Susana Esmolinger | EEC Alumni Spotlight | February 2025
"The book ‘Ikigai’ reminded me that we are the sole owners of our destiny, and since then, I have embraced my desires with courage and commitment."
Susana Esmolinger and a life marked by passion and purpose. Since she was young, a tireless dreamer, her children are the centre of her universe and her main source of inspiration. With a career of more than 30 years in a multinational company, she has developed a deep vocation for coaching, finding in the accompaniment and development of adolescents one of her greatest satisfactions.
What is your passion?
I have two great passions that guide my life. The first one is coaching: accompanying and supporting individuals, teenagers and families in their growth and in achieving their goals. The other is volunteering, as I am aware of the importance of contributing to the community and helping those in need. I have promoted various social initiatives, contributing my time and knowledge to make the world a better place.
How did you come to coaching?
I have always been involved in social work and accompanying others. When I studied coaching, I realised that I had already been applying it intuitively.
A health problem marked a before and after for me. During the Camino de Santiago, a pilgrim gave me the book Ikigaiand that helped me find a new purpose in coaching. This book resonated deeply with me and became a guide to pursue my dreams and find my reason for being. The message reminded me that life is worth living and that one is the sole master of one's destiny, from that moment on I embraced my desires with courage and commitment, no matter what obstacles might come my way.
What work do you do with adolescents in coaching?
Nowadays, they are very focused on the external because of social media. I work with them to strengthen their self-esteem and self-confidence.
What results do you see in them?
Very nice. Recently, a coachee managed to perform in a big theatre playing the cello. It was a proud moment because his goal was to gain confidence.
What did you learn through coaching?
There are no barriers on the path of life; we set the barriers for ourselves.
What is coaching for you?
Continuous learning.
What has been your greatest achievement?
To look for the best version of myself every day as a mother and as a professional.
What has been your biggest challenge?
Starting a business on my own after a lifetime of working as an employee. It remains a challenge, but also a constant learning experience.
Where do you find the energy to face these challenges?
Meditation, yoga, walking and reading. I get up early because I work with Spain from Argentina and these habits help me to keep my balance.
If you had to give one piece of advice on how to connect with the present, what would it be?
Practice gratitude. Not getting lost in the immediate and appreciating the simple things in life.
Continue listening to the interview in the podcast in Spanish:
What book do you have on your bedside table?
- Wake up (David Steindl-Rast)
- Find your vitamin person (Marian Rojas Estapé)
- Dare (Juana Arice)
And I would recommend reading:
- I, egoby Maria de Mondo
- Anxious generationby Jonathan Haidt
- The heart is awareby Martín Lombardero
- Ikigaiby Francesc Miralles
Which coaching book would you recommend?
- Social Impact Coaching, by Marilyn Fernandez
What is your song of the moment?
- Better than yesterday, Diego Torres.
- Luminous peopleby El Arrebato. It talks about the people who illuminate our lives.
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