Kim Fauskee

Athlete XQ - I do individually designed exit planning for elite athletes who want clarity, control, and optionality - BEFORE their playing career ends.

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Success is not defined by what you have, but who you are. @B_Jax2 @devoncajuste @KamiCraigUSA @caroburckle @knottyroller @CassieBrungarth #Entrepreneurs #businesscoaching #success

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

The 2026 World Cup exposed something uncomfortable:
Many countries still teach patriotism.
America debates it.

Watch the anthems. Players singing with conviction. Fans with tears in their eyes. Entire stadiums united by something bigger than politics.

That's not nationalism.
That's pride in your country.

In places like Belgium, young athletes are taught that representing their nation is an honor. 🇧🇪

Somewhere along the way, Americans started confusing patriotism with political affiliation. 🇺🇸

You can disagree on policy.
You can criticize leaders.
You can demand better.
And still love your country.

The rest of the world hasn't forgotten that.
Have we?
#WorldCup2026 #Patriotism #USA #Leadership #SportsCulture #NationalPride

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Youth sports are becoming increasingly structured, specialized, and over-coached.

In the process, many young athletes are losing the very thing that made them fall in love with sports:
✨ Joy.

The Boy, the Mole, the Fox and the Horse is a reminder that courage, kindness, resilience, and self-worth matter more than any scoreboard.

🏆 Develop the human first. The athlete will follow.
What lesson from this book resonates most with you?

#YouthSports #AthleteDevelopment #SportsParenting #Leadership #MentalPerformance

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

The next crisis in college sports may not be NIL itself… it may be the TAXES behind it. 💰⚠️
Many athletes are earning NIL income as independent contractors with NO tax withholding.
Example:
$80K NIL earnings = potentially $24K+ owed to the IRS/state agencies.
And many spend the money before tax season arrives. 📉
Now add:
👉 Equity deals
👉 Deferred compensation
👉 “Phantom income” taxes on money not yet received
We’re creating high-income athletes without teaching financial literacy, tax strategy, or cash flow management.
That’s a recipe for tax liens, penalties, and financial disaster before graduation.
Should tax education now be mandatory in college athletics? 🤔
#NIL #SportsBusiness #FinancialLiteracy #TaxStrategy #CollegeAthletics

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

“Spend it before you have it. Perception is reality.”

Kansas City Chiefs 1st-round pick Peter Woods buys Maseratis for his mom & sister right after getting drafted…

No first NFL paycheck yet.

So—whose money is it?

Advance? Credit? Future earnings?

Perception says: “I made it.”

Reality might say: “I’m spending money I don’t have yet.”
In a league with short careers, that’s not just bold—it’s risky.
Is this legacy… or leverage?
#NFL #MoneyMindset #PerceptionVsReality

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Elite athletes don’t go broke from bad luck—they go broke funding egos 💸

Biggest money leaks:
Entourages (35%) 👥
Luxury cars (25%) 🚗
Mansions (15%) 🏠
Designer everything (15%) 🛍️
“Business deals” (10%) 📉

Unpopular truth: it’s not bad advisors… it’s yes-men.

Discipline off the field is the real flex.

#Wealth #SportsBusiness #UnpopularOpinion

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

“Weak people revenge. Strong people forgive. Intelligent people ignore.” — Albert Einstein

In sports, this isn’t just philosophy—it’s performance strategy.

Athletes constantly face disrespect, bad calls, losses, and doubt. The reaction you choose defines your ceiling:

Revenge drains energy. It turns focus outward, chasing payback instead of progress.

Forgiveness restores composure. It keeps teams together and leaders respected.

But the highest level? Selective ignorance.

Elite athletes ignore noise—critics, trash talk, even past mistakes—because attention is a limited resource. What you don’t react to can’t control you.

The best leaders in sports aren’t the loudest or the most emotional. They’re the most disciplined with their focus.

Ignore what doesn’t serve the mission.
Forgive what could fracture the team.
And invest everything else into execution.

That’s how you lead. That’s how you win.

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

🚨 The Unreported NIL Market is bigger than people think…

Not every NIL deal is visible.

Not every dollar is tracked.

And not every athlete is playing on a level field.
👀 Off-the-radar deals
💰 Hidden benefits
⚖️ Little consistency in reporting

This creates a shadow market that impacts TRUE athlete value.

Who really knows what athletes are worth? 🤔

Transparency isn’t optional anymore—it’s necessary.

👇 What’s your take?

#NIL #CollegeSports #SportsBusiness #AthleteEarnings #NCAA

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Is there real value in alumni networks… or just the illusion of access? 🤔

From what I’ve seen working with elite athletes transitioning out of sport:

If you weren’t the ⭐ or don’t play the “networking game” well…
you’re often just another name in the system.
Connections ≠ Opportunity.

So I’ll ask it straight:
Did your alumni network actually open doors—or just collect your data?

Let’s hear it 👇
#CareerTransition #Networking #AthleteLife

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Can you tell if an athlete will win in life after sport?

Yes.

It shows up early—fearless, curious, self-aware, ego in check.

The edge is real.

The difference?

Who’s guiding them when the game ends.

#AthleteMindset #Leadership #HighPerformance
👀 12,804 views | 🔁 1,126 reposts | 💬 287 comments

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Reactive transitions are expensive.

Not just financially—personally, mentally, professionally.

Most athletes wait until they’re done to ask: “What’s next?”

By then:
• Confidence drops
• Identity feels off
• Opportunities take longer
• You’re starting from zero

You either pay small prices now…
or a massive price later.

The Micro-Transition Method™ changes that.

Build skills. Test interests. Create leverage—while you’re still playing.

So when it ends…
you’re not reacting.
You’re already moving.

#athletes #careertransition #highperformance #mindset #personaldevelopment

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Sports Agents:

Is Athlete Transition Support a friend or foe? 🤔

Too often, it’s treated as a post-career problem… when in reality, it’s a career-long advantage. 🔄

The best athletes aren’t just prepared for the next game—they’re prepared for the next chapter. 🧠➡️🚀

Ignore it, and you risk reactive chaos at the end.

Embrace it, and you deliver a smooth, sustainable landing your clients will never forget. 🛬

The agents who win long-term don’t just manage contracts…

They future-proof careers. ⚡
#SportsAgents #SportsBusiness #AthleteManagement

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Micro-Transition 🚀

Elite athletes—don’t wait for retirement to figure out your next move.
• 🔄 Build interests outside your sport NOW
• 🧠 Develop skills beyond the game
• 🤝 Grow your network while your platform is strongest
• 💼 Create opportunities before you need them

Why it matters:
⏳ More time = less pressure
💡 Visibility = leverage
🌐 Network = options
🏆 Purpose = longevity

Transition isn’t an event—it’s a strategy.

Start early. Win twice.

#MicroTransition #AthleteLife #LifeAfterSport #CareerDevelopment #NameImageLikeness @ESPN @BleacherReport @ForbesSports @LinkedIn

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

The highest-paid years of a professional athlete often come before 30.

Then… it flips.
📉 Income drops fast
⏳ Career ends early
⚠️ Spending habits don’t always adjust

Meanwhile, most careers build income slowly over decades.

That’s the inverse ratio.

Win early. Or struggle later.

The real game isn’t during the career—it’s after it.
Have a plan.

#LifeAfterSports #FinancialPlanning #AthleteMindset

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

The NBA is walking a dangerous path.

Selective enforcement. Superstar whistles. Random suspensions. No consistency.

Refs inserting themselves into the game instead of letting players decide it.

Fans forced to juggle 3–4 subscriptions just to follow their team.

Weekday games in Europe tipping off at 9AM in the U.S. — who is this for?

A third of the league tanking. Another third stuck in mediocrity.

Star players sitting out while ticket prices keep rising.

And the league wonders why fans are frustrated?

Look at what happened to MLB when it lost touch with its audience.

The warning signs are here. The question is: is the NBA paying attention?

@NBA @ShamsCharania @WindhorstESPN

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

@BleacherReport Judge Judy is better at officiating than @NBA

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

@ThunderFilmRoom Judge Judy is better than @NBA at officiating.

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

@BrickCenter_ Another example of "selective enforcement" within @NBA. It used to be fun to watch. Now they follow the path of @MLB in losing viewership. Thank god for @MarchMadnessMBB

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

@Rylan_Stiles Another example of "selective enforcement" by @nba Referee's and the replay center. NBA has many problems. They are following the same path as the @mlb. It use to be fun to watch. Thank god for @MarchMadnessMBB

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Elite athletes—here’s the hard truth:

If you’re trying to transition out of sport by listening to the same people who got you there… you’re setting yourself up to stall.

What made you world-class won’t make you successful in what’s next. Different game. Different rules. 🧠

Comfort feels right—but it kills growth.

Familiar voices create blind spots.

And blind spots delay your next win.

The best transitions? They come from stepping outside the circle. New perspectives. Unfiltered truth. Real accountability. 🔥

You got uncomfortable to become elite.

Why would you stop now?

#AthleteTransition #GrowthMindset #LevelUp

[Kim Fauskee @KimFauskee]

Hot take 🔥

We’ve normalized preparing athletes for performance…
but not for life after it.

That’s backwards.

The best athletes aren’t just “all in” on sport —

they’re building skills, income & identity while competing.

Proactive > Reactive.

Dual career = competitive advantage.

#AthleteDevelopment #SportsIndustry #CareerTransition