Introduction
how to become a full time trader is way harder and slower than most expect. I’m Tanner (often known as The Strong Trader), and I share exactly what it took: starting with options in 2018–2019, quitting my job in October 2019, grinding two to three years with little to no income, then building strict processes (Daily Report Card, Trade Reviews, and Playbooking) and finally focusing on futures with a VWAP pullback edge.
Trader Talks QnA
How did you first get into trading?
I got into it in late 2018. My friends were buying shares like Tesla. Then the Bitcoin boom hit 10K and I put $1,000 into Bitcoin and made $1,000 the next day. That hooked me. Soon after I found WallStreetBets, bought my first Netflix call on the way to work, and made more than my day job. That pushed me to learn options.
Why did you stick with options instead of small caps or other niches?
Options were my drug right away. I wasn’t interested in small caps. I just Jed with options immediately—buying calls and puts—and decided to stick with it instead of hopping around.
Did you take any structured education?
Yes. In May 2019 I took a course with Opinicus Holdings. My mentor Kyle (the owner) was transparent and honest, and it felt like home. I still trade with them today. Structure helped me organize the chaos versus piecing everything together from YouTube alone.
When did you quit your job and how did you manage income?
I quit my corporate job in October 2019 with around $50K saved. I was 26, with low overhead. I worked nights at a restaurant (and later at a brewery) to cover bills while trading days. I knew I wouldn’t make money for at least two years, so I set up income outside trading.
How long did it take to become profitable?
Roughly two and a half to three years. Year one I made nothing. Year two I made a little but didn’t have a clear strategy. Around year three I developed some playbook setups, especially earnings plays, and it started to click. Then I realized I only had edge in earnings season and needed something more consistent.
Why did you move into futures?
My coach was getting into futures, and I needed a consistent edge outside earnings season. I committed to it exclusively the past several months. Futures exposed my bad habits—especially overtrading—because of instant settlement versus the cash account constraints I had with options.
How did you deal with overtrading?
I implemented the “Big Three”: a Daily Report Card (inspired by SMB/Lance), Individual Trade Reviews, and a Playbook. My DRC goal: max two trades a day. Grading myself on that goal, then reviewing trades and playbooking, changed everything. It made me a process-oriented trader instead of a junkie chasing setups.
How does powerlifting relate to your trading process?
I compete in powerlifting (squat, bench, deadlift) and follow strict programming blocks. That discipline translated to trading: follow the program, think macro, and stick to process. I branded this as Strong Trading. It’s about process, not excitement.
What exactly is in your Daily Report Card?
It focuses on a process goal (e.g., max two trades). I also take a premarket “temperature check”: sleep/readiness via my Oura Ring. If my readiness is below 70, I switch to defensive mode because my data shows I’m more likely to lose money when I’m not rested.
What were some pivotal early trades or lessons?
A memorable one was Chipotle (CMG) earnings, gapping into all-time highs—classic gap-and-go price discovery. I made about 4K in a minute on options, but my coach pointed out the options spread was ~20%, so equity would’ve been safer from a risk perspective. Lesson: setup can be great, but product selection and spreads matter.
Did you face doubts or big losses?
Yes. This is the hardest career. In year five I still have tough moments. Early on I had a month down almost 10K—it crushed me. Mentors reminded me to “keep going.” Habits kept me grounded: after the morning I make breakfast, leave the screens, read 10 pages, and walk by the beach. It re-centers me whether I’m up or down.
What reality check would you give beginners?
It will take way longer than you think. Have another source of income to reduce pressure. Build your life and schedule around what you want (I wanted to hit the gym at 10am). Seek mentors. Grind early, then later eliminate and focus on fewer setups with deeper nuance.
What’s your main futures setup now?
Pullback to VWAP—on ES while also watching SPY VWAP. I look for specific time windows and nuanced conditions (e.g., break of one VWAP but hold of the other). That nuance came from screen time and playbooking. If it’s not near VWAP in my window, I don’t care what it’s doing—I breathe and wait.
How do you prevent the domino effect on bad days?
Routine and awareness. If I slip on the DRC (not an A or B), it can trickle into the next day. I also coach clients to set simple DRC goals—like “don’t get frustrated after a losing trade”—to stop the domino effect before it starts.
If you had to start over today, what would you do first?
Step 1: Find a mentor or take a course immediately to build a foundation. Step 2: Pick a niche you truly vibe with (options, small caps, etc.) and stick with it for at least a year. Step 3: Adopt a long-term mindset—this is like becoming a doctor or lawyer; it takes years. Survive, adapt, and keep going.
Tanner Trade Statistics
I focused on building process before PnL. Early years were about survival, learning, and reducing overtrading. Here are representative stats and context from my journey as shared:
- Started: Late 2018 (options), quit job: October 2019
- Time to profitability: ~2.5–3 years
- Primary edge: Earnings setups (options), then Futures VWAP pullback
- Overtrading controlled via Daily Report Card (max two trades/day)
Key Trading Insights from Tanner
My main takeaways: process beats impulse, niches beat hopping, and habits beat emotions. I became consistent by eliminating noise and doubling down on one setup with deep nuance and strict routine.
- Build a process-first system: DRC, Trade Reviews, Playbook
- Use a cash account early to reduce overtrading in options
- Adopt a nuance mindset: time windows, product selection, spreads
- Have a reset routine: step away, read 10 pages, take a walk
Tanner Trading Strategy
I narrowed my playbook to what I can execute repeatedly: futures VWAP pullback combined with process tools that keep me selective and calm.
VWAP Pullback on ES/SPY Confluence
I monitor ES VWAP and SPY VWAP together. If one breaks and the other holds, I wait for confirmation and reaction. I only engage during my predefined time window. If price isn’t near VWAP during that window, I skip. This removes impulse and focuses me on the best-risk scenarios.
Tanner Tools
I use tools and routines to build a business-like process around trading. Platforms, software, and references I mentioned or leveraged conceptually:
- Daily Report Card (process grading; inspired by SMB/Lance)
- Individual Trade Reviews and Playbooking
- Oura Ring for readiness/energy temp checks
- Opinicus Holdings mentorship with Kyle
Common Trading Mistakes to Avoid
Overtrading, chasing, and lack of process were my biggest pitfalls. Emotional domino effects can ruin weeks. I shared personal examples of giving back full days or weeks by slipping on process and trading when not mentally ready.
- Hopping strategies too often instead of mastering one
- Trading when tired, upset, or not mentally centered
- Ignoring spreads/product risks (e.g., wide options spreads)
- Skipping journaling, plans, and playbooks—throwing darts
Conclusion
Becoming a full-time trader is a long game. If you’re serious about how to become a full time trader, build a process-first routine, find a mentor, keep outside income early, and master one setup with nuance. Drop questions in the comments and subscribe for more process-focused insights.