#59 Jess Curl on Rebuilding Life After Injury | From 2 Achilles Ruptures to Project Better
Jess Curl's journey from collegiate and semi-professional soccer to becoming a gym founder was shaped by one of the hardest periods of her life. After rupturing her Achilles twice in one month, Jess spent seven months recovering and faced the challenge of rebuilding her confidence and identity beyond sport.
In this conversation, Jess shares what injury taught her about resilience, rest and finding value beyond athletic performance. She also talks about co-founding Project Better, creating a more welcoming and inclusive gym environment, and navigating the challenges of being a woman in the male-dominated fitness industry.
We talk about:
• Recovering from two Achilles ruptures
• Losing and rebuilding an athlete identity
• Returning to confidence after serious injury
• Why identity needs to exist beyond sport
• Building Project Better and creating inclusive fitness spaces
• Body image and shifting the focus from appearance to capability
• Being a woman running a business in fitness
• Lessons sport teaches about resilience, leadership and failure
• Why creating better sporting environments can help keep girls in sport
A powerful conversation about injury recovery, identity, women in fitness and what can happen when setbacks become the starting point for something new.
🙌 A big thanks to this episode’s sponsor Project Better : https://www.instagram.com/projectbetter.au/?hl=en
About Jessica Curl
Jessica Curl is the Co-Founder of Project Better, an inclusive gym community in Melbourne. A former collegiate and semi-professional soccer player, Jess shares her journey through Achilles injury, rebuilding her identity beyond sport and creating a more welcoming space in fitness.
Guest Socials:
Instagram: @jess.curl
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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.
Connect with Kylie:
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Through powerful conversations with athletes, coaches, experts and industry leaders, we're building a community where girls and women feel inspired, supported and empowered to stay in the game.
#59 Jess Curl on Rebuilding Life After Injury | From 2 Achilles Ruptures to Project Better
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