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Haran's Trading Journey

February 28, 2023

From Losses to Funded Trader: Discipline & Mindset

Trader Snapshot

AttributeDetails

Trader Name

Haran

Experience

~1.5 years

Background

Computer Science student

Trading Style

Institutional (ICT-based)

Markets Traded

Forex, ES Futures (previously)

Funded Account Status

Passed first stage (10% target)

Strategy Evolution

EMA → ICT (liquidity-based)

Key Tools

Liquidity zones, FVG, kill zones

Timeframes Used

Session-based (London, NY, Asian)

Risk Approach

Cut losses quickly, scale winners

Haran's Trading Journey

Summary

This video features an interview with Haran, a trader who recently achieved his first 10% profit target on a funded trading account with Audacity Capital. Haran shares insights into his trading journey, strategies, mindset shifts, and the importance of self-care in trading success.

Key Points and Timeline of Trading Journey

Timeframe

Event / Milestone

~1.5 years ago

Haran began trading, initially with ES Futures, growing a personal account from 20,000 to 150,000.

Recent months

Transitioned to trading Forex via a prop firm, Audacity Capital, attracted by its generous risk parameters and funding levels.

Early struggles

Experienced significant losses, falling from 20,000 to 5,000.

Recovery phase

Through psychological adjustments (meditation, yoga), Haran recovered losses rapidly, growing to 30,000−40,000 in 1-2 weeks.

Last 3-4 weeks

Changed trading strategy, focusing on liquidity, market inefficiencies, and institutional behavior rather than traditional indicators.

Current status

Successfully passed the first funding stage and progressing through the second stage of the funded account program.

Haran’s Trading Background and Setup

  • Traded for approximately 1.5 years.
  • Started with ES Futures, growing his personal account significantly.
  • Transitioned to Forex trading via a funded account with Audacity Capital.
  • Manages trading part-time while studying Computer Science at Coventry University.
  • Appreciates Audacity Capital’s 10% drawdown limit and funding up to $500,000, providing strong motivation.

Psychological and Lifestyle Changes Impacting Trading Performance

  • Haran faced psychological challenges and “dark moments” when losses accumulated.
  • Advice from peers and personal practices such as yoga, meditation, and temple visits helped restore his mindset.
  • Made significant lifestyle adjustments:
    • Improved sleep hygiene (avoiding late nights and early mornings).
    • Adopted healthier eating habits, reducing junk food.
    • Incorporated regular exercise.
  • These changes led to clearer focus and better trading performance.
  • Emphasizes the importance of self-care for mental clarity and discipline in trading.
  • Advocates for a dopamine detox by reducing social media usage to improve attention and mental health.

Trading Strategy Evolution

  • Initially used a 21 EMA pullback strategy for Futures.
  • Recently shifted to an approach inspired by the ICT (Inner Circle Trader) method, focusing on:
    • Market liquidity and how institutional algorithms manipulate price.
    • The concept of market inefficiencies and fair value gaps that markets revisit and correct.
    • Importance of time zones (London Kill Zone, New York Kill Zone, Asian range) in market behavior.
    • Recognizing stop-loss hunting and liquidity grabs where markets trap retail traders.
  • This institutional-focused strategy allows for a higher win rate and better precision than traditional indicators like RSI or EMA.
  • Key tactical changes include:
    • Cutting losses quickly without hoping for reversals.
    • Adding to winning trades to maximize profit and improve risk-to-reward ratio.

Experience with Audacity Capital Funding Program

  • Haran praises the program for its:
    • High capital levels (up to $500,000).
    • Reasonable risk parameters (10% drawdown).
    • Efficient withdrawal process, typically completed within a few days.
  • Compared to other prop firms (e.g., Topstep), Audacity Capital offers higher funding limits and more flexible risk rules.
  • Haran views the funded account as an excellent opportunity for traders balancing other commitments, such as university studies.
  • He encourages others to consider prop trading as a side hustle with serious financial potential.
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Key Advice from Haran to Struggling Traders

  • Fix your daily routine: prioritize sleep, nutrition, and exercise.
  • Incorporate meditation or mindfulness to improve psychological resilience.
  • Reduce distractions by performing a dopamine detox (limit social media and unrelated screen time).
  • Practice disciplined trade management:
    • Cut losses quickly.
    • Hold on to and add to winning trades to maximize profits.
  • Haran asserts these two trading principles (loss cutting and winner maximizing) combined with self-care will take traders far.

Core Concepts and Keywords

Term

Definition / Explanation

Funded Account

Trading account provided by a prop firm with allocated capital.

Drawdown

Maximum allowable loss on the account before restrictions apply.

ICT Strategy

Trading approach focusing on institutional market behavior, liquidity, and time zones.

Kill Zone

Specific market session time frames with higher volatility (London, New York, Asian).

Fair Value Gap

Market inefficiency where price quickly moves, leaving gaps that tend to be revisited.

Liquidity Grab

Market movement designed to trigger stop-loss orders and capture liquidity.

Risk-to-Reward Ratio

Ratio comparing potential loss to potential gain on trades.

Dopamine Detox

A practice to reduce overstimulation from social media and other digital distractions.

Conclusion

Haran’s journey highlights the critical role of psychological well-being and disciplined lifestyle choices in achieving sustained trading success. His transition from traditional strategies to an institutional-focused method underlines the importance of understanding market mechanics beyond standard indicators. The experience with Audacity Capital’s funding program demonstrates the viability of prop trading as a side activity for motivated individuals. Haran’s advice stresses that success in trading is as much about self-mastery and routine as it is about technical skill.

This interview offers valuable insights for both novice and experienced traders, especially those struggling with consistency and mental challenges.

Certification

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Challenge

Trading Period
Unlimited
Min Trading Days
4 Days
🔥 Highest In The Market
Max Daily Loss
7.5%
🔥 Highest In The Market
Maximum Loss
15%
Profit Target
10%
Profit Share
-
Withdrawal / Payout
-
Refundable Fee
-
🔥 Upgraded
Consistency Rule
Not anymore
🔥 Upgraded
News Trading / Weekend Holding
Allowed
🔥 Upgraded
EAs Allowed / Copy Trading
Allowed
Scaling Plans
Trading Period
Unlimited
Min Trading Days
4 Days
🔥 Highest In The Market
Max Daily Loss
5%
🔥 Highest In The Market
Maximum Loss
10%
Profit Target
5%
Profit Share
-
Withdrawal / Payout
-
Refundable Fee
-
🔥 Upgraded
Consistency Rule
Not anymore
🔥 Upgraded
News Trading / Weekend Holding
Allowed
🔥 Upgraded
EAs Allowed / Copy Trading
Allowed
Scaling Plans
Trading Period
Unlimited
Min Trading Days
No minimum
🔥 Highest In The Market
Max Daily Loss
5%
🔥 Highest In The Market
Maximum Loss
10%
Profit Target
-
Profit Share
Up to 90%
Withdrawal / Payout
Same day
Refundable Fee
Refund
🔥 Upgraded
Consistency Rule
Not anymore
🔥 Upgraded
News Trading / Weekend Holding
Allowed
🔥 Upgraded
EAs Allowed / Copy Trading
Allowed
Scaling Plans

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