4TG

#31 Self-Funded Olympian To Self-Taught Software Engineer: Tori West on Building Peak

• Kylie Lynch • Season 2 • Episode 31

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This week on 4TG, we chat with the incredible Tori West – Olympian heptathlete, self-taught software engineer, and founder of Peak.app. Tori shares her candid journey navigating the realities of women's athletics, where passion often outweighs financial support. She opens up about self-funding her Olympic dreams, a drive that led her to build a revolutionary tech solution for athletes.

Tori’s story highlights that talent isn't always enough. She discusses building a life beyond sport, maintaining identity, and owning athletic data. We dive into her innovative app, Peak, designed to make performance data accessible and empower athletes – built by an athlete, for athletes. Get ready for real talk on resilience, mindset, and creating opportunities in and out of sport.

In this episode, we cover:

  • The financial realities of women's athletics and self-funding a sporting career
  • Transitioning from elite athlete to self-taught software engineer
  • The inspiration and mission behind Peak.app – empowering athletes with their data
  • Why sleep and recovery are non-negotiable for peak performance
  • Building an identity beyond sport and managing setbacks
  • The future of athlete data ownership and blockchain technology
  • The power of authenticity and community in an athlete's journey


Chapters:

  • 00:01:56 – Tori West: Olympian Heptathlete & Self-Taught Software Engineer
  • 00:06:07 – Best Setback: Missing Tokyo Olympics & Fractured Foot
  • 00:33:15 – The Reality of Funding in Women's Sport & Self-Funding
  • 00:47:38 – Building Peak.app: Empowering Athletes with Data Ownership
  • 00:52:04 – Why Girls & Women Need to Stay in Sport

Links:

Keywords: women's sport, olympics, athletics, heptathlon, Tori West, Peak app, athlete funding, software engineer, athlete data, sports tech, mindset, resilience, performance, identity, self-funding, Australian sport

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ABOUT THE HOST

Kylie Lynch is the Founder and Host of 4TG (For The Girls), a podcast and platform on a mission to keep more girls and women in sport.

A VFLW athlete, Australian representative in Polocrosse, coach, mentor and media/communications professional, Kylie has spent her career at the intersection of sport, media and community impact. Through 4TG, she shares the stories, lessons and experiences of elite athletes, coaches and industry leaders to help girls and women build confidence, navigate challenges and stay involved in sport for longer. Because sport doesn't just build athletes. It builds confidence, resilience, leadership, connection and opportunities that positively impact girls and women both on and off the field.

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