Edgar Jimenez: A Life of Devotion for Teaching, Writing, and Cultural Connection
Meet Edgar Jimenez, a bilingual author and dedicated educator currently teaching English in Ecuador. With a lifelong love for reading and writing, Edgar has turned his passions into a career that bridges cultures and inspires others. From balancing his part-time teaching role with his writing endeavors to overcoming obstacles like time and financial constraints, Edgar’s journey is a testament to perseverance and purpose. In this interview, he shares insights into his daily life, creative process, and how his cultural heritage continues to shape his work and aspirations.
What's a typical day in your life look like?:
I get up early. I have a part time job as a teacher. The rest of the day I exercise a little and I focus on writing.
What is the most rewarding part of your work?:
When somebody comments my work and is interested in asking questions about it.
How would you say your upbringing and cultural background contributed to your career aspirations?:
A lot. I read a lot in my childhood and teens. Reading is the first step to write. Soon reading and writing were my passion.
What would you say is a common question or concern you get from your clients/followers?:
They encourage me to keep on writing and ask when the next work comes.
What would you say has been your biggest obstacle in launching a successful career? How have you overcome it?:
Time, because I have been a teacher for long. And a big economical obstacle because I never had a enough money to invest.
What is the phrase, sentence, or conversation that stopped you in your tracks and changed your outlook in life?:
The Sociology classes in high school with a teacher. He used to talk about society and its changes.
If you had the choice to go back to your past or fast forward to your future, which one would you choose? Why?:
None. Past is to analyze and future is to project. We only have present to live and perform our activities.
What are you committed to doing no matter what happens?:
My purposes in life. I have always behaved as I thought I had to. Sometimes with errors, of course. At the moment, nothing will stop my dream to publish my first printed book.
Where might you be found on a Saturday afternoon with no plans?:
In the park, playing basketball with friends. Or with my folks chatting while having a cup of coffee.
If you were to meet 10 year old you, what would you say to them?:
“Take advantage of every chance that life offers you, no matter if sometimes you are mistaken”
What is something you’re willing to start all over again? :
I´d like to start a new chapter of my life as a writer. But if I could I´d be born again.
When are you the happiest?:
When I see my family happy, when I see a fairer society, when I see have done something valuable.
What is stopping you?:
Nothing, except myself. Of course, there some serious obstacles in life.
Hustle culture and burnout is so prominent in our community. How do you prioritize self care?:
In a society which prioritizes speed and light things, we should realize what we really need and when. We buy so many things in vain. And we are charged with a lot of debts for our life long.
Same goes for imposter syndrome. How do you combat those feelings (if any)?:
Mostly I have what I deserve. I don´t complain about things. I take into consideration other´s opinions but they lead my behavior.
How do you stay connected to your culture, heritage, and community?:
It´s important to practice our own customs, value our heritage and be related to our community. We don´t have a reason why to adopt foreign fashion just because. We can learn a lot from other cultures, of course.
What would 18-year-old you say about where you are at in life now? :
Probably I would say “you could do it better” but I’d feel pleased with what I have done and I think I’d do a little bit more.
What accomplishment are you most proud of, both in your personal and professional life?:
In my personal life I feel proud of having completed my university studies at the age of 50. As a professional, as a writer my work has got good comments and I launched my first audio book successfully.
Drink 🫖
What is Edgar’s go-to drink?
For coffee I prefer a cappuccino. Though I live in Ecuador, I don´t drink lots of coffee but when I do I enjoy drinking little by little a yummy cappuccino.
Regarding tea, I prefer an iced tea.
Listening To 🎧
What is Edgar listening to at the moment?
I enjoy listening to old music, specially baladas. But I also like Andean music. When it comes to podcasts, I ought to say technology is something I have problems with. I sure have to catch up on it.
Your Truth 🗣️
What is a Edgar’s truth?
I want to do what I have to do. Everyone has a mission in this world and I think we must do it. When I was young I used to be an active member of movements against tyrannies. I feel proud of it. I worked for over 30 years and I was an eyewitness of a poor situation of workers. That´s quite enough to realize we have to do something.
Your Plug 🔌
What is Edgar plugging today?
All my work is for the people. For those for who reading could a way to recognize ourselves. I´d like people to study. And reading is a way of studying.
More about Edgar Jimenez
Fluent in Spanish and English, Edgar Jimenez currently teaches English at a local school for young adults and is a former professor at Universidad Central and Universidad Internacional del Ecuador. He lives on the outskirts of Quito in a town as Mitad del Mundo, which, as the name suggests in Spanish, encompasses a stretch of the equatorial line.