Dora Kurimay is a sports psychologist, author, and entrepreneur whose journey has been shaped by perseverance, adaptability, and a deep belief in the power of mindset. From moving across countries to rebuilding after injury, she learned early that setbacks can become springboards. Today, Dora channels those lessons into her work with athletes, youth, and professionals — helping them cultivate confidence, emotional balance, and resilience. Her story is one of courage, continuous reinvention, and commitment to empowering others, aligning beautifully with Humans of Fuzia’s mission of uplifting women and allies across the globe.
What inspired you to start your entrepreneurial journey?
After finishing my degree in sports psychology, I immediately joined a startup — there were just two of us building it from the ground up. That experience pushed me into entrepreneurship very early. Over time, I realized I loved the freedom of creating my own schedule, designing programs, writing books, and working directly with people. Entrepreneurship is challenging, but it allows you to think creatively, step outside the box, and get comfortable with uncertainty. My journey also involved moving countries several times, which meant constantly restarting and adjusting — a skill that has become essential in my work and life.
What challenges did you face while building your brand, especially in marketing and visibility?
Standing out is one of the biggest challenges. Many brands have bigger budgets, so you need to rely on creativity, consistency, and trust. Marketing often takes months before results show, and it’s difficult to know when to persist and when to pivot. I’ve always believed in “standing on different legs” — working on multiple projects while slowly building my brand. Collaboration has also been key. It’s hard to do everything alone, so finding the right partners has helped me grow in meaningful ways.
How do you view women in leadership today?
We’re seeing more women leaders than ever before, and that’s encouraging. But it’s still challenging — especially for women balancing leadership with family responsibilities. Women often have strong emotional intelligence and bring balance to organizations, yet they can also be judged more harshly. Culture plays a big role too; expectations differ across countries. Even with these challenges, women leaders are essential — and progress continues, step by step.
What does success mean to you — personally and professionally?
Professionally, success means empowering others. When my work inspires someone — whether it’s a child, athlete, or professional — that’s success to me. Of course, fulfillment and financial stability matter, but they come when you focus on providing value and loving what you do.
Personally, success is about health, community, supportive relationships, and energy. Simplicity is powerful — feeling grounded, doing what you love, staying active, and being surrounded by people who uplift you.
“For me, success is about building yourself back up — again and again — no matter the circumstances. When you love what you do and inspire others along the way, you’re already successful.”
Connect with Dora Kurimay:
Dora Kurimay M.A., CMPC | LinkedIn
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