“Learning to trade takes time, dedication and perseverance”

Sooner or later, every trader gets into a situation where they start to doubt whether trading is the right way for them to make money. Only traders who are persistent, determined and patient enough can get through such a period and in the end it can make them stronger. This includes our new FTMO Traders.

Trader Sam Eugene Georgio: “Trading is a beautiful art form.”

What does your risk management plan look like?

I personally have several risk setups depending on the type of trade in taking. If the setup is very good, I might that bit extra though around 3-4%. Of course, depends on how much profit/drawdown I'm in already though.

What inspires you to pursue trading?

Trading is a beautiful art form if you care to take the time and learn to understand the markets. Trading is also a way for people to participate in the economy in unique ways as an investor. FTMO is an incredible company giving aspiring traders the chance to learn more through their challenges about trading, become inspired and at the same time gain capital to start a career in trading.

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

Being in an initial drawdown from the first trade puts you at a disadvantage mentally. This is where the mental aspect of trading is so vital that you do not lose focus and let your emotions cause you to veer away from your trading plan.

What was the hardest obstacle on your trading journey?

So far, it's probably changing my strategy too many times and thus being incredibly inconsistent.

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

Risk management and mental fortitude

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

Keep pushing on and don't take your eyes off your end goal. Learning to trade takes time, dedication and perseverance. But if you stick to it and are dedicated to learning about the markets, the opportunities are endless.

Trader Karem: “I don’t link success or failure in trading to luck.”

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

I maintain a disciplined trading strategy that I follow consistently. While the foundation of my strategy remains stable, I occasionally adjust the timeframe or select different instruments based on economic conditions or personal factors. For example, during periods of increased work commitments in my full-time job, I might transition from a 5-minute to a 15-minute chart to ensure I can effectively manage both my trading and professional responsibilities.

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

I don’t link success or failure in trading to luck, I believe in numbers and statistics. For me, trading outcomes are the result of either good or bad decisions, rather than chance. You either make a mistake or not. You make good decisions or bad. I don't think it’s unlucky if my trade didn't hit take profit by a pip. I know for sure that banks and companies are not looking at the computers where Karem placed his 500$ take profit.

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

What surprised me was that the FTMO Challenge itself was easier to pass than passing verification part. Since I started my first challenge in 2018, when it was known as Získejúčet for Slovak and Czech customers, I believed that meeting the 5% profit target in Verification would be simpler than achieving the 10% profit required in the Challenge. However, I've come to realize that psychology plays a far more powerful role in trading than I originally anticipated.

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

Absolutely, I do plan to take another FTMO Challenge to manage larger capital, but not right away. I'm focused on taking it step by step to avoid rushing and maintain a clear mindset. No matter how strong your strategy is, your mental approach is even more crucial.

Describe your best trade.

My best trade was the most recent one where I successfully reached my profit target. It felt good to see that I made progress after all the years.

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

I bought my first challenge in 2018 and it’s 2024 now. So just don't quit. But if I can give you any advice based on my experience, don't start a challenge if you are not financially stable. Relying too heavily on trading as a primary income source can add unnecessary pressure and hurt your performance. Once your financial situation is stable, you'll be able to trade with greater confidence and less stress. Additionally, avoid using strategies or signals purchased for $50. If they were truly effective, they wouldn’t be sold at such a low price. You have to find your own way of trading.

Trader Tim: “The emotional part with trading is the hardest obstacle there is.”

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

I think the most important characteristic attribute of a trader is an analytic mindset. Because of this characteristic, a trader is more likely to pass the tests and be profitable while trading. This characteristic is the one which makes a trader better in the thing he does because he/she analyses his previous trades and always tries to improve his/her trading.

What was the hardest obstacle on your trading journey?

The hardest obstacle for me would be my emotional mindset while trading. I have traded with my own money and live account, and I had to be comfortable with losses and profit and not let it impact my trading. The emotional part with trading is the hardest obstacle there is.

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

I eliminate the factor of luck by looking at the market in different time frames. I look for optimal setups and I’m using TradingView for my analysis. If my potential trade is hitting several all the rules for my strategy only then I will look for a setup on lower timeframes.

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

Yes, I have a trading plan/strategy I am using for my trades. I only place trades when I’m sure my strategy is in place.

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

The key to long term success for me is to keep discipline in my strategy and be analytical about it. The strategy is always in for improvement.

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

I would like to say. Keep your cool. Be patient and only look for setups with your strategy. You don’t have to rush and the thing I like to say is, it is better to miss a trade than to lose a trade.

Trader Ariel Esteban: “Luck is only eliminated by statistics.”

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

Patience, perseverance, and, most importantly, the correct understanding of how financial markets work.

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

Luck is only eliminated by statistics. When you try the very same strategy over and over again, the market will show you if you are doing things right.

How did loss limits affect your trading style?

Honestly, they work fine for me. Establishing a limit for your losses is not only beneficial for your account balance, but also for your mentality as a trader.

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

When I first started as a trader, it was challenging. I often tried to recover from a loss by taking on riskier trades, which usually resulted in even greater losses. However, I once came across a phrase that resonated with me: 'Good traders try to avoid losses; great traders accept them.' Since then, when I experience a loss, I take a deep breath, analyze what went wrong, and move on to the next trading opportunity.

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

It was challenging to watch the account balance approach the maximum loss limit. Even though I knew that if I executed my strategy correctly, the balance would eventually rise, the anxiety often led to poor decisions. I overcame this issue after making a successful trade that helped me recover from a streak of losses. That experience taught me the importance of focusing less on account balance and more on maintaining a disciplined strategy and mindset. When I do that, positive results tend to follow.

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

Patience is key. I failed four challenges before I finally succeeded. Trust me when I say that it's not about making countless trades; you can succeed with 10 trades or fewer. However, those trades should be made when the market signals it's the right time, not when you simply want the market to move in your favor.