The Trader's Journey

In this episode of The Trader's Journey, Ryan Sellers (@OpenOutcrier) shares experience and knowledge from his trading journey — from the floors of the Chicago Board Options Exchange (CBOE) where he worked as a market maker to today where he trades his own capital while serving as a respected voice in the retail trading community. In this conversation, Ryan walks us through the wisdom he's learned over the decades to become a successful trader: the institutional foundation, the changing market cycles and painful transition to solo trading, the evolution of mindset, and so much more. If you’re overwhelmed by the noise of financial Twitter or unsure who to trust, this episode is a breath of honest, grounded wisdom.

In this episode of The Trader’s Journey, Anthony sits down to chat with Tapereader – a veteran trader who transformed an initial stake of $4,000 into over $16 million across a 29-year career. TapeReader shares the realities behind long-term trading success: from his humble start trading out of an Air Force barracks in the 1990s, through surviving the dot-com bubble and 2008 market crash, to achieving financial independence. In 2010, at age 34, he “retired” after hitting eight-figure profits, choosing to take a 10-year sabbatical from the markets to raise his four young children. Tape returned to trading a decade later with a fresh perspective.  In this episode, he candidly discusses the mid-life realization that chasing endless profits can be a trap, and how stepping away helped him find greater purpose, and how he chooses to teach his son to trade while he prepares to retire for a second time, focused on family legacy and life beyond the screen. This episode's focus isn’t about hype or quick wins – it’s a rare look at the patience, resilience, and life balance behind a successful multi-decade trading journey. We consider this a must-watch for anyone seeking long-term success in trading while building a meaningful life and legacy.

In this special group episode of The Trader’s Journey, Anthony moderates a high-impact discussion with professional traders Neil O'Donnell and Dan Beardsley, along with world-class high performance coach Dr. Tom Crawford. Together, they explore the hidden cost of success, the mental game behind elite performance, and how to build a sustainable, long-term career in trading. From managing pressure to navigating burnout, this conversation delivers raw, real, and actionable insights for any trader serious about lasting success.

In this special in-person episode of The Trader's Journey, Anthony sits down for an in-depth conversation with Dan Beardsley, a disciplined and data-driven trader who has carved out a path to elite performance in the markets. In this episode, we unpack Dan’s evolution—from majoring in Finance to earning a coveted seat at Trillium, one of the top proprietary trading firms in the country. Dan shares how he found his footing in an unforgiving market, learned from legendary mentors, and eventually became a mentor himself. We dive deep into his process of tracking and reviewing every trade, uncovering hidden patterns in his own behavior, and using those insights to sharpen his edge. Dan opens up about the mental and emotional challenges that come with the territory—and how he’s developing routines and boundaries to avoid burnout while maximizing performance. This episode is a must-watch for aspiring traders and those interested in longevity and sustainability in trading.

In this episode of The Trader's Journey, Anthony sits down with Neil O'Donnell, a seasoned trader who began his career in March 2000—just days after the Nasdaq peak during the dot com bubble.  Neil shares his fascinating path from anthropology student and rower in England to professional trader, breaking down the grind, growth, and evolution it takes to succeed across decades of changing markets. From blow-off tops to meme stocks, from trading the news to adapting to AI and algos, Neil delivers raw insight on staying in the game, adapting without ego, and building a career that lasts through drawdowns, dead periods, and everything in between.