“Keep trying, take notes and always improve when you’ve made a mistake.”

Trading is a journey of learning, patience, and persistence. In this Q&A, three FTMO Traders – James, Angie, and Charlie – share their insights on psychology, discipline, and the power of consistency while navigating the FTMO Challenge and Verification.

Trader James Hendry: “Use good risk management, just try to stay in the game and have patience.”

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?

Very good, I love taking the challenge because it has made me trade properly and professionally due to the risk management constrictions.

What inspires you to pursue trading?

I want to work remotely and also I am very competitive and love improving myself. Trading allows me to have a job where I can work hard everyday at improving and get instant results for my performance.

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

Use good risk management, just try to stay in the game and have patience. Your edge will always appear again. Take some deep breaths and don’t rush in.

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

Yes I am a lower timeframe trend trading on XAUUSD. Trading hidden divergences on the one minute chart within the higher timeframe trend on the 15minute. I never deviate from this because it arises so frequently that there’s no point in me taking random trades.

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

I think it took a while to find a system and pair that I could trade well that suited my psychology and lifestyle. Switching from US100 to XAUUSD was a game changer for me.

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

Keep trying, take notes and always improve when you’ve made a mistake. Make trading as simple as possible such as one pair and one system and just keep executing it over and over again. Stick to 1% risk and just try to stay in the game at first. It’s fine if you lose because you should come out profitable if you keep executing your system correctly after proving it is profitable.

Trader Angie Nikoll: “The most effective way to achieve success is through psychological growth.”

What inspires you to pursue trading?
I am inspired because the world of investments has been a passion of mine since a very young age. My mother introduced me to this fascinating field, and I have been preparing for this moment for several years.

Where have you learnt about FTMO?
After considerable investigation, I concluded that FTMO is the leading proprietary trading firm currently available, and I fully trust its credentials.

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?
It is a complete platform, and its professionalism is what I like the most.

How did you manage your emotions when you were in a losing trade?
Before any strategy, the most crucial element is the psychology behind trading. I have dedicated countless hours to working on my mindset and emotions. I am fully aware of everything that trading entails, and I possess a comprehensive trading plan where mentality and psychology are the primary focus.

Do you have a trading plan in place, and do you follow it strictly?
As I mentioned previously, I maintain a strict trading plan that dictates my daily risk, leaving no room for lack of control. Since I began in this field, my trading plan has been fundamental.

What is the number one advice you would give to a new trader?
The most effective way to achieve success is through psychological growth. The mind is paramount: knowing your limits, learning not to trade when it is unnecessary, and maintaining control over risk and capital.

Trader Charlie Jacob: “Keeping emotion out of it, being consistent, and knowing when it’s best to take your profits.”

Describe your best trade.

It was an overnight trade lasting 8 hours. While I was at my daily occupation, I started the trade before work using a gann signal strategy. I kept checking in on it every 10 to 15 minutes. I took my profits at around £1,050.

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

My most difficult moment was picking where to enter in a trade. I went away and learned other strategies. This is where I found the Gann strategy and used it to make profits on nearly all of my trades.

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

Keeping emotion out of it, being consistent, and knowing when it’s best to take your profits.

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

Making the profits.

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

Choosing when to enter into a trade until I started using Gann.

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

Do research and learn before you even begin.