Optimus Futures Trading Tips & Strategies

Turning FOMO Into Trading Opportunities - Ep 130

18 Jan 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Optimus Futures Podcast, we explore how traders can turn the fear of missing out (FOMO) into potential opportunities. Learn str...

The Uncommon Day Trading Method That Most Traders Fail to Embrace (Inversion Principle) - Ep 129

13 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the unconventional day trading principle that could potentially revolutionize your approach and may help you avoid catastrophic losses. In ...

Why Our Instincts Often Sabotage Our Trading Success - Ep 128

03 Jun 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this thought-provoking podcast, we explore the fundamental conflict between our inherent DNA and the counterintuitive strategies required for succe...

The Pointlessness of Chasing the 'Why' : Focusing on What You Can Control in Trading - Ep 127

01 May 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This insightful podcast challenges traders' common tendency to seek explanations for every market move. We'll explore why this pursuit can be unproduc...

The Price of Chasing Day Trading Perfection - Ep 126

30 Apr 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This thought-provoking podcast is specifically tailored for individuals involved in futures trading, particularly those who are seeking the perfect tr...

Why You Must Choose and Trade Your Own Trading Style - Ep 125

20 Feb 2024

Contributed by Lukas

In this Podcast episode, we explore how different trading styles cater to diverse trader profiles and why it is important to align one's trading appro...

Why Day Traders Must Rank Their Trades - Ep 124

12 Jan 2024

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast episode delves into the critical practice of trade ranking in day trading. We explore its multifaceted importance, from enhancing risk ...

Can Anyone Become a Day Trader? - Ep 123

05 Dec 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Episode 123 of the Optimus Futures Podcast delves into the intricacies of becoming a successful day trader, emphasizing that the journey extends far b...

Why Traders Should Focus on Capital Preservation First - Ep 122

17 Nov 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Stepping into the world of trading, every beginner is captivated by the prospect of making money. However, this podcast focuses on a crucial but often...

The Trader's Mind: Why We Stick to What Doesn't Work - Ep 121

25 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Optimus Futures Podcast, we explore the intriguing world of trading psychology and why traders remain loyal to failing strategi...

A Trading View of Possible Versus Probable - Ep 120

12 Oct 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today's topic is critical: understanding the difference between the 'possible' and the 'probable'. When introduced to the charts, many novice trader...

The Underrated Significance of a Trading Journal - Ep 119

21 Sep 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In the realm of trading, while knowledge is pivotal, self-awareness is the master key that harnesses this potential. Enter the trading journal. Beyo...

How Past Memories of Wins and Losses Shape our Mind As Traders - Ep 118

22 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, we venture into an intriguing facet of human behavior: the impact of memories on trading decisions. While trading may seem a domain dominated...

Why Intuition is Never to be Trusted by Traders - Ep 117

02 Aug 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Trading by gut instinct seems tempting but is a path to ruin. In this episode, we dive deep into why traders must resist seductive intuition and inste...

The "Just in Case" Mirage: Why Traders Should Avoid Excess Leverage - Ep 116

06 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

To be successful, traders should steer clear of using excessive leverage "just in case." This is because it can magnify both the potential for profit ...

5 Psychological Biases That Trap Traders - Ep 115

22 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Discover the 5 psychological biases that impact our trading performance. By being aware of these biases, we can avoid emotional pitfalls and maintain ...

Top 5 News Events that Move Markets for Day Traders - Ep 114

14 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Day traders closely monitor news events that can shake up the markets and spark trading opportunities and risks. This podcast covers five major events...

Five Myths That Amateurs Believe About Day Trading - Ep 113

08 Jun 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Welcome to our latest podcast episode about the five myths that amateurs believe about day trading. Day trading has gained immense popularity in rec...

Trading Amateurs vs. Trading Pros: How Do They Differ in Thinking? - Ep 112

31 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Delve into the thought processes that shape the decision-making of amateurs and professionals. Discover how their perspectives on risk, opportunities...

The Imperfect Trader: Navigating the Financial Markets - Ep 111

26 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Join us for the latest episode of the Optimus Futures Podcast: 'The Imperfect Trader: Navigating the Financial Markets'. Our aim is to empower new tr...

Size Matters: Mastering Position Size in Day Trading - Ep 110

25 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of the Optimus Futures Podcast, we delve into the critical yet often misunderstood concept of position sizing in trading. Understand...

Trading Blueprint: Mastering Preparation & Planning - Ep 109

17 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

The importance of preparation and planning in trading cannot be overstated. Successful traders understand that careful analysis, strategic decision-ma...

The Art of Trading Discipline - Ep 108

11 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast delves into the intricate psychology behind successful trading. We will investigate the reasons why traders frequently encounter impuls...

Common Psychological Biases in Trading - Ep 107

08 May 2023

Contributed by Lukas

As a trader, your mind can be your best friend or your worst enemy. Our brains have certain biases that can affect our trading decisions. Let's expl...

Become a Better Forecaster - Ep 106

24 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In Episode 106 of the Optimus Futures Podcast, Matt Zimberg explains how better forecasters think and how it can lead to potentially better decision-m...

How the Pareto Law Affects Your Trading - Ep 105

14 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

The Pareto principle states that roughly 80% of consequences and outcomes result from 20% of all causes for any given event, otherwise known as the "v...

The Two Main Events Where You Susceptible to Trading Losses and and Wish to Be Very Aware - Ep 104

17 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Trading is both emotionally and psychologically strenuous on one's mental health. In Episode 104 of the Optimus Futures Podcast, our host Matt Zimber...

Trading Mentor Interview | Jared Tendler: Practices for Discipline, Psychology and Trading Method

29 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jared Tendler is a leading mental game coach for athletes, poler players, and traders. In our latest interview, we talk about how his background tie...

Less is More in Trading - Ep 102

22 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When it comes to trading, overcomplicating a method or strategy can potentially be detrimental to one's success. In the latest episode of The Optimu...

Navigating Through Competition, Natural Selection, and Changing Environments in the Market - Ep 101

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The financial markets are constantly evolving and changing over the course of time. In this episode of the Optimus Futures Podcast, our host Matt Z d...

Inside the Habits and Methods of Professional Traders who Become Fulltime Traders With Jack Schwager

28 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jack Schwager, an industry expert in futures trading and author of the book: Unknown Market Wizards, sits down with the founder and CEO of Optimus Fut...

The "Just in Case" Trading Syndrome - Ep 99

13 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

When used incorrectly, the use of leverage in futures trading can create poor habits and be catastrophic to one's account. In episode 99 of the Optim...

Machines Can't Fix Your Trading Discipline - Ep 98

06 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Discipline is one of the most important factors to any successful trader. Even with the implementation of auto-liquidation features and software hand...

Trading for $ Vs. Trading the Actual Market - Ep 97

27 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Mistakes are inevitable in the trading world. These mistakes can range from emotional, practical, lack of understanding, and much more. Eliminating ...

Great Trading Advice From 80 Years Ago - Ep 96

13 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

With the rapid advancement of technology in the past 50 years, trading has followed suit and rapidly improved as well. Although trading has dramatica...

Successful Traders Only Talk About Their Method - Ep 95

09 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Regardless of the results, both successful and non-successful traders are encountering the same market conditions and odds stacked against them. In ...

The Benefits of Patience and Impatience in Trading - Ep 94

06 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Although cliché, the phrase "Patience is a virtue" reigns true in most facet's of life. When it comes to trading, however, impatience, may be consid...

Why Traders do Things That are Totally Outside Their Nature - Ep 93

02 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In times of adversity, some traders act on impulse and do things they normally wouldn't. In episode 93 of the Optimus Futures Podcast, our host discu...

How To Be A Flexible Trader And Improve Your Trading System - Ep 92

29 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

At some point in their trading career, most traders reach a point where they go through an internal debate on whether or not they should drop their tr...

Self-Directed Trader Vs Wall Street | Round 1 - Ep 91

27 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How does a Self-Directed trader compare to Wall Street? There has been a recent narrative promoted on several forums revolving around the self-direc...

A Mental Trick For Day Traders - Ep 90

22 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In trading, you may periodically do things outside of your comfort zone or character. The key is to stay humble, not arrogant. In episode 90 of The O...

Can You Make It As A Trader? - Ep 89

18 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are no guarantees in trading. Trading is not easy, involves substantial risk of loss and is not suitable for all investors. In this podcast, we...

Is Trading an Art or Science? A Practical Approach to Both Views - Ep 88

15 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Is Trading an Art or Science? When it comes to trading, there are many opinionated views on whether it should be treated as an art or science. In thi...

Is It Possible to Adopt any Trading Method? - Ep 87

11 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Can a good trader adopt any trading method or strategy they want? Or do specific trading methods work better for certain individuals? In episode 87 o...

How to Conquer Trading Anxiety - Ep 87

08 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The process one takes to become an athlete is very similar to one of an experienced trader. Through repetition, practice, and theory athletes and tr...

Stop Asking why the Price Moved - Ep 86

03 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Traders are obsessed with the understanding of "why" in the markets. Most traders have a deep infatuation with understanding why price action moves th...

Market Edge Versus Your Trading Edge - Ep 85

21 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The word "Edge" is often used in the trading community. What does having an "Edge" really mean? In episode 85 of The Optimus Futures Podcast, our hos...

What's Your Definition of Trading? Pt. 2 - Ep 84

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In the second part of our multi-part podcast, we finalize the discussion on our definition of trading. Found out in Episode 84 of The Optimus Futures...

What's Your Definition of Trading? Pt. 1 - Ep 83

17 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

What is your definition of trading? Each trader has their own mentality and thought process when it comes to trading, not every individual approaches...

The Difference Between Being Stopped Out And Getting Stuck - Ep 82

30 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Many Futures traders, especially newcomers, are typically discouraged by the use of stop losses. In reality, getting stopped out is typically more ben...

Trading is About Probability NOT Expecting Fixed Results - Ep 81

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

There are a number of different factors that can have an effect on the market. Ultimately, no one can predict or expect something from the future and ...

What I Learned From WallStreetBets and $GME - Ep 80

22 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The trading industry has gone through quite a wild ride during the recent r/WallStreetbets and $GME craze. In reality, this was nothing new and the ma...

What To Consider When You Choose A Time Frame For Futures Trading - Ep 79

12 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded from Matt Z's Futures Trading Workshop held on 2/04/21, Matt Z and several participants discuss factors to consider when choosing a time fram...

Does Contract Size Matter In Futures Trading - Ep 78

10 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

The size of your trades dictates your psychology, success or lack of success of your method and your staying power in any given transaction. Recorded...

Those Who Control Your Trading Mind - Ep 77

12 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Those who influence you have long-term implications for your success. In this podcast, we discuss the importance of choosing where you gather your i...

How Long Can A Trading Method Last? - Ep 76

03 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Although a trading method can last for a very long time, it's ultimately up to the state of the market as to whether or not it will remain successful....

Waiting For Your Trading Method To Complete Itself - Ep 75

30 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Trading methods and strategies take time to develop. They aren't established overnight. A trader must implement positive habits and enforce disciplin...

Interview Questions For An Aspiring Trader - Ep 74

29 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

With so much information readily available today, it is not always so easy to find helpful information that is both well-grounded and tested. In this...

The Importance Of Time In Trading - Ep 73

28 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Time is one of the most important factors in trading. The timing of when you place your trades, whether it be during a particular time throughout the...

Understanding The Actual Size of a Futures Contract - Ep 72

26 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From a risk perspective, it is extremely important for Futures Traders to consider the notional value of a contract rather than the market value. In ...

Finding Your Unique Decision Making Style As A Trader - Ep 71

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Regardless of the style you choose to adopt for your trading, it is extremely important to find a method within that style of trading that suits your ...

Is Your Job Ever Done As A Trader? - Ep 70

23 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Trading is always evolving and changing. Over the last 20 years, we've seen a tremendous change in this industry and things will likely continue to ch...

Dissecting an Email I Got About Trading - Ep 69

21 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The trading industry is highly opinionated. There is plenty of information out there, but not all of it is backed up by real trading experience. In t...

It's Hard To Be Profitable And Stay Profitable - Ep 68

19 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You're just as good as your last trade. Regardless of your prior growth, staying consistent with your trading and maintaining steady growth is not an ...

How to Restructure Trading After A Big Loss - Ep 67

16 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A bad trading day can happen to any trader, experienced or not. What's most important is how you handle this big loss and how you restructure your tra...

Size And Opportunity In Trading | A Perspective - Ep 66

15 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

From a risk management perspective, the size and quantity of your orders are one of the most crucial aspects of your trading. In this podcast episode...

Trading Is Not About Predicting The Markets - Ep 65

14 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

What may have happened in the past does not reflect what will happen in the future. There is more to trading than trying to predict the markets. In r...

Discretionary Trading To Automation. Not So Fast. - Ep 64

13 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Discretionary and automated trading both take a tremendous amount of discipline. Although automated trading may be more "hands-off" compared to discr...

Day Trading Has It's Own Logic - Ep 63

12 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Different aspects of life require their own understanding and interpretation of logic. One of them is trading. In this podcast, we discuss why tradin...

Everything But The Kitchen Sink Approach To Trading - Ep 62

09 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Less is more. That which is simplified is often better understood and more appreciated than what is more complicated. In episode 62 of the Optimus Fu...

Why Arrogance Will Kill Your Trading Dreams - Ep 61

08 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

There is a fine line between arrogance and self-confidence. As we have discussed before on the Optimus Futures Podcast, letting yourself become too a...

The Cost Of Regret And Doubt That Traders Face - Ep 60

07 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The cost of regret and doubt are two psychological barriers that many traders face on a daily basis, yet are extremely difficult to overcome. Besides...

Trump has COVID-19. How Should Traders Approach This? - Ep 59

06 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

News events typically leave a huge impact on the markets. Now that it has been announced that Donald Trump has COVID-19, there is plenty of uncertaint...

The Story Your Tell Yourself About Trading - Ep 58

05 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

A realistic view of the challenges that trading presents is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for potential success as a day trader. The story...

Don't Live In The Past Of Your Last Trade - Ep 57

02 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

You cannot change the past. When it comes to trading, you cannot let what happened in the past affect present day actions or your life in the future. ...

The Monopoly Experiment And Traders - Ep 56

01 Oct 2020

Contributed by Lukas

No matter how much success a trader has had in the past, it is always important to remain humble. This episode of the Optimus Future Podcast touches ...

Don't Confuse Your Time Frame As A Day Trader - Ep 55

30 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

As a day trader, you should not get your mentality and mindset mixed up with those of a long-term investor. Most day traders typically stick with sho...

Trading Mistakes DO NOT Correlate with Intelligence Level - Ep 53

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Trading is NOT easy. Many traders will make a mistake and often attribute it to their level of intelligence or IQ. In reality, even the best traders ...

Should you Trust Your Gut Instincts While Trading? - Ep 54

29 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Decision making is one of the most crucial components of trading. When emotion is involved, decision making becomes that much harder. In this podcast...

No One Will Describe the Trading Business This Way - Ep 52

25 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

When most people think of the trading industry, they think of the flashy cars, nice suits, and the potential profits that can be made. Most people do...

Preplanning Could Make All The Difference In Trading - Ep 51

24 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Organization is crucial to success. Some of the most successful traders are those who keep themselves organized and preplan before they begin their ...

Don't Be A Gossip Trader - Ep 50

23 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Stop focusing so much on other traders. With information being so readily available online, traders have become obsessed with finding the next "big t...

Stop Being Obsessed With The Word "Edge" - Ep 49

22 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Many traders seem to have an odd fascination with the word "Edge". There's an ongoing search with traders trying to find their "edge" in order to giv...

The Stubborn Amateur's Way of Testing A Trading Method - Ep 48

21 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Developing and testing a Trading Method can take years to successfully implement. There are better ways than others of testing a new trading method a...

You Swore You'd Never Trade Like That. You Did It Anyway.. - Ep 47

17 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Addictive tendencies are a huge obstacle to overcome when it comes to all aspects of life. Many times, traders will recognize a bad trade before ente...

Find Trading Software To Support Your Decisions - Ep 46

16 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Decision making is one of the most crucial aspects when it comes to being a successful trader. In reality, the decision making process starts before ...

Small Mistakes Versus An Avalanche Of Trading Errors - Ep 45

15 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The reality is all traders have made mistakes at some point in their careers. What defines a successful trader is the ability to analyze a small mist...

Why You Enter Your Trades Early | A Lesson From The Old Pit Guys - Ep 44

14 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

The trading industry has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years. What once required traders to gather in the Pit and call their orders by Open O...

The Ongoing Blabbering Of Gurus About Things That You Can't Measure - Ep 43

11 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

We've all seen the Ads and Paid Promotions from "Trading Gurus" out there trying to promote their product, service, or themselves as the next big thin...

My DOG Is The Best Trader - Ep 42

10 Sep 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Our dogs actually good traders? Or have we lost our minds? Tune in to Episode 42 of the Optimus Futures Podcast to find out why dogs make the best tr...

Why Do Most New Futures Traders Fail? - Ep 41

20 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

There is a common theme among new Futures traders, mistakes and failure. That being said, there is nothing wrong with failing and success takes time! ...

Should I Quit My Job And Become A FULL-TIME Futures Trader At Home? - Ep 40

13 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Transitioning to full time trading and quitting your job to do so is a daunting task that can leave a trader with a load of uncertainty. Episode 40 ...

What Do 1% of Successful Futures Traders do that the Other 99% don't? - Ep 39

04 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Getting to the top of any challenging profession or career takes dedication and effort that the average person isn't willing to put forward. Episode ...

The 10,000 Hour Rule: Does it Apply to Futures Trading? - Ep 38

22 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

The 10,000 Hour rule, first proposed by Malcolm Gladwell in his book Outliers : The Story of Success, examines the factors that contribute to high lev...

How to Set Realistic Trading Goals | Tracking Your Progression as a Trader - Ep 37

16 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Are you satisfied with your progression as a trader? Are you a better trader today than the day you got started? If not, maybe it's time you reestabli...

The Commission Free Trading Model - What it Means for Futures Traders - Ep 36

14 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This podcast covers the industry’s shift towards a commission free trading model for stocks, how the big brokerages are really making money, and if ...

FCM VS Futures Broker | What Traders Need to Know - Ep 35

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Join the discussion in our Community: What is the difference between a futures broker IB and an FCM? https://community.optimusfutures.com/t/what-is-th...

Brett Steenbarger Interview | Tools and Techniques for Minding the Markets - Ep 34

25 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Clinical psychologist, trader and author of The Psychology of Trading,  Brett N. Steenbarger, Ph.D. joins the Optimus Futures Podcast and has a discu...

Increasing YOUR Trading Profits with Quantitative & Qualitative Analysis - Ep 33

20 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Sticking to a plan and using forms of analysis in order to meet criteria is one way to potentially increase your trading profits. Episode 33 of the O...

Day Trader Mentality & the Psychological Aspect of Trading - Ep 32

18 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Whether traders are conscious of it or not, psychology and one's inner thoughts play a huge role in the world of trading and their mentality towards t...