

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

Jun 13, 2023 • 52min
Episode 77 | Clive Ponsonby - former JP Morgan FX Trader
My next guest is a man who spent 20 years at the top – trading for JP Morgan – retiring in his forties so he could spend more time with his family, more time travelling and generally finding more things to do than stare at a screen all day. He still trades today but more sensible hours. Clive Ponsonby. ==Before you leave this page...Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showPlease follow A Trader's Life on Twitter. And if you're a trader with some stories you'd like to share and you'd like to be on the how, don't hesitate to reach out: nic.penrake@gmail.com.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

May 10, 2023 • 27min
Episode 76 | Michael A Gayed - Portfolio Manager
Michael A Gayed is a a Portfolio Manager at Tidal Financial Group. His approach is to focus in on zones/period of volatility to find the best investment opportunities in the markets. For powerful market insights to improve your long-term investment strategy, take a read of his Lead Lag Report.==Before you leave this page...Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showPlease follow A Trader's Life on Twitter. And if you're a trader with some stories you'd like to share and you'd like to be on the how, don't hesitate to reach out: nic.penrake@gmail.com.Link up with me on Li.Support the showSupport the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Mar 22, 2023 • 2min
Trailer to Episode 75 | Jean-Francois Boucher - scalper EURUSD
Mid February 2023 Corey Andrews at Surge Trader put me in touch with trader Jean-Francois Boucher. I was very grateful he did, because my conversation with Jean-Francois has been one of the most absorbing I’ve had since I started this podcast. If you subscribe to A TRADER’S LIFE, you’ll know by now that I’m particularly drawn to traders who have distinctive stories to tell. Jean-Francois certainly delivers on that front. It’s a wonder really that he’s trading at all after all the ups and downs he’s put himself through. His tenacity, humility and a profound desire to learn from obstacles in his way make for a thoroughly engrossing episode. ==Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Mar 22, 2023 • 1h 12min
Episode 75 | Jean-Francois Boucher - scalper EURUSD
Mid February 2023 Corey Andrews at Surge Trader put me in touch with trader Jean-Francois Boucher. I was very grateful he did, because my conversation with Jean-Francois has been one of the most absorbing I’ve had since I started this podcast. If you subscribe to A TRADER’S LIFE, you’ll know by now that I’m particularly drawn to traders who have distinctive stories to tell. Jean-Francois certainly delivers on that front. It’s a wonder really that he’s trading at all after all the ups and downs he’s put himself through. His tenacity, humility and a profound desire to learn from obstacles in his way make for a thoroughly engrossing episode. ==Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showPlease follow A Trader's Life on Twitter. And if you're a trader with some stories you'd like to share and you'd like to be on the how, don't hesitate to reach out: nic.penrake@gmail.com.Link up with me on Li.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Mar 13, 2023 • 6min
Episode 74 | Know your limitations as a trader
This is a short episode (under 10 minutes) in which I share some thoughts on trading tops and bottoms, and how to identify and manage your limitations during an intense trading week. ==Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Mar 5, 2023 • 2min
Trailer to Episode 73 | Michael Katz - Day trader
This is a clip from my conversation with Michael Katz, a day trader, stocks and futures. Michael also helps run Trade the Pool, a prop firm based in Israel. I think you’ll find some useful tips and insights dotted about in this conversation, a handful perhaps that are worth noting down, especially if you’ve not been trading more than 2 or 3 years. Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

6 snips
Mar 5, 2023 • 41min
Episode 73 | Michael Katz - Day trader
Michael Katz is a veteran day trader. Stocks and futures. He also helps run Trade the Pool, a prop firm based in Israel. I think you’ll find some useful tips and insights dotted about in this conversation, a handful perhaps that are worth noting down, especially if you’ve not been trading more than 2 or 3 years. ==Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showPlease follow A Trader's Life on Twitter. And if you're a trader with some stories you'd like to share and you'd like to be on the how, don't hesitate to reach out: nic.penrake@gmail.com.Link up with me on Li.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Mar 2, 2023 • 6min
Episode 72 | Don't use your own money trading
In this very short episode (under 8 minutes) I describe how I came round to realising that NOT trading your own money was the best thing I could do if I ever wanted to make some proper money at this obsession of mine. If you're trading your own money and haven't yet given funded trading a go, this brief account of mine might inspire you to give it a go. ==Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition' with Surge Trader prop firm. Click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showPlease follow A Trader's Life on Twitter. And if you're a trader with some stories you'd like to share and you'd like to be on the how, don't hesitate to reach out: nic.penrake@gmail.com.Link up with me on Li.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

Feb 20, 2023 • 2min
Trailer to Episode 71 Ben Sparham - stocks trader
Ben Sparham began his career at 19 as a Personal Trainer. A few short years later he got bitten by the trading bug and today he trades US equities for himself, friends and family. ==If you want to give prop trading a go, I highly recommend SurgeTrader.They get great reviews online and you can get 90% Profit Split once you're trading one of the their funds.Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition'. Just click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.

9 snips
Feb 20, 2023 • 51min
Episode 71 | Ben Sparham - stocks trader
Ben Sparham began his career at 19 as a Personal Trainer. A few short years later he got bitten by the trading bug and today he trades US equities for himself, friends and family. ==I don't know why it took me so long - confidence, perhaps, i.e., lack thereof - to realize I would be so much better off trading someone else's money, not my own. Mid February 2023 I started the 'audition' at Surge Trader on a virtual account of 100K. If I pass - that means hitting a profit of 10K - I get to trade 100K, again, not my money.Surge Trader get great reviews online and you can get 90% Profit Split once you're trading one of the their funds.Use my 10% Discount Coupon ATL10off for your 'audition'. Just click the link to get started:https://www.surgetrader.com/?afmc=vd Once you pass the audition, you have access to funded accounts from $25,000 and upwards.Support the showSubscribe to A Trader's Life <<A Trader's Life on Twitter. Link up with me on Li.