Interviews with Top Prop Traders: Insights and Advice
Prop trading (proprietary trading) offers an exciting career path for traders wanting financial independence, skill development, and high rewards. Whether you’re a pro or just beginning your trading journey, hearing what the experts in this field have to say can play a huge part in your success.
Advice from top prop traders can shape your approach and give you valuable lessons on strategy, risk management, and having the proper mindset.
These pro traders share their knowledge to help you succeed in the competitive world of prop trading.
(Prop Firm Trader)
Griff J’s advice has to do with risk management and he specifies using practices such as setting strict stop-loss orders and diversifying trades to help traders stay profitable. He stresses that it’s important to never risk more than a small percentage of capital (about 1-3%) on a single trade as consistency and discipline are key to long-term success in the industry.
(The5ers Trader)
Oluwafemi O. credits his mental resilience for his success, stressing the importance of perseverance and learning from failures. He also advocates for technical analysis strategies, like support and resistance, trendlines, and candlestick formations, as essential tools for meeting prop firm evaluations.
(CEO of Funded Trading Plus)
Simon Massey, CEO of Funded Trading Plus, says traders shouldn’t ignore the growing importance of innovation and adaptability in prop firms. He believes that staying ahead of trends and using advanced platforms will give traders a huge edge over the rest. The firm’s support framework, he explains, makes it possible for traders to scale up effectively, which is important for consistent growth.
(BM Trading, FTMO Challenge Success)
Renés advice is centered around the importance of having a solid foundation before jumping into the deep end of prop trading. He highlights how crucial it is to develop a strategy that works for you and to stick to it, emphasising backtesting as a key component of success. He advises that traders must not rush into challenges but focus on mastering the fundamentals first.
(7-Figure Trading Mentor)
Dominic stresses that building a strong network of peers and mentors is essential. In his experience, this helps new traders learn faster and avoid costly mistakes. He also recommends focusing on risk management strategies and a disciplined trading routine.
(Prop Firm Trader Turned Retail Trader)
Jeremy’s advice centres on the mindset shift from trading at a prop firm to working independently. He emphasises the importance of patience and consistency over time, noting that those who stay committed to a routine and avoid overtrading tend to be more successful.
(Market Maker, Prop Trader)
Larry shares insights from his time as a market maker. He explains how understanding liquidity and the market’s broader mechanics can give traders an edge. He also advises that successful traders have to be resilient, learning from their losses without letting emotions dictate their decisions.
(Powerlifter Turned Trader)
Tanner’s unique perspective comes from his background in powerlifting. In his interview, he draws a parallel between physical training and prop trading and stresses the importance of building mental endurance and maintaining a structured routine. His advice to traders is to find simple setups that suit your individual trading style and stick with them.
(Successful Prop Trader)
Andrew Mreana is happy to share his views on navigating volatile markets with aspiring prop traders. In his interview on The Trading Pit, he advises caution when using trading bots, and puts emphasis on the fact that while these tools can be helpful, they shouldn’t ever replace human judgment. He also recommends that traders exercise due diligence and conduct regular maintenance of their trading bots to make sure that they stay aligned with constantly-evolving market conditions.
(CMO Funded Trading Plus)
Michael from Funded Trading Plus says teamwork and a unified approach are two traits that are essential for success in prop trading. His firm’s motto is “work hard, have a good attitude, and take care of the customer,” and it reflects the importance of a strong team ethos and a customer-centric approach.
In his interview, Michael also highlighted the value of blending different trading styles for a well-rounded strategy, as evidenced by his long-term trading approach which complements the scalping strategies of other traders on his team, creating a balanced trading style.
Trading experts consistently emphasise the importance of risk management, patience, and discipline. Mastery of these core principles can significantly improve the chances of success in prop trading.