We’d love to hear your thoughts! Leave us written or voice feedback here: https://castfeedback.com/67521f0bde0b101c7b10442aMental Health Quote
“There is no such thing as real safety if you are betraying yourself to keep it.” — Dr. Esther ZeldonEpisode Description
Burnout does not always come from failure. Sometimes it comes from success. In this raw and deeply human conversation, Dr. Esther Zeldon joins G Rex and Dirty Skittles to unpack what happens when a lifetime of chasing stability, titles, and external validation leads straight to anxiety, depression, and disconnection from purpose.Esther shares her powerful story, from surviving a life-threatening illness as a child, to becoming a high-achieving diplomat and international development professional, to realizing that the “safe” life she built was quietly damaging her mental health. Together, they explore how childhood trauma can disguise itself as ambition, why people pleasing keeps so many of us stuck in toxic jobs, and how fear of failure often hides a deeper fear of finally being honest with ourselves.
This episode is not about reckless quitting or overnight success. It is about alignment. It is about learning to say no. It is about recognizing that security is often an illusion, and that true safety comes from knowing you can rebuild, pivot, and survive hard seasons without abandoning who you are.
Esther also opens up about anxiety, financial fear, boundaries, and the realities of entrepreneurship, including losing hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts and choosing purpose anyway. If you are quietly burning out, questioning your career, or feeling guilty for wanting more meaning in your life, this conversation will resonate.
Keywords: Esther Zeldon, career burnout, anxiety, mental health, toxic workplace, purpose-driven life, people pleasing, trauma healing, entrepreneurship stress, alignment, emotional wellness, burnout recovery, meaningful work
Meet Our Guest, Dr. Esther Zeldon
Dr. Esther Zeldon is a coach, best-selling author, social entrepreneur, and former diplomat dedicated to helping people uncover their unique superpower and live purpose-driven lives. With global experience spanning governments, nonprofits, and communities, Esther blends strategy, science, and compassion to help individuals and organizations create sustainable impact without sacrificing mental health.Website: https://beactchange.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beactchange/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/be.act.change/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/beactchange
Key Takeaways
- Burnout can come from success just as easily as failure.
- Anxiety often stems from living out of alignment, not weakness.
- Safety is often a trauma response, not a true motivator.
- People pleasing keeps you stuck in toxic environments.
- Saying no is a mental health skill, not a personality flaw.
- Purpose is not found; it is remembered.
Actionable Items
- Write down what safety really costs you emotionally.
- Identify one boundary you need to set this month and honor it.
- Ask yourself, am I chasing security, or am I chasing alignment?
References Mentioned
Purpose-driven coaching and alignment work: https://beactchange.com
Important Chapters
00:02 - Esther’s childhood trauma and how safety became her driving force 06:30 - High achievement, toxic workplaces, and silent burnout 12:45 - Anxiety, depression, and people pleasing patterns 18:00 - Leaving security and facing fear head-on 25:30 - Financial fear, entrepreneurship, and redefining success 33:00 - Boundaries, saying no, and protecting your peace 40:00 - Purpose, joy, and mental health alignmentClosing Call to Action
Subscribe, rate, and review. Remember to subscribe for more inspiring stories. Rate and review us on your favorite podcast platform, or visit our website:https://goesoninourheads.net/add-your-podcast-reviews
#MentalHealthPodcast #MentalHealthAwareness #Grex #DirtySkittles #Podmatch #CareerBurnout #AnxietySupport #PurposeDrivenLife #ToxicWorkplace #EmotionalWellness #BurnoutRecovery #PeoplePleasing #TraumaHealing #MentalHealthMatters #AlignmentOverAchievement #HealingJourney***************************************************************************
If You Need Support, Reach Out
If you or someone you know is facing mental health challenges, please don’t hesitate to reach out to a crisis hotline in your area. Remember, it’s OK not to be OK—talking to someone can make all the difference.
- United States: Call or Text 988 — 988lifeline.org
- Canada: Call or Text 988 — 988.ca
- Worldwide: Find a Helpline
- Mental Health Resources and Tools: The Help Hub
Stay Connected with G-Rex and Dirty Skittles
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Audio Editing by NJz Audio
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