8. Lessons From 20+ Years in Corporate: Is Your Job Stealing Your Life? With Jelani De Leon

What is the true cost of giving your best years to your career? In this episode of the Resonance podcast, I connect with my dear friend Jelani “Jela” De Leon, a Filipino-born superwoman with over 20 years in global corporate roles. Jela shares her story of moving to New Zealand with her husband and two daughters, building her career across top international companies, and ultimately choosing to prioritise health, family, and joy over endless hustle. This is a deeply honest look at burnout, boundaries, financial wellbeing, and the courage it takes to reclaim your life outside of work. ✍🏼 Please note: This episode has been edited to protect privacy and remove identifiers.   💌 If you haven’t yet signed up for my free weekly newsletter filled with practical wisdom on how to balance ambition with wellbeing, Flourish Weekly, you can sign up now and get it delivered straight to your inbox here  👉🏼 https://www.viktorialevenberg.com/newsletters/flourish-weekly-with-viktoria-levenberg/subscribe       Hi there,   If you’re loving this episode and you know the way you’re working isn’t working… then I’ve got something just for you…  Efficiency Made Easy: my BRAND NEW 8-week program that will help you get more done in less time, so you can achieve your goals with ease.  Inside, you’ll learn how to use cyclical alignment, energy management, and high-performance systems to get you from scattered overwhelm to high-performance flow in 8 weeks.  By the end of our time together, you will: ✔️ Get more done in less time ✔️ Finally create structure and consistency in your life ✔️ Harness your energy for peak productivity ✔️ Create your Personal Operating System   … that makes progress towards your big dreams feel inevitable and easy.    Join the Priority Waitlist today and be the FIRST to know when doors for Efficiency Made Easy open (plus, get access to EXCLUSIVE bonuses)!  👉🏼 Click here to join: https://www.viktorialevenberg.com/success      Before you go, snap a screenshot of this episode playing on your device, post it to your story and tag me @viktorialevenberg – I’d love to connect!   In this episode, you’ll hear: Jela’s journey from Manila to New Zealand, and her 20+ year career in corporate roles The costs of corporate overwork and what burnout really steals from us Why boundaries, rest, and saying “no” are radical acts of self-care The link between financial health and nervous system balance Honest reflections on perimenopause, mental health, and the workplace How to redefine success in a way that supports your health and your happiness If you’ve been pouring your energy into your job at the expense of your wellbeing, this episode is for you. “You need to take care of yourself.” – Jelani De Leon   🎙️ You Have All The Time In The World 🎙️ & If You’re After Timestamps… Here You Go! 👇🏼 00:00 – Welcome to Resonance 03:00 – Meet Jelani De Leon: 20+ Years in Corporate Life 13:00 – The Hidden Costs of Corporate Success 18:30 – Burnout, Boundaries & Rediscovering Balance 27:00 – Reclaiming Energy: Family, Creativity & Joy Beyond Work 37:00 – Your Financial Health: The Right Time is NOW 53:00 – (Peri-)Menopause & Mental Health in Corporate Spaces 1:03:10 – The ONE Thing: Self-Care, Boundaries & Speaking Up 1:07:30 – Closing Reflections & Call to Action   LINKS & RESOURCES: 🚨 Be the FIRST to know when doors to Efficiency Made Easy open, join the PRIORITY waitlist today!  https://www.viktorialevenberg.com/success   ✅ Your invitation today: Have a think about what all the extra time spent on work is costing you. What could you be doing instead? I created a MIND-BLOWING 🤯 resource just for you, The True Cost of Overwork Calculator. Click the link below & let me know what comes up for you. I’d love to hear your thoughts! DM me on Instagram @viktorialevenberg for a chat! ⏰ Access The True Cost of Overwork Calculator at https://www.viktorialevenberg.com/time 💰 In this episode, I talk about the life-changing experience of working with my financial coach and mentor Kate Northrup. If you’re interested in checking out her work, you can find her on https://katenorthrup.com/ and @katenorthrup on Instagram!     CONNECT WITH JELA: 📱 Instagram: @jeladeleon Jela is open to connecting with listeners who resonate with her story. Drop her a message if you’d like to chat!     DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed by guests on Resonance are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of Viktoria Levenberg, LVNHealth, or anyone working within the LVNHealth brand. This space welcomes a diversity of ideas, experiences, and stories, and part of resonance is learning to take what aligns and gently leave the rest. Also… While I’m a National Board-Certified Health & Wellness Coach, and deeply passionate about well-being, this podcast is intended for educational and inspirational purposes only. Resonance does not substitute personalised medical, psychological, or therapeutic advice. Always seek guidance from qualified professionals for any physical, emotional, or mental health concerns.   © 2026 LVNHealth. All Rights Reserved.