“Focus on process over outcome”

The problem with most traders is that they focus on how much they make - or worse, how much they lose. Successful traders, on the other hand, concentrate on following their rules and maintaining strict risk management, because they understand that in the long run, the outcome of individual trades isn’t what matters most. And what do our new FTMO Traders think about this?

Trader Yadwinder Singh: “One clean setup a day is better than ten average ones”

What inspires you to pursue trading?

The freedom, the challenge, and the ability to be in control of my own income. Trading gives me the opportunity to build something independently, without limits, and pushes me to grow both mentally and financially.

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

By focusing on structure, order blocks, and supply/demand zones, I rely strictly on technical confirmations instead of random entries. I backtest my setups and follow a rule-based system to ensure consistency and eliminate guesswork.

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

The hardest part was staying patient and not forcing trades. I used to overtrade and enter early, but I overcame it by refining my entry criteria and sticking to sniper setups only after a clear break of structure and retest.

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

Controlling emotions after a winning streak was harder than I expected. I had to stay grounded and remind myself that discipline is more important than excitement. Every trade had to follow the same strict rules—no matter the recent outcome.

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

I reminded myself that a loss is part of the game and not a reflection of my skill if the setup followed my plan. I used fixed risk (1% per trade) and accepted the outcome before even entering the trade. That kept me emotionally neutral.

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

Focus on quality, not quantity. One clean setup a day is better than ten average ones. Trust your edge, stay disciplined, and don’t let emotions make decisions for you. Keep it simple and consistent profits follow precision.

Trader Anatoli Antonov: “Long-term success comes from managing risk”

How does your risk management plan look like?

My plan is based on consistency and capital preservation. I risk 0.5% to 1% per trade, depending on the market condition and setup quality. I always set a hard Stop Loss and never overtrade. My daily loss limit is set at 2%, and I stop trading after reaching either my profit target or my max loss. I focus on high-probability trades only, using a strict journaling and review process to refine my edge.

Describe your best trade.

One of my best trades was during the New York session on NASDAQ. I identified a perfect ICT liquidity sweep followed by a clean break of structure on the 5-minute chart. I entered a fair value gap, with tight risk and a 5:1 reward-to-risk ratio. The trade hit full TP within 30 minutes. It confirmed the power of waiting patiently for my setup and trusting the process.

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

Discipline and emotional control. You can have the best strategy in the world, but without a solid mindset and consistent execution, it’s worthless. Long-term success comes from managing risk, sticking to your plan, learning from losses, and never letting ego interfere with your decisions.

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

Absolutely. This is only the beginning. I see FTMO as a long-term partner in my trading journey, and scaling up to manage bigger capital is one of my main goals for the near future.

Where have you learnt about FTMO?

I discovered FTMO through trading forums and YouTube. After seeing many traders succeed with their funding programs, I decided to take on the FTMO Challenge myself.

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

Focus on process over outcome. Trade less, not more. Don’t rush the FTMO Challenge—prove to yourself that you can stay disciplined and consistent. Follow your rules strictly and remember: risk management is what will get you funded.

Trader Willon Daniel Pavel: “Strategy doesn’t matter.”

How does passing the FTMO Challenge and Verification change your life?

It was a goal I’ve had for 2 years back so it was more like a relief and a receipt that I can achieve anything I want.

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

Yes, I do, for me the higher timeframe always speaks, I only trade gold (maybe Nasdaq) and don’t take so many trades, quality over quantity.

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

Psychology is important, strategy doesn’t matter. If you have emotional TPs or take trades only to exit trades too early or sometimes are scared the strategy doesn’t matter. There should be a story behind every trade. Also, patience, without patience, nothing will never work, a saw a post saying trading is about mastering the skill of doing nothing and I think that sums it up very good.

Describe your best trade.

Daily order block and break of structure is there, down to the 4 hour timeframe and price has broken structure and taped in to a fair value gap BUT not in the zone of rejection/order block and not even 50%, it goes up a little bit more sometimes close to my target but not sweeping liquidity and then down to sweep the low we created in the fair value gap down to the zone of rejection to then push up again, all this on the 4 hour timeframe

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?

The best ever, I’ve got scammed before with other prop firms and I will always stick with FTMO as long as I can.

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

Lose money and take risks. To really learn it must hurt and you need to get sick of yourself breaking rules to really learn, I think. It will take time, if you are not willing to put down hours a day in the beginning for the next couple of years don’t even start.

Trader Bruno: “Don't give up.”

What was the hardest obstacle on your trading journey?

My biggest obstacle will always be anxiety, this is my fourth approved account, I hope it is the account where I can control my anxiety, and make the partnership last a long time.

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?

My experience with FTMO is always perfect, clear rules, quality support, always updated dashboard, so we can see our account progress. FTMO has always been and will always be my company focus to pursue a career in the market.

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

The key to long-term success is controlling anxiety, which is our biggest enemy. By controlling anxiety, in the long term, success is certainly closer to being achieved.

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

The hardest part, for me, in the verification phase, is controlling your head, so as not to fail. Because as it is half the goal of the challenge, you may automatically think it is easier, and it is the opposite, because of the smaller goal, the error can come much faster.

Describe your best trade.

My best trading was on verification, on EURUSD, where I reached 150 USD, in my opinion, a beautiful trade.

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

To other traders I say, believe in yourself, believe in God, don't give up. Only those who know and follow the market know that the possibility of growth is difficult, but possible. And choosing FTMO to seek this growth is the best choice to make, a serious and responsible company.