Austin J. Philbin.

Austin J. Philbin.

Founder, President and CEO of Activ8 Family Office, where his team helps professional athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs protect, grow, and preserve their wealth. Former professional mixed martial artist. Longtime startup operator. Writer. Based in Highlands Ranch, Colorado.

Austin J. Philbin, smiling, in a black blazer and white open-collar shirt

About

A non-traditional path to the family office.

Austin J. Philbin did not take the straight road into wealth management. He was born in Leominster, Massachusetts, grew up in the Worcester area, and studied psychology and Spanish at Bates College. Both subjects were about the same thing: understanding people, and being able to talk with more of them.

That curiosity took him abroad to live in Japan, and it took him into martial arts, where training was never enough. He wanted to compete.

Austin Philbin lifting an opponent during a professional mixed martial arts bout
In the ring as a mixed martial artist.

In 2005 he fought as a professional mixed martial artist. His debut, in Worcester, about fifteen minutes from where he grew up, ended in under 20 seconds against a Lithuanian powerhouse, with his family and friends in the crowd. Seven weeks later he won by first-round triangle choke. He still counts the loss as one of the most useful moments of his life.

“Real worth lies in the preparation, and in how one responds to the outcome, victory or defeat.”

From 20 Seconds

He then spent more than a decade as an operator at a startup built to launch and support other startups, where the job was whatever the company needed that week: operations, strategic growth, partnerships, and clients. The rule he took from those years still runs his calendar. Always prioritize the client. Get to know them personally.

That mix is the point. Grassroots lessons from gyms, a foreign country, and early-stage companies, paired with the discipline and process of an institutional firm. The athletes and entertainers Activ8 serves earn their wealth in short, intense careers. Austin knows something about those.

He lives in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, with his wife, Sarah, and their three children, Keanu, Cadence, and AJ, who inspire him daily to lead with purpose, curiosity, and gratitude. He still competes, most recently in hybrid fitness events around Denver, and he writes about decisions, competition, and humility.

Work

Building the machinery behind the advice.

Austin J. Philbin in a black suit jacket with a red pocket square
Austin J. Philbin, Activ8 Family Office.

Activ8 Family Office

Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer

Activ8 is a multi-family office and registered investment adviser for professional athletes, entertainers, and entrepreneurs, from the signing of a first contract through retirement and beyond. The firm covers financial planning, investments, tax, cash management, insurance, estate planning, philanthropy, financial concierge, and NIL services for college athletes.

Austin leads the team. His focus is the system behind the service: designing processes that empower advisors, streamline execution, and improve client outcomes, inside a culture of accountability, transparency, and long-term thinking.

Startup operator

More than a decade at a company built to kick-start and support other startups

A background spanning operations, strategic growth, and partnership management, learned in the trenches of early-stage companies where nobody has every piece of the puzzle and execution is everything.

Writing

Essays on decisions, competition, and humility.

Austin J. Philbin, bearded, in a grey quarter-zip sweater, photographed at night

Austin publishes on Medium. Newest first.

Notes from the essays

Contact

Say hello.

Email is the best way to reach Austin.

For Activ8 client inquiries, use activ8familyoffice.com.