Story & Lesson Highlights with Dora Kurimay

We recently had the chance to connect with Dora Kurimay and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Dora, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Finding Joy Outside of Work: My Favorite Ways to Recharge

Outside of work, I find joy in activities that keep me active, connected, and grounded in the present moment. Two sports that I’ve really come to enjoy are pickleball and padel. Alongside those, I also love playing tennis and table tennis—both of which challenge me in different ways while keeping the fun and competitive spirit alive. These games are not only energizing but also incredibly social. I enjoy the mix of friendly competition, skill, and community—they’re the perfect blend of movement and meaningful connection.

When I want to reset solo, I often go for a run or take a bike ride. It helps me clear my mind and feel more in tune with myself. I also enjoy being near the water—whether it’s walking along the beach, sitting by the shore, or simply soaking in the calming energy of the ocean. There’s something deeply peaceful about being close to nature in that way.

Another thing that brings me joy is sharing good food and conversation. I love connecting with people over healthy, nourishing meals and engaging discussions. Whether it’s a casual coffee, a vibrant dinner, or simply a shared walk, these moments of human connection keep me inspired and grounded.

For me, joy comes from simple pleasures—movement, community, nature, and mindful nourishment. They help me stay balanced, energized, and aligned with what matters most.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Hi, I’m Dora Kurimay—a mental performance coach, former elite athlete, author, and speaker. My work is all about helping individuals unlock their inner champion by developing mental toughness, emotional resilience, and a growth mindset. I combine performance psychology, mindfulness, and wellness practices to support sustainable peak performance—not just in sport, but in all areas of life.

Through my brand and coaching programs, I have a holistic view because I believe that when mind, body, and soul are aligned, true potential unfolds. Whether I’m working with athletes, professionals, or teams, I help people build confidence, stay focused under pressure, bounce back after setbacks, and show up as their best selves.

What makes my approach unique is that it’s deeply personal. As a former national table tennis champion and European champion, I’ve experienced the highs and lows of competitive pressure. I’ve transformed that experience into a passion for guiding others, blending real-world experience with evidence-based strategies. I love working with people to help them define their values and life goals and achieve those goals.

Currently, I’m working on expanding my mental performance and wellness programs, creating more accessible content (such as webinars and workshops), and building a community where people can grow, connect, and thrive.

Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
Before titles, achievements, and expectations—before the world placed labels on me—I was simply a curious, creative, and deeply sensitive soul. I loved being in nature, connecting with animals, and creating with my hands. Whether it was crafting small pieces of art or spending hours outdoors, I found joy in simple, hands-on expression. I was also always drawn to movement and play—sports were a natural part of me, not a performance, but a way to feel alive and connected.

Then I discovered table tennis, and it quickly became clear I was good at it. Really good. And when you excel at something, especially from a young age, people begin to define you by that skill. “You’re the table tennis girl.” “This is your gift—you can’t waste it.” With success came expectations. And with expectations came a quiet pressure to stay on the path others now saw for me.

Don’t get me wrong—competing at a high level shaped who I am and gave me invaluable experiences. But somewhere along the way, the world started seeing only that version of me. And it’s easy to start believing that’s all you are.

As a mental performance coach and entrepreneur now, I still feel that pull. Running a business—especially one that’s personal—can feel like a 24/7 responsibility. You’re constantly “on,” making sure everything works, serving others, staying visible. You don’t get to truly step away for too long, or the momentum you’ve worked so hard to build starts to slip. And in that non-stop pace, it can be hard to remember who you are outside of it.

But I’ve come to realize this: we are not our jobs. We are not just our skills, our wins, or our roles. Who we are when we’re not “doing” is just as important—if not more.

Authenticity, for me, means staying connected to that part of myself that existed before the expectations. It’s the part of me that still loves nature, creating, meaningful connection, movement for joy’s sake—not performance. It’s the part I try to nurture now, even as I show up in my work.

Because when we know who we are beyond what we do, we show up more fully, more honestly, and more powerfully—in business, in relationships, in life.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
You don’t have to prove your worth—you already are enough.
You don’t need to earn love, hustle for validation, or shrink to make others comfortable.

Breathe.
Trust yourself.
You are allowed to take up space. You’re allowed to grow at your own pace.

Let go of the pressure to have it all figured out.
You’re learning, evolving, becoming—and that’s more than enough.

Keep going. Keep listening to that quiet inner voice.
And most of all… enjoy the ride. 💛

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
Real Growth Comes From Within: Leading with Clarity, Courage, and Core Values

In a world that often measures success by external achievements, titles, or accolades, it’s easy to fall into the trap of chasing perfection or constantly striving for more. But through years of experience as an athlete, coach, and mental performance specialist, I’ve come to believe one thing with absolute certainty:

Real growth comes from within.

It’s not about how much you can accomplish in a day or how others perceive your success. True, sustainable growth is rooted in the inner work—strengthening your mindset, building emotional resilience, choosing presence over pressure, and leading your life with clarity, courage, and heart.

This kind of growth isn’t always easy. It takes time, self-awareness, and a willingness to pause and reflect rather than simply push forward. But it’s the most meaningful and rewarding path I know.

Another belief I hold close—and one I emphasize with every client I work with—is the importance of living in alignment with your core values. Your values are not just words or ideas; they are the foundation of who you are and how you show up in the world.

When we stay connected to what matters most to us, we create an inner compass that guides our decisions, our focus, and our well-being. Whether we’re in a season of growth, thriving in our careers, or navigating personal or professional challenges, values keep us grounded.

And when we drift from those values—even unintentionally—it can lead to misalignment, burnout, or a feeling that something is “off,” no matter how much we’ve achieved on the surface.

That’s why I encourage everyone to take the time to clarify their values and revisit them regularly. Especially during times of transition or success, when it’s easy to get swept up in momentum, it’s important to come back to what truly matters.

Because in the end, success isn’t just about what we achieve—it’s about who we become. And the most powerful transformation starts within.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you knew you had 10 years left, what would you stop doing immediately?
If I knew I had 10 years left, I would stop doing anything that pulls me out of alignment with who I truly am.

I’d stop trying to please everyone or seeking external validation. People-pleasing can be so subtle—it shows up as overcommitting, saying yes when you mean no, or shrinking parts of yourself to fit in. I’d let go of that completely.

I’d also stop tying my worth to how productive I am. As someone who has spent years in high-performance environments, I know how easy it is to fall into the trap of measuring success by output. Instead, I’d focus on presence, purpose, and joy—on how I feel, not just what I accomplish.

And I would absolutely stop second-guessing my inner voice. I think we all have an inner compass, but we often override it with fear or overthinking. If I had 10 years, I’d trust that voice more fully and take bolder steps—both personally and professionally.

Lastly, I’d stop waiting for the “right time.” I’d create, connect, and live with urgency and softness at the same time. Ten years may seem like a lot, but it’s also a powerful reminder: we don’t have to wait to live meaningfully.

I try to bring that awareness into my coaching, my writing, and my everyday life—helping others align with what truly matters before life forces them to.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
Nikki Alcazar, New York
Carlos Estrada, Miami

Suggest a Story: BoldJourney is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems,
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
Productivity
Tactics & Strategies for Keeping Your Creativity Strong

With the rapid improvements in AI, it’s more important than ever to keep your creativity

Productivity
How did you develop a strong work ethic?

We asked some of the hardest working artists, creatives and entrepreneurs we know to open

Resilience
Portraits of Resilience

Sometimes just seeing resilience can change out mindset and unlock our own resilience. That’s our