Leaving Prop Trading Was the Best Thing I Ever Did

19 Jun, 2025

Here’s the honest truth: I left prop trading in early 2024 and since then, I’ve become a much more successful trader in essentially every way possible.

From the outside, that might not make sense. But here’s what actually changed:

1. I simplified everything.

I used to trade too many setups. I was decent at overnight momentum trading and higher-timeframe overextension trading, but had a leaky bucket almost everywhere else. Now, I stick to what I’m best at even if it means I "miss something great." Once in a while, if something has true asymmetry to the upside that makes sense, I'll go for it, but that is not all that often.

2. I stopped trying to be cute with order execution.

I was the king of algo orders. TWAP, FAN, Linear Bids and Offers, you name it. But most of the time, when I was putting out these orders over a set period of time or price, I was instinctually noticing that the best time to get in/out of the trade was at that very moment.

3. I execute cleaner now.

When not using an algo order, I used to almost always take the extremes when getting in (buying on the offer with an offset, and hitting the bid with an offset on the short side). Now, I am often just using market orders (often getting the mid point or better) and use brokers that prioritize price improvement. One of them documented over $4.4B+ in price improvement last year.

4. I cut my costs dramatically.

Back then? I was spending $20–30K/year on tech, plus another $15K or so on desk fees. Now? I pay around $20/month for what I actually need. Thanks to my business, SaveOnTrading, I’ve also partnered with many of the tools I get to use for free. Without these business relationships, at most, I would be spending about $200/m ($2,400 per year). Additionally, much of my trading, especially my overnight momentum trading is done with a commission free broker which has led to huge savings!

5. Trading isn’t my whole identity anymore.

I work for Finviz. I own two businesses. I write this blog. I moved to the Bay Area to be around friends and family who aren’t traders and aren't going to talk to me about trading at 11 PM in a random bar on a night out. I also got into CrossFit. For five years, my life revolved around trading and now it doesn’t.

6. I don’t need trading to pay the bills.

My work elsewhere does. Trading is just about growing wealth, not living off P&L. This has eliminated any bit of stress like no other. My brain prefers it this way.

7. I’m not glued to the screens.

Most days, I’m not trading until the close unless a big HTF overextension trade is "setting up". I still work through ideas throughout the day when something sticks out from brief scanning and reading and listening around, but I’m not glued to four monitors waiting for action.

8. Prop trading environments can be toxic (for some).

At least, it was for me. I constantly felt bad about myself, couldn’t think clearly, and just never felt like I could be me. Some people thrive in that setup but, it turns out, it really wasn't for me. I felt like I was always on edge.

9. I only take what I think are the best trades.

I’ve narrowed my playbook and bet bigger on fewer trades within that playbook (you know, the "A+ trades"). Most days, I don’t place a single trade. But when I do, it’s because the setup is that good (huge asymmetry is what I care about). I’m not interested in risking $2 to maybe make $3 on some random large-cap overnight, and I don't feel bad for missing it when it "works". Most of the trades I put on, it's because I think they can move 50%+... this of course has me doing far less, which is great!

10. I stopped over-reviewing.

No more endless Excel tabs or abandoned journaling apps. Now, I review in my head or talk things through with others. Since my focus is so narrow, remembering and reviewing is natural.

11. I'm easier on myself.

Mistakes happen, misses happen, but so be it. I have so much else going on that I enjoy, that I don't need to sit there and grieve. Maybe I feel bad for a few minutes, but I'll just try to take the lesson from it and that'll be it.