

A TRADER'S LIFE
Nicholas Penrake
How do traders do it, overcoming setbacks, managing their risk and reining in their emotions to take chunks of money out of the markets? Showhost Nicholas Penrake chats with traders from all kinds of backgrounds, inviting them to share with us their highs and lows on their way to achieving consistent results. Trading is a tough game – they say only around 5 per cent of those who try actually make a profit. Listen to A Trader’s Life to glean some valuable insights from the market wizards Nic get to talk to. If you glance at my profile on LinkedIn, you’ll see I’m no big shot trader. Mid way through 2023, after nearly three years' trading, I'm still only break-even. But every week I learn something new. And part of that learning process is enriched by talking and listening to other traders, those with more experience than I have.We all know that emotions can seriously derail your trading aspirations. It's been my experience - and I hope you agree - that every so often listening to other traders' stories can not only be instructive but inspirational, even comforting, to a degree. Just one example: one of my guests lost 50,000 in just a just a few months. Today’s she’s crushing it in commodities. How did she do it? You come here to find out.And here’s the thing… the picture I’m getting is that it’s not so much about the money, it’s about the challenge.It’s also about freedom: finding a pursuit that can make you an income that only relies on your smarts and an internet connection.If you can get there, trading can potentially free up your day, allowing you to explore a world that extends far beyond the daily commute to an office.So, if you’re a trader interested in comparing your story with the stories of traders who’ve cracked it, or even if you’re just curious about trading, grab your headphones, open your browser and have a listen – A Trader’s Life.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 28, 2025 • 47min
Adam Harris - Combine discretionary trading with patterns produced by AI
Adam Harris, a former City trader and mentor behind the Forex Masterclass, merges classic trading strategies with AI technology. He reveals how a mere 30 minutes a day can transform trading performance through AI-driven signals. Adam shares his journey from the film industry to trading, emphasizing the importance of mindset and risk management. Listeners will also learn about his structured weekly routine that balances teaching, day trading, and content creation—perfect for anyone seeking consistency in their trading journey.

Apr 6, 2025 • 1h 1min
Chris Vermeulen - Become a successful trader without using leverage
Chris Vermeulen has been trading since he was at high school. Today he runs a newsletter that offers his technical analysis on what the markets are telling him. He also runs a real estate business and, recently, he’s stepped in as an executive producer on a family movie. You may have seen him in a suit and tie in a number of news programs talking about trading. I said we don’t do suits on my show, so today here he is the way he is at home. Enjoy the conversation. ==If you're a trader with an interesting story to share and you'd like to be on the show, reach out to nic.penrake@gmail.com. Thank you. Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Jan 4, 2025 • 1h 6min
Mark Randall - Upgrade your trading with a high performance coach
Mark Randall, a high-performance coach and former trader, dives into the intense world of trading under pressure. He shares how he transformed his mindset after being diagnosed with arthritis, highlighting the importance of emotional regulation. Mark discusses his innovative one-hour mindfulness pilot, offering practical techniques like breath meditation and visualization. He emphasizes a person-first coaching approach to enhance traders' wellbeing and realistic expectations surrounding returns and risk management.

Dec 1, 2024 • 26min
Pablo Fdez Escarzaga - 10% gains per week using a proprietary Fibonacci tool
Pablo Fdez Escarzaga, a former lawyer turned full-time trader from Spain, shares his inspiring journey from two years of stagnation in trading to achieving consistent 10% gains weekly. He attributes this transformation to Alla Peters Plocher's proprietary Fibonacci method, which he discovered by chance. Pablo explains how he applies high-timeframe Fibonacci sequences and specific entry techniques, while also balancing his trading routine with a healthy lifestyle. His story is a compelling motivation for anyone feeling stuck in their trading journey.

Oct 10, 2024 • 41min
Alla Peters Plocher - Precision trading using a unique Fibonacci tool
Alla Peters Plocher, founder of the Fibonacci Trading Institute, introduces her unique 'Alpha Fibonacci' trading strategies, sharing her journey from a mathematically inclined childhood in the USSR to global trading mentorship. She highlights the distinctiveness of her bootcamp, which focuses on precise Fibonacci levels aligned with market volatility. Alla explains how her method surpasses common trading tools, emphasizing the significance of the zero point as a critical trend marker. Students have transformed their trading approaches, with many achieving consistent profitability.

Oct 10, 2024 • 2min
Trailer | Alla Peters Plocher - Precision trading using a unique Fibonacci tool
Discover the unique Fibonacci trading methods developed by Alla Peters Plocher, who combines her love for patterns in music and mathematics with market strategies. Learn how passion and rigorous backtesting shape day trading suitability. Explore her innovative Fibonacci software that promises precision in trading decisions. Uncover insights into developing a more refined trading strategy that can elevate your skills. Perfect for traders looking to deepen their understanding of market patterns!

Jul 29, 2024 • 47min
Clive Arneil - trading at the sharp end for half a lifetime
Clive Arneil, a veteran trader and founder of The Sharp End trading room, shares invaluable insights from his decades-long career. He discusses the psychological challenges of trading, especially on tough days when red numbers loom large. Clive emphasizes the importance of risk control and his blend of mechanical and intuitive strategies. He reveals favorites like oil and gold while highlighting the supportive community within his trading room, designed to mentor both novice and experienced traders. His journey from engineering to trading shows a passion for teaching and a balanced life.

May 28, 2024 • 56min
Daniel Munday | Keep it simple - trading the higher timeframes
Daniel Munday, an experienced forex and CFD trader, focuses on higher timeframes and runs a mentorship program. He shares his journey from a day job to full-time trading, highlighting the psychological aspects that underpin his strategy. Munday details his level-based approach, emphasizing key market alignment and trade execution. He discusses the importance of monitoring multiple FX pairs and adapting to post-COVID market uncertainties while mentoring others on discipline and probability. His future plans include a move into wealth management.

Apr 8, 2024 • 49min
Stephen Desborough - Creating a calmer state of mind for optimal trading performance
Stephen Desborough, a former trader turned performance coach with 18 years of experience, shares insights on achieving a calm state of mind for optimal trading. He discusses the impact of self-limiting beliefs and societal narratives on trading performance. Stephen emphasizes the power of language and thought in shaping emotions, revealing how these can lead to restrictive identities. He advocates for a focus on presence and clarity, using metaphors like the cockpit and glitter-ball to illustrate his points as essential for better decision-making.

Apr 8, 2024 • 2min
Trailer | Stephen Desborough - Creating a calmer state of mind for optimal trading performance
A lot has been said about mindset when it comes to trading. Which rather suggests it’s easier said than done. We all know revenge trading is bad, patience is good. Panic is bad, composure is good. And so on. But how do we achieve and maintain a calm state of mind, so we trade at our best?On this episode I talk to a former trader, who for the last 18 years has been helping traders and other professionals get out of their own way and perform better in their chosen arena. Here we go, delving into the mind with performance coach Stephen Desborough. Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.