TrdForge

Futures trader. Read everything. Still traded wrong. Built the fix. Founder @trdforge — Where Discipline is Forged. Launching 2026.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

I interviewed 5 of the world's top trading psychology coaches for my undergraduate dissertation.
The findings weren't what most traders want to hear.
🧵

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

In 2024 for my undergraduate dissertation "Manifestation and the Impact of Overconfidence, Over-trading and Excessive Risk-taking on Traders' Performance Qualitative Study".
I interviewed 5 world top trading performance coaches. Jared Tender, Steve Ward, Steven Goldstein, Mark Randall and Louise Bedford.

One of the key fittings and unified mitigation strategy was structured journaling. All coaches agreed on this one.

I think it is only qualitative study of this kind. Years of studying trading books and work on this research, trail and error lead me to development and refinement of my own journaling, review and accountability process.

I'm sure you would enjoy the research paper. You can download it free from my website: https://t.co/miEntXmV4Q
No email required.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

Awareness is just the beginning. Deliberate practice comes next if you are willing to go through uncomfortable path.

For my undergraduate dissertation I interviewed top 5 trading performance coaches. One of the key findings was:
Unstructured loss review causes harm.

Mark Randall: "Each time you revisit the story, your body relives the moment."

A badly structured review process does not just fail to help. It actively reinforces the emotional state that produced the poor decision in the first place.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@TheOneLanceB On my watchlist for tonight 👀

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

Great post as always!
After reading "One Good Trade" by @MikeBellafiore years ago.
I realised how professional firms heavy invest in traders early development.

Getting through the screening process is one massive hurdle but the rewards of being immersed in the nurturing and challenging environment at the same time is miles above any online retail content.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@TraderDivergent I think it could be end goal for most of the traders. My experience showed me getting to that point was a very bumpy journey.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@BlogJulianKomar @grok AI content created screanning. Never thought about that. I should start implementing myself 🤪

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@jtrader It will destroy you, but you need to have willingness to do the hard work and rebuild new! Susceptible to and aware of the caveman brain that hijacking your trading decisions.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

My experience showed me the hardest part isn’t knowing mediocre setups exist — it’s the psychology of letting them go in real time.FOMO, boredom, the need to “be in the market,” the quiet voice that says “this one looks good enough”… those are the real enemies.

The edge comes from building a mental filter strong enough that sitting in cash feels safer than forcing a trade.

Once that shift happens, the mistakes don’t vanish they just stop being expensive. That’s when the process finally starts working for you instead of against you.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@TheOneLanceB
Given the depth of experience, you’ve been developing top traders, what would you say is the single most important process or skill a trader needs to master in order to create an edge that actually lasts?

I’d really value hearing how that process looked in your own development.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@jadecap_ @jadecap_
Great results, and solid point on the caveman brain. How long did it take you to fully realize it was hijacking your trading decisions, and what specific steps did you take to regain control of the process?

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@steenbab If the guru patterns actually worked, algos would’ve printed them into oblivion years ago. Pros trade the why. Everyone else chases the chart. Can’t wait for this series, @steenbab
What’s the #1 skill the best hedge fund mentors force new traders to master first?

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

Absolutely nailed it.
The market doesn’t care about your system, your indicators or your backtests.

It only exposes whatever is still unhealed inside you — the need to be right, the fear of missing out, the inability to sit with discomfort after a loss. The real edge isn’t a better strategy.

It’s the trader who can take the shot, miss, and immediately return to the present without dragging the last candle into the next one.
Just like the elite athletes who miss the game-winner and are already locked in for the next performance.

That “war within” is the only battlefield that actually pays.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@jaredtendler @AlphaMind101 @AlphaMind102 Full dissertation — free at https://t.co/TWsH6v9jez
No email required. Free to read and share.
All five coaches participated voluntarily and are named with permission as research participants.

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

I interviewed 5 of the world's top trading psychology coaches for my undergraduate dissertation.
The findings weren't what most traders want to hear.
🧵

[TrdForge @TrdForge]

@jaredtendler @AlphaMind101 @AlphaMind102 What all 5 coaches agreed on.
One tool. Named unanimously. Independently. Across three continents.
Not willpower. Not motivation. Not more books.
A structured, reflective journaling practice. Daily. Documented. Non-negotiable.