From Passion to Payout: Gladys Aguero’s Path to $14,366.342

Success Stories
28 November 2023

Meet Gladys Aguero from Argentina, with a remarkable total of three payouts, amounting to an impressive $14,366.342 payout reaching level 4 of The Trading Pit’s CFDs Executive challenge.

Recently, we had the privilege of sitting down with Gladys, where she generously shared the insights and strategies that have shaped her trading journey. Her story is not just about financial gains; it is a narrative of resilience, learning, and the relentless pursuit of excellence.

Join us as we delve into Gladys Aguero’s fascinating journey, exploring the mindset, techniques, and principles that have propelled her to success.

 

1. Tell us a little bit about you.


I'm Gladys, living in Argentina. I am a Forex Trader and a prop firm influencer. I discovered The Trading Pit about a year ago through advertisements and started taking challenges this February. The Trading Pit’s format and conditions for traders improved over the months, which helped me with my scaling, and rewarding efforts.

My trading style has evolved from conservative to more aggressive, and I've traded in various financial markets, starting with crypto and moving to more stable ones like the American stock market and Standard & Poor's. Currently, I'm trading Forex, but I plan to shift to American stocks, continually learning about different markets. I'm fully dedicated to the financial markets. I currently have official certification, as a University Expert in the Capital Markets. This certification was obtained at the National Technological University of Buenos Aires.

2. How long have you been trading?

I have been trading for 3 years.

3. What inspires you to pursue trading?

In Argentina, known for its high inflation, I started in the market while holding a traditional job. The rapid devaluation of my salary led me to seek solutions, especially since buying foreign currency was restricted. This search brought me to the crypto market, where I used stable cryptocurrencies like UDT for savings. Initially, my focus was on holding these stablecoins. Still, the 2020 Bitcoin boom piqued my interest in cryptocurrency investments, a sector I had known since Bitcoin's emergence in 2009. 

The financial impact of currency devaluation deepened my involvement in the crypto market. Lacking trading knowledge, I taught myself about moving averages, Fibonacci, and chart patterns, learning from English-speaking traders. This helped me navigate the crypto market during the bull market, but I faced challenges when the markets began to decline. This market phase taught me the importance of focusing on my trading strategies to avoid losing my gains.

My journey led me to explore trading with various companies, starting with one that eventually collapsed. This eye-opening experience motivated me to start my YouTube channel, sharing my thoughts on trading formats and the importance of diversification in trading companies. I learned that relying on a single company could be risky, as it limits a trader's adaptability to different rules and strategies. Diversification allowed me to adapt to various challenges easily.

Being profitable in trading, especially within these challenges, was difficult but motivating. Each setback encouraged me to analyse my approach, learn from my mistakes, and persist. My love for challenges is why I'm drawn to trading. It's not just about financial gains; I'm deeply passionate about understanding market dynamics, staying updated with news, and delving into market fundamentals. This passion drives my continuous learning and growth in the trading world.

4. Could you share a specific success or milestone you achieved with The Trading Pit?

I've successfully reached Level 4 in the CFD Executive Challenge. With The Trading Pit, surpassing level 3 and achieving an 8% gain on the $150,000 account has been a defining milestone in my trading career. This account was the largest I had ever managed, and initially, I felt a bit overwhelmed by its magnitude. A crucial moment came during a video call with Christopher from The Trading Pit. We were discussing various topics when I mentioned my struggles with this account. Christopher advised me that trading is a process and doesn't need to be rushed. His words resonated with me, reminding me that this is my individual journey in trading.

Taking his advice to heart, I decided to take a short break from trading on this account to stabilise my emotions. After regrouping, I returned to the market and successfully achieved the required 8% gain, which amounted to about $12,000. Withdrawing approximately 7200 euros from this success was a significant personal accomplishment for me.

While I have consistently been making four-figure withdrawals, my next goal is to reach the five-figure mark. This is the new milestone I am setting for myself, as making four figures has become a regular occurrence for me, but achieving a five-figure withdrawal would be a notable step forward in my trading journey.

 

5. How would you describe your trading plan, especially regarding risk management?

I identify as a disciplined scalper and intraday trader, focusing on GBPUSD with a clear setup in mind. I stick to a 2% risk per trade rule. In my trading approach for $100,000 accounts, I adopt an aggressive mode, using 20 lots per position to potentially gain $4,000 from a 20-pip movement, while risking a $2,000 loss. This strategy accounts for market unpredictability, where the market might not move as anticipated, necessitating position adjustments.

I use a scalping template filled with indicators, which aids in determining if the price is oversold. For example, an oscillation indicator helps me identify market waves and oversold conditions. I wait for a combination of signals – the curve of the indicator moving within a certain range, a green Heikin-Ashi candlestick (which differs from Japanese candlesticks), and the alignment of moving averages and the parabolic SAR – before making a trading decision.

Over the years, I've learned to interpret these indicators. For instance, when moving averages are below the candles and the parabolic SAR indicates upwards, it suggests a bullish trend. Conversely, if the parabolic SAR is above, a downward movement might be imminent, as confirmed by the subsequent candlesticks.~

I pay close attention to market patterns, like the 'bellies' and wicks, which often represent stop orders. I've noticed that the pound tends to hunt these stops. Large candles and rejection wicks, especially around significant market events, often signal the closure of positions and an opportunity for me to speculate.

My strategy also involves recognising when the pound is likely to fall significantly, as it tends to do so in clear, definitive movements, not in small increments. This observation is crucial for speculating on order accumulations and stop hunts.

Now, my focus is less on constantly monitoring the chart and more on making informed decisions based on my readings and understanding of global events. I no longer strive to capture every movement in the pound but rather aim for a good position and trade, and then exit the market efficiently.


6. How do you handle your emotions and actions when a trade goes wrong?

During my journey of documenting my experience at The Trading Pit on YouTube, I shared insights from progressing through levels 1 to 4. I emphasised the importance of taking breaks after significant losses. For instance, if I experience a big loss on Wednesday, I close the computer and don't trade again until the following Monday. This break allows me to return to trading refreshed and energised, avoiding hasty decisions driven by the desire to avoid losses.

I've learned that losses are part of the trading process, just like market pullbacks are a natural part of its upward movement. Accepting losses and managing my emotions during these times is crucial. When I experience a significant loss, I remind myself that it's a part of my growth as a trader and not a reflection of my abilities. Trying to immediately recover lost funds can lead to bad decisions, as what's lost can't be regained in the same way.

I advocate for starting with smaller challenges, like $10,000, then moving to $50,000, and eventually to $100,000 challenges. This gradual approach helps in managing the emotional aspects of trading. Our brains are wired to seek rewards, so losses can lead to poor decision-making.

When I set a stop loss, I often review it later to understand what went wrong and to learn from it. This self-reflection is a dialogue with my inner trader, reminding myself that I'm not a robot and need to manage my emotions. Although I could use trading robots, I prefer the emotional and adrenaline-filled experience of trading myself. However, I also recognise the importance of controlling these emotions to avoid staying in the market all day. Striking a balance between being present in the market and taking necessary breaks is essential for sustainable trading.

7. What was your strategy to successfully pass The Trading Pit Challenge?

My strategy is based on the daily cycle of the confluence of the Tokyo Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. Based on what I see in the Tokyo Stock Exchange session, where orders are compressed when the London market opens, there is a lot of volatility in the market, which allows me to get in and out quickly.

8. On a scale of 1 to 10, how satisfied are you with your experience at The Trading Pit, and why?

I would rate my experience as a 9, with my only difficulty being the management of dynamic drawdown.

 

9. Why did you choose The Trading Pit over other prop firms?

The support in Spanish was a significant factor in my decision.

 

10. What advice do you have for other traders attempting The Trading Pit Challenge?

My advice for aspiring traders taking on The Trading Pit Challenge is to focus on self-improvement rather than comparing themselves to others. While learning from successful examples is useful, it's crucial to recognise that each trader is unique, with different emotional and psychological backgrounds influencing their trading.

Discipline is a key aspect of trading. If you're not disciplined in other areas of your life, it's unlikely you'll be disciplined in trading. Trading demands structured routines and commitment. If you find basic tasks like getting up early or reading trading material difficult, you might need to reconsider if trading is right for you.



11. Describe your best trade.

Despite not regarding my approach to trading as particularly strong, I consistently achieve a high win rate. A 5% gain on a trade may be the best I’ve ever done. However, there have been instances where I’ve reached gains of up to 8% on a single trade. Notably, my best trades have often been the result of significant losses.

12. What is the number one advice you would give to a new trader?

For beginners, the trading world can be misleading with its promises of quick wealth. Real trading success involves managing emotions during wins and losses. Trading should be approached seriously and not as a quick fix for financial problems. Starting with realistic goals is important; significant profits from small investments are usually unrealistic.

Trading programs are useful for beginners as they offer higher leverage and a platform to test skills. Key to success in these programs is disciplined risk management, including setting and sticking to trade limits.

Success in trading challenges does not automatically translate to successful withdrawals. Greed can lead to failure, so maintaining a long-term perspective and patience is crucial. Like any profession, trading requires time to master, often taking years to become truly proficient.

A solid understanding of trading mechanics, like lot sizes and pip values, is essential. Doing these calculations mentally can enhance your understanding of the market's risks and how to manage losses. In summary, trading is a long-term journey that demands dedication, discipline, and a realistic mindset, much like any professional career.

 

13. What is the next big goal or milestone you are aiming for in your trading career?

I aspire to manage real profit exceeding one million dollars.

 

14. What would you recommend to someone who is just starting with us?

Take it one step at a time, viewing each level as a milestone on your professional trading journey. Avoid rushing the process.

 

15. Share online resources that were/are significant in your trading development. Names and links are
appreciated.

My professional development was my growth in social networks.

16. Are there online communities or forums you're active in that you find valuable?

I have a large online community with more than 5 thousand active subscribers supporting my process, as a Forex Trader.


17. What specific feature of our trading challenge do you find most beneficial?

The 1-step challenge stands out for its benefits, making it easier for me to scale my earnings account.