Gates W. Adams

25 Years after a devastating trading loss, finally making $ as a trader
Host of "The Forged Trader" Podcast
YTD Apex Payouts $116,188

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

Follow your dreams, even if you’re not sure yet how to get there!

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 10 — The Forged Trader: When the Inner Game Is Won

Ten episodes. One question underneath all of it.
What does it actually look like when the inner game is won?
Not theoretically.
In a real session. On a real platform. With real money moving.
The Forged Trader isn't someone who never feels fear.
They're someone whose identity is stronger than their interference.
This is what it looks like.
This is the complete picture.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.
It’s not.
It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.
This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.
If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.
🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 9 — The Game You're Actually Playing

Eight episodes identifying what's breaking your trading.
But underneath all of it — there's one root cause.
Most traders are playing the wrong game entirely.
Not the wrong strategy.
Not the wrong market.
The wrong game.
The market doesn't know you exist.
You can't compete with something that isn't competing with you.
This is where the right game begins.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.
It’s not.
It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.
This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.
If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.
🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 8 — Focus: What You're Actually Paying Attention To Is Killing You

Your attention is the most powerful resource you have at the platform.
And most traders have it parked on a number they can't control.
Every second you're watching the P&L —
you're feeding Self 1.
Not trading your process.
Trading your emotions.
Where your attention goes, your execution goes.
This is where it changes.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.
It’s not.
It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.
This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.
If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.
🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING -- Episode 7 — Trust the Process — Or Trust the Fear

You say you trust your process.
Right up until the trade moves against you.
Right up until you've taken two losses.
Right up until fear of giving back your gains takes over.
That's not trust.
That's a condition.
And conditional trust fails every single time the market tests it.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.
It’s not.
It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.
This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.
If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.
🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.
This is where the real standard gets set.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 6 — Quiet the Mind: The Art of Non-Judgmental Awareness
Most traders think a quiet mind means no emotion. No fear. No doubt. Just robotic calm.
That's not what it means. And that misunderstanding is costing you. 📷
Gallwey's real insight wasn't about silencing your thoughts — it was about stopping the judgment of them. There's a difference. A massive one.
In Episode 6 of the Inner Game of Trading series, I'm breaking down what the quiet mind actually looks like at a live platform — and introducing the first pillar of the Forged Trader system that makes it possible.
📷 Emotion is information. Not instruction.
Say that again until it lands.
Most traders think this game is about strategy.
It’s not.
It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.
This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.
If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.
📷 Full breakdown inside.
📷 If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📷 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 5 — The Blueprint

Every trader has the same surface problems.

FOMO. Overtrading. Early exits.

But the reason behind them?

That’s personal. 

And until you understand that…

you’re just managing symptoms.

🧩 This is where your patterns actually come from.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.

It’s not.

It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.

This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.

If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.

🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 4 — Trust

You don’t trust your process as much as you think you do.

Because when pressure hits…

you override it.

You hesitate. You force. You exit early.

That’s not a strategy issue.

That’s a trust issue.

🎯 This episode exposes it.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.

It’s not.

It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.

This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.

If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.

🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

🎉 New Record Duration!!!

The longest I have held a trade... ever! Been working on patience, I was tested today!

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 3 — Interference

You don’t need more knowledge.

You need less interference.

Overthinking, forcing trades, second-guessing —
that’s what’s killing your execution.

Not your strategy.

⚠️ This is where performance actually breaks down.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.

It’s not.

It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.

This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.

If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.

🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — Episode 2 — Self 1 vs Self 2

There are two versions of you in every trade.

One that knows what to do.

And one that keeps getting in the way.

Most traders try to fight that voice.

That’s the mistake.

🧠 This episode shows you what’s actually going on under the surface.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.

It’s not.

It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.

This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.

If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.

🎧 Full breakdown inside.
⏮️ If you just found this episode, make sure to go back and start from Episode 1 first.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

⚔️ THE INNER GAME OF TRADING — EPISODE 1 - Awareness

The biggest problem in your trading…

is the one you don’t see.

Most traders are reacting automatically —
not consciously.

Until you can see what’s actually happening in real time,
nothing else changes.

👁 This is where it starts.

Most traders think this game is about strategy.

It’s not.

It’s about what’s happening inside you when the pressure hits.

This series breaks down the mental game behind trading —
based on principles from The Inner Game of Tennis —
and shows how they apply directly to the chart.

If you’re serious about consistency, this matters.

🎧 Full breakdown inside.
📌 Follow to stay locked in — this builds episode by episode.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

🚨New series announcement!!!

Sort of update on the show, and more...

Also, if it's time to add to your arsenal of accounts, check out Apex Trader Funding for up to 90% off until April 21 with coupon code "Forged"

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

Over the last few months… I didn’t just struggle in trading. I lost control. After one of the biggest payouts of my life… I blew through nearly 80 funded accounts. Not because I didn’t know what I was doing. But because something deeper was broken. This episode is not about strategy. It’s not about setups. It’s not about indicators. It’s about the truth most traders avoid: 👉 When willpower crashes into identity… identity wins. I walk you through everything: The $40,000 payout that triggered the collapse The emotional spiral that followed The moment I realized I wasn’t facing reality Why I kept repeating the same patterns And the decision that changed everything… Scaling down to one account, one micro But this goes deeper than trading. This is about: Identity Belief systems The subconscious patterns driving your results And why you keep ending up in the same place… even when you “know better” Because if you don’t fix the identity gap… Your results will always snap back to what feels familiar. No matter how good your strategy is. This episode is raw. It’s honest. And for a lot of traders… it’s going to hit close to home. If you’ve ever: Blown accounts you knew you shouldn’t have Broken rules you fully understood Felt like you were fighting yourself in the market This one’s for you. If you want help working through this at a deeper level: Reach out to me on Facebook: @TheForgedTrader I’m offering a limited number of free breakthrough sessions. You don’t have a trading problem. You have an identity gap. Fix that… and everything changes.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

Honest question for traders watching this:

What’s blown more accounts for you…

A) Bad strategy
B) Bad psychology

Be honest.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

Three months.
Almost 80 funded trading accounts blown.

Not because I didn’t know how to trade.

Because emotion kept hijacking the process.

So I ran an experiment on myself.

I scaled down to one micro contract… and something surprising happened.

This video isn’t about strategy.
It’s about psychology, discipline, and protecting your edge.

If you’ve ever:
• revenge traded
• sized too big
• broken your own rules
• watched a good system get destroyed by emotion

…this one’s for you.

Because the truth is brutal:

Most traders don’t fail from lack of knowledge.
They fail from lack of control.

This was the experiment that started changing that for me.

— Gates
The Forged Trader

#TradingPsychology
#DayTrading
#TraderMindset
#FundedTrader
#TradingDiscipline
#TradingJourney
#FuturesTrading
#PropFirmTrader
#ApexTraderFunding
#TradingMistakes
#LearnToTrade
#TheForgedTrader

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

It's been a wild week! It's not always about trading 📈, but what being a trader allows you to do.

I'm not sure if I won this week or not, but I hope you enjoy stories of my pain! 😂

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

WEEKLY RECAP – ONE MICRO. ONE ACCOUNT. ZERO EXCUSES. 🔥

After my biggest payout in November…

I crashed.

Three straight months of drift.
Emotion.
Overextension.
Trying to scale 20 PAs at once to “speed up” payouts.

That wasn’t growth.
That was ego dressed as ambition.

So in February, I did something that felt almost embarrassing:

I scaled down to 1 PA account.
And 1 micro per trade.
No exceptions.
No “this setup deserves more size.”

One micro. ⚔️

The goal wasn’t profit.

The goal was emotional regulation.

If less is on the line…
Less emotion shows up.

At least in theory.

The first week?

Solid. Clean. Disciplined. 🧱
Then Monday hit.

Second red day in a row.

And I tilted.
Not catastrophic.

Not nuclear.
But tilt is tilt.
I got lucky.

Bad behavior got rewarded.
Finished +$300.
That’s the most dangerous kind of lesson. ⚠️

So the next day became non-negotiable.

No skipping two days.

No spiraling.
Just structure.
And that day was solid.

Wins. Losses. Break-evens.
Process intact. 🛡️
Now this account is:

• 10 trading days old

• ~ $1,400 up overall

• Over $1,000 up this week
• 72% win rate on 11 trades
On one micro.
I have never hit 72% consistency over a week before.

That’s not hype.

That’s structure. 🏗️

Lessons From the Forge:

1️⃣ I don’t need perfection.

I need more space between big mistakes.

2️�� One micro is not the long-term plan.

It’s a trust-building phase.
I gave myself my word:

Minimal size. All month.
No exceptions.

And I will finish what I started. 🔒
But in March, the shift happens.

No more “big trades” and “small trades.”

There will be one thing:

Standardized dollar risk per trade.

Same emotional weight.

Every setup.

Because emotional normalization is the real edge. 🧠

If you’re blowing accounts…
It’s probably not your strategy.

It’s your nervous system.

Scale down.

Stabilize.

Rebuild trust.

Then scale intelligently.

This is what forging looks like. 🔥
Not flashy.
Not dramatic.
Just controlled heat.

If this hits —
Like it.
Comment your biggest lesson this week.
Follow for real trading psychology — not fantasy.

Let’s build traders who don’t drift.

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

@tradewithkev I've had to work through some stuff for sure, but I think I'm back on the right track!

[Gates W. Adams @TheForgedTrader]

I hit my highest month ever.

Then I blew up.

Hard.

This isn’t a strategy conversation.
It’s an identity one.

If you’ve ever:

• Stacked small wins
• Taken one emotional loss
• Watched it wipe everything out
• And asked yourself, “Why do I keep doing this?”

This video is for you.

I’m not hiding the crash.
I’m documenting the rebuild.

In real time.

The Trader Bacon Show is relaunching.
The podcast is coming back.
And this next season is different.

If you’re serious about fixing execution, emotional control, and risk — not just entries — press play.

Then like it.
Comment.
Share it.

Because every interaction pushes this into the feed of another trader stuck in the same cycle.

And if you’re rebuilding too…

Right now is leverage season.
80% off Apex evaluations.
Code: FORGED.

Link in the comments. QR on screen.

Rebuild with intention.

I’ll see you in the fire. 🔥

#TheForgedTrader #RebuildSeason #TradingPsychology #TraderMindset #ExecutionMatters #RiskManagement #DayTradingLife #FuturesTrader #ApexTraderFunding #TradeLikeABusiness #IdentityFirst #StayForged