My Journey to Becoming a Funded Trader
Trading and I have been in a complicated relationship for some time now. I started with forex trading, got funded by a few prop firms, and then the forex industry decided to give me the boot (thanks, U.S. trading restrictions). So, like any determined trader with a dream and a caffeine addiction, I decided to pivot and try my hand at futures trading.
Spoiler alert: it wasn’t as easy as just switching from EUR/USD to Nasdaq. Turns out, futures markets have their own wild personality—and it’s a mix of hyperactive toddler and high-stakes poker player.
Starting from Scratch (Again)
Coming into this, I had zero experience trading futures. No Nasdaq, no gold, not even a whiff of crude oil. It was like jumping into a Formula 1 race after years of riding a bicycle. These markets are fast, unpredictable, and at times downright rude.
To keep my sanity, I narrowed my focus to two instruments: gold and Nasdaq. I studied their every move like a detective in a crime drama. What time do they get volatile? When do they calm down? Do they like long walks on the beach? (Okay, maybe not that last one.) I learned to sit on my hands and wait for the “perfect” trade setups—basically the trading equivalent of playing hard to get.
Then there was the trailing drawdown, which felt like a clingy ex constantly reminding me of my mistakes. I wasn’t used to that level of accountability in forex, and honestly, it took some getting used to. Add in the rule about closing all trades before the end of the day, and my usual swing trading strategy went out the window. But hey, rules are rules, and they did make me a better trader. (Thanks, TopStep, I guess.)
Breaking Bad Habits (and My Ego)
When I first started, I thought I’d outsmart the system. My plan? Use high risk, pass the combine quickly, and then dial it back once I was funded. Brilliant, right? Wrong. Turns out, this genius strategy was a one-way ticket to overtrading, breaking rules, and blowing up accounts faster than I could say “FOMO.”
I finally realized the problem wasn’t the combine—it was me. So, I dropped my risk down to 0.50%, stopped trading outside my sweet spot hours, and (hardest of all) stuck to my plan. To combat overtrading, I even used the Freedom app to lock myself out of trading platforms when I felt the urge to go rogue. Picture me on a Saturday morning, trying to check Bitcoin prices, only to remember I’d locked myself out. “You did this to yourself,” I muttered, staring at my phone like it had betrayed me. But it worked, and eventually, I didn’t need the app every day.
The Moment of Truth
Passing the combine was like the final boss in a video game: intense, nerve-wracking, and requiring every ounce of focus I had. I was in a gold trade one evening, just $200 away from the profit target. After what felt like an eternity, I saw the P&L hit the magic number. I closed the trade, sat back, and…wait, what?! I was $3 short?!
Cue the panic. I quickly opened the smallest position possible, set my stop tighter than my holiday budget, and prayed to the trading gods. It worked. I made $6 and passed the combine. The second I realized I’d done it, I laid down on my office floor in silence, letting the relief wash over me. Honestly, I think I left a body-shaped imprint in the carpet.
Key Takeaways (a.k.a. “Do This, Not That”)
Here are a few things I learned the hard way:
- Drop Your Risk – Start small. Like, “half a percent” small. Protect your capital.
- Break Bad Habits – Use tools like the Freedom app to stop yourself from revenge trading or boredom trading. Think of it as digital tough love.
- Adapt to the Rules – The trailing drawdown and end-of-day closures are annoying but necessary. They’ll make you a better trader (eventually).
- Take Profits Wisely – If you’re in a winning trade near a potential reversal area, don’t be a hero. Take some profit, close the trade, or at least move to break even.
- Stick to Your Plan – No more “just one more trade” moments. Your future self will thank you.
What’s Next?
Now that I’ve passed, my focus is on consistency and getting regular payouts. The real work starts here. Passing the combine was just the warm-up; now it’s time to prove I belong in the funded trader ranks.
Call to Action
What about you? Have you passed a futures combine? If so, what did it feel like? And if you’ve struggled with things like FOMO, overtrading, or revenge trading, what have you done to overcome them? I’d love to hear your stories.
If you want to follow my trading journey or connect with me, join The Lion’s Den on Discord. It’s our small but mighty community of traders. I share my screen, analysis, charts, and probably a few bad jokes too. Hope to see you there!
