Elite Trader: Managing $25 Million at Just 25 Years Old - Ted Zhang

Jan 15, 2026

Ted Zhang, a 25-year-old portfolio manager at Revere Asset Management, shares his journey from pre-med to asset management during COVID-19. He emphasizes the importance of treating trading as a long-term game where mistakes are vital learning opportunities. Ted discusses key trading strategies, risk management lessons from painful drawdowns, and the significance of studying market history. He also explores how diverse team environments enhance decision-making and offers insights into his structured approach to trading, including entry tactics and exit rules.

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ANECDOTE

Cold DMs Opened The Door

Ted Zhang cold‑DM'd 25–50 portfolio managers and landed an internship at Revere Asset Management.
He and Connor joined as interns and later scaled the firm’s AUM significantly.

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ANECDOTE

SPACs Gave Him First Big Win

Early in 2020 Ted found an asymmetrical edge trading SPACs and scored huge gains on names like VTIQ.
He ran a large gain, held through volatility, and later sold into strength around $76.

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ADVICE

Avoid Revenge Trading After Drawdowns

After a big drawdown, step back and recalibrate instead of revenge trading.
Do not increase position size when your strategy is giving negative feedback.

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Ted's unconventional path to asset management

02:55 • 2min

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Cold DMs and landing a role at Revere

05:00 • 59sec

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Early trading edges and SPAC lessons

05:59 • 8min

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Handling drawdowns and recalibrating

Learning from trading greats and key books

17:34 • 4min

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From trial-and-error to structured process

21:30 • 4min

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Managing client money vs personal accounts

25:50 • 1min

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Gradual trust: starting with tracking accounts

Portfolio objectives: Growtection versus Turbotection

31:41 • 1min

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Track record maturity and cycle testing

33:04 • 2min

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Timeframes, holdings and sector focus

35:09 • 2min

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Approach to all-time highs and extended moves

37:01 • 8min

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Exit rules: trail, sell into strength, protect capital

45:21 • 7min

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History, psychology and why study past cycles

52:50 • 2min

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Benefits of team environment and trading pod

54:20 • 2min

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Learning how to learn and using AI

56:50 • 5min

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No shortcuts: mastery takes years

01:01:31 • 2min

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Layered learning: charts, risk, then environment

01:03:04 • 2min

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Identifying favorable market environments

01:05:10 • 3min

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Assessing the recent sell-off and bases

01:07:59 • 4min

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Stick to your edge; don't trade every style

01:11:50 • 2min

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Revere's mission: protect downside, capture upside

01:14:11 • 4min

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Minimums, capacity and product limits

01:18:00 • 3min

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Bitcoin, MicroStrategy and stage four downtrends

01:20:41 • 4min

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Entry tactics: breakouts, pullbacks and scaling

01:24:53 • 2min

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Ted and Connor's partnership and firm origin

01:27:11 • 22min

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Theme identification and concentric thesis work

01:49:11 • 10min

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Stage analysis: Stan Weinstein framework

01:59:04 • 4min

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Consistency, timing and surviving cycles

02:03:10 • 2min

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Habits, learning and Atomic Habits principles

02:05:04 • 4min

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What success means and life priorities

02:09:00 • 3min

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Advice for struggling traders

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On this episode of Words of Rizdom which was recorded on 21st November 2025 we are joined by Ted Zhang. We dive into the mindset and discipline behind elite performance, told through the perspective of a 25-year-old trader co-managing over $20 million. The conversation frames trading, and life, as a long-term game, where mistakes are not failures but essential feedback. Alongside lessons from elite athletes, authors, and trading industry professionals, the episode emphasises the importance of studying historical market data to understand patterns, probabilities, and context, using the past as a guide, not a crutch. We hope you enjoy this episode.

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Connect with our guests:

https://x.com/tedhzhang

ted@revereasset.com

https://revereasset.com

https://x.com/revereasset

https://www.instagram.com/revereasset

https://www.tiktok.com/@revere_asset

https://youtube.com/@revereasset

Connect with Words of Rizdom:

https://instagram.com/wordsofrizdom

https://x.com/wordsofrizdom

https://www.instagram.com/realriziqbal

Timestamps:

00:00 Managing $25 Million at 25 Years Old

05:00 The Power of Real Market Experience

10:00 Ted's Unconventional Path to Asset Management

17:00 Networking, Personal Brand & Breaking Into the Industry

25:00 Early Trading Journey & Lessons from Failure

41:00 Managing Client Money vs. Personal Accounts

47:00 Portfolio Construction, Capital Allocation & Benchmarks

54:00 Trading Strategy, Timeframes & Sector Focus

01:00:00 Risk Management, Position Sizing & Trade Exits

01:07:00 Market Cycles & Learning from History

01:13:00 Trading Environment: Teamwork, Feedback & Routine

01:21:00 Habit Building, Mental Resilience & Self-Improvement

01:29:00 Overcoming Drawdowns: Evolution as a Trader

01:36:00 Theme Investing & Identifying Market Trends

01:44:00 Stage Analysis & Timeless Market Principles

01:52:00 Learning from the Greats: Books, Routine & Growth Mindset

02:01:00 Success Principles, Philosophy & Last Words

Disclaimer:

The content on Words of Rizdom is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment or trading advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor, and the strategies, opinions, and commentary shared are based on personal experience of the respective guests. We are not personally affiliated with any of the guests featured in our episodes. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or endorsements of Words of Rizdom.

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