FTMO Traders talk about their evaluation process

Enjoy another dose of interviews with our new FTMO Traders. They share their trading journey and valuable tips that helped them during their FTMO evaluation process.

Trader Escobar - "I failed before I started becoming a very successful trader."

Where have you learnt about FTMO?

I learned about FTMO through the trading community

Do you plan to take another FTMO Challenge to manage even bigger capital?

I would like to do this but taking one step at a time and don't want to get too ahead of myself

What was the most difficult during your FTMO Challenge or Verification and how did you overcome it?

Since I passed the Challenge and Verification at a quick pace the hardest part was just waiting for the minimum trading days to pass on both the challenge and verification.

How does passing the Challenge and Verification changed your life?

Passing the Challenge and the verification has changed my life because it gives me the ability to become a full-time trader with enough capital to really make a difference as a provider for my family.

What was more difficult than expected during your FTMO Challenge or Verification?

I feel like psychology is pretty locked in so I didn't really have any difficulties. The most difficult part for me was just being patient for the minimum trading days to hit.

What would you like to say to other traders that are attempting the Challenge?

If you fail, try again and again but don't continue doing the same thing that made you fail in the first place.

I failed before I started becoming a very successful trader. The reason why I initially failed was that I was forcing the issue and didn't have a set strategy that was going to lead me to victory.

You must have a proven strategy that will be profitable. You must backtest and prepare for victory otherwise you are preparing for failure. You must also train yourself to be patient and discipline otherwise you will fail. Be locked in mentally and stick to your strategy. Only enter trades when your confluences align.

Trader Maurizio - "Trading it is not base on luck."

What do you think is the most important characteristic/attribute to become a profitable trader?

You must follow a trading plan and you have to stick with the strategy that works for you until you master all your skills.

How did you eliminate the factor of luck in your trading?

I will start by saying that trading is not based on luck, you can win 2 or 3 trades without following a plan that is called luck but when you make profits constantly it means there are some skills behind all those profits and especially a lot of dedication.

What was the hardest obstacle on your trading journey?

I didn't find any obstacle during my trading journey to be honest because I was following my plan and I trusted my strategy.

What was easier than expected during the FTMO Challenge or Verification?

The time to pass the challenge is short, only 10 days, which gives you motivation.

What inspires you to pursue trading?

It is always good to have a second income especially at this time, also trading gives the possibility to balance your private life with your work-fife.

What would you like to say to other traders that are attempting the Challenge?

If you have a good trading plan and you believe and it can work go for it you have nothing to lose.

Trader Dazavier - "I understand that losing is apart of trading and it's all about the next setup and risk to reward."

Has your psychology ever affected your trading plan?

Previously in the past, it has. Over time I focused on the mental side of trading and did not allow losses to have an effect on me. I understand that losing is apart of trading and it's all about the next setup and risk to reward.

How does your risk management plan look like?

In higher time frame setups I have bigger stop losses that range up to 30 pips. Higher time frame setups I look to hold intraday for at least 50+ pips. All my setups have to be at least 2:1 R:R. I will scalp smaller time frame setups for 20-30 pips with again at least a 2:1 R: R.

What was easier than expected during the FTMO Challenge or Verification?

I felt that the verification was easier since it was only a 5% gain.

Where have you learnt about FTMO?

I learned about FTMO from friends that are involved in the trading community.

Do you plan to take another FTMO Challenge to manage even bigger capital?

Yes, I am currently in a 100k challenge.

What is the number one advice you would give to a new trader?

Be patient for good risk to reward setups on higher time frames.

Trader Dyllan - "I stuck to my plan and traded accordingly."

 

What was easier than expected during the FTMO Challenge or Verification?

I found my patience was easier than expected. Because of the time period to make the %. I thought I would have felt more rushed. But I stuck to my plan and traded accordingly

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?

Very good! Would highly recommend

What do you think is the key for long term success in trading?

Patience and discipline, treating trading like a business and not get the rich quick scheme.

Has your psychology ever affected your trading plan?

Psychology has a massive effect on trading, but with a strict discipline and a well-executed trading plan and risk management, you have confidence and experience. Your psychology shouldn’t be effected

How did you manage your emotions when you were in a losing trade?

Very simple, trade the plan, move on, win or loss, have confidence in your strategy and yourself as a trader, and always stick to risk management

One piece of advice for people starting the FTMO Challenge now.

Patience, well-drilled trading plan, don’t think you have to be in the market every single hour to pass the challenge or verification. Trust your trading plan and strategy. Some days there might not be setups in the market, that’s fine, trust the process and stay disciplined.

Trader Teakaya - "It has improved my trading tremendously!"

What was more difficult than expected during your FTMO Challenge or Verification?

The Challenge was way harder because I was trading during the week of the election and election night was extremely stressful due to extreme volatility. I honestly realized after taken some pretty heavy losses...it was time to stop trading and regroup the next day.

Do you have a trading plan in place, and do you follow it strictly?

I do but I realized that I had to be flexible because I realized that trading indices wasn’t working and was causing way too much drawdown. When I tweaked my plan and started trading retracements as well as changed my lot size my challenge became easier lol.

What do you think is the most important characteristic/attribute to become a profitable trader?

Consistency is definitely key put of everything and being able to follow the set rules in place! I was able to gain consistency due to taking FxCapital Online’s course! It took my trading to heights I never knew existed before! It definitely gave me the structure I needed to become the trader I am today!

How did Maximum loss limits affect your trading style?

At first, it was super scary, but now I welcome the limits because it gives me structure and helps me with my money management skills! It has improved my trading tremendously for sure!

How did you eliminate the factor of luck in your trading?

I had to revamp my trading plan to make it better for the challenge and once that happened then it became easier to beat it and the verification

What would you like to say to other traders that are attempting the FTMO Challenge?

Take your time. Take classes. Demo trade your strategy. Have a trading plan in place. Be confident in your abilities and don’t get discouraged if you can’t pass the challenge the first time! You got this! If I can do it then you can too!