The AlphaMind Podcast

In this episode of the AlphaMind podcast, we sit down with Thor Young, who took the long way round into trading, starting out in IT before making the leap. Thor's refreshingly honest about the early days, blowing up more than one account before he finally scrapped his original strategy and built a systematic approach that actually suited who he is, not who he thought he should be. He talks about how meditation and a good community helped him get through the mental side of it, and why the real battle isn't the market, it's sticking to your own system when a drawdown is testing your nerve.He also opens up about juggling trading with a full-time job and family life, including raising a neurodivergent child. It's a warm, honest part of the conversation, and one we think a lot of people will see themselves in, whether they trade or not.Thor is the author of A Complete Day Trading System (2021) and has personally mentored hundreds of traders, helping them build greater discipline, consistency, and confidence in their execution. Today he trades live daily while mentoring alongside his partner, Dr. Vanessa Charland, through Market Alchemists, where together they continue developing systematic approaches and tools designed to bring clarity and structure to the trading process.To learn more about Thor and his work:Market Alchemists: https://marketalchemists.org/ Book: A Complete Day Trading System X: @thoryoung Instagram: @thoryoungMA YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@TheMarketAlchemistsAlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

What Trading Can Learn From The Body Keeps the Scorewith Steven Goldstein and Mark RandallA trader knows the right move — and physically can’t make it. This episode is about why, and what trauma research reveals about performing under financial risk.Bessel van der Kolk’s The Body Keeps the Score has become required reading in trading circles — not because trading is trauma, but because the same nervous system mechanics trauma research has mapped in detail also govern how traders behave under pressure. Steven Goldstein and Mark Randall break down five lessons from the book and translate each one directly into the language of risk, drawdowns, and decision-making under threat.What you’ll learn•     Why the rational, decision-making part of the brain goes offline under perceived threat — and why “just follow the plan” fails in the moment•     How neuroception, the nervous system’s unconscious scanning for danger, shows up as physical sensation before a trade goes wrong•     Why a single catastrophic loss can fragment a trader’s whole sense of self, not just their P&L•     Why journaling and post-mortem analysis alone rarely change behavior — and what bottom-up, body-based work adds•     Why co-regulation with another person, not solo reflection, is often what lets a dysregulated nervous system reset“The market doesn’t care about your story, but your body is keeping score whether you’re listening to it or not.”Timestamps0:07  —  Cold open — welcome back1:00  —  Setting up the book & Lesson 1: The rational brain goes offline under threat13:38  —  Lesson 2: The body knows before you do30:13  —  Lesson 3: One bad hit can fragment the whole story41:20  —  Lesson 4: Talking about it isn't enough on its own50:53  —  Lesson 5: Safety in relationship is what lets the system recalibrate1:02:54  —  Close & sign-offResources mentioned•     The Body Keeps the Score: Mind, Brain and Body in the Transformation of Trauma by Bessel van der Kolk•     thealphamindpodcast.com — full back catalog and where to subscribeThe AlphaMind Podcast explores the behavioral and human side of taking and managing risk, hosted by Steven Goldstein with Mark Randall. New episodes and the full back catalog at thealphamindpodcast.com.AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Matt "Pax" Kenah, former Chicago floor trader turned educator, shares hard-earned market wisdom. He discusses why fortunes in trading are still possible, the psychological and structural traps that make most fail, and how to treat trading like a business with strict risk controls and routines. He also covers recovery after big losses and when to step away for health and longevity.

“When a trader stops trying to fix themself, and starts understanding themself, that's when trading can really transform. “ – Andrew Menaker – The AlphaMind Podcast In this episode, we explore how performance coaching transforms traders’ mindsets, sharpens decision-making under pressure, and builds routines that sustain a long-term edge.Hosts Steven Goldstein and Mark Randall sit down with performance coach and professional trader Andrew Menaker to examine the psychological shifts that drive lasting improvement in trading performance.While many view trading as a technical challenge—charts, systems, strategy—Andrew argues the greatest gains come from transforming the person behind the P&L. Through coaching, traders develop self-mastery, which produces clearer decision-making, healthier risk-taking, and greater resilience—leading to significant improvements in performance.Andrew Menaker Links: Website: https://andrewmenaker.com/Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-menaker-phd-b2870323/ X: https://x.com/Andrew_Menaker/ AlphaMind Links Website: https://alpha-mind.net Email: [email protected] X: https://x.com/AlphaMind101 Linkedin - AlphaMind Hosts: Mark Randall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/markrandallconsultancy/ Steven Goldstein: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-goldstein-060a4913/ AlphaMind Newsletter: https://alphamind101.substack.com/AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Explore how emotions like panic can derail traders of all levels. Discover the concept of 'controlled urgency' versus panic, and why elite traders maintain calm during chaos. The hosts share stories of traders who thrive in tumult, contrasting their mindset with those who crumble under pressure. Learn actionable strategies to stay centered and turn market volatility into profit opportunities, alongside insights on neuroplasticity and the transformative power of coaching for improving trading performance.

Welcome to the latest episode of the AlphaMind Podcast, featuring Josh Schuler, a trader, educator, and former broker in the futures market. Since starting his trading journey in 2009, Josh has gained extensive experience and knowledge, helping others make informed trading decisions and improve their returns through market profile techniques. Recommended by fellow retail traders for his inspirational work, Josh shares valuable insights in this episode, where we explore and discuss a variety of topics, including trader process, trader behaviour and mindset, as well as the Market Profile tool itself. To learn more about Josh, visit his website, Trade With Profile - detail below: Enjoy the episode!Links: Trade With Profile: https://www.tradewithprofile.com/X: @joshschulerLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/iamjoshschuler/AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

In this episode of the AlphaMind Podcast, host Steven Goldstein shares a personal reflection on the transformative power of the “Reset” in trading.Navigating the challenging world of markets requires more than just technical skill—it’s also about mastering mindset and resilience. In this context, the Reset is a powerful tool that helps traders reconnect with the present moment, regain focus, and clear mental clutter that can hinder performance.Steven reflects on his own trading journey and how it led him to become a performance coach. He explores how implementing a Reset allows traders to shift from emotional reactions to calm, focused decision-making, ultimately enhancing their effectiveness and consistency.Whether you’re facing a tough trading session or seeking to refine your mental approach, embracing the Reset can be a game-changer. Tune in as Steven discusses how this simple yet profound concept can elevate your trading mindset, foster greater self-awareness, and help you perform at your best—even amidst market chaos.AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

At AlphaMind, we love speaking with those who have achieved remarkable success in trading, to gain their insights on what it truly takes to succeed, endure, and excel in this challenging field.We are honoured to welcome back one of our favourite guests, Linda Raschke—a veteran trader who first gained prominence when featured in one of Jack Schwager’s early Market Wizards books. With a career spanning over 40 years, Linda has experienced great success, overcoming numerous challenges along the way. She shares many of these experiences in her excellent autobiographical book, Trading Sardines.As you will hear, Linda is passionate, honest, and candid, bringing a light-heartedness and humour that enhances her profound insights. This interview builds upon previous conversations, offering valuable perspectives to both new and experienced traders—challenging them and encouraging deep reflection on their trading journeys.Linda Social MediaTwitter: @LindaRaschke Website: LindaRaschke.net Book: Trading Sardines: https://lindaraschke.net/trading-sardines/AlphaMind: Powering Performance in Global MarketsAlphaMind brings powerful change, growth and development to people and businesses within global markets.Driven by a deep understanding of how markets work, and how people and businesses function within them, we partner with clients to create personal performance improvements that elevate returns across their trading activities.Go to the AlphaMind website to know more.

Mark Minervini, renowned trader and author who won the U.S. Investing Championship and founded the Minervini Master Trader Program. He recounts rising from poverty and early trading blow-ups. Conversation covers mindset, building trader identity through practice, stress tolerance and contingency playbooks, and his reverse factor modeling approach to finding high-probability setups.

Blayn Marshall, a young trader from Scotland, shares his insights on navigating the trading landscape in the 2020s. He opens up about the initial hurdles he faced, like losses and steep learning curves. Blayn discusses his transition from discretionary to systematic trading, emphasizing the role of risk management and mental resilience. He highlights the importance of developing automated trading strategies and the impact of technology on trading opportunities. With a focus on community and continual learning, he offers a fresh perspective for aspiring traders.