The Forged Trader Podcast

Fix This Identity Gap Or Your Trading Won't Scale

Over the last few months… I didn’t just struggle in trading. I lost control. After one of the biggest payouts of my life… I blew through nearly 80 funded accounts. Not because I didn’t know what I was doing. But because something deeper was broken. This episode is not about strategy. It’s not about setups. It’s not about indicators. It’s about the truth most traders avoid: 👉 When willpower crashes into identity… identity wins. I walk you through everything: * The $40,000 payout that triggered the collapse * The emotional spiral that followed * The moment I realized I wasn’t facing reality * Why I kept repeating the same patterns * And the decision that changed everything… Scaling down to one account, one micro But this goes deeper than trading. This is about: * Identity * Belief systems * The subconscious patterns driving your results * And why you keep ending up in the same place… even when you “know better” Because if you don’t fix the identity gap… Your results will always snap back to what feels familiar. No matter how good your strategy is. This episode is raw. It’s honest. And for a lot of traders… it’s going to hit close to home. If you’ve ever: * Blown accounts you knew you shouldn’t have * Broken rules you fully understood * Felt like you were fighting yourself in the market This one’s for you. If you want help working through this at a deeper level: Reach out to me on Facebook: @TheForgedTrader I’m offering a limited number of free breakthrough sessions. You don’t have a trading problem. You have an identity gap. Fix that… and everything changes.

The Trade That Changed Everything: From Rock Bottom to Real Payouts

What if the trade that finally changed everything... was the one you almost didn’t take? In this episode, Gates Adams sits down with his coach-turned-friend Kevin to unpack the messy, emotional, and ultimately redemptive journey from blowing accounts to requesting his first $50K payout, all in under five months. After a long hiatus, Gates returns to the mic with a story too powerful not to share, his own. In this episode of The Forged Trader, Gates opens up about hitting rock bottom, walking away from trading, and what made him come back. Spoiler alert: it all started with a desperate call to Kevin. Kevin, host of Futures Fever on Benzinga and veteran trader with the Bullish Bears community, joins to share his side of the journey, how he went from learning during a medical leave to becoming a trusted trading coach and educator. Together, Gates and Kevin explore the dark emotional rollercoaster that is the trader’s life and the mindset shifts that finally led to consistent wins. Takeaways: You’re not alone: Every trader struggles with bad habits, emotional decisions, and self-doubt. Bad behavior can be profitable, but it will cost you eventually. Mentorship matters: The right coach can collapse time and accelerate learning. Add don’t replace: Once you find something that works, build on it instead of chasing new shiny strategies. You don’t need a finance degree to succeed, just discipline, structure, and self-awareness. “Being rewarded for bad behavior is one of the worst types of reinforcement you can get as a trader.” If this episode hit home, don’t keep it to yourself. Share it with a fellow trader, subscribe to The Forged Trader, and take 5 minutes to journal the one mindset shift you know you need to make. You’ll thank yourself later. Connect with Gates Adams: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/gates.adams?mibextid=LQQJ4d] Apex Trader Funding [https://apextraderfunding.com/] -- RISK DISCLOSURE: Futures and Forex trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading, and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE: Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk of actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses is material points, which can also adversely affect actual trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program, which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results, and all of which can adversely affect trading results.

Face to Face with the Forge: Emotion, Mastery, and the Truth About Trading

In a first-ever in-person episode of The Forged Trader Podcast, Gates Adams sits down with full-time trader Amish for a raw, honest conversation about the emotional highs, brutal lows, and real lessons behind building trading consistency. After connecting virtually on the Trader Bacon Show, Gates and Amish reunite; this time face-to-face; for a deep dive into the mindset, habits, and breakthroughs that separate dreamers from doers in prop trading. They explore the toll of five-figure losses, the addiction-like pull of revenge trading, and the shift from chasing profits to mastering process. Amish shares how journaling, subconscious programming, and aligning with ICT strategies helped him move from early blowups to multiple-account payouts. Gates opens up about his 27-year trading journey and how success has reshaped his identity, business approach, and daily discipline. Whether you're new to prop firms or navigating your next evolution, this episode offers real talk, real tools, and a refreshing reminder: you don’t need to be perfect; you need to be persistent. Key Takeaways: Success starts with emotional mastery Process over profit; every time Strategy must match your psychology Trading exposes your inner world Journaling can rewire behavior “Winning is not profit. Winning is process. Profit is the result of process.” – Gates Adams Connect with Gates Adams: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/gates.adams?mibextid=LQQJ4d] Apex Trader Funding [https://apextraderfunding.com/]

From Prison to Profit: AB Perez’s Journey to Trading Success and Mentorship

In this inspiring episode of The Forged Trader Podcast, host Gates Adams sits down with AB Perez, a Puerto Rican trader who transformed his life from a decade in prison to building a thriving trading career and mentorship community. AB shares his remarkable journey of self-discovery, sparked by a commitment to personal growth during his incarceration, which led him to dive into cryptocurrency and trading in 2019. With raw honesty, he discusses overcoming the challenges of a criminal record, adapting to a new technological landscape, and finding his edge in trading forex and futures. AB’s story is a testament to resilience, discipline, and the power of aligning personal values with professional ambition, offering a blueprint for traders at any stage. AB also opens up about his mentorship program, one of the largest trading communities in Puerto Rico, where he guides students to master market cycles, emotional discipline, and technical skills. From his “do or die” mindset to his bilingual content expansion, AB provides actionable insights on avoiding impulsivity, building confidence through journaling, and learning from others’ mistakes. This episode is packed with wisdom for traders seeking to balance technical expertise with psychological strength, making it a must-listen for anyone looking to forge their own path to success in the markets. Key Takeaways Discipline Over Impulsivity: Overcoming impulsive trading decisions by sticking to a plan is crucial for long-term success. Learn from Cycles: Understanding market cycles and avoiding herd mentality can uncover unique trading opportunities. Build a Community: Surrounding yourself with mentors and a supportive trading community accelerates growth and accountability. Step-by-Step Process: Master technical skills through paper trading and simulators before tackling real-market emotions. Self-Respect in Trading: Following your trading plan is an act of self-respect, reinforcing discipline and confidence. "Every time that you fail to do something that you say you’re going to do, you’re disrespecting yourself." – AB Perez Connect with Gates Adams: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/gates.adams?mibextid=LQQJ4d] Apex Trader Funding [https://apextraderfunding.com/] -- RISK DISCLOSURE: Futures and Forex trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading, and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE: Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk of actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses is material points, which can also adversely affect actual trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program, which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results, and all of which can adversely affect trading results.

Trading Triumphs and Trials: A Journey to 20 PA Accounts

Join us for this week’s episode of the Forged Trader Podcast as we dive into the world of prop trading with a seasoned trader who has navigated the highs and lows of managing 20 proprietary accounts. With nearly 30 years of trading experience, our guest shares the pivotal moments that led to their success, including a transformative year working with mentors to master price action and market fundamentals. From securing $32,000 in payouts across nine accounts to the humbling setback of blowing 15 accounts in a single day, this episode offers an unfiltered look at the discipline, resilience, and transparency required to thrive in trading. Through candid reflections, the trader reveals how public accountability via social media has shaped their journey, helping them avoid costly mistakes while fostering growth. Listeners will hear practical strategies, like using trade copiers to scale evaluations and maintaining a calculated risk approach, alongside personal anecdotes about rewarding milestones with life-changing decisions, such as funding a hair transplant through trading profits. Packed with actionable insights and raw honesty, this episode is a must-listen for traders seeking to balance ambition with discipline in the pursuit of financial freedom. Key Takeaways: Mentorship Accelerates Growth: Working with experienced coaches provided a solid foundation in price action, enabling the trader to achieve their first payout after 13 months. Transparency Drives Discipline: Sharing daily trading recaps on social media fosters accountability, reducing the frequency of impulsive mistakes. Calculated Risks Can Pay Off: Aggressive evaluation strategies, backed by payout funds, enabled rapid account scaling, though caution is needed to avoid overtrading. Embrace Mistakes for Growth: Acknowledging personal responsibility for losses, like blowing 15 accounts, is crucial for identifying and correcting trading flaws. "If it's not my fault, I can't fix it. But if it is my fault, then I have control, and I can do something about it." Connect with Gates Adams: Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/gates.adams?mibextid=LQQJ4d] Apex Trader Funding [https://apextraderfunding.com/] -- RISK DISCLOSURE: Futures and Forex trading contains substantial risk and is not for every investor. An investor could potentially lose all or more than the initial investment. Risk capital is money that can be lost without jeopardizing one's financial security or lifestyle. Only risk capital should be used for trading, and only those with sufficient risk capital should consider trading. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. HYPOTHETICAL PERFORMANCE DISCLOSURE: Hypothetical performance results have many inherent limitations, some of which are described below. No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve profits or losses similar to those shown. In fact, there are frequently sharp differences between hypothetical performance results and the actual results subsequently achieved by any particular trading program. One of the limitations of hypothetical performance results is that they are generally prepared with the benefit of hindsight. In addition, hypothetical trading does not involve financial risk, and no hypothetical trading record can completely account for the impact of financial risk of actual trading. For example, the ability to withstand losses or to adhere to a particular trading program in spite of trading losses is material points, which can also adversely affect actual trading results. There are numerous other factors related to the markets in general or to the implementation of any specific trading program, which cannot be fully accounted for in the preparation of hypothetical performance results, and all of which can adversely affect trading results.