Summary of "Verified Trader: I Took $6000 To $25M Breaking The #1 Trading Rule!"
Verified Trader: I Took $6000 To $25M Breaking The #1 Trading Rule!
Trader Profile
Brando, also known as Elite Options, began trading 15 years ago with an initial capital of $6,000. Over time, he grew his account from four figures to multiple eight figures, reaching up to $25 million. He is notable for breaking the “number one trading rule” by not using stop-losses. Instead, Brando focuses on high conviction trades, holding winners for large gains ranging from 500% to over 1,000%. His trading journey started primarily with options and later expanded to include futures and shares.
Markets, Instruments & Assets Mentioned
- Instruments: Weekly options, futures, shares
- Stocks/Tickers: Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Nvidia
- Indexes: S&P 500, NASDAQ
- Other: Prop trading firms (Funded Next, Alpha Capital, Alpha Futures), TradeZella (trade journaling software)
Investing & Trading Strategies / Methodologies
Core Trading Philosophy
- Only take trades with a 90% confidence level (A+ setups).
- No stop-losses; instead, “size for zero” — position sizes are chosen so the trader is willing to lose the entire amount invested.
- Hold positions to their full potential to capture outsized gains (500% to 1,000%+).
- Sell half of winning options positions at 40-50% gain to protect profits, holding the remainder for larger gains.
- Use simple technical analysis focusing on support and resistance levels (horizontal lines).
- Avoid overcomplicating charts with multiple indicators to reduce noise and bias.
- Trade options for rapid growth from small capital; pivot to futures and shares once larger capital is reached.
Risk Management
- Maximum risk per trade is the full amount invested (sizing for zero).
- No traditional stop-loss; exit trades based on trade invalidation criteria or momentum loss.
- Set personal pain thresholds for daily/weekly maximum losses (e.g., stop trading after a $500k loss in a day).
- Increase position size incrementally only after consecutive clean months to avoid emotional overleverage.
- Withdraw profits as the account grows to maintain emotional control and avoid trading unfamiliar sizes.
Market Timing & Macro Context
- Wait for inflection points marked by mass panic or euphoria to find the best option trades.
- Recognize macro signals such as large index moves (e.g., 40-50% gain in 5 months on S&P/NASDAQ signals an upcoming pullback).
- Use a contrarian strategy: fade retail crowd sentiment when everyone is bullish or bearish.
- Trade around key catalysts like Fed meetings, earnings, and major news events.
- Understand that 8-12 weeks per year typically offer strong market conditions for large profits; other weeks tend to be slower.
Psychology & Mindset
- Detachment from money is critical; view money as a tool, not a source of happiness.
- Accept losses as part of the game and learn from them to improve.
- Build mental resilience through daily meditation (30 minutes morning and evening) to reduce impulsive trades.
- Avoid social media during live trades to prevent bias and emotional reactions.
- Treat trading like a business: detach from daily P&L swings, focus on process and expectancy rather than win rate.
- Focus on expectancy (average outcome per trade) over win rate; a 65-70% win rate is typical, but net P&L matters most.
- Embrace patience; do not expect daily or weekly profits, especially with small accounts.
Performance Metrics & Examples
- Grew $6,000 to $100,000 in the first year, $250,000 in year two, and $1 million by year three.
- Biggest single trade: Bought 20,000 shares of Nvidia (~$4 million position) at $180 pre-split; sold at $1,040 for a $17 million profit.
- Experienced large losses, including a $600,000 loss on S&P options and a $12 million drawdown during the 2022 tariff-related market drop.
- Typically takes 8-14 trades per week, adjusting activity based on market conditions.
- Maintains a win rate around 65-70%, emphasizing net P&L and expectancy over pure win rate.
Explicit Recommendations & Cautions
For Small Traders
- Don’t expect to grow small accounts with small weekly gains; take calculated risks during market inflection points.
- If you have debt, pay it off through stable income before scaling trading.
- Keep a day job until you have sufficient capital and minimal liabilities.
- Wait for the right trades; do not force daily or weekly profit targets.
On Prop Firms
- Most people should avoid prop firms; they often encourage gambling-like behavior with reset buttons.
- Prop firms emerged after Brando’s time, but he observes many traders failing due to lack of discipline in that space.
On Losses
- Losses are inevitable, even for experienced traders.
- Large losses can lead to bigger future wins if lessons are learned.
- Have strict stop conditions for maximum daily loss to avoid revenge trading.
On Profits
- Take profits incrementally (e.g., half at 40-50% gains).
- Withdraw profits as the account grows to maintain emotional control and avoid overtrading.
Mental Health & Routine
- Daily meditation is critical to maintain discipline and avoid impulsive decisions.
- Avoid social media while trading to prevent emotional bias.
Disclaimers
This is not financial advice. Trading options is highly volatile and risky; weekly options can expire worthless. The approach is controversial and not suitable for all traders. Individual risk tolerance and financial situations vary.
Presenters / Sources
- Brando (Elite Options) – Verified trader sharing his 14+ years of experience.
- Interviewer / Host (name not specified).
- Sponsors mentioned: Funded Next, Alpha Capital, Alpha Futures, TradeZella.
Summary
Brando’s trading journey from $6,000 to $25 million showcases a high-risk, high-reward options trading strategy focused on patience, conviction, and sizing for zero risk per trade (willing to lose the entire option premium). He emphasizes simple technicals (support/resistance), macro awareness, and mental discipline (meditation, detachment from money). His approach breaks conventional rules by avoiding stop-losses and instead controlling risk through position sizing and trade selection. He advises new traders to maintain stable income, manage risk conservatively, and focus on learning rather than quick profits. Despite large wins and losses, his success is rooted in process, expectancy, and emotional control.
Category
Finance
