Inside the Mind of a Prop Trader

In this episode, we’re joined by John White, co-founder of Positive Equity, to unpack what it truly takes to succeed in the high-stakes world of prop trading. Whether you're a beginner exploring how to get into trading or an experienced retail trader looking to take your skills to the next level, this episode is packed with invaluable insights from someone who's been through every stage of the trading journey.

John shares his incredible story of getting his start at Geneva Trading in Dublin straight out of college, with no prior trading experience. What drew him in was the promise of a career where your income matches your effort. Over time, John discovered that success in trading doesn’t happen overnight. In fact, it takes years of dedication, learning, and adaptation. He explains that it took him at least two years before he felt confident in the markets and even longer before he saw meaningful financial rewards. This is a crucial reminder that prop trading is not a get-rich-quick scheme—it's a profession that demands grit, patience, and constant improvement.

One of the most fascinating parts of our conversation is John's breakdown of the trading edge—how traders develop a strategy that works and why that edge can disappear as market conditions change or more people discover the same opportunity. With market volatility, evolving macro trends, and ever-smarter competition, maintaining a profitable strategy requires constant evolution. As John puts it, the market is always moving, and so must you.

We also dive into what separates a successful prop trader from someone who eventually drops out. The key traits Positive Equity looks for are strong numeracy skills, competitiveness, and, above all, grit. Trading is full of setbacks. It's easy to enter the markets thinking it's as simple as buying and selling on your phone, but real success requires years of learning, managing your risk, and staying in the game long enough to learn the necessary lessons. As John explains, no one joins the trading floor as an instant success story, and no one wins without putting in the work.

For those wondering about the difference between prop trading vs retail trading, John provides some powerful insights. While retail traders often juggle trading with full-time jobs and limited screen time, prop traders have the advantage of being immersed in the markets all day, working within teams, and using advanced tools and risk management systems. This environment provides professional traders with better cost structures, higher-quality research, and the ability to patiently wait for high-probability setups. Retail traders often feel pressure to act within the small windows of time they have, which can lead to suboptimal decision-making.

John also shares valuable advice for aspiring traders looking to break into proprietary trading. His top tips? Start reading. Books like Market Wizards and Alpha Trader provide raw, honest insights into the real lives of professional traders, including their biggest mistakes and how they overcame them. He also recommends getting hands-on experience with simulator trading, taking it seriously, and building strong accountability, whether through a mentor, a peer, or even tracking your stats daily. Before risking real money, it's vital to spend the time mastering your process, understanding risk management, and learning how to handle losses.

And for those looking for that “hot stock tip”? John keeps it real—Positive Equity's traders aren't focused on long-term stock picks. They specialize in trading short-term volatility, whether it's around elections, major news events, or key market-moving reports. If you're looking to invest for the long haul, John echoes Warren Buffett's advice: stick to diversified index funds like the S&P 500 ETF or Eurostoxx ETF and play the long game.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone serious about understanding what it takes to transition from retail trading to professional prop trading and how to build a sustainable, profitable trading career in today’s markets.