

Mind Over Markets: Trading Psychology Podcast
George Papazov
Mind Over Markets is the trading psychology podcast for serious traders ready to master the real edge — their mind. Hosted by George Papazov, founder of TRADEPRO Academy, this show helps you break emotional loops, regulate impulses, and build a confident trader identity. Learn how to rewire your mindset using NLP, coaching, and performance psychology. Ready to go deeper? Unlock the full ASCEND psychology program inside TRADEPRO Academy.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 7, 2025 • 36min
The Patience Paradox: Why Doing Less in Trading Creates More Results
Patience isn't about doing nothing; it's your greatest trading asset. Discover the 'Patience Paradox' that reveals letting go of the need to act can boost results. Break free from impulsive trades driven by emotions and learn to cultivate strategic patience. Embrace a three-step system to train your patience and track your non-actions. Listen for insights on shifting to a more intentional trading style that fosters clarity and confidence. Reframe restraint as mastery and cultivate a calm mindset for better decision-making.

Jul 31, 2025 • 36min
The Trading Strategy I’ve Been Building for 5 Years — Finally Revealed
In this episode, George finally reveals the trading strategy he’s been quietly refining for the last five years — a complete departure from the fast-paced world of day trading he recently left behind. Known as the Convex Core Strategy, this approach is built around always being long the S&P 500 (ES futures) while intelligently hedging downside risk with put spreads and deep out-of-the-money protection.George breaks down why he made the shift, how this strategy aligns with his life as a father, and why it’s brought more clarity, balance, and freedom to his trading than anything he’s done before. He shares the three core components of the strategy, explains how it performs in different market conditions, and reveals the mindset shift required to move from chasing trades to intelligently owning market exposure.Whether you’re a futures trader, options trader, or simply curious about evolving beyond day trading, this episode offers a fresh perspective on building a sustainable and scalable approach to the markets.Key Takeaways 💡From Day Trading to Convexity: After 24 years of day trading, George shifted to a strategy focused on convex opportunities — trades with limited downside and asymmetric upside.Three Components of the Convex Core Strategy:A perpetual long position in ES futures.A protective put spread for downside hedging.A deep out-of-the-money put for catastrophic “tail risk” events.Market Scenarios: Profits are maximized in up markets, hedged in down markets, and carry insurance costs in sideways markets.Institutional Mindset: This approach mirrors how large institutions manage exposure — always long, hedging intelligently, and focusing on macro context rather than intraday noise.Personal Benefits: The strategy freed George from constant decision-making, reduced emotional fatigue, and aligned his trading with his family life and long-term goals.Bigger Picture: It’s more than a strategy; it’s a mindset shift from chasing short-term gains to building sustainable wealth over decades.Episode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me hereDisclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Jul 24, 2025 • 35min
I Quit Day Trading — Here’s the Strategy I Use Now
After 21 years in the game, I’ve officially stepped away from day trading.Not because I burned out… but because I evolved.In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the emotional toll of day trading, how performance pressure warped my identity, and why I decided to walk away from the daily grind — even while I was still profitable.But I didn’t leave the market. I rebuilt my edge.I share the full breakdown of my new Convex Core Strategy — a simple yet powerful approach that focuses on low-frequency trades, asymmetric risk-reward, and long-term growth. It’s given me my time, health, and energy back — while still keeping me connected to the market I love.This episode is a raw reflection on the price of trading obsession… and what real freedom looks like when you finally stop chasing every move.👤 Whether you’re feeling burnt out, stuck in a trading loop, or ready to evolve — this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now to learn:Why I stopped day trading (even after 20+ years)The hidden emotional cost of the 2-hour trading dayWhat the Convex Core Strategy is and how it worksHow to transition from “daily wins” to building real wealthThe mindset shift that changed everythingEpisode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jul 17, 2025 • 26min
The Day Trading Lie No One Wants to Tell You
Most trading educators will tell you, “Anyone can day trade — you just need the right strategy.” But that’s not the whole truth. In this episode, we get brutally honest about the psychological demands of day trading — and why so many traders are unknowingly stepping into a high-performance arena without the preparation to succeed.You’ll learn why day trading is more like professional sports than most people realize, how to recognize if you’re truly ready to perform under pressure, and what to do if you're not there yet — without giving up on your trading dreams.If you’ve ever felt like something’s missing — even when you’ve bought the courses and followed the rules — this episode will reframe everything for you.Key Takeaways + Soundbites“Day trading is a full-contact psychological sport. If you’re untrained, you’re walking into the Stanley Cup without knowing how to skate.”“It’s not that you’re broken — it’s that you’re trying to perform like a pro without training like one.”“Most traders don’t fail because they lack information. They fail because they expect elite results without elite preparation.”“Awareness is the beginning of power. If you realize you’re not ready yet, congratulations — you just avoided a costly identity wound.”“Start by slowing the game down. Switch to a 1H or 4H chart, stretch out your decision-making process, and train your nervous system for performance.”“You don’t go to the NHL without going through the minors. Start with longer timeframes, then graduate down — not the other way around.”“Stop comparing your chapter 1 to someone else’s chapter 20. You’re not behind — you’re building your base.”Episode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsConnect with Our Community: Visit TRADEPRO Academy onlineJoin Our Free Trading Room: Click here to access itFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jul 10, 2025 • 33min
Scared to Trade Again? How to Rebuild After a Blowout
You’ve done the work. You’ve changed your strategy, refined your routine, and rebuilt your mindset—but deep down, the fear is still there. What if it happens again?This episode is your comeback blueprint.I’ll walk you through the psychological transformation required to return to trading with confidence, clarity, and control after a devastating account blowout. You’ll learn how to rewire your subconscious, regulate your physiology, and rebuild belief in yourself—step by step.We’ll cover:* The athlete’s mindset of returning after injury—and how it mirrors trading trauma* Why acceptance is power, and denial is self-sabotage* The exact mental rehearsal routine to rewire belief before re-entry* Why controllable goals are your new edge (and which goals are secretly killing your progress)* How breathing becomes a live ticker tape of your emotional state* The real “cheat code” to lock in trading success—*and it’s not what you think*This episode is not about revenge. It’s about redemption.If you're ready to return with strength and finally make trading work for you, this one is essential.Key Takeaways:* **Fear after failure is normal—staying stuck is not.** Avoidance is disguised self-abandonment.* **Practice full acceptance:** You *might* lose again, but hiding in SIM forever won't protect you.* **Mental rehearsal rewires belief.** Visualize yourself trading with excellence *before* you sit down at the screens.* **Set goals you can actually control.** Things like daily loss limits, trade count, and volatility-based filters.* **Breathing is your emotional edge.** Shallow = sabotage. Deep = performance. Reset with 3 slow breaths before every trade.* **Prevent another blowout at all costs.** Repeating sabotage wires failure into your identity.* **The cheat code? Prioritize your physical health.** Workout, hydrate, sleep. Align your body with your goals—and trading transforms.Episode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsConnect with Our Community: Visit TRADEPRO Academy onlineJoin Our Free Trading Room: Click here to access itFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jul 3, 2025 • 25min
The Trader Reset: How to Regain Focus in Seconds with One Simple Move
Ever feel like you're mentally sharp before the market opens—but by the end of the session, you’re spiraling and unsure how you got there? You’re not alone. In this episode, George breaks down a powerful and practical performance psychology strategy used by elite athletes: the physical reset.You'll learn how to build your own real-time reset protocol to interrupt emotional spirals, refocus your mind, and reclaim control of your trading decisions—even in the heat of the moment. Plus, we introduce an advanced NLP anchoring technique that helps you create a mental reset button you can fire on command.If you trade solo, this is your new mental edge.Key Takeaways:You play every role as a trader: coach, crowd, player, and trainer—so resetting yourself is essential.Focus is a limited resource, and without a mechanism to reset, you’ll drift from your plan.Physical resets (like stretching, squats, or a walk) help recenter your nervous system and reset your emotional state.You can use NLP anchors to condition a specific physical gesture to instantly bring you back to peak performance.Step 1 is awareness: notice when you’re hesitating, checking PnL excessively, or justifying poor trades.Step 2 is your physical reset protocol—write it down and keep it visible.Step 3 is anchoring: once calm, fire your chosen physical gesture to associate it with focus and control.Over time, you’ll be able to reset your mindset in seconds—without needing the physical movement.Episode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsConnect with Our Community: Visit TRADEPRO Academy onlineJoin Our Free Trading Room: Click here to access itFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jun 26, 2025 • 33min
You’re Listening to Yourself Too Much — And It’s Costing You Trades
What if the key to trading clarity, confidence, and control wasn’t a new strategy… but simply talking to yourself out loud?In this episode, I reveal a high-performance habit used by elite athletes, world-class performers, and consistent professional traders — even if they don’t know they’re doing it.It’s not a tactic. It’s a psychological reset button. One that activates your conscious mind, aligns your subconscious identity, and turns your thoughts into focused action.You’ll learn how moderating a trade room kept me sharp, how I lost that clarity when I stopped narrating my process — and how I rebuilt it using a simple daily practice. Plus, I’ll walk you through the 3-tier system for implementing this high-performance habit in your own trading workflow, starting today.If you've been feeling distracted, impulsive, or disconnected from your edge… this might be the single most powerful habit you’re not using.Key TakeawaysDon’t listen to yourself — talk to yourself. Verbal self-narration helps clarify intention, reduce hesitation, and break emotional loops.Speaking engages your entire nervous system. It activates auditory, kinesthetic, and visual channels — leading to better memory, emotional regulation, and pattern recognition.Narration aligns your conscious and subconscious mind. This builds a self-image of discipline and professional execution.Trade room moderators sound so “on it” because they verbalize their process. You can recreate that loop on your own to gain the same clarity and edge.There are 3 levels of implementation:Audio Self-Talk – Narrate your trades live using your phone.Video Recording – Capture your screen, face, voice, and charts to analyze posture, tone, and energy.Text Journaling – The least immersive but still useful for emotional tracking when audio isn’t possible.The review is as important as the recording. Focus on moments before the trade, during execution, and post-outcome. What did you see, feel, and say?Most traders lose not because of poor setups — but because of poor internal dialogue. Change your inputs, and your outcomes will follow.Episode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsConnect with Our Community: Visit TRADEPRO Academy onlineJoin Our Free Trading Room: Click here to access itFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jun 19, 2025 • 36min
You Should’ve Stopped — But No One Taught You How
How many times have you told yourself, “I should’ve stopped,” after the damage was already done?In this episode, I share a personal story of how one small decision — increasing my stop loss by just a few ticks — spiraled into one of the worst trading days of my career. But the real problem wasn’t the market. It was me. More specifically, it was my lack of an emotional stop-loss.You’ll learn how emotional spirals happen before the chart even moves, and why most traders unconsciously sabotage themselves when stress, pressure, and doubt take over. I’ll give you a 3-step framework to build your own emotional stop-loss system — so you can protect your confidence, not just your capital.If you’ve ever looked back at a trade and wondered “What the hell happened?” — this episode is for you.Key Takeaways:The story of how one decision cost me an entire day’s progressWhy your subconscious might be programmed to make you loseWhat an “emotional stop-loss” really is — and how to build one3 types of stop-losses: mind-based, body-based, and behavior-basedHow to catch emotional breakdowns before they spiralThe hidden link between protecting your mental state and long-term profitabilityWhy true trading maturity is about self-governance, not more setupsEpisode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break ThemLeave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on SpeakPipeRate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate us on Spotify or on Apple PodcastsConnect with Our Community: Visit TRADEPRO Academy onlineJoin Our Free Trading Room: Click here to access itFollow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, follow me here

Jun 12, 2025 • 35min
Trader or Analyst? Why You Freeze at Entry — And How to Flip the Switch
In this powerful episode, George explores the core psychological conflict that prevents traders from confidently executing trades. The root of the issue? A hidden identity battle between two roles—the Analyst and the Trader. The analyst is calm, logical, and risk-free. The trader, on the other hand, operates under pressure, confronting risk, regret, and responsibility.George argues that most traders overtrain their analyst and neglect their trader, leading to hesitation, fear, and poor execution. Through vivid metaphors—like fans on the field, CEOs vs. managers, and athletes under pressure—he drives home the importance of training the execution muscle, not just the analytical mind.He wraps the episode with a practical 3-step challenge to help listeners separate and strengthen these two identities so they can flip the internal switch and become confident, decisive traders.Key TakeawaysSeparate the analyst and trader roles – The analyst prepares and plans; the trader executes under pressure. Confusing these roles leads to hesitation.Hesitation is caused by identity conflict – Freezing at entries happens when you're stuck between roles and not confident in the trader identity.Train the trader specifically – Most traders practice analysis but never practice execution. You must deliberately train the trader role with live replays and real-time decisions.Use a physical switch to build awareness – A labeled switch helps reinforce role separation and activates the right mindset at the right time.Treat trading as a performance sport – Like athletes, traders need focused execution. Intrusive thoughts (the “fans”) must be silenced during performance.Journal role-based mistakes – After each session, identify whether the analyst or trader made the error, and refine that role accordingly.Episode ResourcesDownload End the Cycle, a 7 day reset plan used by traders to regain control - FAST!Enjoying this podcast? We’d appreciate it if you can drop us a rating and review on iTunes hereLeave me a message or your question on Speakpipe hereConnect with our community online: Trade Pro AcademyCatch up with our earlier episodes: Mind Over Markets PodcastJoin our FREE trading room hereFollow me on Instagram here and on Twitter here

Jun 5, 2025 • 16min
Belief Is the Real Strategy: One Mental Shift That Can Change Your Trading
In this episode, George emphasizes the importance of belief in trading success, arguing that a trader's mindset and self-belief are crucial for achieving consistent results. He shares a powerful mental exercise to help listeners reframe limiting beliefs and cultivate a positive mindset, ultimately leading to improved trading performance.TakeawaysMost traders need a better belief system, not a strategy.Belief influences risk tolerance and decision-making.Your language creates your experience in trading.Reframing limiting beliefs can change your trading outcomes.You must believe in your success before it manifests.Catch and reframe one limiting belief each day.Positive affirmations can reshape your trading mindset.Success is a decision reinforced by belief.You are a high performer; believe it to achieve it.Community support is vital for personal growth.Episode ResourcesDownload End the Cycle, a 7 day reset plan used by traders to regain control - FAST!Enjoying this podcast? We’d appreciate it if you can drop us a rating and review on iTunes hereLeave me a message or your question on Speakpipe hereConnect with our community online: Trade Pro AcademyCatch up with our earlier episodes: Mind Over Markets PodcastJoin our FREE trading room hereFollow me on Instagram here and on Twitter here


