HER STORY ⟡ Racquel Kurzweg

Today, we are meeting Racquel Kurzweg, owner of Adore Your Core Physical Therapy! 

My name is Racquel Kurzweg, and I am the owner of Adore Your Core Physical Therapy here in Western New York. I became a physical therapist because I have always loved helping people understand their bodies and get back to the things that make them feel like themselves. But pelvic health was the area that really pulled me in. The more I worked with people experiencing pelvic pain, bladder and bowel issues, pregnancy and postpartum changes, painful sex, and other pelvic floor concerns, the more I realized how many people were quietly struggling with things they thought they just had to live with. So many had been told, “That’s normal after having a baby,” “That just happens as you get older,” or even, “Everything looks fine.” And yet they didn’t feel fine. That stayed with me. Over time, I started imagining what pelvic health care could look like if people had more time, more privacy, more education, and a place where they felt completely comfortable talking about things that can be really hard to talk about. That idea eventually became Adore Your Core. 

Why I Started: 

I started Adore Your Core because I wanted to create the kind of place I felt pelvic health patients deserved. A place that feels welcoming instead of clinical and intimidating. A place where you have enough time to actually tell your story. A place where no one is embarrassed to say, “I leak when I laugh,” “Sex hurts,” “I haven’t felt like myself since having my baby,” or “I’ve been dealing with this pain for years and no one seems to know why.” Pelvic health affects so much more than one part of the body. It can affect confidence, relationships, exercise, sleep, work, motherhood, intimacy, and everyday life. I wanted people to know there are options—and that they deserve to be heard. 

What I love about being a business owner: 

I love getting to create something that reflects what I believe good care should feel like. I get to think about everything from the way our rooms feel when someone walks in, to the amount of time we spend with patients, to the people I bring onto our team. Business ownership has also taught me that there is always something new to learn. Some days I am a physical therapist, some days I am figuring out marketing, hiring, furniture, numbers, technology, or why something in the office has suddenly stopped working! It can be challenging, but it is also incredibly rewarding to look around and realize that something that once existed only as an idea has grown into a real place with a team of people who care deeply about what we do. 

What type of impact do you hope to have on those you meet and/or who you serve? 

I hope people leave feeling heard, hopeful, and a little more confident in their own bodies. Sometimes the biggest moment isn’t a dramatic physical change. Sometimes it is watching someone realize, for the first time, that what they are experiencing has an explanation and that there may actually be something they can do about it. I want people to feel comfortable asking questions, advocating for themselves, and knowing that they don't have to accept symptoms simply because they are common. 

Who or what inspires you? 

The people we treat inspire me all the time. It takes a lot of courage to talk openly about pelvic health. These are incredibly personal parts of people's lives, and I never take for granted the trust someone places in us when they share their story. I love seeing the little victories—a new mom feeling strong again, someone exercising without worrying about leaking, a person finally having less pain, or someone simply saying, “I finally feel like myself again.” Those moments are why I love what I do. I am also endlessly curious. I love learning, asking questions, and figuring out why something is happening instead of simply accepting that it is. 

What is your favorite piece of advice you’ve ever received or favorite quote? One that has stuck with me is: “If you want something you've never had, you have to be willing to do something you've never done.” Starting a business has definitely required a lot of that! 

What does BEAUTY mean to you? 

To me, beauty is feeling comfortable and confident in who you are. It isn't perfection. It can be strength, kindness, resilience, humor, confidence, or finally feeling at home in your own body. I also think there is something really powerful about women supporting other women. We can have completely different businesses, careers, families, personalities, and goals and still genuinely want to see one another succeed. 

What advice would you give yourself before starting a business? 

You are never going to feel completely ready. There will always be something you don't know yet, and that is okay. Ask questions. Find people who are better than you at the things you don't understand. Pay attention to your numbers. Trust your gut. Be willing to change course. And every once in a while, stop looking at the next thing that needs to be done and appreciate how far you've already come. 

What would you like our Beauty Boost Members to know about you? 

I love connecting with people, learning new things, and talking about subjects that we probably don't talk about enough. Pelvic health happens to be one of them! I am passionate about making pelvic health feel less taboo and more like any other part of our health. I also love talking about business, community, women supporting women, and all of the imperfect behind-the-scenes pieces of building something of your own. Most of all, I am incredibly grateful that I get to do work I care about in the community I call home. 

Exclusive offer: For the Beauty Boost community, get 15% off your first visit. 

Connect on Instagram: @adoreyourcorept and learn more at: www.adoreyourcorept.com