Kurt Herzog's Post-Olympic Pivot: From Pool to Parenthood

A Journey Beyond the Pool: Kurt Herzog's Passion for Community Wellness

It comes as a surprise to many, including his family and friends, that Kurt Herzog didn't think twice about leaving his life behind in the bustling world of competitive swimming to manage a community pool in the remote Northern Territory of Australia. Since transitioning from professional swimming in early 2018, Kurt has dove deep into a mission that marries his love for the water and a passion for community service.

Kurt made waves in 2015 when he qualified for the Australian Swim Team at the age of 23. His crowning achievement was snagging a bronze medal as part of the 4x200-metre freestyle relay team at the FINA World Championships in Russia. But after hanging up his competitive swimming cap, he sought to make a difference beyond the pool's edge.

Reflecting on his journey, Kurt shares, “I didn’t start competitive swimming until I was about 12, and I was just average.” Despite being overshadowed by his twin brother Luke's early talent, Kurt persevered. He remarked, “But after high school, I started to grow and get a lot of strength. At 21, I joined a high-performance squad in Sydney.” This marked a pivotal transition in his life.

In 2015, the thrill of being selected for the 4x200 freestyle relay alongside his childhood idol Grant Hackett—who was making a comeback—was surreal. "From watching him as a kid to teaming up with him was nothing short of magic," Kurt recalls fondly. However, the heartbreak of narrowly missing out on the Olympic team in 2016 by just 0.3 seconds hit him hard. "What made it tougher was that within a week, I was scheduled for major shoulder surgery after carrying an injury for a while," he laments. The challenges of transitioning from the spotlight of competitive sports to a quieter life were overwhelming at times.

After recovering from surgery, Kurt attempted to resume his aspirations. However, an unfortunate skateboarding accident resulted in additional injuries that cemented his decision to step away from competitive swimming. “