"Trading is a war"

If you want to succeed in trading, you must realise that it's a battle where you are standing alone against everyone. Relying on someone else's advice and help doesn't pay off. You must be convinced that what you are doing is right and behave accordingly in the markets. And what do our new FTMO traders think about that?

Trader Abdoulaye: "The most important thing is to have excellent money management."

What inspires you to pursue trading?

After several years in trading, I decided to become an Algotrader i.e. using bots. Trading via prop firms allows you to achieve financial freedom without taking big risks. Prop firms are a wonderful idea.

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

The challenge was relatively easy for me because the market was rather stable unlike the Verification where I approached 10% twice before falling back with a chaotic market for bots.

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

For me the most important thing to become a profitable trader is to backtest your strategy well and to optimize it regularly on a demo account, after that you have to stay Zen when the market is chaotic or when your trades are not good.

What does your risk management plan look like?

I use a bot that closes all my trades after reaching a certain drawdown. I don't accept more than 2% drawdown per pair.

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

The most difficult thing was to manage the current market which is not very stable. On the same day on the metal anything can happen.

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

The most important thing is to have excellent money management, no need to take excessive risks that can lose the account. Test your strategy well in a demo.

Trader Francesco Antonio: "In trading there is no luck, you have to apply rules and stick to them only."

How would you rate your experience with FTMO?

My experience with FTMO is vafolosa (fabulous). I wish it to everyone. I am in a group where we talk about prop firms, and everyone tries to evaluate which is the best. For me FTMO remains a prop firm with the utmost professionalism and seriousness.

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

The most difficult obstacle was when after coming close to the end I checked my account and it fell below zero. I wanted to do it in 10 days. I allowed myself a day off, I said to myself if I succeeded once when I was calm I can still succeed.

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

In trading there is no luck, you have to apply rules and stick to them only. Luck is in the casino when you play roulette, in trading you must know what you are doing.

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

After so many years of trading it is easy to manage emotions when you are in a loss. I try not to get angry that I have the wrong evaluation, I try to find the solution to win, I try to see the glass half full because when I am in these situations, and I manage to get out of the loss my gain is usually much greater.

How did loss limits affect your trading style?

Honestly, they improved it, with my capital I had no limits, but in reality, that was the limit.

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

Trading is an exceptional job and as such it must be taken. In all jobs you need discipline, seriousness, ambition, and know-how. You must not be in a hurry to get rich because in trading it is seen only this way or to become rich immediately. It is just work, unlike others it will make you feel good financially if done seriously. A lot of study and no improvisation are needed.

Trader Kyle: "Life is about opportunity, and opportunity is about preparation."

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

Determination. To be honest, I lost my funded account once before getting this one. I'm not sharing this because I want people to give me credit, but I want to show that it's all a mind game. Trading is war, and the first part of war is showing up. If you show up, you can at least try. However, if you stop showing up you can't even give yourself a chance. So always show up!

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

I always work to set the bar higher than before because for me it's all about growth. I want to see myself go beyond what I thought was even possible. When I first started trading, becoming funded was a dream beyond a dream. Now that I am funded, I'm already looking for that next milestone. It's not that I need to prove to other people of my self-worth through acquiring a bigger capital, it's more so that I'm afraid of comfort.

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

Life is about opportunity, and opportunity is about preparation. FTMO is simply an opportunity for traders out there to reach their next goals in life.

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

Find a support system that works for you. This doesn't have to mean people. This is the thing that is going to be your "reason". For me it's my childhood memories. I didn't have much growing up as I was raised by a single mother. I did, however, witness kids around me who had it all. I always envied them, but by not having the opportunities that they had it made me resourceful. It made me hungry. So when I think in terms of long-term success, it's about having that concrete system in place that is going to propel you through any trial and tribulation. The thing that makes success not an option, but a necessity.

What was the hardest obstacle on your trading journey?

The hardest obstacle in my trading journey has been the constant fear of letting down those who believe in me. I care so much about doing well for them that sometimes I forget how far I've come. I've never been the type to congratulate myself for my accomplishments and so I have a hard time genuinely feeling that way. I have what I call a never satisfied disease, so having to remind myself that it's okay to celebrate those small wins has been my greatest challenge.

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

I've been trading for 3 years now, and I've met many talented people along my journey. So, to those who dream of becoming real traders I say this. Everyone you meet is a teacher in some way. It's your job to immerse yourself in the process of learning from those that you meet along your own journey. It's about learning how to be the best that you can be. There is no "work life balance". It’s just do or don't. If you want to be great at what you do, that's just what it takes. Be obsessive!

Trader Aleksandar: "When I’m in a trade I already act like it hit my stop loss."

 

Describe your best trade.

My best trade I have ever taken was a 1:28 RR. I made this trade on the 1 min chart on EURUSD with three take profit levels.

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

Yes, I have a very strict trading plan. I only bet 1% per trade, max 3 trades a day but if I win a trade for the day, I’m done trading. As well as some other rules like don’t exit a trade unless it hits take profit or stop loss.

How did loss limits affect your trading style?

It didn’t affect my trading style because I have a maximum of 3% drawdown that I will allow myself a day and I am confident enough in my trading abilities that I thought I would have a win even after a few losses.

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

When I’m in a trade I already act like it hit my stop loss, that way I’m not attached to that money in any way and the only way I will exit the trade is if it hits its take profit or stop loss.

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

Well, I want to be able to retire my parents as well as live a good lifestyle so I am very excited to see what will happen next.

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

Do not give up. It’s taken me over two years and 2 failed prop firm challenges to be able to finally get into FTMO, and I did it! Anything is possible, just don’t give up!