Peter Brandt
RT @samuraipips358: Do not let your self-esteem depend on outcomes 🧵

People who tie their self-esteem to outcomes hate losing, even in backtesting where no money is involved.
As long as you perceive losing as your own personal defeat, you will never be able to succeed.
🧵1/5 https://t.co/upeVOwso64
tweet

Lark Davis
Bitcoin Hasn't Even Started🚨 GET THE FRESHEST ALPHA IN DISCORD https://t.co/gGIaBwJfEW 🤫 BITUNIX TRADE NO KYC - $10 FREE, 20% Deposit Bonus & $2000Trading Bonus 👉 https://t.co/lnjKnJkat5 https://t.co/BmG0Na2FVW
tweet

Peter Brandt
Completely agree Anthony. It is sad for me to see what a side-tent circus show futures trading has become - almost all of which is unregistered and unregulated. We are living in the era of bucket shops selling false dreams to tens of thousands of unsuspecting yet aspiring market speculators.
Futures trading has been turned into freak show with carney brokers (prop firms) and carnival barkers (affiliates).
A very few people (by my guess, fewer than 1%) figure out how to beat the carnival at their own game, but many of them make their money by becoming carnival barkers, taking a slight split to sell tickets to the cheapest events.
The day will come when the carnival will be shut down. Even now the most egregious carney actors are trading the Sim for Payout model for the "Live Trading" model, but time will prove the only change will be a plywood shed for an old canvas tent.
The the short term obsession of the "marks/suckers/pigeons" with their need for immediate gratification (instant payouts), recognition (screen shots) and thinking they are in on the action (Live Funded) is their guarantee with doom.
A very select few who initially start down the road of the carnival show will discover that the real payout comes from figuring out how to trade all on their own, starting with whatever amount of capital they have, learning the hard way, willing for success to find its own timetable.

In today’s trading world, the spotlight is often on payouts, funded accounts, and the pursuit of elite trader status. But what rarely gets discussed is the journey of the blue-collar, independent trader, the one building a career with their own capital, learning on the fly, and growing through grit, sacrifice, and resilience.

This is the path most independent traders are on or eventually find themselves on. There’s no roadmap and no safety net. You’re not just learning markets, you’re learning about yourself. And that’s where the real growth happens.

Starting in a “prop-style” environment is fine as it can be a great way to learn futures and build structure. But it comes with rules and limitations that don’t necessarily prepare you for trading independently. Some make the transition successfully, and that’s great. But many soon realize that trading with your own capital is a different game.

When it’s your own money on the line, every win and loss hits harder. This isn’t simulation, it’s real life with real financial consequences. Making money is just part of the challenge. The real test is managing it, sustaining it, and staying in the game.

Some traders burn out chasing unrealistic expectations. Others, like me, may only have a handful of “elite” years, but they’re enough to buy time, to stay in the game, and to build a career, build wealth. That’s the power of persistence.

If you’re trading independently, remember: your edge isn’t just strategy, it’s discipline, patience, and self-awareness. No one’s watching over you, but that’s also your greatest strength. For those truly committed, this path can be incredibly rewarding. - Anthony Crudele
tweet