High performance money: how elite athletes can think, plan and win off the field.

Plan for and make the most of a short career.

We’re not being glib. Elite athletes know better than anyone that careers at the top are intense but often short. Sport is unpredictable. Careers can end early, and income can fluctuate with form, injury, or selection. That means your earning window is limited—and careful planning is critical.

A high performance money mindset helps you maximise your earning window and set yourself up for success beyond it. Here’s how:

Build a safety net.

Elite sport can be unpredictable. So it’s vital to have an emergency fund set aside to minimise financial stress.

On top of that, Income Protection is a must-have for almost anyone—but especially if you’re pushing your body to its limits every week. For elite athletes, protecting your income isn’t optional—it’s essential. 

Contracts and WorkCover might cover injuries that happen on the field, court or rink, but what about everything else? 

Income Protection fills that gap, providing cover for injury, illness or an inability to work that falls outside your day job — like a collision in a community match, a long-term illness, or a mental health challenge.

So give your safety net some consideration because in a high performance life, financial resilience is just as important as physical recovery.

Begin building your wealth now and plan a “transition” fund.

When it comes to building your wealth, timing is everything. Start early, invest consistently, and let time do the heavy lifting. Even modest, regular contributions can compound into something substantial over your career.

Setting aside surplus cash is easiest when your earning potential is highest. That’s why it’s smart to create a transition fund—money earmarked for life after sport. Doing this early takes the fear out of the unknown and helps you prepare, practically and mentally, for your next chapter.

Speaking to a financial adviser early in your career can be one of the most powerful tools in your high performance money arsenal.

Ground spending in purpose, not peer pressure.

For elite athletes, planning your personal and lifestyle goals first is central to any high performance finance decisions. It ensures your financial plans align with your priorities and values, not just your pay packet.

Planning around your hopes, dreams, and aspirations helps you avoid lifestyle creep when your earnings rise—and lifestyle shock when they fall. By grounding your household spending in purpose, not peer pressure, you create a financial rhythm that supports your wellbeing, no matter where your career takes you.

Remember that systems beat willpower alone.

You don’t rely on motivation alone to get through a gruelling pre-season—you rely on structure, planning and support. In high performance finance, that same principle applies to your money. Here are just a few examples of what we mean:

• Planning: Personalised Financial Plans, Household Budget Models, a “Personal Rulebook” for sponsorship money and bonuses.
• Structures: Cashflow Management Systems, Strategy and Investment Review Programs, Automated savings, investments and super contributions.
• Support: Trusted Financial Advisers, Accountants, Lending Specialists, working collaboratively on your behalf—like our IATs do.

When financial systems like these are in place, you free mental energy to focus on sport, recovery, and personal life—just like an automated training plan.

High performance money thinkers understand risk, but don’t gamble.

Athletes are naturally competitive, which can sometimes spill over into money decisions. High performers thrive on calculated risk—backing their preparation, trusting their instincts and taking the shot. But financial risk is different. 

So when you’re developing a high performance money mindset, it pays to understand the difference between ambition and protection, calculated risk and reckless gambling.

Keep in mind these golden rules:

• Big potential can magnify risk: Aiming for maximum gains will magnify both your risk and potential losses. In finance, any risk should be aligned to your personal risk tolerance and respectful of your long-term goals.
• Take a long-term approach: Aim for gradual, consistent growth that compounds over time. Focusing on long-term horizons means you’re better equipped to weather the bumps that naturally occur along the way.
• Diversify: don’t put all your eggs into one (idea, investment or asset) basket. Spread your focus and investments broadly to reduce risk and protect yourself against volatility and catastrophic losses.
• Find a sounding board: Career moves, investment opportunities or business ventures need advice from trusted professionals. A network of advisers can help you sanity check ideas and provide technical assistance.

The lesson: you wouldn’t play without a gameplan—your financial life deserves one too.

Keep learning and stay curious.

The best athletes are lifelong learners. They adapt, study the game, and look for one-percenters. That same mindset applies to money.

• Ask questions about your contracts, superannuation, and endorsements.
• Learn the basics of tax, investment, and insurance.
• Stay involved—never outsource understanding, even if you outsource advice and management.

Like money, knowledge compounds. The more you understand your financial world, the stronger your decision-making becomes. And over time, that’s how you become a high performance financial thinker.

Align money decisions with meaning.

High performers don’t just want to win; they often have strong personal values like teamwork, dedication, and impact as well. When it comes to finance, money can help you unlock a legacy aligned to your values.

• Ensure your contracts and sponsorships reflect your personal brand and values.
• Save strategically for your personal goals and growth, family, and post-career ventures.
• Invest with clear purpose—every dollar is a vote for the kind of future you want.
• Support causes or initiatives you care about, with both your money and time.

Remember, wealth isn’t just about accumulation or status — it’s a tool that enables freedom, choice and impact.