The REAL Reason I Struggled in Trading…

Akil Stokes (Tier One Trading)
Akil Stokes (Tier One Trading)Apr 30, 2026

Why It Matters

Confidence directly influences trading outcomes, so building self‑belief transforms performance and risk management for investors.

Key Takeaways

  • Lack of education and discipline fuels early trading losses.
  • Overcoming shame requires embracing identity as a trader.
  • Mentorship and self‑help books boost confidence and mindset.
  • Shift from self‑doubt to deserved competence improves performance.
  • Incorporate confidence‑building rituals into your daily trading plan.

Summary

The video recounts a trader’s early career plagued by repeated losses, attributing the setbacks to insufficient education, poor discipline, and a reckless “cowboy” approach to the markets.

After correcting those technical flaws, the narrator discovered a deeper obstacle: a lack of confidence and shame about identifying as a trader, which seeped into decision‑making and amplified poor performance.

Guidance from mentors Jason Stapleton and Todd Brown, plus lessons from Tony Robbins, prompted a deliberate practice of taking pride in one’s work, reframing the narrative from “I can’t be good” to “I deserve success.”

The story underscores that confidence is as critical as strategy; traders who embed mindset rituals into their trading plan can break the self‑fulfilling cycle of doubt and achieve more consistent results.

Original Description

The REAL Reason I Struggled in Trading…
Early in my trading career, I struggled with lack of education, discipline, and a bit of recklessness—but the biggest thing holding me back wasn’t any of that… it was confidence.
Without confidence in your plan, you hesitate. You second-guess. You sabotage your own success.
Once I fixed that, everything changed.
CHECK OUT THE FULL EPISODE

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