🎙️ Episode 12: Eat, Sleep, Trade, Repeat

🧠 Episode Description:

In this episode of Risk On, Ben dives deep into the performance factors that alot of people ignore - but absolutely shouldn’t: sleep, diet, and mental clarity.

While the trading world obsesses over strategies, indicators, and market news, this episode uncovers a different game to edge - the one between your ears. Backed by research, field-tested routines, and personal experience, Ben explores how sleep deprivation impacts pattern recognition, how the wrong breakfast can sabotage your morning session, and why five minutes of silence before the bell could save your whole day.

You’ll hear:

• What two academic papers reveal about how poor sleep and distraction lower market performance.

• Why treating your body like part of your trading system gives you an edge.

• The underrated power of journaling, meditation, and pre-market rituals.

Whether you're running on caffeine and hope, or already looking to optimise your edge beyond the chart, this is the episode you didn’t know you needed.

📌 Challenge of the week: Pick one small habit—better sleep, a cleaner meal, or five minutes of calm—and watch what changes.

🎧 Plug in, take notes, and sharpen the edge no one’s talking about.

📘 Episode Description:
In this episode, we dive headfirst into the world of curated success, FOMO, and the mental pitfalls social media creates for traders. If you've ever felt behind, overwhelmed, or not "good enough" after scrolling through endless posts of winning trades and luxury lifestyles, this episode is for you.

We'll explore how social media skews our perception of success in trading, how to identify when it's triggering anxiety, and - most importantly - how to reclaim your focus, confidence, and peace of mind. Learn how to build trading confidence grounded in personal growth and process, not profit screenshots. And walk away with real strategies to curate your information intake, protect your mental game, and thrive in a social media-saturated world.

Whether you're a new trader feeling discouraged or a seasoned one looking to protect your edge, this episode will help you rise above the illusion and stay locked into your journey.

📌 Topics Covered:

• The Psychology of Curated Success

• Recognising Social Media-Induced Trading Anxiety

• Building Authentic Confidence as a Trader

• Strategies for Healthy Information Consumption

• Practical Tools to Reframe Your Social Media Experience

  
  

💬 Final Message:
Stop comparing. Start focusing. Your trading journey is valid, valuable, and uniquely yours. Let social media fuel your learning—not your self-doubt.

📝 References & Sources:

1. Antonacci, G. (2023). Selling the Dream: The Psychology of Trading Gurus on Social Media. Financial Psychology Journal, 14(2), 131–137.

2. Barber, B. M., & Odean, T. (2013). The Behavior of Individual Investors. Handbook of the Economics of Finance, 2, 1533–1570.

3. Gasiorowski, D. (2020). How FOMO Impacts Trading Performance: Experimental Evidence. Journal of Behavioral Finance, 21(2), 77–85.

4. Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

5. Kirkpatrick, C. D., & Dahlquist, J. R. (2010). Technical Analysis: The Complete Resource for Financial Market Technicians. FT Press.

6. Pinker, S. (2018). Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. Penguin Books.

7. Ritholtz, B. (2019). Social Media and the Problem of Survivor Bias in Trading. Bloomberg Opinion.

8. Ross, L., & Sicoly, F. (1979). Egocentric Biases in Availability and Attribution. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 37(3), 322–336.

9. Statista. (2024). Percentage of Retail Traders Who Are Profitable Long-Term. Retrieved from www.statista.com

10. Twenge, J. M., & Campbell, W. K. (2018). The Narcissism Epidemic: Living in the Age of Entitlement. Atria Books.

11. Ward, A. F. (2020). Why Scrolling Makes Us Miserable. Harvard Business Review. Retrieved from www.hbr.org

12. Zweig, J. (2021). Your Money and Your Brain. Simon & Schuster.

In this powerful episode of Risk On, we step into the dramatic and often jaw-dropping life of Jesse Livermore – the man who shorted the 1907 and 1929 stock market crashes and walked away with millions, only to lose it all multiple times. Known as the “Boy Plunger” and the “Great Bear of Wall Street,” Livermore's career is a gripping tale of triumph, tragedy, and timeless trading wisdom.

We break down:

• Livermore’s legendary trades during the 1907 Panic and the 1929 Crash

• The trading principles that made him millions – and the lapses that cost him everything

• Why Reminiscences of a Stock Operator is still required reading for traders

• How Livermore might approach today’s algorithm-driven markets

• Practical takeaways for swing and intraday traders, blending Livermore’s wisdom with modern tools

  
  

Packed with quotes, dramatic storytelling, and insights for traders of all experience levels, this episode is both a tribute and a tactical guide. Whether you’re trading from your laptop or managing institutional capital, Livermore’s rules on trend-following, risk control, and patience remain essential.

📘 Episode Highlights:

• 1907: Short-selling through chaos – how Livermore made millions during a panic

• 1929: The ultimate contrarian play – how he foresaw the biggest crash in history

• How he read the "tape" before indicators even existed

• What Livermore would do with Level II, algos, and order flow today

• How to apply his principles in real trades right now.

  
  

🔔 Subscribe now and don’t miss next week’s episode, where we unpack the Comparison Trap and the impact of Social Media and the Illusion of Trader Success.

📚 References (Alphabetical):

• Lefèvre, E. (1923). Reminiscences of a Stock Operator. George H. Doran Company.

• O’Neil, W. J. (2002). How to Make Money in Stocks. McGraw-Hill.

• Seykota, E., Schwager, J. D. (1992). Market Wizards: Interviews with Top Traders. Wiley.

• Smitten, R. (2001). Jesse Livermore: World's Greatest Stock Trader. Wiley.

• TraderLion. (2021). Jesse Livermore's Trading Rules. www.traderlion.com

• Tudor Jones, P. (2004). Paul Tudor Jones Interview – Market Wizards Series.

• Unknown Author. (n.d.). The Wisdom of Jesse Livermore. Various collected quotes and archives.

• Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Jesse Livermore. Wikipedia.

In this raw and deeply personal episode, I open up about the emotional weight of trading while carrying the real-life bills, setbacks, and the desire to create a better life for someone you love. I share my recent struggles, the emotional cycles of greed and guilt, and the hard lessons learned about discipline, structure, and staying grounded in purpose.

This isn't just about charts or strategy, it's about what happens when you're in the fire, trying to hold it all together.

If you're walking through a tough season, this one’s for you.

🎙️ Episode 8 – Flow State and Cultivating Agency

In this episode of Risk On, Ben dives into one of the most counterintuitive truths in trading: the harder you try, the worse your results can get. Welcome to The Performance Paradox - where effort becomes the enemy of flow, over-optimisation ruins your models, and intuition quietly holds the key to long-term success.

We explore:

🔹 The psychology of flow states and how ease - not effort - drives elite performance

🔹 Why over-optimising your strategy can destroy its real-world resilience

🔹 The neuroscience of gut feelings and how top traders leverage intuitive intelligence

🔹 How to train your “trading instinct” while managing emotions and avoiding mental noise

🔹 The hidden blocks that stop your intuition from showing up when you need it most

#Trading #RiskManagement #DayTrading #SwingTrading #TradingPsychology #TradingPodcast

Reference List

Baylor, A. L. (2001). A U-shaped model for the development of intuition by level of expertise. New Ideas in Psychology, 19(3), 237–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0732-118X(01)00008-5

Bruguier, A. J., Quartz, S. R., & Bossaerts, P. (2010). Exploring the nature of “trader intuition.” Journal of Finance, 65(5), 1703–1723. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6261.2010.01592.x

Coates, J. M., & Herbert, J. (2008). Endogenous steroids and financial risk taking on a London trading floor. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 105(16), 6167–6172. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.0704025105

Dane, E., & Pratt, M. G. (2007). Exploring intuition and its role in managerial decision making. Academy of Management Review, 32(1), 33–54. https://doi.org/10.5465/amr.2007.23463682

Fenton-O’Creevy, M., Soane, E., Nicholson, N., & Willman, P. (2011). Thinking, feeling and deciding: The influence of emotions on the decision making and performance of traders. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 32(8), 1044–1061. https://doi.org/10.1002/job.720

Gurnell, M., Kandasamy, N., Garfinkel, S. N., Page, L., Hardy, B., Critchley, H. D., & Coates, J. M. (2016). Interoceptive ability predicts survival on a London trading floor. Scientific Reports, 6, Article 32986. https://doi.org/10.1038/srep32986

Hagen, H. (2024, July 26). Intuitive intelligence and 8 common blocks that impact it. Forbes Coaches Council. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2024/07/26/intuitive-intelligence-and-8-common-blocks-that-impact-it/

Hogarth, R. M. (2001). Educating intuition. University of Chicago Press.

Isham, A., & Jackson, T. (2023). Finding flow: Exploring the potential for sustainable fulfilment. Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity, University of Surrey. https://www.cusp.ac.uk/publications/flow-report-2023/

Khatri, N., & Ng, H. A. (2000). The role of intuition in strategic decision making. Human Relations, 53(1), 57–86. https://doi.org/10.1177/0018726700531004

Lieberman, M. D. (2000). Intuition: A social cognitive neuroscience approach. Psychological Bulletin, 126(1), 109–137. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.126.1.109

Salas, E., Rosen, M. A., & DiazGranados, D. (2010). Expertise-based intuition and decision making in organizations. Journal of Management, 36(4), 941–973. https://doi.org/10.1177/0149206309350084

Simon, H. A. (1987). Making management decisions: The role of intuition and emotion. Academy of Management Executive, 1(1), 57–64. https://doi.org/10.5465/ame.1987.4275905

Starks, A. (n.d.). Be careful what you wish for: The perils of over-optimization. Medium. https://austinstarks.medium.com/be-careful-what-you-wish-for-the-perils-of-over-optimization-2f1a84ef907f

Trading Literacy. (2024). Intuitive trading strategy: Unveiling the path to market mastery. https://tradingliteracy.com/intuitive-trading-strategy/

Vohra, S., & Fenton-O’Creevy, M. (2014). Intuition, expertise and emotion in the decision making of investment bank traders. In M. Sinclair (Ed.), Handbook of research methods on intuition (Ch. 7). Edward Elgar Publishing.

🎧 Episode Title: Episode #7 - Banking on the Past

🎙️ Episode Description:

In this episode of Risk On, we trade things up for something even deeper - your subconscious. Ben explores how your earliest money memories and childhood financial programming may be quietly influencing your trading decisions today.

From inherited money scripts like “money is bad” or “there will never be enough,” to the way family dynamics shape risk tolerance, this episode unpacks the hidden drivers behind impulsive trades, hesitation, overtrading, and more. Drawing from powerful psychological research and real trading behaviour studies, Ben connects the dots between your upbringing and your performance in the markets.

Expect practical takeaways too - like how to identify your money script, challenge it, and begin reprogramming your nervous system for better decision-making under pressure.

Because in trading, it’s not just about the strategy.

It’s about the story behind the strategy.

#Trading #RiskManagement #DayTrading #SwingTrading #TradingPsychology #TradingPodcast

Reference List

Cheong, C. S., Tan, G., & Zurbruegg, R. (2021). Risk-relevant early life experiences and individual trading activity. Finance Research Letters, 41, 101819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2020.101819

Montford, W. J., & Timmerman, I. C. (2024). Avoiding financial information: The roles of fate and money beliefs. Journal of Consumer Behaviour, 24(1), 139–155. https://doi.org/10.1002/cb.2410

Forbes Magazine. (2022, July 22). Understanding Money Scripts: How Childhood Beliefs Impact Financial Behaviour. Forbes Magazine. Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com

🎙️ Episode 6 – The Attention Economy: How Information Overload is Destroying Your Trading Decisions

In this episode of Risk On, Ben dives deep into one of the most overlooked threats: information overload.

We live in an age where every tweet, chart, headline, and notification ping battles for your attention. But here’s the uncomfortable truth; your ability to make sound trading decisions is being eroded by dopamine loops, digital distraction, and the relentless churn of financial noise.

Ben unpacks how the attention economy is hijacking your focus, why social media might be the silent killer of your edge, and what the science says about decision fatigue and cognitive breakdown. From dopamine detoxes to building a trading fortress, you’ll walk away with practical frameworks to reclaim your clarity and sharpen your edge.

🚫 Stop drowning in data.

✅ Start trading with precision.

You’ll learn:

Why your brain craves stimulation, not information

The hidden cost of constant scrolling

How decision fatigue ruins your trading over time

Steps to build a focused, distraction-free trading environment

Techniques to filter noise and protect your cognitive bandwidth

If you're feeling mentally scattered or constantly second-guessing trades, this episode is your signal to reset. It’s not about consuming more; it’s about refining what truly matters.

#Trading #RiskManagement #DayTrading #SwingTrading #TradingPsychology #TradingPodcast

Reference List

Alter, A. (2017). Irresistible: The Rise of Addictive Technology and the Business of Keeping Us Hooked.

Baumeister, R.F., & Vohs, K.D. (2007). "Self-Regulation, Ego Depletion, and Motivation". Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 1(1), pp. 115–128.

Baumeister, R.F., et al. (2008). "Ego Depletion: Is the Active Self a Limited Resource?"

Bernales, A., Rodriguez, M., & Santos, T. (2023). "Information Flow and Market Liquidity: A Comprehensive Analysis of Trading Behavior under Uncertainty". Financial Markets and Portfolio Management, 37(4), pp. 456–472.

Bernales, A., Valenzuela, M., & Zer, I. (2023). Effects of Information Overload on Financial Markets: How Much Is Too Much? International Finance Discussion Papers, 1372. https://doi.org/10.17016/IFDP.2023.1372

Eppler, M.J., & Mengis, J. (2004). "The Concept of Information Overload: A Review of Literature from Organization Science, Accounting, Marketing, MIS, and Related Disciplines". The Information Society, 20(5), pp. 325–344.

Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow. New York: Farrar, Straus and Giroux.

Meshi, D., Elizarova, A., Bender, A., & Verdejo-Garcia, A. (2019). Excessive social media users demonstrate impaired decision making in the Iowa Gambling Task. Journal of Behavioral Addictions, 8(1), 169–173. https://doi.org/10.1556/2006.7.2018.138

Montag, C., Sindermann, C., & Baumeister, H. (2020). Digital phenotyping in psychological and medical sciences: A reflection about necessary prerequisites to reduce harm and increase benefits. Current Opinion in Psychology, 36, 19–24. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.copsyc.2020.03.013

Shahrzadi, L., et al. (2024). "Cognitive Load and Decision Quality in High-Frequency Information Environments". Journal of Behavioral Economics, 45(2), pp. 112–129.

Shahrzadi, L., Mansouri, A., Alavi, M., & Shabani, A. (2024). Causes, consequences, and strategies to deal with information overload: A scoping review. International Journal of Information Management Data Insights, 4, 100261. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jjimei.2024.100261

Vohs, K.D., et al. (2014). "Making Choices Impairs Subsequent Self-Control."

In this episode of Risk On, we're taking a deep dive into the evolution of technical analysis, tracing its roots from Charles Dow's pioneering theories to the cutting-edge world of AI-driven market predictions.

Join Ben as he explores how market analysis has transformed over the decades, from Dow Theory’s six core principles to the rise of algorithmic and quantitative trading. Discover how Elliott waves, Bollinger Bands, RSI, and AI-powered strategies have shaped the way traders interpret price movements today.

This episode is more of a history lesson than a strategy guide, and will be part of a mini series released every 5 episodes, to which delve into points of history within the financial markets.

🚀 Next episode: Keep an eye out for Episode 6 where I will be delving into information overload and how it affects your trading decisions.

👉 If you enjoyed this episode, don’t forget to rate, follow, and subscribe to Risk On. Your support helps spread the word! Drop a review or share your thoughts - I’d love to hear from you.

#Trading #RiskManagement #DayTrading #SwingTrading #TradingPsychology #TradingPodcast

Books:

Bachelier, L., 1900. Theory of Speculation [Doctoral Thesis].

Dow, C., Late 1800s. Dow Theory [Editorial Series].

Edwards, R.D. and Magee, J., 1948. Technical Analysis of Stock Trends. McGraw-Hill.

Graham, B. and Dodd, D., 1934. Security Analysis. McGraw-Hill.

Pring, M., 1985. Technical Analysis Explained. McGraw-Hill.

Wilder, J.W., 1978. New Concepts in Technical Trading Systems. Trend Research.

Schabacker, R.W., 1930s. Technical Analysis of Stocks & Commodities [Magazine/Book Series].

Key Figures in Technical Analysis:

Acampora, R. (Technical Analyst, "Godfather of Technical Analysis")

Bachelier, L. (Mathematician, Early Quantitative Finance Pioneer)

Bollinger, J. (Creator of Bollinger Bands)

Dow, C. (Founder of Dow Theory, Wall Street Journal Co-Founder)

Edwards, R.D. (Technical Analysis Researcher)

Elliott, R.N. (Creator of Elliott Wave Theory)

Gann, W.D. (Technical Analysis Trader, Created Gann Angles)

Graham, B. (Value Investing Pioneer)

Granville, J. (Created On-Balance Volume Indicator)

Hamilton, W.P. (Refined Dow Theory, Wall Street Journal Editor)

Magee, J. (Technical Analysis Researcher)

Murphy, J. (Inter-Market Technical Analysis Expert)

Pring, M. (Technical Analysis Researcher and Author)

Rhea, R. (Systematized Dow Theory)

Schabacker, R.W. (Chart Patterns and Technical Analysis Pioneer)

Simons, J. (Quantitative Trading Pioneer, Renaissance Technologies)

Wilder, J.W. (Created RSI, ATR, and other Technical Indicators)

Modern AI and Quantitative Analysis Pioneers:

Druckenmiller, S. (Quantitative Trader)

Additional Potentially Relevant Figures:

De la Vega, J. (17th Century Dutch Market Analyst)

Homma Munehisa (Japanese Candlestick Charting Pioneer)