First Generation Programming Services
Dr. Esther Zeledon
Dr. Esther begins by telling us a story of growing up as a first gen, starting with her early childhood years suffering from a life-threatening illness. Her parents took a chance, won the lottery, and moved to the US to do everything they could to save her life. She witnessed her parents sacrifice all that they had and all that they knew during their immigration journey. These experiences instilled in her a drive to succeed but also led to pressures familiar to many first gens: perfectionism, people-pleasing, and guilt.
Despite achieving milestones like a PhD, a prestigious career, and financial stability, Dr. Esther realized that these accomplishments didn’t really make her feel accomplished. This made her rethink her journey and set new intentions to build a life based on creating an impact and overall alignment. Dr. Esther Zeledon now empowers others through her book, which provides tools to break free from societal expectations, overcome limiting beliefs, and live a life rooted in authenticity.
First Gen Forward: Intention Setting for the New Year
During our Social Work with Sara segment, I asked Esther what she does for her mental health. She shared with us that she prioritizes self-care and recognizes that goals and intentions can shift. One year the focus may be on spending more time with her children, but that doesn’t mean that she won’t be skipping her workouts. It just means she won’t be training for a marathon. It’s all about finding that balance that works and recognizing that the balance can shift priorities from time to time. She also shares some advice on the importance of self-awareness and suggests an exercise found in her book: writing your obituary. This helps clarify the legacy you want to leave behind and align your daily actions with your long-term vision.
As we continue on through 2025, we must remember to set meaningful intentions, prioritize mental health, and take steps toward a fulfilling and limitless life. Whether through journaling, envisioning your dream day, or seeking supportive communities, I am always here to cheer you on and guide you along the way. Follow Esther on Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/be.act.change/.
The First Gen Madrina/The Social Work Madrina
If you are a University, College, Company or Organization, The First Gen Madrina offers workshops on a variety of topics (such as imposter syndrome, time management, managing burnout, building a self-care plan, etc..), custom built mentorship programs as well as customized services tailored to your needs.
In order to follow along, remember to rate, review, and subscribe to The First Gen Madrina Podcast to stay connected. Also, follow on Instagram and LinkedIn @thefirstgenmadrina and Sara Diaz, LCSW. Sara acknowledges that the term first gen can be fluid, so The First Gen Madrina is committed to supporting all first gens! This isn’t just about breaking barriers—it’s about providing unwavering support that propels individuals to embrace life’s challenges and triumphs.
Also, in case you have missed it, I recently announced a new branch of The First Gen Madrina called The Social Work Madrina. The Social Work Madrina will bring intentional support to social workers and more programming on mental health. Within TSWM, you will find The Madrina Network: A Community for Social Workers!
The community will be kicking off in March, just in time for National Social Work Month! Our community deserves more support, guidance and resources.
Soooooo are you ready? Here are some highlights of the community!
Monthly zoom calls to discuss the successes, challenges and needs of the social work community.
Opportunity to network with fellow social workers from all over the U.S!
Monthly workshops with different social work-related themes.
Optional coaching time with me for additional support!
Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for more information! Check out thefirstgenmadrina.com for more information soon!
¡Hasta pronto!
