By: Zach Miller

Dora Kurimay, a native of Budapest, Hungary, was raised in a family with a deep passion for sports. Although she explored various athletic disciplines, it was table tennis that truly captured her heart. She began her journey at Statisztika—the only female table tennis club in Budapest—after being introduced by her second cousin, a professional player. Drawing from her background as a champion athlete, Dora has developed a groundbreaking, cross-disciplinary approach that integrates psychology, sports, and personal development. Her method is anchored in resilience, mental toughness, and lived experience, enabling her to guide athletes and coaches in unlocking their full potential both on and off the court. Her unique blend of scientific insight and real-world expertise has established her as a respected authority in the field of mental performance.

Today, Dora is a mental performance coach, a table tennis champion, a best-selling author, and a speaker. Her coaching combines psychology with practical experience to help clients develop mental toughness and maintain peak performance. She is also the author of “My Stories of Mental Toughness On and Off the Table,” “Get Your Game Face On Workbook,” and “Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!“ In this interview, Dora discusses how she coaches her clients, shares the secrets to her success, and outlines her vision for the future. 

1. Dora, thank you for joining us today. Your journey from a European Table Tennis Champion to a renowned mental performance coach is truly inspiring. Could you share how your experiences as an elite athlete have shaped your approach to coaching individuals in enhancing their mental resilience?​

As an elite athlete, I learned early that success isn’t just physical—it’s about mental strength. The most important lesson? Focus on what you can control and realize obstacles are part of growth.

My Journey to Mental Coaching: From Sport to Science

My path wasn’t smooth—each setback taught me resilience. Visualization and working with a sports psychologist ignited my passion for mental training. 

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s Flow shaped how I understand peak performance and coach others.

I believe in focusing on small daily improvements—progress built step by step. This reinforces control over key areas:

• Attitude: Staying positive even in setbacks.
• Motivation: Reconnecting with your “why.”
• Goals: Focusing on realistic, process-based goals.
• Breathing & Self-Talk: Using calm techniques and affirmations.
• Pre-Game Rituals: Routines that build confidence.
• Recovery & Nutrition: Fueling the body to support the mind.

Mental resilience isn’t built overnight—it’s a lifelong practice of presence, control, and embracing challenges. 

2. In your article on CEO Weekly, you discussed practical techniques such as visualization, mindfulness, positive self-talk, and pre-performance routines to improve mental fitness. How do you tailor these strategies to meet the unique needs of your diverse clientele, which includes athletes, executives, and educators?​

In my CEO Weekly article, I emphasized adapting mental tools for each group:

Visualization: Rehearsing Under Pressure

• Athletes: Rehearse techniques, handle setbacks.
• Executives: Prep for high-stakes moments.
• Educators: Anticipate classroom scenarios.

Mindfulness: Staying Present

• Athletes: Use breathing and body scans.
• Executives: Boost awareness and decisions.
• Educators: Stay calm, manage classes.

Self-Talk: Rewriting Inner Dialogue

• Athletes: Use affirmations and cue words.
• Executives: Replace doubt with focus.
• Educators: Build composure and resilience.

Pre-Performance Routines

• Athletes: Mental prep + warm-ups.
• Executives: Routines before key moments.
• Educators: Quick rituals for focus.

3. Your coaching emphasizes the development of a success-oriented mindset, as highlighted on your website. What are some common mental barriers you encounter among your clients, and how do you guide them in overcoming these challenges to achieve peak performance?​

Yes, I emphasize a process mindset, but even high performers face mental blocks:

• Fear of Failure: Reframe it as feedback using self-talk and visualization.
• Perfectionism: Shift focus to growth over flawlessness.
• Negative Self-Talk: Spot it and replace with affirmations.
• Lack of Focus: Use breathing to improve attention.
• Fear of Judgment: Focus on mindset and effort.

My Approach: Awareness → Skills → Practice
This step-by-step method builds resilience and lasting success in sport, work, and life.

4. In “A Blueprint for Resilient Leadership” featured in The American Reporter, you mention the importance of self-awareness training in recognizing how thoughts and emotions affect performance. Could you elaborate on the techniques you employ to enhance self-awareness among your clients?​

The techniques for self-awareness I highlighted in “A Blueprint for Resilient Leadership” are:

1. Journaling uncovers patterns and growth areas.
2. Clients reframe negative thoughts to boost confidence.
3. Naming emotions reduces intensity and improves focus.
4. Body scans identify stress and prevent burnout.
5. Feedback and self-review align perception with reality.

Why It Matters

Since self-awareness is the foundation for better choices, sharper performance, and lasting resilience,clients gain the mental agility to thrive.

5. Your book, “Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!” offers readers practical techniques for strengthening their mental game. What motivated you to author this book, and how do you envision it complementing your one-on-one coaching sessions?​

“Get Your Game Face On Like The Pros!” equips athletes with mental tools. Co-authored with Kathy Toon, it adapts her original work and integrates my table tennis journey and sport psychology to enhance performance.

Why the Book?

There was no resource on table tennis psychology, so I created one to share the tools that helped me succeed.

Workbook & Coaching
After positive feedback, I created the “Game Face” Workbook to reinforce strategies with:

• Foundational concepts.
• Consistent practice.
• Real-time application.
• Self-paced growth.

6. With your extensive background in psychology and sports performance, earning master’s degrees in both fields, how do you integrate theoretical knowledge with practical applications in your coaching to ensure sustainable growth for your clients?

With master’s degrees in psychology and sport psychology, I’ve learned that success lies in applying knowledge. I use cognitive-behavioral tools to help clients reframe beliefs, manage emotions, and stay focused. I customize mental training to each client and reinforce learning through visualization, self-talk, and emotional regulation, so skills become automatic. 

By promoting habit-building and reflection, I help clients make mental skills part of daily life for sustained success.

Conclusion

Dora Kurimay’s story demonstrates that mental strength requires just as nourishment as physical health for success. Combining knowledge and empathy with deep experience and scientific understanding enables Dora to teach techniques that empower diverse populations to succeed in challenging situations and break down barriers to maximize their abilities. Through her coaching, writing, and public speaking activities, Dora demonstrates that adopting the right mindset can lead to resilience becoming a lifelong practice.

Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only. It is not intended to diagnose, treat, or substitute for professional medical or mental health advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you are experiencing mental health issues, please consult with a qualified healthcare professional.

Published by Jeremy S.