0:39 – TraderHeroJourney.com is the only Discord room for Traders that specifically works on the mindset of a trader 1:08 – Meet Megan Marlow 3:15 – Pivoting from cooking to trading 10:44 – Belief in herself 17:33 – Biohacking 24:56 – Handling ego 36:34 – On motivation 54:52 – Preparing to trade
From Chef to Trader: The Power of Mindset and Attitude
Megan Marlow, a senior Trader at Peak Capital trading and a devoted moderator for Bear Bull Traders, shares her journey from being a professional chef to becoming a successful Trader is both inspiring and enlightening.
A diverse skill set, cultivated during her career as a chef, has allowed her to maneuver through high-stress trading environments with ease. She attributes her success to her unwavering creativity and her ability to handle high-pressure situations. As Megan puts it, “If you can’t handle the heat in the kitchen, you are done pretty quickly.”
The pivot from the culinary world to trading might seem like a drastic change, but for Megan, it was a natural progression. As a chef, she constantly sought out cerebral challenges and desired a career that would keep her on her toes.
Trading offered her the perfect outlet for her passion for intellectual stimulation and provided a dynamic and ever-changing environment.
One of the key elements that Megan emphasizes is the importance of attitude in trading. She believes that a positive and enthusiastic mindset is crucial for success in the market. Her infectious half-glass-filled attitude is evident in everything she does, from sharing a laugh in an Uber to tackling unexpected market situations.
She firmly believes that maintaining a good attitude, even during tough times, is vital for navigating the ups and downs of trading.
Megan’s journey as a self-taught chef has instilled in her the belief that anything can be learned with the right mindset and determination. Her willingness to take on new challenges and her unwavering belief in herself have been the driving forces behind her success in both the culinary and trading worlds. She credits her ability to embrace new opportunities to her mindset of “if they can do it, why can’t I?”
Megan Marlow’s story is a testament to the power of mindset and attitude in achieving success. Whether you’re a chef, a trader, or pursuing any other career, adopting a positive attitude and believing in yourself can make all the difference!
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
0:35 – TraderHeroJourney.com is the only Discord room for Traders that specifically works on the mindset of a trader. 1:05 – Meet Andrew Aziz 5:20 – Why Mount Everest 11:34 – Willing to die 15:06 – Finding your true self 24:38 – On risk and reward 30:12 – Coming to an understanding with yourself 46:18 – On accepting what is out of your control
Andrew Aziz, the founder of Bear Bull Traders, shares his awe-inspiring experience of summiting Mount Everest. As a passionate mountain climber since his teenage years, Andrew’s dream of conquering the world’s highest peak finally became a reality. In this interview, we delve into Andrew’s remarkable journey and explore the valuable lessons it holds for traders. Get ready to be inspired and motivated on a personal and professional level!
Andrew’s fascination with mountains began during his upbringing in Tehran, Iran. Gazing at the snow-capped peaks from his bedroom, he developed a deep-rooted passion for climbing and hiking. Starting with simple hikes, Andrew gradually embarked on more challenging adventures, mastering technical climbing skills and glacier travel. Everest beckoned him not just because of its lofty stature, but also for the breathtaking environment it offered—especially the magical sunrise at 26,000-27,000 feet.
After a life-changing experience during the Nepal earthquake in 2015, Andrew returned to Nepal in 2021 for running, hiking, and trekking. It was then that he decided the time was right to fulfill his dream of scaling Everest. Opting for the April-May climbing season, Andrew embarked on a rigorous six to eight-week expedition in just one month. Prior acclimatization in Bolivia helped prepare his body for the challenges that lay ahead.
One of the many key takeaways from Andrew’s Everest journey is the importance of patience and adaptability. Climbing the world’s highest peak requires tremendous resilience, both physically and mentally. Andrew emphasizes that success is contingent upon being patient with oneself, one’s body, and the ever-changing mountain weather. The mountain sets the pace, and climbers must learn to adapt and respect its conditions.
During his climb, Andrew encountered unexpected delays due to torn ropes, which impeded progress towards the summit. This experience taught him the significance of maintaining a strong mindset. Andrew persevered, demonstrating unwavering determination and resilience. Traders can draw inspiration from this, learning to navigate obstacles and setbacks with a steadfast attitude.
Andrew’s journey serves as a metaphor for the trading world, where patience, adaptability, and mental fortitude are equally essential. Like a climber waiting for the perfect window to attempt the summit, traders must exercise patience in the market, waiting for the right opportunities to execute their strategies. So, next time you face a trading challenge, remember Andrew’s inspiring tale and let it guide you towards achieving your own Everest.
About Andrew Aziz
Andrew Aziz is an accomplished trader and founder of Bear Bull Traders, an educational community designed to help traders connect, learn, share, and grow.
After moving to Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada to earn his PhD in chemical engineering, Andrew spent several years working in various research scientist positions in the cleantech industry.
Upon being let go from one particular position, he decided to focus his energy on the financial industry and trading markets. With drive and determination, Andrew started studying the stock market. Everyone, including himself, was doubtful, but Andrew persevered.
Then, in 2015, he published his first book, “How to Day Trade for a Living,” a simple, concise, and practical guide to day trading, written for everyone, regardless of their financial market knowledge. Later, in 2016, he started what would become the Bear Bull Traders community as a forum for serious traders to share their knowledge and expertise with other traders around the world.
Whenever he is not trading or in front of his computer, Andrew is outdoors hiking, trekking, skiing, or high-altitude climbing.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Mari Hincapie on Career Over College, Non-Attachment, and Why Losses Don’t Define You
Mari Hincapie on Career Over College, Non-Attachment, and Why Losses Don’t Define You
Mariana Hincapie took an unconventional path into trading and built a career by committing to that choice early. In this episode, she talks with Kim about why she chose markets over the traditional college route, how she learned through years of direct experience, and what it actually took to stay focused long enough for that decision to work.
The conversation is useful because Mari does not romanticize the process. She talks about adapting, handling losses, stress management, and the role non-attachment plays when trading becomes deeply personal. She also speaks directly to women in trading and to younger traders trying to build conviction without pretending the path is easier than it is.
The Trader Positioning Index (TPI) is a 15-minute clinical-grade assessment that measures 70+ indicators of your decision-making under pressure – and delivers a 35+ page personalised report with a custom action roadmap. Learn more about the TPI ->
Mari Hincapie chose to pursue trading as a career path immediately after high school and built her edge through direct study, repetition, and experience. The current post notes that she became the first female student of Tim Sykes to surpass one million dollars in trading profits. In this conversation, she reflects on the discipline and emotional steadiness that choice required.
Key insights from this episode
Choosing an unconventional path only works if you are willing to fully commit to learning it. Mari’s story is not about skipping effort; it is about redirecting effort into something that fit her better.
As a woman in trading, visibility and representation matter. Mari talks about what it means to support other women trying to build their place in the markets.
Stress management and non-attachment are practical skills, not just nice ideas. They help traders adapt instead of over-identifying with individual wins and losses.
Adapting to the market matters more than proving yourself right. A strong trader is willing to evolve with conditions instead of clinging to old habits.
Losses do not define a career unless you let them. Mari’s perspective emphasizes process, emotional recovery, and long-term commitment over single-day pain.
– Traderherojourney.com is the only Discord room for Traders that specifically works on the mindset of a trader.
– Intro to Steven Eisman
– How today’s banking crisis is different
– Steven’s philosophical approach: Traders need to shift into their new paradigm
– Steven’s courage and willingness to foresee what was happening
– Steven’s perspective on First Republic
– Paradigm shifts aren’t clear until they actually happen
– Rules of thumb – investing is not a religion
– The market at its current level will be changing
– The Eisman group takes a limited amount of investors
“The Big Short” Legendary Investor Steven Eisman
Talks 2023 Investing
In this podcast episode with guest co-host Grant Williams, we delve into the legendary Steven Eisman’s career, his notable contributions, mindset and his advice on navigating the complexities of today’s financial markets.
With a remarkable career spanning over two decades, Steven Eisman has emerged as a distinguished figure in the world of finance. Beginning his journey at Oppenheimer & Co., a prominent player on Wall Street, Eisman earned the prestigious title of All-Star Analyst, as recognized by esteemed publications such as Institutional Investor and The Wall Street Journal. However, it was during his tenure as Partner and Senior Portfolio Manager at FrontPoint Financial Services Fund that Eisman made his indelible mark. His remarkable foresight and predictions of the 2008 financial crisis were immortalized in Michael Lewis’s best-selling book, “The Big Short,” which was later adapted into an award-winning film featuring Steve Carell portraying Eisman.
Today, Steven Eisman is the Managing Director at Neuberger Berman, where he spearheads the Eisman Group within the firm’s esteemed Private Asset Management division. Leveraging his wealth of experience and expertise, Eisman continues to provide invaluable guidance and insights to investors.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Ep 77: Alex Sposito: College Student to Six-Figure Trader
Ep:77 Alex Sposito – College Student to Seven-Figure Trader
0:30 – Fan of the pod? Please subscribe + leave a review! Plus, check out www.traderherojourney.com That’s for you if you’re a trader who has ever struggled with fear of missing out, greed, ego issues, anger issues, health issues . . .
In this episode of The Wall Street Coach Podcast, I sit down with Alex Sposito to discuss his journey from college student to becoming a seven-figure trader. Alex emphasizes the importance of risk management and networking in his success. He also discusses the support system he had during his biggest loss and how it helped him process through it quicker.
Alex also reminds traders to become systematic in trading, allowing for more focus and freeing up time to dedicate elsewhere. Looking back, the top three things he would focus on are risk management, data and statistics, and defining strategies. As he puts it, “The difference between could and should in trading is conviction.”
Alex Sposito’s journey will show you the importance of having a support system, a healthy mindset as a trader, conviction in your decisions and how to learn from our failures.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Ep 76: The Contrarian Trading Style of “Unknown Market Wizard” Jason Shapiro
Ep 76: The Contrarian Trading Style of “Unknown Market Wizard” Jason Shapiro
Jason Shapiro has had zero losing years over the past two decades using a contrarian style with zero correlation to any other trading strategy. Featured in Jack Schwager’s Unknown Market Wizards, Jason joins Kim to discuss what drives genuine conviction, how a stint in a Burmese monastery shaped his relationship with uncertainty, and the psychological edge behind trading against the crowd.
The Trader Positioning Index (TPI) is a 15-minute clinical-grade assessment that measures 70+ indicators of your decision-making under pressure — and delivers a 35+ page personalised report with a custom action roadmap. Learn more about the TPI →
1:00 – Intro to Jason Shapiro 2:10 – Jason talks about his time in a Burmese Monastery 11:05 – On having a contrarian personality 28:37 – Over to the Twitter Space 32:32 – His community of traders 44:04 – On unbiased trading 51:30 – Remembering how reading Market Wizards affected him 1:10:02 – Jason’s take on the SVB collapse 1:11:58 – Jason’s meditation practice
About Jason Shapiro
With 30 years of trading experience, Jason Shapiro runs Crowded Market Report, a successful Commodity Trading Advisor (CTA) business built on a contrarian approach that has produced zero losing years over the past two decades. He was featured as “The Contrarian” in Chapter Two of Jack Schwager’s Unknown Market Wizards.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Work on this with Kim:Book a free intro call — explore whether 1-on-1 coaching is right for you.
Not ready for a call? Take the Trader Positioning Index — a 15-minute clinical assessment that benchmarks your decision-making under pressure.
Ep 75: Brian Shannon on Maximum Gains With Anchored VWAP
Ep 75: Brian Shannon on Maximum Gains with Anchored VWAP
Brian Shannon, CMT — founder of Alphatrends and author of two acclaimed trading books — breaks down the history and practical uses of Anchored VWAP, including how to use it as a psychological tool to manage FOMO and build conviction in your entries. With guest co-host Shane Dorian, Kim and Brian explore what it really means to develop a healthy, profitable relationship with the market.
The Trader Positioning Index (TPI) is a 15-minute clinical-grade assessment that measures 70+ indicators of your decision-making under pressure — and delivers a 35+ page personalised report with a custom action roadmap. Learn more about the TPI →
1:20 – Intro to Brian Shannon 3:50 – Starting with the basics 8:50 – The history of Anchored VWAP 10:35 – Charting software recommendations 13:20 – Using AVWAP in relation to earnings trends 18:45 – Why AVWAP is the perfect combination of price, time & volume 20:40 – How to set up your charts 25:38 – Brian discusses his new book 31:50 – Part II — Twitter Space 32:38 – The difference between VWAP and AVWAP 36:30 – How to manage risk with AVWAP 44:47 – The psychology of traders in relation to using VWAP as a tool 46:36 – How Brian Shannon deals with FOMO 48:18 – How these books shifted Brian’s relationship with the market 51:20 – Trader EQ — how Brian manages risk 55:50 – Don’t argue with the market 1:00:19 – Brian Shannon on his trading style 1:05:15 – Finding your own personal approach 1:07:53 – “JOMO” 1:10:10 – Don’t buy the dip 1:13:50 – Brian’s advice for traders
About Brian Shannon, CMT
Brian Shannon is a stock market analyst and trader with over three decades of experience. He founded Alphatrends.net, an online community dedicated to market analysis and education for swing traders. He has taught tens of thousands of traders through his books — Technical Analysis Using Multiple Timeframes and Maximum Trading Gains with Anchored VWAP, the #1 Investment Analysis & Strategy book on Amazon.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Work on this with Kim:Book a free intro call — explore whether 1-on-1 coaching is right for you.
Not ready for a call? Take the Trader Positioning Index — a 15-minute clinical assessment that benchmarks your decision-making under pressure.
Ep 74: Rick Carson on Taming Your Gremlin for Traders
Ep 74: Rick Carson on Taming Your Inner Gremlin
Rick Carson — psychotherapist, executive coach, and author of the bestselling Taming Your Gremlin — joins Kim to explore the “monster of the mind” that uses past experiences and self-doubt to keep traders from realising their full potential. His core insight: any belief you have about yourself is just an opinion you have developed loyalty to. Learning to see the sliver of light between who you are and your inner narrative is where real change happens.
2026 editor’s note: We kept this conversation live because the noticing practice Rick teaches is one of the cleanest bridges between mindfulness and trading behavior — and it applies directly to FOMO, revenge trading, and emotional discipline at the desk.
The Trader Positioning Index (TPI) is a 15-minute clinical-grade assessment that measures 70+ indicators of your decision-making under pressure — and delivers a 35+ page personalised report with a custom action roadmap. Learn more about the TPI →
0:57 – Intro to Rick Carson 3:56 – Did Rick ever expect his book to do what it has done? 5:18 – What is an inner gremlin and how can it affect traders? 10:50 – Kim’s experience of Rick’s book: its profound effects in her life 14:09 – Effort vs. strain and actionable tips 18:07 – Lean into losses for catharsis 19:50 – Rick’s take on accepting losses in trading 23:37 – Tuning in to your physical experience 27:34 – The monster of the mind for traders 29:40 – How traders can face uncertainty, insecurity, and volatility 32:13 – How to identify if it’s your gremlin talking or you 37:50 – Revenge trading and why it’s like poison 43:08 – The negative power of resisting 45:39 – What is a healthy relationship to fear? 48:50 – Anecdotes of survival 52:05 – Getting comfortable with loss, navigating grief, and parting words of advice
About Rick Carson
Rick Carson is a practicing psychotherapist and personal/executive coach with five decades of experience. His seminal work, Taming Your Gremlin®, has been a top seller for HarperCollins since 1984, translated into numerous languages, with a Revised Edition in 2003 and a sequel, A Master Class in Gremlin-Taming, in 2008. He is an Approved Supervisor for the American Association for Marriage and Family Therapy and a former faculty member at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
30:50 – What mindset is necessary to succeed in options?
34:23 – Are options just YOLO bets? Addressing options misconceptions.
36:49 – The TRUTH about understanding where a strategy has edge
40:00 – Managing realistic expectations for traders.
46:04 – Elite traders versus realistic traders, and final parting words
Ep 73: David Sun’s High-Conviction Mindset in Trading
When it comes to trading and investing, most people focus on return on capital. But according to David Sun, money isn’t what it’s all about. He argues that time is a form of capital. If you have a very efficient strategy and can do other things with your time, then you can gain a different form of return on capital.
While his “passive investing” style might be low-touch, that doesn’t mean it’s low-knowledge.
Do you want to break free from the chains of 24/7 trading? Are you ready to get a “return on time” in your trading career?
In this unique two-part interview with The Wall Street Coach Podcast host Kim Ann Curtin, David shares his unique yet realistic and highly accessible approach to trading. Then, the interview moves over to a live Twitter Space recording. Prepare to look at trading and work-life balance in a whole new way!
About David Sun
David Sun doesn’t come from a finance background. He picked up options from a friend while pursuing a masters in Electrical Engineering at Princeton during 2008/2009. In 2017, he discovered tastytrade, which accelerated his learning curve. He launched his first options-based hedge fund in 2018, followed by a second hedge fund in 2021. Today, he is the host of the Trade Busters podcast, which is focused on educating retail options traders with emphasis on risk management and return on time.
Disclaimer: All information provided is for educational purposes only and does not constitute investment, legal, or tax advice, or an offer to buy or sell any security. For full disclosures: www.thewallstreetcoach.com
Joseph Gasperoni on Small-Cap Trading, Resilience, and Why Determination Comes First
Joseph Gasperoni on Small-Cap Trading, Resilience, and Why Determination Comes First
Joseph Gasperoni, also known as JTrader, joins Kim to talk about what it actually takes to survive and succeed in small-cap trading. He is unusually clear that strategy alone is not enough. In his view, determination and resilience are the first requirements, especially in a market niche where frustration, blown accounts, and repeated setbacks can quickly wear people down.
What makes the conversation useful is that Joseph does not present resilience like a personality trait you either have or do not. He treats it as a daily choice: to keep learning, keep adjusting, and keep waking up willing to improve after losses. For traders struggling with perfectionism, identity, or emotional wear and tear, this is one of the better archive episodes.
The Trader Positioning Index (TPI) is a 15-minute clinical-grade assessment that measures 70+ indicators of your decision-making under pressure – and delivers a 35+ page personalised report with a custom action roadmap. Learn more about the TPI ->
Joseph Gasperoni, known as JTrader, started trading Italian stocks and later transitioned into the U.S. market, where he found greater success in small caps. Over time he built a trading community around mentoring and helping others navigate the same path. In this episode, he shares the mindset principles that made that path sustainable.
Key insights from this episode
Determination matters because small-cap trading is one of the hardest games in markets. The trader has to decide the goal is worth repeated effort.
Resilience is built by continuing after losses, not by pretending losses do not hurt. Joseph treats that daily restart as a core skill.
The perfection trap hurts traders because it makes mistakes feel like identity failures instead of information.
Ongoing education matters. Markets change, and traders who stop learning eventually run into problems they no longer know how to solve.
Support systems and community are not optional extras. They help traders survive the emotional weight of difficult periods.
