Mind Over Markets: Trading Psychology Podcast

After 21 years in the game, I’ve officially stepped away from day trading.Not because I burned out… but because I evolved.In this deeply personal episode, I open up about the emotional toll of day trading, how performance pressure warped my identity, and why I decided to walk away from the daily grind — even while I was still profitable.But I didn’t leave the market. I rebuilt my edge.I share the full breakdown of my new Convex Core Strategy — a simple yet powerful approach that focuses on low-frequency trades, asymmetric risk-reward, and long-term growth. It’s given me my time, health, and energy back — while still keeping me connected to the market I love.This episode is a raw reflection on the price of trading obsession… and what real freedom looks like when you finally stop chasing every move.👤 Whether you’re feeling burnt out, stuck in a trading loop, or ready to evolve — this one’s for you.🎧 Listen now to learn:Why I stopped day trading (even after 20+ years)The hidden emotional cost of the 2-hour trading dayWhat the Convex Core Strategy is and how it worksHow to transition from “daily wins” to building real wealthThe mindset shift that changed everythingEpisode ResourcesDownload the Free PDF: ⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message: Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to rate ⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠on Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here

In this deeply personal Christmas episode, George shares the story of losing his why, stepping away from trading to pursue music, and unexpectedly finding himself disconnected, directionless, and unsure of who he was. After a painful studio build disaster, months of burnout, and a complete career reset, he turned inward for the first time; choosing rest, hockey, healing, and stillness instead of force or control.Through slowing down, he rediscovered clarity, identity, and ultimately, his purpose: returning home to TRADEPRO Academy and the trading community he missed. George explains why traders often lose their way at emotional turning points, and how purpose isn’t something you chase, it emerges when you stop running. This episode blends storytelling, emotional honesty, and a powerful reminder that your greatest breakthroughs come when you create space for truth to surface.Key TakeawaysTraders don’t only lose discipline, sometimes they lose their identity and their why.Clarity doesn’t come from forcing, planning, or predicting, it comes from stillness.When life becomes noisy, your true purpose gets drowned out.Healing, rest, and reconnection with yourself often reveal the next step organically.You don’t need a new strategy as much as you need a renewed operator.Your purpose rises when you stop trying to manufacture direction.Chasing clarity pushes it away; quieting the mind brings it forward.Returning to who you are, not what you do, is the foundation of long-term trading success.Reflection questions help traders identify where they’ve lost alignment.Christmas is the perfect moment to slow down, breathe, and rediscover your why.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode, George explains why December is emotionally dangerous for traders, even those who had a strong year. Fatigue, pressure, regret, comparison, and financial stress all peak at year-end, pulling traders away from their plan and into emotional execution.He walks through the 10 emotions that sabotage traders in December and reveals why the end of the year isn’t the time to change your strategy, it’s the time to repair the operator.By identifying the one core issue that caused most of your inconsistency and taking a real reset over the holidays, you can start January aligned, grounded, and ready to break the cycle of repeating the same trading year again.Key Takeaways December exposes fatigue, pressure, and emotional overload.The 10 year-end emotions quietly sabotage execution.Don’t change your strategy — fix the operator running it.Identify one core emotional leak that held you back.Journal + strategy review shows the real cause of inconsistency.A genuine break resets your nervous system for January.Year-end emotions are signals pointing to your next level of growth.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George dives deep into the psychological split every trader battles: the calm, disciplined version of yourself who writes the plan… and the reactive version who shows up the moment pressure hits. George explains how stress physiologically rewires your focus, breathing, and decision-making, shifting control from the Planning Self to the Trading Self, not because you’re weak, but because your nervous system believes you're in danger.He breaks down why pressure feels personal, how identity and self-worth distort decision-making, and what triggers the “pressure self” to take over. Most importantly, George offers practical strategies to reclaim alignment between identity, plan, and execution, so the trader you want to be becomes the trader you are, even in uncertainty.Key TakeawaysPressure changes your physiology — breathing, time perception, focus, and decision-making.Under pressure, the Trading Self (emotional, reactive) overrides the Planning Self (calm, strategic).This shift creates inconsistency: rule-breaking, chasing, bailing early, hesitation, overtrading.Pressure feels like an attack on identity, distorting self-worth and creating urgency where none exists.Traders often trade their fears, not the market, when pressure takes over.Common pressure triggers: big moves, big levels, missing opportunities, being up/down on the day, choppiness, comparison, perfectionism.Pressure doesn’t come from the market — it comes from the meaning you attach to the moment.To regain control:1. Identity Reset: “I trade as the version of me who wrote the plan.”2. Micro-Pause: 1 breath + “Is this my plan or my pressure?”3. Reduce Moment Meaning: It’s just one candle, not a life moment.4. Return to Your Role: Stick to your trading identity from Episode 176.Pressure is not the enemy — it’s the teacher showing where identity is not yet integrated.Mastery comes from narrowing the gap between who you want to be and who you become under stress.When identity, plan, and execution align, results follow automatically.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George explains why traders fail when they try to master every setup and every style. Using a powerful hockey analogy, he shows how elite athletes become great by specializing, not by doing everything. Trading works the same way: consistency comes from knowing your role and aligning your strategy with your natural strengths.George breaks down how traders can discover their true role, why identity drives performance, and how specialization creates confidence, clarity, and consistency in the market.Key TakeawaysElite performance in sports or trading, comes from specialization, not trying to master everything.Traders lose consistency when they play multiple roles that require different skills and mindsets.Your natural trading role is revealed through:setups that feel easiest and cleanest,patterns you recognize fastest,and the style that drains the least mental energy.Acting against your trading identity activates internal resistance and leads to sabotage.Specialization builds identity → identity builds consistency → consistency builds income.You don’t need to be a “complete trader”, just a complete version of your role.Pros in any field win by going deep on one skill, not many.Your P&L “wants” a specialist, not someone who switches styles constantly.Removing multiple setups and focusing on one accelerates mastery.When you align your trading style with who you naturally are, results compound faster and with less emotional effort.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode, George breaks down why traders fail when they wait for the perfect setup. Using a powerful hockey analogy, he explains that perfection is an illusion, both in sports and in markets. Charts only look clean in hindsight, and waiting for flawless conditions creates hesitation, missed trades, and emotional chasing.George contrasts amateur perfection-seeking with how professionals really trade: they expect messiness, adapt quickly, and execute based on probability, not perfection. He introduces the 80% Rule and practical tools that help traders act confidently inside real-time imperfection, where the real edge actually lives.TakeawaysPerfect setups are an illusion created by the mind’s need for certainty.Real trades happen in moving, imperfect candles, not textbook patterns.Perfection bias causes hesitation and leads to missed opportunities.Pros thrive in uncertainty; amateurs freeze waiting for clarity.The 80% Rule: if 80% of criteria are present, execute and manage.Imperfect conditions often produce the best trades.“I don’t need perfect, I need present” anchors a better trading state.Tools like the Imperfection Log and Readback Rule build consistency.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode, George breaks down one of the most misunderstood truths in trading: uncertainty isn’t a problem, it’s the environment. Most traders try to eliminate uncertainty with more indicators, more setups, more rules… but the pros win because they know how to operate inside uncertainty, not escape it.From there, he explains why traders blame the market when things feel choppy or unclear, when in reality uncertainty simply exposes their habits, impulses, and emotional programming. The candles aren’t the issue, your reactions are.The episode then shifts into the core solution: preparation, state control, and internal certainty. Pros prepare for chaos before the open, build “if this, then that” scenario plans, rate uncertainty each morning, and use real NLP tools to keep their internal system stable.TakeawaysUncertainty is normal. Pros operate inside it, not against it.Consistency = emotional state, not strategy or indicators.Uncertainty exposes your habits, impulses, and reactions, not the market.Most traders avoid inner work by obsessing over technicals.Your mindset, upbringing, and programming show up in your trading behavior.Pros prepare before the open with clear rules and scenario planning.Use NLP anchors like “Uncertainty is my arena, not my excuse.”Use quick reset tools (like box breathing) to stabilize mid-session.You can’t control the market, only the operator you bring to it.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George concludes the Order Flow Series by revealing his full three-phase execution process — the bridge between market analysis and decisive trading action.He explains how traders can transform clarity into consistency by following a structured routine grounded in bias, conviction, and precision. Through practical steps and powerful analogies, George breaks down how professionals use context, Delta, and the footprint chart to execute with discipline, turning chaos into control.Guides through the evolution from reading order flow to mastering execution — where mindset, structure, and repetition merge into true trading professionalism.TakeawaysExecution is mastery in motion. Reading order flow is only half the battle — real success lies in acting with precision and control.Phase 1: Build the battle map. Start each day with context, not predictions. Identify prior session highs/lows, volume zones, and where liquidity and emotion intersect.Phase 2: Fine-tune with Delta. Use Delta at price to locate true conviction — where effort succeeded or failed — and compress levels into high-probability zones.Phase 3: Execute with the footprint. Enter where trapped traders are revealed, using imbalances for entries and protection. “I’m not trading the candle — I’m trading the pain.”Two Core Setups:Trend Reversals — Identify trapped traders at major structure levels.Trend Continuations — Wait for strong buy/sell imbalances to defend and confirm momentum.Precision over participation. Like a sniper, professionals wait for alignment — direction, timing, and target — before acting.Repetition builds edge. The goal isn’t to find new trades, but to express one proven edge flawlessly every day.Mindset is the final frontier. Execution is where traders meet themselves — turning analysis into discipline and randomness into clarity.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George Papazov breaks down the footprint chart, one of the most misunderstood yet powerful tools in order flow trading. He explains how footprints reveal the true battle between buyers and sellers at each price level, uncovering where aggression meets liquidity and how control shifts within the market.George emphasizes that while candlesticks show where price moved, the footprint chart shows how it moved, the story behind every tick. He explores the difference between limit and market orders, the diagonal relationships that define real imbalances, and why those moments of aggression and absorption often mark turning points in price.He cautions traders against overcomplicating the tool and teaches how to use footprints within a broader trading plan to refine entries, improve timing, and trade with confidence.Key TakeawaysThe footprint chart reveals how price moves, showing the true auction between buyers and sellers.Market orders move price; limit orders provide liquidity but do not move the market.The real power of the footprint lies in diagonal imbalances, where aggression meets resistance.Imbalances show conviction: stacked imbalances indicate strength, while absorbed ones reveal exhaustion.Not every imbalance is a trade signal, context and level matter most.Balanced markets show stability; imbalances create opportunity.Reading the footprint is about understanding intent behind numbers, not the numbers themselves.The footprint chart helps traders time entries with precision by showing who’s in control.It’s an addition to a solid trading plan, not a replacement for it.The market doesn’t move on prediction, it moves on imbalance.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George discusses the importance of Delta in trading, emphasizing its role as a trader's lie detector. He explains how Delta reveals where conviction lies in the market and how traders can detach from emotional impulses by focusing on Delta analysis. The episode includes practical exercises for analyzing Delta, integrating it into trading routines, and understanding the psychological aspects of trading. George encourages traders to observe Delta profiles and use them to inform their trading decisions, ultimately enhancing their market analysis skills.TakeawaysDelta shows where conviction lives and tells a story at each price level.Traders should detach emotionally and trade with context using Delta.Understanding Delta helps in identifying market aggression and intent.Practical exercises can enhance Delta analysis skills for traders.Marking Delta extremes helps in building a trading narrative.Reviewing Delta pockets post-market aids in understanding market behavior.Delta profiles can indicate potential support and resistance levels.The psychology of trading is crucial for successful Delta analysis.Traders should track where conviction shifts hands in the market.Using Delta effectively can lead to more informed trading decisions.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.  The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.  You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.  While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.  By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of the Mind Over Markets podcast, George Papazov delves into the intricacies of order flow trading, emphasizing the importance of understanding market structure and the dynamics between buyers and sellers. He breaks down the concept of order flow into three key phases: initiation, continuation, and termination, The discussion also highlights the psychological aspects of trading, illustrating how emotions can impact market behavior. By aligning with the winning side and interpreting order flow effectively, traders can enhance their decision-making and improve their overall trading success.TakeawaysOrder flow trading reveals the underlying battle between buyers and sellers.Understanding market structure is crucial for effective trading.Order flow can be broken down into three phases: initiation, continuation, and termination.Practical application of order flow involves real-time analysis and labeling of market actions.The psychology of traders influences market movements and order flow dynamics.Heavy buying without price movement can indicate underlying selling pressure.Traders must align with the winning side to achieve success in trading.Market orders drive price movement, while limit orders provide context.Recognizing emotional responses in trading can lead to better decision-making.Order flow trading is about understanding intention, not just price action.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this special beach-side episode of Mind Over Markets, George Papazov sits down with veteran prop trader Anthony Drager, founder of Edge Trading Group.Drager has been trading since the 1990s — from CME floors to electronic prop desks — and he’s here to break down what really moves markets: order flow, other people’s positions, and future buyers vs. sellers.You’ll learn:Why most traders misunderstand order flow and how to read it like a pro.How to build a real edge by identifying future buyers and future sellers.Drager’s 4-step trading process — from bias to execution to exit.How prop trading has evolved and what new traders must know in 2025.The psychology of being wrong — and why losing trades are just “marketing expenses.”This is a deep dive into professional-level decision-making, modern prop trading, and the mindset that keeps traders consistent decade after decade.🎥 Recorded on location in South Florida.🔗 Guest: EdgeTradingGroup.com | YouTube: Edge Trading GroupKey TakeawaysEdge = Advantage You Can Explain.If you can’t explain your trading edge to a non-trader in plain language, it probably isn’t real.Future Buyers Move Markets.Price doesn’t move because of past trades — it moves when future orders are forced to act.Think “Ready → Aim → Fire.”Build bias, find your support/resistance, then act only when your tools confirm the moment.Be Comfortable Being Wrong.Losing trades are a normal business expense — not a sign of failure.Stop Over-Thinking, Start Reading.Great traders don’t predict; they read live intent through data like Market-By-Order (MBO).Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Most traders don’t blow up because they lack strategy — they fail because they can’t wait. The Urgency Trap tricks you into clicking early, chasing moves, and sabotaging your edge. In this episode, you’ll learn how to flip urgency into patience and turn waiting into your most profitable skill. I’ll share how to spot your personal patience wiring, everyday ways to train it, and three practical exercises you can start using immediately to slow down, stay disciplined, and finally trade with control.Key Takeaways:Why urgency is fear in disguise — and how it hijacks traders.How patience protects your edge and multiplies your consistency.Three actionable drills to train patience like a muscle in life and trading.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Have you ever followed your plan all session long — only to blow it at the very end with “just one more trade”? That final move feels like intuition or opportunity, but it’s really your ego sneaking in to take control. In this episode, I break down The Last Trade Trap — why it happens, the lies your mind tells you, and how it spirals into overtrading and lost confidence.You’ll learn how to spot the ego’s voice in real time, use NLP reframes to silence it, and install exit rituals that keep you disciplined to the very last minute. By the end, you’ll know exactly how to walk away from the market with pride and control — no matter what your P&L says.Key Takeaways:Why the urge for “one last trade” isn’t intuition — it’s ego in disguise.How decision fatigue makes you vulnerable at the end of your session.NLP reframes to replace “fix it” thinking with discipline.Practical tools to create closure: cutoff rules, exit rituals, and future-self checks.A 5-day challenge to break the cycle and end strong.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

You can have conviction in your process, but if you hesitate when it’s time to place the trade, conviction doesn’t matter. In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George Papazov unpacks the “confidence gap” — the space between knowing your setup is valid and actually executing it without hesitation. You’ll discover how the gap shows up in hesitation, early exits, over-management, and under-sizing, and learn how to close it through repetition, visualization, and NLP reframes. Confidence is conviction in action — and when you build it, consistency finally arrives.Key TakeawaysConviction is belief; confidence is belief expressed through execution.The confidence gap shows up as hesitation, cutting winners short, tinkering with trades, or sizing down out of fear.You don’t think your way into confidence — you act your way into it through small, repeated reps.Visualization, anchoring, and process-focused “micro wins” help build confidence under pressure.Confidence turns conviction into consistency — it’s the bridge between knowing and doing.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

If control in trading is an illusion, what replaces it? In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George Papazov introduces the “Conviction Paradox” — the surprising truth that letting go of control is what actually creates consistency. You’ll discover why traders often confuse control with conviction, how conviction is built through repetition, adaptability, and self-trust, and how to install new beliefs that help you thrive in uncertainty. Plus, George guides you through a powerful NLP exercise to anchor conviction before every trade.Key TakeawaysControl is about prediction and forcing outcomes — conviction is about trusting your preparation, edge, and adaptability.Many traders confuse control for conviction when they move stops, overtrade, or size up out of ego.Conviction is built through consistent reps, flexibility in changing markets, and keeping promises to yourself.Control chases certainty, but conviction thrives in uncertainty.Anchoring exercises can hardwire conviction so you execute calmly and consistently without fear.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

In this episode of Mind Over Markets, George Papazov unpacks one of the most dangerous traps in trading: the illusion of control. From childhood we’re programmed to believe that effort equals outcome — but in markets, that belief becomes sabotage. George shares the story of a trader who “mastered control” until volatility shifted and everything unraveled, explains why the illusion of control feels so real, and shows how to upgrade from chasing outcomes to mastering process and adaptability. You’ll walk away with a simple NLP exercise to anchor calm before each trade and a powerful mindset reframe: you don’t control the market, you control execution — and that’s where your edge lives.Key TakeawaysControl in trading feels real because of childhood conditioning, societal messages, and workplace cause-effect logic — but the market is an uncertain system.The illusion of control serves early traders by creating confidence, persistence, and structure — but it flips into sabotage when clung to for too long.Overconfidence, revenge trading, self-blame, and blindness to change are all symptoms of fighting for control that never existed.True power comes from focusing on “Bucket 1” (preparation, execution, state) and releasing “Bucket 2” (market direction, volatility, news, outcomes).Anchor exercise: recall a moment of calm and focus, press thumb and finger together to lock it in, and fire this anchor before each trade to remind yourself — I control execution, not outcomes.Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Every trader has said it: “I just need to be more disciplined.” But discipline isn’t the problem — and willpower isn’t the solution. In this episode, George breaks down why willpower always fails when you need it most, how the brain’s “discipline battery” gets drained under stress, and why traders spiral into regret when they try to muscle through with brute force.You’ll discover the science of willpower, the hidden psychology that makes rules collapse in real time, and why professionals don’t rely on discipline at all — they build systems and environments where discipline becomes automatic.If you’ve ever promised yourself to “be more disciplined tomorrow” only to break down again, this episode will show you the path out of that loop — and into real consistency.Key TakeawaysTraders don’t fail because they “lack discipline” — they fail because willpower is finite and collapses under stress.Willpower is powered by the prefrontal cortex, burns glucose like fuel, and works like a muscle — it tires with overuse.Trading drains willpower faster than most activities because it’s constant micro-decisions under pressure.The discipline loop: regret after losses → promise to “be more disciplined tomorrow” → short burst of control → willpower drains → breakdown → repeat.Professionals don’t rely on willpower; they design systems and environments where discipline is automatic.Three actionable tools to replace willpower with structure:Pre-Commitment Rules — set max loss, size, and cutoff before the session.Environmental Design — make good habits easy, bad habits harder (checklists, clean screens, silence distractions).Identity Lock-In — daily prompts (“How would a professional trader act today?”) and end-of-day reflection to build consistency into your identity.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Most traders don’t blow up when the market is tough — they blow up when it’s easy. After a winning streak, confidence spikes, discipline fades, and comfort creeps in. That comfort feels safe, but it’s a trap — and it’s the setup for wipeouts that erase weeks of progress in a single day.In this episode, George explains why traders sabotage themselves right after success, how dopamine rewires your brain to chase the feeling of winning instead of the process, and why “productive tension” — the sweet spot between boredom and panic — is the only state where peak performance happens.Through fighter pilot and boxing analogies, psychology insights, and three actionable tools, you’ll learn how to rewire your mind to thrive without a safety net and turn discomfort into your biggest trading edge.Key TakeawaysTraders are most vulnerable after a winning streak, not during losing periods.Dopamine from wins lowers caution and hijacks logical execution, pushing traders to force bigger trades.Comfort creates complacency; growth requires discomfort.Productive tension is the sweet spot between too little stress (sloppiness) and too much (panic).Three ways to sharpen discipline through discomfort:Micro-Discomfort Challenge — introduce small daily challenges to build resilience.Edge-Pressure Practice — ask before every trade: “Am I taking this because it feels safe, or because it follows my plan?”Reset Ritual — use a physical anchor to snap back into focus when you get careless.Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.

Why do traders so often give back their biggest wins within days? It’s not a lack of discipline — it’s because your mind is wired to pull you back to an old comfort zone. In this episode, George unpacks the hidden “success set-point” that keeps traders stuck in cycles of sabotage, explains why your results always return to the level of your self-image, and shows you how to expand your capacity to hold success, not just taste it.Through stories, analogies, and actionable tools, you’ll learn how to stop turning progress into setbacks and lock in your wins as the new normal.Key TakeawaysWinning in trading often triggers sabotage because it pushes you beyond your subconscious comfort zone.Your trading results will always return to the level of your self-image.Getting overly excited after a win is a sign your nervous system doesn’t see success as normal yet.Success isn’t just about getting wins — it’s about expanding your identity to be comfortable holding them.Three tools to raise your set-point:Post-Win Integration Ritual — journal what you did well, visualize repeating it effortlessly, anchor the feeling.Baseline Reset Exercise — write down your old comfort zone results, cross them out, and declare a new minimum standard.Future Self Calibration — each morning ask, “If I was the trader who naturally maintains my last win, what would I do today?”Episode Resources⁠⁠⁠Download the Free PDF:⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The 5 Most Destructive Loops in Trading — and How to Break Them⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Leave a Voice Message:⁠⁠⁠ Ask a question, say hello or suggest a future episode on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠SpeakPipe⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Rate and Review: If you’re enjoying the show, we’d love for you to r⁠⁠⁠ate ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠us on Spotify⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ or ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠on ⁠⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Follow on Twitter: For daily mindset insights and trading psychology content, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠follow me here⁠⁠⁠Disclaimer:Futures, options, and derivatives trading involve substantial risk and are not suitable for every investor. The high degree of leverage in futures trading can work against you as well as for you. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results.The information provided in this podcast is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as specific trading, investment, or financial advice. Nothing discussed constitutes an offer to buy or sell any futures contract, option, security, or other financial instrument.You are solely responsible for your own trading decisions, and you should carefully consider whether trading is appropriate for your financial situation, experience level, and risk tolerance. Always consult with a licensed financial advisor, registered broker, or other qualified professional before making trading or investment decisions.While efforts are made to present accurate and timely information, the host makes no warranties or representations regarding the completeness, reliability, or accuracy of any information presented and assumes no liability for any losses that may arise from reliance on this content.By listening to this podcast, you acknowledge and accept these risks.