Why can't I run my winners? It's one of the most common questions I get from traders. And the obvious answers (be more disciplined, walk away from the screen, trust the trade) usually don't work.

So in this episode, I borrow an idea from Rory Sutherland, the Ogilvy behavioural economist: "the question is a lazy formulation of the problem." And I apply it to running winners.

Turns out the reason most traders never solve this is because they're asking the wrong question. We work through better ones, and what changes when you do.

John had his best month ever. Then gave back 70% of it the month after. He asked: Did I crack it, or did I just get lucky?

Here's the real answer and the high-watermark trick that stops your brain from sabotaging the run after a good one.

Most traders just pick 1% because someone told them to. But where did that number come from? And does it actually make sense for your goals, your win rate, and your R:R?

In this episode I break down how to reverse engineer your risk per trade from your actual trading data.

We look at why trade frequency can be a trap, why small changes in R:R massively shift the maths, and why the textbook approach ignores the one thing that matters most... your goal. I also built a risk per trade calculator you can play with.

Risk Per Trade Calculator

Charlie Munger used to do something interesting when he was stuck on a problem.

Instead of asking how do I succeed, he'd ask how do I guarantee failure… then simply not do that.

In this episode I take that idea and apply it to trading. How would you guarantee you never improved?

How would you make sure a small loss became a big one?

How would you design a routine that burned you out within a year?

The answers are uncomfortably familiar.

Sometimes the edge isn't something you add to your trading. It's what you stop doing.

Most traders think they’re struggling because they don’t know enough.

In reality… it’s often the opposite.

In this episode, Mark breaks down The Curse of the Intellectual Trader. Why smart, successful people often find trading harder than expected, and how overthinking kills performance.

You’ll learn:

• Why intelligence can work against you in the markets
• How traders confuse complexity with edge
• Why simple strategies feel wrong (but often work best)
• A powerful example from Pit Bull: Lessons from Wall Street’s Champion Day Trader
• How to strip your strategy back to something you can actually execute

If you’ve ever felt like you’re thinking too much, hesitating, or overcomplicating your trading… this one’s for you.

Something happened to me the other day that I wasn't expecting. A woman trapped in a window, fourth floor, covered in blood, screaming for help.

I went in. And as I was debriefing afterwards... I realised every skill that kicked in came from trading. Signal vs noise. Risk management.

Clarity under pressure. Acting on incomplete information. Being firm first, then calm. This episode is that story, start to finish.

Then I walk back through it and pull out the trading parallels. It's a different one. But if you trade, you'll get it.

Most traders don’t lose because they’re wrong on direction…

They lose because they enter too late.

They wait for confirmation.

They wait to feel safe.

And by the time they pull the trigger…

The trade is already broken.

In this episode, I break down why entry location is one of the most overlooked edges in trading… and how a simple idea, buying on red and selling on green, can dramatically improve your risk-reward.

We cover:

• Why waiting often destroys trade structure
• The difference between buying pullbacks vs chasing breakouts
• How volatility contraction and expansion impact your edge
• Why better entries lead to better trades (even with the same idea)

If you find yourself being right on direction a lot… but not getting the results.

This one will hit home.

Trading stress doesn’t always end when the market closes.

In this episode we explore an interesting concept used by the military called “closing the loop.” After missions, soldiers perform simple rituals like cleaning gear and debriefing. These routines aren’t just operational. They signal to the brain that the mission is finished.

Without that signal, stress hormones can stay elevated and the mind keeps replaying events.

Traders experience something very similar.

Day traders often get natural closure when they finish the day flat. But swing traders and position traders can struggle because their trades remain open.

In this episode we discuss:

• Why the brain hates open loops

• Why traders keep thinking about positions after hours

• The biological reason routines reduce stress

• How to create a simple post-market ritual to help your brain switch off

If you want clearer thinking, better recovery and improved performance, learning how to close the loop may be one of the simplest changes you can make.

At some point in trading, something changes.

Not your strategy.

Not your indicators.

You change.

After enough screen time, enough wins and losses, and enough experience in the markets, traders begin to see risk, uncertainty, and decision-making very differently.

In this episode, Mark breaks down the subtle psychological shifts that happen only through experience:

• Why experienced traders are comfortable saying “I don’t know”
• How losses lose their emotional weight
• Why nobody actually knows where price is going
• The real reason patience eventually becomes natural
• And why individual trades stop mattering as much as you think

If you’re in that frustrating middle phase where you understand trading but consistency still feels just out of reach, this episode may change how you view your progress.

Sometimes the biggest improvements in trading don’t come from learning more - they come from staying in the game long enough for experience to do its work.

Everyone's panicking about AI replacing white collar jobs. Accountants, lawyers, coders, designers... the list keeps growing. But what about us? Will AI solve the markets and put traders out of business?

In this episode, I break down why I think trading is one of the few skills AI genuinely can't replace, why algos have been battling each other for decades without "solving" anything, and why now might be the perfect time to double down on building your edge.

Have you ever sat at your desk after a bad run and wondered if the exit is the right door?

In this episode I walk through three of the greatest traders who ever lived... Jesse Livermore, Paul Tudor Jones, and Stanley Druckenmiller, and the specific moments each of them nearly walked away from trading for good.

Livermore went bankrupt and got suspended from the Chicago Board of Trade.

Tudor Jones wiped out 70% of his account and said "I don't think I can hack it much longer."

Druckenmiller lost three billion dollars to FOMO and described it as devastating.

None of them were being irrational. Quitting would have been the reasonable response.

But they didn't. And what happened next is the point.

If you're in a rough patch right now ... this one's for you.

Trading looks obvious in hindsight. In real time, it’s chaos.

In this episode, I explore the idea of the fog of war... how decisions are made with incomplete, delayed, and sometimes wrong information, and why trading feels exactly the same.

Experience matters. Debriefing matters. And waiting for certainty is rarely the answer.

How long does it really take to become profitable in trading?

Not the marketing answer. Not the fantasy timeline. The real one.

In this episode, I break down what the journey to consistent profitability actually looks like, why most traders underestimate the time it takes, and why staying in the game matters more than trying to be clever.

We’ll talk about:

• Why volatility seduces traders into bad decisions
• How long some of the world’s best traders took to become profitable
• The difference between gambling and building a skill for life
• Why small size and longevity beat big swings early on
• How to think about trading like a startup with a runway

If you’re frustrated, questioning yourself, or wondering whether it’s just you… this one should help recalibrate your expectations and keep you moving forward.

If you’re stuck at break even, not losing much but not making much either, and you feel like you’re spinning your wheels, this episode is for you.

In a perfect world, you’d be sitting in a trading office, surrounded by other traders, high standards, shared prep, honest feedback, and accountability. You’d get better faster just by being there.

But most traders don’t have that option.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why trading offices work so well
• How collaboration accelerates learning and raises standards
• Trading buddies vs trading pods and what actually helps
• How I used collaboration throughout my own trading journey
• And how to recreate the best parts of a trading office without the commute

I also reference a great clip from SMB Capital, where Jeff Holden explains why collaboration is such a powerful force in developing traders, especially when trading remotely.

Video mentioned in this episode.

Traders Mastermind Community:

If you’re looking for structured collaboration, trading pods, and high standards, you can learn more about the Traders Mastermind community here.

Progress in trading isn’t smooth or predictable. Here’s why effort and results don’t line up… and why that’s just part of the game.

You didn’t exit too early.

You had the wrong mindset.

In this episode, I break down mindset matching... aligning your mindset with the market and the structure you’re trading.

Grinding trends and momentum moves look similar, but they demand very different mental calibrations.

Get this wrong, and even good trades fall apart!

In this episode, I break down the three non-negotiable steps I’ve seen work again and again for traders who finally stop spinning their wheels and start making real progress.

We cover how to define your trading North Star, how to reverse engineer your edge into focused daily work, and how to review your performance properly... without over-analysing or burning yourself out.

A short Christmas check-in to wrap up the year, share a few trading reflections, and say thank you before we reset for January.

No lessons, no predictions... just an honest end-of-year reflection.

Merry Christmas

Have you ever seen the film Zulu?

It’s not really a war film.

It’s a lesson in discipline under pressure.

In this episode, I break down what the Battle of Rorke’s Drift teaches us about trading… why structure beats strength, why survival matters more than heroics, and why holding the line is often the real edge.

A calm look at discipline, risk, and behaviour when things get uncomfortable.

Forget the tech. Forget the tribalism. Mark digs into the behaviour around crypto, how narratives form, how they collapse, and why traders should stay observers, not disciples.

Ever wondered why floor traders thrived?

It wasn’t the bright jackets!... it was their clarity of edge.

In this episode, Mark breaks down what their real advantage was and how modern traders can apply the same principle today.

In this short Budget Day briefing, I break down the setups, the traps, the tone shifts that move cable, and the oddball trades that can appear when the market misprices Reeves’ announcements.

Most traders don’t fail in year one, they fail in year two.

In this episode I break down why traders stall, burn out or blow up in that 12–24 month window, and how to make sure you’re one of the few who actually push through and build consistency.

Most traders swing between two extremes: trading so small it doesn’t matter… or trading so big it destroys their ability to think clearly.

In this episode, we break down how to actually find the sweet spot... the size that engages you, keeps you disciplined, and doesn’t sabotage your edge.

Plus, the two phases every trader must go through before scaling up.

You took a trade you shouldn’t have… moved the stop… oversized… maybe all three.

Now you’re staring at a red number and feeling disgusted with yourself.

Here’s the thing: that emotional spiral is where traders get wrecked... or rise.

This episode is about what to actually do when you’ve just messed up… and how the best traders break the cycle before it breaks them.

You’ve got the idea. The backdrop lines up. You know what you want to do…

But you’re waiting for that perfect trigger... and before you know it, the move’s already gone.

In this episode, Mark breaks down the concept of the feeler position, a small, early entry that keeps you aligned with the trade idea while managing risk.

We explore:

• When to use a feeler trade (and when not to)
• How it shifts your mindset from hesitation to action
• Why it sharpens your focus and reduces FOMO
• How to build a position around a solid thesis. even when conditions aren’t perfect

If you’ve ever said, “I knew it was going to move, but I didn’t take the trade…” — this episode is for you.

There are two types of traders I see stuck in the same painful cycle... and they couldn’t be more different.

One’s a gunslinger: fast, aggressive, and emotional.

The other’s a technician: precise, rule-based, and controlled.

In this episode, I dive into what each type is missing, how to spot which one you are, and what to do to finally get your edge working.

If you’re stuck, plateaued, or constantly second-guessing yourself... this one’s for you.

Sometimes, intelligence works against you in the market.

In this episode, I share two stories... Isaac Newton and Mike Ashley, both brilliant men humbled by price. A reminder that no matter how clever you are, price is king.

Want to catch a liquidity rug pull before it unfolds?

In this episode, I walkthrough my TradingView setup for spotting potential turning points in markets like gold, without being glued to your screen.

You’ll learn how to set alerts for range expansions, prior day lows, key volatility shifts, and more. Perfect for traders who want to prepare for big intraday or multi-day moves before the crowd reacts.

UK traders — this one’s for you.

Is spread betting truly tax-free? What if it’s your only income? What if you’re making serious money from it?

In this episode, I break down the latest 2025 HMRC updates on spread betting and taxation, including some surprising clarifications buried in their official guidance.

You’ll discover:

• Why spread bets are treated differently from CFDs and futures
• The myth of “if it’s your main income, you’ll be taxed”
• What HMRC now says about professional gamblers
• Why UK traders might have the best deal in the world (for now)

Plus: A full blog post with links to the official guidance is available at TradersMastermind.com

Ever wondered what your broker really does with your trade once you hit “buy”?

Are they hedging it? Taking the other side? Betting against you?

In this episode, I break down the difference between A-booking and B-booking, explains how most modern brokers actually manage risk, and answers the question that matters most: should you even care?

You’ll learn:

• What A-book and B-book models actually are
• How risk is managed in hybrid models
• Why prop firms are pure B-book (and what that means)

Whether you’re new or experienced, this episode gives you a straight-talking look at broker mechanics... no nonsense, no conspiracy theories

Forget the generic trading advice. In this episode, I share twelve unusual tips that sound strange at first — but can transform the way you trade.

From kitchen timers and standing desks, to hiding your P&L and levelling up life outside the charts, these are the offbeat tweaks that sharpen discipline, reduce mistakes, and keep you focused on what really matters: building an edge.

Try one or two this week and see how much the “weird stuff” moves the needle.

Are you chopping yourself up trading both long and short in the same session?

In this episode, I dive into a powerful but often overlooked idea from legendary traders like Wyckoff, Linda Raschke, and Toby Crabel: aligning with one side of the market — and staying there.

Could this old-school approach be your unlock to clearer decisions, better trades, and more consistency?

Let’s find out.

Imagine trading with your future self watching over your shoulder.

Every click, every stop move, every hesitation — exposed.

Would they nod in approval, or wince in frustration? In this episode, I break down the Trader’s Mirror Test and how this quirky mental exercise can change the way you see your trading forever.

Is your stop loss helping you—or hurting you? The textbook says “set it and forget it,” but real-world trading isn’t always that simple.

In this episode, I explore alternative ways to manage risk: scaling out, discretionary cuts, wide circuit-breaker stops, and active intraday adjustments.

If you’ve ever felt like tight stops kill good trades—or wide stops dig bigger holes—this discussion will help you rethink how you manage risk in dynamic markets.

You’re in a winning trade. Price is moving in your favour.

The temptation to add size kicks in… but one wrong move and that green trade turns red — fast.

In this episode, I break down the art and science of scaling into a winner:

• Why adding can supercharge your P&L — or destroy a solid trade
• How to avoid emotional adds that wreck your average entry
• Frameworks for adding with structure and discipline
• The psychological traps traders fall into when scaling mid-trade
• When to treat adds as separate trades — and when to wrap them in

If you’re looking to build size like a sniper — not a gambler — this episode is for you.

Prop trading is booming in 2025… but it’s also messier than ever.

In this episode, I break down:

• The reality of the top firms and their business model
• The rule changes designed to stop both trader and firm scams
• Why payouts get refused (and how to avoid it)
• When prop trading makes sense… and when you’re better off going solo

Whether you’re thinking of taking your first challenge or you’ve been trading prop for years, this is the no-BS take you need before risking another penny.

After years of making big gains… and giving them all back… Swedish trader Arno has finally broken the boom-and-bust cycle. In this raw and tactical conversation, he shares exactly how he’s transformed his trading — from mindset shifts to scaling strategies — to pull in multiple prop firm payouts, including a near $50K month.

We dive into:

• The mental reset that stopped the destructive “make a chunk, lose a chunk” pattern
• His unique trading style and how he sizes up without blowing up
• How he adds to winners and manages P&L at bigger numbers
• The challenges he faced and the changes that took him to the next level

Whether you’re a scalper, a day trader, or you’re ready to step up your game, this is a blueprint for getting out of your own way and into consistent profits.

In this episode, we break down the 4 stages of a trader’s evolution — from complete beginner to consistent profitability and beyond. Whether you’re just getting started, stuck in the middle, or ready to scale up, this is your roadmap.

You’ll learn:

• That each stage really feels like
• The most common traps traders fall into
• How to know exactly where you are
• The mindset + strategy shifts required to level up

If you’ve ever thought “I should be further along by now” — this one’s for you.

Still beating yourself up for hesitating? Chasing? Overtrading?

You’re not alone—and you’re not broken.In this episode, Mark gets brutally honest about something most traders stay silent on:

Even the best still make mistakes.

You’ll learn:

Why emotion never fully goes away (and why that’s okay)

The real difference between a struggling trader and a successful one

How to bounce back faster from frustration, tilt, and regret

Whether you’re in drawdown or on a hot streak, this episode will help you stay grounded, focused, and in control.

The setup’s the same. The plan’s the same.

But something changes when real money’s on the line. In this episode, we dig into the real reasons traders choke when they go live—and how to flip the mental switch and perform under pressure. Funded traders, challenge jumpers, and account switchers… this one’s for you.

Most traders know they should walk away on a red day…

But when they’re in it? Logic disappears.

The spiral starts with a single thought: “I can fix this.

”In this episode, we dive deep into the psychology behind staying too long, pressing when you’re off-balance, and how one bad decision leads to a chain reaction of destruction.

• Why the hardest decision in trading is often to stop
• The mental traps that keep you glued to the screen
• How to build a system for knowing when to walk
• And why protecting your capital is only half the battle — the real risk is your mental state

This isn’t about discipline for the sake of it.

It’s about protecting your future as a trader.

Because knowing when to walk away… might just save your career.

Ever wondered how serious traders prepare for market-moving events like Non-Farm Payrolls, FOMC, or ISM?

In this episode, I break down how a hedge fund manager—who trades FX exclusively around news—prepares for key data drops.

You’ll hear how he analyses past reactions, uses implied volatility, and maps out multiple trade scenarios before the number hits.

This isn’t some retail guesswork. It’s structured, probability-based decision-making—done with serious edge.

 If you want to learn how to treat your trading like a professional (even if you’re not managing 8 figures), this episode is a must-listen.

Video mentioned in the episode --> Click Here

Interview with Aatu Kokkila --> Click Here

Is tape reading dead? Or is there still real edge hiding in the speed, rhythm, and reaction of price?

In this episode, I break down my journey with tape, how the game has evolved since the old-school Level 2 days, and how you can still use tape reading today—without going full market-depth nerd.

Whether you’re an active scalper or just looking to sharpen your execution, this episode gives you a modern, no-BS take on spotting shifts in momentum, price velocity, and market intent using nothing more than a 15-second chart.

A scalper came on one of our Traders Mastermind calls and said he was struggling… not because he couldn’t trade — but because he was trying to hold trades longer to be more “proper.”

What I told him might just be the reminder you need today:

If something’s working, and you’re not walking through landmines to do it… then double down.

In this episode, I unpack:

• Why forcing yourself to trade a “better” way can backfire
• The difference between refining your edge vs. diluting it
• When to burn the textbook and go all-in on your strengths
• A simple test to know if your current strategy is legit or lucky.

If you’re profitable, but second-guessing your style because it’s not “by the book”… this one’s for you.

The year was 1986. PTJ was 32, trading his own fund, managing risk like a man possessed — and letting a documentary crew capture it all.

We break down the timeless lessons from Trader — from conviction to chaos, process to psychology — and why it still hits hard for modern traders today.

It’s easy to get caught up taking trades just to stay active. But the real edge? Comes from waiting, watching, and swinging when it matters. Here’s how to reframe your trading around the moves that count.

Sponsored by Pepperstone

You’re not lazy. You’re just trying to do everything. Journaling. Backtesting. Meditation. Trade reviews. More books. More podcasts.

But what if all those good intentions are actually slowing you down?

In this solo episode, I’ll show you how to filter out the noise, focus on what matters, and finally make real progress in your trading.

Think top traders have some secret edge?

Dr. Brett Steenbarger reveals the truth, and it’s probably not what you’re doing right now.

If you want to level up, this might be the wake-up call you need.

Follow Brett on X

Explore his blog: Trader Feed

Running a theme park isn’t that different from managing your trading account.

In this episode, Mark Holstead explains how to spot the ‘winter’ in your trading - and make one powerful shift that could change your performance for good.

There’s a hidden cycle most traders get stuck in — bouncing from strategy to strategy, stuck in a loop that feels like progress but leads nowhere.

In this episode, I break down the six stages of the Trader’s Life Cycle — from blind optimism to the valley of despair — and show you how to escape it for good. If you’ve ever felt like you’re spinning your wheels, this one’s for you.

Some days, the market flips tone in an instant—and your neatly planned setup goes out the window.

What then? In this episode, I’ll show you a fast, flexible framework I use to build trade ideas on the fly. Whether you’re scalping a pullback or trying to catch a late-session breakout, this helps you stay sharp and intentional when it matters most.

The markets are wild and we need to talk.

In this episode, I dive into the NYSE Tick Index - a powerful but often overlooked tool for day traders and scalpers of the Dow, S&P, and Nasdaq.

Learn how this real-time market pressure gauge can help you time entries, manage exits, and spot intraday exhaustion. It’s not for everyone… but if you trade U.S. indices, it might be the missing piece in your playbook.

Trading isn’t about certainty - it’s about stacking the odds.

In this episode, I break down the subtle art of improving trade outcomes by adjusting key variables like probability of success and risk-reward. I explore how small tweaks in things like context, time of day, market structure, and trade location can quietly tilt the edge in our favour.

If you’ve ever wondered why the same setup works brilliantly one day and fails the next… this is the episode for you.

Most traders focus on the wrong thing—chasing results instead of developing the skills that create them.

In this episode, we break down the key trading skills you need, how to build them in the right order, and why a structured approach leads to long-term confidence in the markets. Whether you’re just starting out or refining your edge, this is your roadmap to becoming a trader who can handle any market condition.

Discover how traders can leverage AI in ways you never thought possible!

In this episode, I dive deep into seven practical applications of ChatGPT, from improving your prompts and generating trade ideas to voice journaling and scheduling crucial tasks.

Learn how you can harness the power of AI to sharpen your edge, streamline your workflow, and take your trading to the next level.

Ever felt like you’re trading on tilt, breaking your rules, or just getting chewed up by wild volatility? What if the smartest move wasn’t another trade, but a well-timed timeout?

In this episode, I share the “Sin Bin Strategy”—a game-changing tactic that top traders use to protect capital, reset their mindset, and return stronger.

Whether you’re caught in revenge trading, struggling with discipline, or unsure how to handle market chaos, this episode will teach you how to step back before things spiral out of control.

Know when to press. Know when to pause. Most traders ignore this—don’t be one of them.

The market isn’t just moving, it’s setting traps, faking breakouts, and luring traders in. The best traders don’t react… they anticipate.

In this episode, we break down how to think three moves ahead, just like a chess grandmaster, so you stop getting caught in market traps and start executing with precision.

What if ChatGPT could be your personal trading mentor?

Most traders don’t know what they don’t know… and that’s what holds them back.

But what if AI could analyse your trading, uncover hidden weaknesses, and hand you personalised insights that could change your game?

In this episode, I share a step-by-step framework to:

•  Train ChatGPT to understand your trading style, challenges, and goals
•  Get powerful insights tailored to your experience
•  Identify blind spots that are costing you money
•  Use AI as a trading mentor to refine execution, strategy, and mindset
•  Ask next-level questions to sharpen your edge faster

If you’re serious about levelling up your trading with AI, this episode is a must-listen. Let’s unlock your edge.

You’re up big on the day… now what?

Do you keep pushing, or do you lock in profits before the market takes them back? In this episode, I dive into one of the biggest dilemmas for day traders: managing intraday gains without sabotaging your confidence.

I’ll share practical strategies for setting high-water marks, trailing intraday stops, and deciding when to step away. If you’ve ever felt the frustration of giving back hard-earned profits, this episode is a must-listen.

•  When to keep your foot on the throttle
•  The psychology of giving back profits
•  Setting smart intraday loss limits
•  How to balance P&L optimisation with mindset stability

Tune in and refine your game! 

The markets are gearing up for another wild ride—Trump is back, and whether you love him or hate him, one thing’s certain: volatility is here.

But, most traders will get caught chasing headlines, overreacting to market moves, and trying to predict the unpredictable.

In this episode, I break down exactly how to navigate the chaos, avoid the biggest traps, and position yourself for opportunity instead of disaster.

We’ll cover news risk management, strategy adjustments, and why guessing market moves is a fool’s game.

If you want to stay ahead in a Trump-driven market, this is your survival guide!

I recently crossed paths with the CEO of a major steel company—someone dealing with million-pound projects, not charts or candlesticks. But as we chatted about challenges, mistakes, and the journey to success, it hit me: his mindset was exactly what traders need.

No grudges. No dwelling on the past. Just relentless forward momentum.

In this episode, I’ll break down what I learned from this chance encounter—and how adopting this mindset could transform your trading.

If you’ve ever let a bad trade or a missed setup weigh you down, this is one you don’t want to miss.

Because whether you’re trading the markets or running a massive business, resilience and optimism are the real edge.

This episode dives deep into each stage—Uninformed Optimism, Informed Pessimism, the Valley of Despair, Informed Optimism, and finally, Achievement.

Learn why most traders get stuck in stage three, how to push through the hard part, and what it really takes to stick to a strategy long enough to see results.

If you’ve ever felt tempted to jump ship on your trading plan, this one’s for you!

In this episode, we dive deep into the psychological traps that can sabotage your trading decisions, from anchoring on trades to succumbing to FOMO.

Learn how cognitive biases like loss aversion, overconfidence, and confirmation bias work against you—and, more importantly, how to outsmart them.

Packed with actionable strategies, this episode will help you turn your psychology into a competitive edge.

In this episode, we dive deep into the world of trading mistakes—some are inevitable and offer valuable lessons for improvement, while others are absolute dealbreakers that can destroy your progress…

We’ll explore:

• The critical mistakes you must never make in trading (and why they’re non-negotiable).
• The common errors that are part of the learning process and how to use them to grow.
• Practical strategies for identifying and avoiding fatal errors while refining the fixable ones.

Whether you’re a new trader or a multi decade veteran, this episode will help you draw the line between growth and failure and stay on track toward consistency.

In this episode, we’ll uncover how to stay steady under fire, manage external and internal pressures, and turn challenges into growth.

Learn practical mindset tools to overcome setbacks, silence self-doubt, and thrive in even the toughest market conditions.

Don’t let the pressure sink your ship, master it.

Well, that’s exactly what Ruchir Patel just did. In this episode, we chat about his leap into full-time trading, the fears he’s had to push through, his trading strategy, his mindset hacks, and how he’s gearing up to make it work.

It’s real, raw, and brimming with tips for those who’ve thought about turning trading into their career. Curious if you have what it takes? Hit play and find out...

In this episode, we unpack the truth about frustration, it’s not your enemy; it’s your greatest teacher.

Inspired by a powerful note from Tim Ferriss’s coach, we explore why frustration is an essential part of mastering any craft, including trading.

Learn how to reframe setbacks, build patience, and thrive despite challenges.

Whether you’re dealing with losing streaks, overtrading, or plateauing performance, this episode will help you shift your mindset and stay the course.

In this episode, Peter shares insights from the TradeSmart Accelerator, detailing the progress, challenges, and solutions that have helped the current cohort build resilience and improve their trading.

Visit: tradersmastermind.com

With the US election looming how are you planning to capitalise on the volatility?

Hear about the biggest challenges traders face and how we’re fixing them. Discover the one game-changing tweak Peter made to turn a struggling trader around and learn why having the right plan can make all the difference between winning and losing in the market.

In this episode, I’ll dive into the biggest breakthroughs, lessons learned, and challenges faced so far.

Whether you’re following along or curious about the journey, join me as I share insights from the midpoint of this transformative trading experience.

Moh, a US stock day trader spent years trying to find what works for him…

He’d scan the markets, find active stocks to trade, but was always hovering at breakeven for months at a time.

His technicals were on point, but there was something missing.

Unfazed, he started to build a playbook of all his trades, logging everything he could.

That work paid off. Because Moh uncovered a common theme present in all his good trades, and so, he immediately added a new filter into his screening process.

Once that new filter was implemented he put his foot on the gas…

Now, Moh has turned the corner, breaking personal records for trade P&L, winning streaks and equity curve highs.

Even if you don’t trade stocks, this is a great conversation with a determined trader who would not give up looking for his edge.

Ed is a tape reader, looking for short-term momentum shifts to scalp between 3-5 pts on the S&P 500.

A trader for 6 years he’s now profitable and focusing on sizing up his operation.

In this episode, we talked about his strategy, tape reading, mindset, risk, strategies for scaling up and more.

A great conversation with a great guy.

If you’re a day trader you’ll love it…

Do you often find yourself quickly in profit on most trades, only for it to turn into a 50/50?‘

Cashflowing’ your trades might be a good way to capitalise on that advantage.

De-risk the deal, peel some off, and then let the broader trade thesis play out.

Take two developing traders

+ Unshakable confidence

+ A strategy that works

+ Iron discipline

And you get breakthroughs…

If you’ve been trying the same thing for many months or even years, maybe you need to pivot, adjust, and try something else.

• How can traders prepare?
• And what are the best potential trade opportunities?

Stay informed by joining my daily email.

Trading Plan Pro - https://tradingplanpro.com/

You’ve heard that saying before…

But how can we implement that into our trading?

How do we ask better questions that help us get the results we want?

Let’s explore…

Trading Plan Pro

Rituals, superstitions, mantras, rules of thumb.

We all have them, often these are totally meaningless, but somehow or another they keep us on the right path.

Here are a few that I stand by…

Henry was last on the podcast ten months ago. 

And now he’s back…

Still funded; still making withdrawals, but now a part-time trader…

We explore the tough real-world decision Henry had to make last year shifting from full-time to part-time.

How he now fits in trading around running his business.

The exact strategy Henry trades on the DOWAnd his quest to take on more risk and trade size.

Plus his essential “40 trades” drill.

They lose money month after month, year after year and then WHAM, they make a boatload.

Interesting strategy… if you can stomach the losses.

A string of losing trades that make you look worse than a random coin flip.

And that stings…

Underperforming a coin doesn’t bode well!

But, it WILL happen and it’s normal.

There are times when every single trade you take will be a loser, and it leaves you wondering how that is even possible?!

There’s a key to this, let’s explore.

A buyer or seller here?

Something’s going to happen right?

Not always…The third trade idea is doing nothing.

Sitting on your hands until the right opportunity comes along.

Instead of battling it out in the noise, getting stopped and frustrated you can let the crowd fight around in the chop.

You just wait for the price to resolve and take the high-probability trade…

If you hate getting sucked into chop and slop then this episode is for you.

How was it for you?

Are you progressing or making the same mistakes you did this time last year?

Maybe now is the time to take charge, plan ahead and get yourself in the right mindset to make the next quarter a real growth period.

Let’s explore.

All easy to do, super quick to implement yet very powerful.

Check out the episode.

• What’s going wrong?
• What doesn’t work?

Focusing on just the bad and not the good.

Trading is no different….

Maybe your equity curve is not where you want it to be yet, but just look at how you’ve improved… Look at the good points.

Then use that optimism as fuel…

• How will AI impact our trading in the future?
• Where is the opportunity?
• How can we find extra edge using ChatGPT and AI right now?
• Are we all doomed?!

Find out the answer to these burning questions and more in this crucial episode…

"Certify your track record without putting your capital at risk."

Mark Douglas says you should not care about each trade you take.

Which is true, to some extent…

Let me explain…

I believe we should not care about the outcome of an individual trade, from the perspective of P&L.

We don’t want to get caught up in emotional attachment to a trade. It’s just one trade out of thousands we’ll take in our career.

However, if we are not careful we can take this too literally.

What do I mean?

Let's explore...

At first glance, you might think your strategy is a loser…

Not so fast!

Sometimes a so-called losing strategy just needs a few small tweaks to make it profitable.

In this episode, I explore how you can potentially turn that losing strategy into a winner.

We’re all guilty of trying to be too smart…

Attempting to catch every weave and turn of the market, selling highs, buying lows, breakouts, and taking counter-trend trades.

Trying to do everything in one day and getting no real results.

But what if you could identify the one big idea for the day?

Get good at spotting the biggest play for the day and then positioning for that?

Let’s explore how…

Here’s the bad news: Luck plays a role in trading.

Here’s the good news: You can use luck to your advantage.

We can all fall into the ‘illusion of certainty’ trap, thinking we know what will happen with each trade.

Like it or not, luck plays a part in each trade we take.

Too much risk, plus a bit of bad luck and you are out of the game.

But can we put ourselves in a position to benefit from good luck?

Let’s explore

Making good trading decisions is not easy. Humans are hard wired with various biases to overcome.

• Loss aversion
• Confirmation bias
• Recency bias
• Hindsight bias
• Anchoring bias

All present challenges.

All make life tough for an active trader!

Let’s explore…

In this episode I talk with Juan Colón, the CEO of Darwinex.

He shares:

• What it takes to be a super successful trader
• The one metric that almost guarantees failure and how to avoid it
• How Darwinex is solving the lack of capital problem for many traders
• His vision for the future
• Risk, mindset, self awareness, and much more

Enjoy this one…

In my last episode, I spoke to fund manager Aatu Kokkila.

So, in this episode, I wanted to break down some of the biggest takeaways I took from that episode…Including:

• His focus on one method only
• Meticulous planning
• Aggressive loss cutting
• Relentless research
• Solid Risk management

What were your takeaways?

Reply in the Spotify comments.

Aatu’s Darwin 

Aatu is a very unique fund manager, he has generated exceptional returns over many years strictly trading FX around news events.

In this episode, Aatu shares his broad strategy and approach to trading around big news events like NFP, interest rate announcements, and elections.

• We discuss the detailed research and preparation he and his team conduct before each potential trade
• His approach to risk management and scaling
• The mindset required to perform at his very best
• Recovering from equity curve stagnation and drawdown

And so much more…

Get rid of all distractions, sit down, and take notes, because this episode is special!

If you knew how tough trading was going to be before you started, you may never have opened that account…

All other human beings crave certainty and an easy street.

But trading is very much uncertain and tough.

And that’s why the rewards are so high…

You chose the path of a trader.

Undertaking one of the most challenging endeavours around.

And that means you’re built differently…

You think differently, act differently and aren’t like the others.

So, I have an important message just for you.

It’s well worth the 4 minutes.

There’s something you’re doing that is costing you money…

It could be a setup or strategy, it could be a market condition.

Identify it and remove it for an easy positive impact on your P&L.

Listen to hear how.

Check out our sponsor Darwinex Zero

Certify your track record without putting your capital at risk.

How can you use your trading history to guide next year's game plan?

You’re sitting on something super valuable.

A trade history of real trades.

So?

In that history lies golden nuggets!

• What your strengths and weaknesses are.
• Your best trades, best market conditions.
• Themes of winners and losers.

And the good news is, it doesn’t take that long to do.

The ROI is potentially huge.

Check out the episode to hear the full details.

Saul is the CEO of The 5ers. 

An online prop firm funding traders since 2016.

We delved into many topics, including:

• What happened with My Forex Funds
• Where he thinks the prop industry is going
• How he can tell right away if a trader is likely to succeed or not
• Big trader payouts
• His favourite 1 minute EUR/USD trading setup
• Recovering from the scars of big losing trades
• and much more

I asked Saul some pretty direct questions that we all want to know the answers to and he answered them all…

Enjoy!

Reasonable question.

Does it really matter what the daily is doing if you’re taking intraday positions?

It matters a lot…

And in this episode, I share two valuable (and unique) ways you can use the daily chart to improve your day trading decisions.

Have you ever stopped to wonder why a certain trading strategy works?

Why does that unique combination of candles make a valid setup?

Well, understanding why the VWAP works is a great starting point…

Why?

VWAP is an institutional benchmark of value.

Many algos are designed to match the VWAP, and beating the VWAP on an order worked throughout the day is a target for many dealers.

So, the typical bounce off the VWAP trade is something that has a lot of meaning behind it.

In this episode, I explain why I believe the VWAP trade works and explore the thinking behind it.

That trigger can be a catalyst for:

• Over sizing
• Chasing trades
• Taking short term trades
• Not using a stop

And we know that cascades into an outcome we really don’t want…

In this episode I explore some of the ways you can stop yourself falling into a bad habit death spiral!

I bet you didn’t know that Louise Nonweiler used to be a croupier?

Working in top-end London casinos seeing gamblers bet up £100k per hand gave her a unique insight into the mindset of risk-based decisions. (And seeing a lot of players on tilt….)

Fast forward to today and Louise is better known for her work with serious traders. Helping them acquire the mindset required for high-performance trading.

In this super varied discussion, Louise and I covered a bunch of topics.

Including

• Taming the ego
• Visualisation techniques
• Fixing self-sabotage 
• The ‘elastic band’ hack to help program your thinking
• Ambition and drive

And of course, Louise and I always like to talk about health, wellness and general self-care.

Big Macs and news anyone?!

A really fun chat that I know you’ll find valuable.

Discipline tracker download: https://www.tradersmastermind.com/discipline-tracker/

The Meditating Trader is a US futures day trader with 5 years of experience.

We discuss how the first 3 years were ones of experimentation to find the market and strategy that suited him.

• How he grades the market conditions
• His favourite day trading strategy
• Thinking in terms of ‘R’ units
• How meditation helps his trading and allows him to have an unconventional approach to daily risk.

Advice he’d give to himself 5 years ago…

This is a story about Zorro.

Zorro was a day trader who carved out a unique edge. Made a bunch of money, used that money to start a business, sold that business, and made a bunch more money...

Trading is tough, but you don’t need to play the game on hard mode. Sadly there’s not an ‘easy’ option, but you can give yourself a better chance to win…

In this episode, I discuss what I believe it takes to become one of the few winners and the steps needed to get you there.

“C’mon just one more trade, there’s money to be made. A quick trade, grab some cash and you’re done”

Ahh that siren call of the market!

You’ve had a good morning, made some money, feeling good and decide to call it a day.

But before you know it, that urge creeps up.

That little voice telling you to come back to play.

A little scalp, boost that P&L.

We all know how that ends…

In this episode, I share a little trick I learnt to help combat that urge to trade when you said you wouldn’t.

You’re a trader, of course you know how to analyse a chart!

Draw some squiggly lines, make some notes and bosh.

Expert chartist level unlocked…

But then so does everyone else.

Drawing support lines, trend lines and adding a few fibs doesn’t equal an edge

So what does?

Let’s find out…

Spread Bet with the #1 Trading Platform Provider 

“I want to learn to trade without emotion”

A common question from developing traders.

After all, trading is a roller coaster ride sometimes. The highs and lows are extreme.

The obvious answer is to eliminate the lows, right?

Not necessarily.

In this episode I discuss techniques to reduce the impact of emotions on your trading.

And how to focus your energy on becoming a better more centred trader rather than stifling natural human emotion.

Check out the website

If you are not making money it’s logical to label yourself as a ‘losing trader’

Maybe you don’t say it out loud, but internally it’s there…

After all, if you are red, you can’t claim to be winning, so it must be losing.

Right?

Not so fast cowboy.

Think of any business or endeavour.

Is a new business ever profitable from day one?

Does it really make sense to use P&L as a performance metric whilst you are in ‘developing trader’ mode?

In this episode, I talk through you and I starting a hypothetical e-commerce business.

How we would drive it to profitability and how that has uncanny parallels to the trading world…

Become a premium member: https://www.tradersmastermind.com/

You know what they say about risk.

1%, 2% per trade, keep the risk small and managed.

100% true - you can and should trade in a sensible way.

The outcome of a few trades shouldn’t have a massive impact on your equity curve.

(After all luck plays a part in trading whether we like it or not)

But can you trade too small?

Let’s explore…

Sharpen your edge. Join Traders Mastermind.

Struggling to pull the trigger when you see a setup?

Pausing for a moment only to see price run away from you?

In this episode, I cover tactical ways to smash hesitation for good.

Learn to execute with clarity, confidence, and certainty.

Sharpen your edge: https://www.tradersmastermind.com/

Let’s get smarter about stops.

• How can you avoid always getting pinged out?
• The death by a thousand cuts syndrome?
• Or getting stopped only to see a trade go in your favour…

There’s no silver bullet of course but let’s look at smarter ways to think about risk management and stop losses.

In light of recent events, I thought it would be useful to dig into the business models of brokers and prop firms.

How do these companies make money and what do we need to watch out for?

• Spread betting
• CFD
• Stocks
• Forex
• Old school prop
• Online prop

Let’s play a game (said in the style of Jigsaw from Saw…)

Solve this problem:

You have a £10k account and you need to turn it into £100k from trading in 30 days.

How would you do it?

• What trades would you take?
• How much risk would you deploy?
• How would you stop yourself from snatching at profits?
• Would you trade big size infrequently or small size frequently?
• What strategies and patterns would you trade?

It might seem like an odd exercise, but forcing yourself to solve an ‘unreasonable’ challenge is the key to unlocking your brain power.

The answers you come up with might just help your trading…

Listen and try it out, it only takes 30 minutes.

Here’s a neat trick to help you shift quickly into the right mindset for trading…

All successful traders have one unusual thing in common.

They all believe one ‘thing’ to be true.

And that belief guides every trading decision.

Bringing confidence and clarity to their trading.

Have a listen and let me know what you think…

I like tech and I like trading.

So of course I love any technology that folds into trading.

But there’s a problem.

Leverage on it too much and you start to lose your ‘traders feel’.

In this episode I discuss how I approach tools and trading technology and share my method for cultivating that discretionary traders edge in a world full of algos and code.

We’ve all been there.

The market looks good, price is lining up with what you want.

• Context - Check
• Daily chart - Check
• Pattern - Check

This trade is a ‘grade A’ beauty!

“Let me just wait for this perfect trigger, I just want to check this, maybe that should line up to be really perfect”

And then you miss it…

In this episode I discuss the damaging habit of talking yourself out of trades.

I share my approach to filtering the best trades, yet accepting imperfection.

Where it does and does not matter.

OODA is a concept developed by military strategist and USAF Colonel John Boyd.

It’s a decision making process what allows you to constantly recalibrate to ever changing conditions.

1. Observe
2. Orient
3. Decide
4. Act

But how can we use the OODA loop in our trading?

Let’s find out…

You can do all the prep.

Learn all the trading tactics and hacks to make things easier.

But at some point, it’s you making the decision.

Do I take this trade or not…

Do I close my position…

Do I walk away…

Every single trader on the planet is faced with the same decisions.

And how you respond to those decisions is up to you.

Take the win, or take the loss.

It’s your choice.

Prop firm Wouter uses Top Step Trader

Wouter is a family man with a good job, a high pressure job that demands a lot of his time.

Yet somehow he’s managed to go from a trader with no discipline, no real strategy, and a tendency to hold losers too long… to a consistently profitable funded day trader.

In less than 2 years.

His secret?

Becoming a specialist.

He only trades the Nasdaq, only trades long, and only at specific times of the day.

At the time of recording, his journal shows a cumulative 30 trading day P&L of a whisker under $30k, all from a $50k funded account.

This trader has a:

• Trade win rate of 71%
• An average winning trade over twice his average loser
• And trades anywhere from just four to fifteen times per month.

This man is a genuine NQ sniper!

Grab a coffee, sit back, and enjoy this one…

Trading Plan Pro

P&L is a trap, it diverts you attention away from what matters. Price.

It’s like a seductive mistress that can draw you in to taking actions you’ll later regret!

So what do you do?

In this episode I talk about techniques you can deploy to help manage your trade without looking at or being seduced by P&L.

If you snatch at profits and can’t seem to hold a trade, this will help!

In this solo episode, I share a step-by-step process for improving your discipline.

• If you struggle to stick to your plan rules
• Find yourself overtrading
• Take substandard trades
• Or are generally frustrated with the ‘human’ side of trading

Then this will get you on the right path.

Follow the steps I share and see the change in 5 days or less…

Trading Plan Pro: https://tradingplanpro.com/

Are you an over-thinker?

Do you try and get all your ducks in a row before committing to a trade?

Are you overthinking your trade management?

In this episode I talk about trade overthinking, why we do it, how it happens and share a simple (but effective) process you can use to stop you falling into that dreaded trade overthinking trap.

Become a premium member: https://www.tradersmastermind.com/complete-order/

Trading Plan Pro: https://tradingplanpro.com/

Henry was first on the pod back in November (listen here) and now he’s back.

A specialist in the DAX, Henry shares his journey to getting funded with a $200k FTMO account and how he’s managed to stay consistent and build a track record.

We discuss:

• His opening drive strategies
• Mindset during drawdown
• Discretion vs systematised
• The importance of time in his decisions
• Swinging for the fences

It was great to have Henry back and seeing him excel in his DAX trading.

A must listen!

Free daily email: https://www.tradersmastermind.com/email/

In this episode I talk to Matt Cowley, a trader who specialises in the S&P500. Trading for the first two hours only.

Matt has developed a method and approach that’s very personal to him, including creating trade setups with unusual names like ‘U-boat’ and ‘Stone Bonker’.

Now finally getting some consistency, Matt shares his trading journey, his current methodology, and lessons learned so far.

Trading Plan Pro: https://tradingplanpro.com/

In this episode I talk about the failure rate in trading.

It’s not as bad as it seems, in fact the longer you’ve been trading, the more likely you are to succeed.

Let’s dive in…

Forex day trader Anthony Vallone has been trading for 2.5 years. In that time he has found a system that suits his lifestyle, personality and goals.

He discovered the Asian session breakout trade and has been trading that exact system profitably for 9 months.

We discuss how Anthony gathers data on his performance and why it’s been so key to his success.

He also shares his process for daily improvement and his current focus, sizing up.

This is an inspiring episode for anyone in the early years of their trading career.

Anthony has bucked the trend of most and with focus and determination achieved consistency within 18 months.

Sign up for my free daily email.

In this episode, I talk with developing trader Bradley Wilkinson. A day trader for 2.5 years.

After spinning his wheels and strategy hopping for months he finally found traction focusing on the opening range breakout strategy.

He specialises in trading the DAX in the morning and the S&P in the evening.

In this conversation, Bradley shares why trading the ORB was a good decision for him, his entry and exit criteria for the strategy, and what he is working on now.

If you are a developing day trader, this one’s for you.

Maybe you’ve tried running your trades but you keep getting stopped.

Perhaps you’ve used tighter stops. But it’s death by 1000 cuts.

But what about a more aggressive entry?

In this episode, I discuss what it means to be aggressive and the merits of stepping into a trade at a place others would call ‘early’…

Sign up for my daily email here.

I discuss:

1. How you can use it right now to improve your trading
2. Where I think it’s going in the future
3. How to be prepared for the big shift that’s coming

This is an exciting time to be a trader, let’s stay ahead of the curve together!Check Chat GPT out at https://chat.openai.com/

Sign up for my daily newsletter.

It’s uncomfortable to think about luck in trading.

As traders we don’t like to think that luck plays too much of a role in our results.

But the good news is there are different types of luck, types we CAN influence.

In this episode, I talk about the 4 different types of luck and how you can make yourself a ‘lucky’ trader.

Despite being a formidable warrior he knew he was still fallible, human, and vulnerable to temptation.

So he was smart.

“Tie me to the mast lads!” he cried before the ship sailed past the seductive sirens.

He took steps to make sure he wasn’t seduced by short-term emotion, which allowed him to safely pass the island while so many others had perished before him and he reach his destination.

Be like Odysseus.

Don’t allow yourself to be seduced by the market’s short-term action. Stick to the plan, stay focused and tie yourself to the mast.

Jarrod runs a selection of systematic strategies with full automation and in this interesting conversation I ask him:

• How he got into trading and why the mechanical route.
• How he comes up with new systems.
• Back testing rules and mistakes.
• Running multiple systems.
• Signs a system will work well.
• His best trading systems.
• Member Q&A

Jarrod also shares some mechanical systems that the listener can use. (Video clip at tradersmastermind.com)

You can find more of Jarrod and his strategies at https://www.youtube.com/c/TheTransparentTrader

The “number one local”

We'll delve into:

• How he pinpointed lucrative trading opportunities
• His tactics for trapping other traders
• The skill of knowing when to exit a losing position
• His remarkable ability to push aggressively when a trade was successful

And generally what we can learn as screen traders from this big hitter…

If you love the markets and all things trading I know you’re going to enjoy this episode!

Join 5,000+ traders who subscribe to our Traders Mastermind daily email. Designed to help you cultivate discipline, momentum, and consistency in less than 3 minutes per day.

• The inside story of what happened at SVB and why it matters
• The Credit Suisse collapse and its contributing factors
• The role of public sentiment in shaping market reactions
• A simplified model of a bank, and how it led to SVB’s downfall
• Twitter’s impact on creating a modern-day bank run
• The ripple effect on other banks: sentiment or genuine concern?
• The perplexing Nasdaq rally amidst banking collapses
• The FED’s involvement and potential missteps
• Predictions for the FED’s next move
• Harnessing FX implied volatility for smarter trading
• Strategies for planning day trades based on big money flow

Tune in as we navigate these complex topics, explore possible surprises in the market, and learn how to develop a trading roadmap to be well prepared in today’s volatile financial landscape.

No staff, customers or huge overheads. But the potential to grow exponentially.

Pretty good.

But can we learn anything from the traditional business world? 

What strategies and tactics can we model and deploy in our own trading?

In this episode, I discuss different ways to think about your trading business and how to use some of the traditional business world tactics in our unique sector.

PS: Have you signed up for my daily email yet? 

It’s designed to help you cultivate discipline, momentum and consistency in less than 3 minutes per day.

No, really!

Because we all know we should fit our strategy to our personality, but how often do we consider the expected win rate of the strategy and its impact on our emotions?

Some traders are happy to sit through loser after loser knowing they’ll get a big pay out soon enough.

Others start meddling and getting concerned with three losers in a row!

In this episode I discuss the merits of picking a strategy that has an expected win rate to match your personality type.

How you can determine what’s comfortable for you and picking the perfect strategy to align with your strengths.

We discuss:

• Why switching from the DOW to the FTSE was his best-ever decision
• What trading strategies he currently deploys
• His extensive (punishing?!) pre-market routine
• Non-negotiable rules 
• His obsession with data gathering and how it supports his decision making
• Chris’ current scaling-up challenge

And more.

This was a great conversation with a trader who just would not quit!

His perseverance and grit have allowed him to discover a trading strategy that works for him.

If you have been trading for a while but aren’t quite where you want to be, this episode is a must-listen.

https://www.tradersmastermind.com/

“The grass is always greener on the other side”

Never a truer word has been spoken in trading!So many traders are seduced by the latest big thing, a strategy, a market a methodology. (guilty!)It may have merit, and it may well find a way into your trading edge at some point.

But fix the holes in your trading business first…

Adding another thing to master and learn just takes away from what you are working on.

Be strict with yourself.

Collect all the info and resources, then shelve it for a later date. No distractions or backsteps.

You’re already on a mission, don’t let yourself be derailed.

Trading is similar.

But in trading, the ‘gear’ is knowledge.

Too many traders know much about the markets but fail to apply it…

Overcomplicating, overthinking and trying to outsmart the market each day.

Trading is not the arena to be smart. Simple, consistent execution is the key.

In this episode, I talk about how to simplify your trading. Ways to mentally unlock that urge to overcomplicate, overtrade, and overthink your trades.

You’d give anything to get yourself back to equity highs. To get that feel good factor back.

But watch out for the trap!

That’s the fork in the road that catches most traders out.

But not you…

In this episode I discuss practical strategies to help you recover from drawdown.

Yep I said it, a certain level of stress is good, it keeps you alert and moving forward. It stops you being complacent.

But too much can affect trading performance, badly. And no one wants that!

In this episode I explore what you can do to manage stress as a trader to keep you performing at your best all year round.

And that’s okay!

In this episode, I’ll show you how to wipe the slate clean and start fresh - without having to burn down your trading station...

I’ll discuss practical strategies for starting over, such as reevaluating your goals, creating a new plan, and letting go of past failures. We will also explore the mental and emotional aspects of starting again, and how to develop the mindset needed for success.

But, big money moves markets and big money loves macro… So it makes sense to have a basic understanding of how and why these bigger players are making decisions to trade.

Right?!

In this episode I ask macro expert Michael Brown, ex FX Dealer and now market analyst at TraderX to explain the foundations of macro economics.

“Keep it super simple” I told him.

“Lets go back to basics so traders can understand what’s going on and build an edge around it”

That’s exactly what we did.

In this episode I asked Michael questions like:

• What really is inflation?
• What are the institutions looking at?
• What actually triggers an institution into placing a trade?
• Where’s the opportunity right now?
• How does a retail trader pick a market to trade?
• How can a trader plan and prepare to trade a data release?

& much more.

If you’ve always wanted to learn a bit about macro basics and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage then this is well worth a listen.

Please enjoy!

See more of Michael on Twitter @MrMBrown and at Traderx.com

The Stockdale Paradox is a combination of two attributes.

1. An honest assessment of the current reality
2. An unwavering belief in ultimate success.

This seemingly contradictory attitude can help you tackle the immediate road-blocks in your trading and yet stay motivated and focused on the overall vision.

First, let’s discuss confirmation bias, the tendency to seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs. This can lead to a lack of objectivity and an inability to consider alternative viewpoints. I’ll discuss ways to mitigate confirmation bias and make more balanced, unbiased decisions.

Next, let’s delve into loss aversion, the tendency to avoid losses and seek out gains. This bias can lead to poor risk management, as traders may hold onto losing positions for too long, cut winners short or be too hesitant to take on new risks. I’ll explore strategies for overcoming loss aversion.

Finally, let’s talk about familiarity bias, the tendency to favour familiar markets or strategies over those that may be less familiar but potentially more logical choices. We’ll discuss how to overcome this bias and make more diversified, well-rounded trading decisions.

Join me as I explore these common cognitive biases and learn how to overcome them to make better decisions in the markets.

Trade setup, a specific market, a strategy. The laser focus helps you achieve what you want quicker, allowing you to move on to other important things.

I even talked about this from a health perspective in episode 41 when I didn’t really have a clear goal in the gym. But when I decided to focus on losing body fat first and then gaining muscle I got much closer to the physique I was looking for.

Goal-setting (like journaling) can be overwhelming. You’re focusing on so many things that would be great to achieve but often end up getting none.

But what if this time you just made one simple goal and a handful of supporting goals?

One goal that you could constantly think about each day.

Something to flash into your mind constantly that keeps your decisions in the right alignment?

In this episode, I explore the concept of easy goal setting. An alternative way to attack what’s important to you this year.

Books mentioned:

Ed Mylett - The Power of One More

The end of December can become cluttered with good intentions and a big vision.

But what happens when you take things away that aren’t serving you? When you clear out the clutter and make the tough decision to only focus on the things that matter?

Just like in trading when you peel back the chart to pure price, things become more clear. You open up mental bandwidth, time and energy to move forward with the big things that have meaning.

In this episode, I look at hitting goals from a different perspective.

Yep, me too.

Often when we read something unrelated to trading, it changes the way we view ourselves and the market for the better.

In this episode, I share a handful of non-trading-related books that I’ve really enjoyed and that have had a positive impact on my trading.

Maybe you can put a few on your list for Santa Claus.

In this episode I discuss what I believe are the 3 most important traits of winning traders and how to cultivate them in your own trading.

Have you signed up for Trading Plan Pro yet?

In this episode we discuss:

• Michael’s 15-year personal trading journey 
• The psychology of trading company money vs your own
• Discovering new edge through journalling
• The biggest mistakes that he sees traders make
• Attributes of hyper-successful traders
• & much more

If you are looking to explore the online prop world and get funded, or are curious to hear from a prop firm CEO then this episode is a must!

Links:

Trade the pool https://tradethepool.com/

The 5%ers https://the5ers.com/

Trading Plan Pro https://tradingplanpro.com/

You have all the technical ability and a deep understanding of the markets but transferring that to a workable and effective strategy can be tough.

In this episode, I discuss a multi-step process for discovering a trading strategy that suits your trading style and personality.

A structured method to help fill the void between trading knowledge and results.

How many times have you reviewed a bad trading day only to think:

“WTF was I thinking even trading that?!”

You got sucked into chop, tried to force trades that weren’t there and paid the price…

So often we think that more discipline is the key. 

Whilst that’s true to some extent, many times we are demanding a flawless day trading performance in a choppy, directionless, low-volatility market.

In our desire to trade we neglect to identify poor trading conditions.

We try and trade those days like every other day only to get chopped up, frustrated or worse start breaking risk rules. 

This in turn sows seeds of doubt, wrecks confidence and affects future trade performance.

In this episode, I discuss tactics to ensure you are trading under the best possible conditions. 

Doing this not only gives you the best chance of growing your equity curve but allows you to improve your discipline and trading psychology in the right environment for traders.

We discuss a variety of topics from tactical setups to mindset and trading psychology.

Including:

• Why becoming (uncomfortably!) specialised helped him get traction
• How the VWAP has become a key part of his process
• Ways to stay focused as a full time screen trader
• Framing the day type before the first trade
• The ‘less is more’ approach

Enjoy the episode. I hope you get a few nuggets to take away and implement in your own trading.

You’re about to pull the trigger and your mind just races with reasons why this trade might or might not work.

Worst case scenario you talk yourself out of a great trade. Only to get frustrated seeing it going your way.

Best case scenario you reluctantly pull the trigger, but are so unsure about the trade you get spooked and close the position early.

Ultimately overthinking never serves us.

In this episode I discuss a simple strategy to combat overthinking and become more decisive in your trading decisions.

In this episode, we discuss:

• The pros and cons of his big decision to shift market focus from stocks to the ES.
• Setting reasonable rules
• Breaking the day down into chunks
• Adding to trades
• Journaling best practices
• Getting an edge from statistics
• Creating a roadmap for the day
• Why he expects his biggest trades to come after 10 am EST

And so much more.

This was another interesting conversation with a serious and committed trader.

Please enjoy the episode and watch out for part 3.

Links:

Price action program (New statistics module mentioned)

Screenshot of intraday ES charts (Patterns mentioned)

You can have all the screen time, experience and technical knowledge, but that’s not yet translating into the results you want.

It can be very frustrating.

You feel like you should be doing better. Especially considering all the setbacks, challenges, and market beat downs you’ve recovered from…

This is another fork in the road for many traders.

Do you push on and hope things get better? or take charge of the situation and attack the root cause of stagnant trading progress?

Let’s discuss.

‘I Didn’t Come This Far To Only Come This Far’ - Tom Brady

• Fixed income exotics trader at a major investment bank
• Research manager at the Centre for Economic Policy Research
• Head of fundamental strategies and subsequently head of fixed income at one of the UK’s leading hedge funds. (Where he was responsible for strategies trading $5bn of client funds)

He now manages his own wealth as an independent trader using a fully automated trading system, deploying numerous trading strategies across multiple markets. So this trader is a serious player! In this conversation I asked Robert a variety of questions including:

• What was it like working at a hedge fund?
• How can retail compete with hedge funds?
• What does his trading system look like now?
• Mean reversion vs trending strategies
• When to pull the plug on an automated trading system
• Backtesting and curve fitting
• Converting your discretionary trading strategy into an algorithm
• & so much more.

This was a really in depth discussion with a knowledgeable and seasoned trader. Enjoy the episode!

Robert’s website is:

https://www.systematicmoney.org/

Robert’s book are available on his website and amazon:

Leveraged Trading

Smart Portfolios

Systematic Trading

Advanced Futures Trading Strategies

I know traders are looking for anything that might give them a slight edge or improve performance…

So in this episode Louise and I talk through a typical day for a trader, looking at ways they can optimise for peak performance in the market.

We discussed things like:

• Caffeine
• Breakfast
• Fasting
• Exercise
• Breathwork
• Emotions
• Sleep
• Unwinding
• Journaling

If like me you are obsessed with personal excellence and peak performance then give this episode a listen. It only takes one or two small daily changes to compound into a significant impact!

Louise can be found on her website Hypnosis for traders. 

https://www.hypnosisfortraders.co.uk/

Also, check out the Trading In The Zen Podcast that Louise co-hosts with Faina where I was lucky enough to be one of the first guests!

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6CIyfbS6IFfsQgd6nSOcsw?si=65bf4c092c534da5

We are hard-wired to do everything wrong in the world of trading.

• Holding losers
• Cutting winners
• Emotional outbursts
• Impulsive trading
• Lack of patience

The list goes on…

It can take a while to unlearn everything that may have served us in the world outside of the trading arena but hinders our progress when dealing with fast-paced risk-based decisions (Day trading).

In this episode, I discuss what I believe are the 3 big focus areas that can ignite your trading results.

But as the market regime changed he gave most of it back when aggressive momentum style trades simply weren’t working.

Determined that wouldn’t be the end of the story this trader has worked diligently on his strategy and mindset over the past 18 months. Looking to build a robust method and trading psychology that stands the test of time and can take him past his old equity highs and into new territory.

But of course, the journey is tough and the road is filled with obstacles…

We discuss a variety of topics including:

Then:

• His journey so far and how he made such a huge return so quickly
• How losing money affected him mentally
• What he did to dust himself off and get back into the markets

Now:

• Dealing with impulsive trading
• Trading the open
• Tactical ways to improve
• Regime change
• Trading large size
• Focusing on the losers
• Structuring the trade

Finally, we agree on the tactical steps he will take to improve his trading.

We’ll be following up regularly with this trader over the next few months so look out for part 2!

I believe so...

Turning that temperature control over to full cold is the ultimate discomfort.

That little voice inside you is trying to convince you NOT to get uncomfortable.

That's precisely the same voice that convinces you to take that impulsive trade, snatch at profits and revenge trade...

Running a cold shower protocol allows you to train yourself to (as Steve Ward said) "Get comfortable with being uncomfortable"

Simply put: The more control you can have over your desire to go with the comfortable choice, the more discipline you'll have during the trading day.

Links:

Tom Hougaard episode

Steve Ward episode

Increased willpower:

What are the Benefits of Cold Showers? | Wim Hof Method

Cold Water Therapy:

Cold Water Therapy: Benefits of Cold Showers, Baths, Immersion Therapy

Building resilience and grit with cold showers:

The Science & Use of Cold Exposure for Health & Performance

In this episode, Tom reveals the tactics and mindset he needed to cultivate the transition from struggling to highly profitable trader.

He shares what it takes to really make it in this game…

Tom and I discuss a wide range of topics including:

• How he trades aggressively and yet still manages to remain calm
• His techniques for adding to winners
• How to deal with large size (> £3,000pp/680 lots)
• The art of cutting losing trades quickly
• Reducing impulsive trades
• Building the inverse habits of losing traders

& so much more.

If you are a day trader looking for tactical advice and inspiration then this episode is for you!

Tom can be found at https://tradertom.com/

His book “Best Loser Wins” can be ordered from Harriman house or from Mr. Bezos.

The good news is you can rewire your mind NOT to react to impulse.

Too often we see a chart, make a judgement and before we know it dive into a trade that we didn't really want.

In this episode I discuss ways to control your impulsive trading and have a laugh at some of my old trading journal entries from 2002!

He works with banks, hedge funds and prop firms to extract the very best from their traders.

Steve has a waiting list of institutional clients wanting to work with him so we are very fortunate to have him on the show!

Steve shares several tactical ways to improve the trading psychology side of your game.

Including:

• How to deal with trading fear.
• Handling pressure and stress.
• The latest visualisation techniques he uses with institutional clients.
• Mental tactics for scaling up your trading size.
• And many other peak performance tips and techniques.

If you are looking to improve your trading, and believe that trading mindset and psychology is the key then this episode is a must listen.

Check out Steve’s Trading Psychology Course

http://www.tradeatyourbest.com/

Use code tmtayb2250 for £50 off

Steve’s books

Bulletproof Trader: Evidence-based strategies for overcoming setbacks and sustaining high performance in the markets https://amzn.eu/d/43GZi2g

High Performance Trading: 35 Practical Strategies and Techniques To Enhance Your Trading Psychology and Performance https://amzn.eu/d/2lhSn85

TraderMind - Get a Mindful Edge in the Markets (Wiley Trading) https://amzn.eu/d/93RoHtX

Traders Mind Trading Journal https://www.tradersmindjournal.com

Al shared a lot of trading wisdom, but one thing in particular stood out, and resonated with a lot of traders.

The art of marking up your charts after the trading day.

In this episode, I discuss practical ways to add this tactic into your current trading regime.

Some strategy, some psychology and some just good old fashioned stories of traders swashbuckling their way through the financial markets.

1. Hedge Fund Market Wizards
2. Reminiscences of a Stock Operator
3. Come Into My Trading Room
4. Pitbull
5. The Playbook
6.  Bulletproof Trader
7. Inside The House of Money
8. Trading To Win
9. Studies in Tape Reading
10. The Man Who Solved The Market

Combine those with drive and a strong work ethic and you've got a recipe for success, right?

Not always...

In this episode, I discuss the importance of clarity in your goals, short-term direction and the power of subtle course corrections along the way.

Separating your trading setups and strategies into segments gives you a new dimension of flexibility in your trading.

You can:

1) Deploy a more informed dynamic position sizing strategy

2) Stay clear of weaker trade ideas in poor conditions

3) Better allocate focus and screen time

4) Become more confident in your ideas and strategy library

So how do you do it?

Listen to find out my thoughts.

Visualization has been around for decades in the sports world.

From Muhammad Ali to Tiger Woods, athletes have been using it to consistently improve performance for years.

So why not use it in your trading?

• Eliminate rule-breaking behaviour in the heat of the moment
• Imagine the goal of the trader you want to become
• Mentally rehearse specific trading plays and scenarios

Resources :

https://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/flourish/200912/seeing-is-believing-the-power-visualization

Including:

• Why he chooses to day trade the DAX exclusively
• Not trading the open
• Gregor’s golden Friday rule
• Hacks to fix his trading discipline
• Gregor’s favourite trading setup
• Charts and indicators
• Oh and an expensive trip to the toilet…!

If you’ve been trading for a while and aren’t quite where you want to be yet, then this one’s a must listen.

As traders, we can be really tough on ourselves.

We are driven, we want to succeed, and know we have it in us.

But sometimes when we make a trading mistake, our self talk can be so negative that it damages any chance to learn or grow.

Perhaps you need to be more disciplined and yes it is very frustrating that sometimes you can't stick to your trading rules.

But harsh negative self talk isn't the answer. (You know this, because you've tried it!)

Be firm, be driven, but learn to accept we are humans, we make mistakes and the goal is not to remove them but reduce and learn from them.

In this episode, I run through a multi-step process for flipping negative self talk.

Perfect for traders who are dancing that fine line between being driven and forgiving of mistakes.

Link of the Harvard study mentioned:

Identifying Negative Automatic Thought Patterns

In this episode I asked Adam:

• How he decides what breaking news is a tradable opportunity throughout the day.
• What news should a short term trader be focusing on.
• How social media plays a role in breaking news.
• What's the 'holy grail' of breaking news opportunities for a day trader
• and much more!

Check out this interesting conversation.

But when does discomfort turn to stress which no longer serves us?

In this podcast I talk about using your discomfort as a guide.

"The point where you feel discomfort in your trade is the exact area you need to do more work on."

In this episode we talk about Hip's daily trade prep, some of his trading setups, what he looks for on the order book and why he only trades two markets.

• See what Peter thinks holds new traders back.
• His favourite trading setup
• The trick he used to help him hold trades longer
• Why he likes to move stops to break even
• How to build trader confidence

See more of Peter at www.tradersmastermind.com

Build the muscle outside of trading by picking something tough and doing it for 10 days.

Train your mind to overcome impulse and align your actions with your long term vision.

Are you going deep in your analysis or are you going wide?

“Don’t deviate from the plan”

“Stick to your rules”

But is it really that simple? Can we really just stick to the process?

Identify your tilt trigger, implement rules to prevent it, and work on it relentlessly.

Often the answer is in removal, stripping back to almost nothing. Getting crucial momentum with easy wins before tackling the real challenge.

"Why can't i stick to my trading rules?"

"Why do I seem unable to control my impulse to trade?"

Know that it takes time, just like conditioning your body to the cold. The first few times you do it, you can't control your response, but over time you can teach yourself how to respond.

How will you carve out your own unique edge?

Here's what I've observed whilst watching newly profitable traders turn the corner.

www.tradersmastermind.com

Trading is a lot like this, reacting to market moves will forever have you chasing your tail. Anticipating, allows you to structure a trade idea, execute calmly and build confidence.

"Surround yourself with those on the same mission as you"

But that's not always easy to achieve.

So perhaps the first step is just to relax a bit, even just 10% more relaxed.

Drop the shoulders and take a breath. Relax into the trade and let the intuition flourish.

Spot the test.

Pass the test.

Find one! Because it will help your trading massively...

https://www.tradersmastermind.com/

This might stop you from crashing, but are you really going to get to where to want to go if you don't look up?

Download your checklist [PDF]

https://www.tradersmastermind.com/pre-market-checklist/

Look at frustration through the lens of growth. How you choose to respond to trading frustration is the test...

It's time to rip up the plan, start from scratch and work on one at a time...

www.tradersmastermind.com

As traders, we like to label ourselves as a specific type of trader, but often the market changes rhythm and we can use the skills that we've developed on one timeframe to our advantage in another.

www.tradersmastermind.com

AI has just taken a massive leap. You can now ask it pretty much any question about price action, drop in a free CSV from TradingView, and properly interrogate the data. But most traders are asking the wrong questions.

In this episode, Mark breaks down a simple 5-question framework for using AI to support discretionary trading… not replace it.

It's not about building quant algorithms. It's about testing the hunches you've carried around for years, layering another edge onto your setups, and trading with a bit more conviction because the data has your back.

Covers:

• Why "what will happen?" is the wrong question
• The 5 questions to ask before writing any prompt
• How to export a CSV from TradingView in 10 seconds
• Real prompt examples for FX, indices and metals
• The mindset shift from prediction to historical probability

If you've ever said "gaps always fill" or "after a trend day we always retest" this is the episode that shows you how to actually test it. Quickly.

Follow a system and risk death by drawdown… or trust your gut and deal with self-doubt? Mark explores the battle between mechanical and discretionary trading — sharing hard truths, and what actually works when the heat’s on.

There’s always a lag between effort and results.

We see it in the world around us and we see it in trading.

The work we do now won’t show in our performance until 30, 60 or even 90 days later.

But we can be tricked… by that seductive metric called profit and loss.

We need to ignore the noise and focus on consistency, and trust in the process that all great traders have followed.

To keep moving forwards, and Do. Not. Quit.