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Dr. Dora Kurimay shares her journey from Hungarian national table tennis player to sports psychologist and mental performance coach, revealing powerful insights on developing self-awareness and mental toughness for competitive athletes.

• Moving from Budapest to Berkeley at age 25 created a significant cultural and language adjustment despite prior English training
• Competed with the Hungarian national table tennis team from ages 14-18 before transitioning to psychology studies
• Self-awareness forms the foundation of mental performance through journaling, reflection, and video analysis
• Language shapes performance psychology – focus on "areas for improvement" rather than weaknesses
• Staying present ("present is your home") is critical for competitive success
• Developing consistent "mistake rituals" helps athletes quickly recover from errors and refocus
• Specific breathing techniques like 4-7-8 breathing help regulate energy levels during competition
• Every great athlete experiences losses – viewing them as learning opportunities develops resilience
• Different personalities and sports require different mental approaches – there's no one-size-fits-all strategy
• Books and resources available on Dr. Kurimay's website for athletes looking to develop mental skills

Visit Dr. Kurimay's website to explore her books "Get Your Game Face On" volumes 1 and 2, and learn about individual and team consultations to improve your mental game.

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