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Feedback in:

Hi Michael,

The biggest challenge I have faced in my trading is finding a system I can have confidence in, while finding something that doesn’t feel like a job. The idea of having to sit in front of the computer for a set amount of time per day goes against my ethos of what trading and investing should be about. I’ve also had money management issues and have blown many accounts over the past 12 years. I like the idea of trend following, and was fascinated by the turtles when I first got into trading about 12 years ago. But two things left a sour taste in my mouth:

1. I bought a forex trend trading course with signals from [name] for about $5000 back in 2008/2009 and it’s performance was very poor. I asked him for a refund and he gave me some BS song and dance answer about why that wouldn’t be possible even though it had a money back guarantee. I felt that I got ripped off.

2. I became deterred from trend following because in Market Wizards, Richard Dennis lost 50% of his account and retired. And I’m not sure how I’m supposed to deal with a scenario like if it were to happen. I remember [name] saying that he was thinking about leaving trading to become a lawyer because he couldn’t handle the gyrations anymore. And, that his doctor was prescribing him some anti anxiety medication because he developed a heart condition from all the stress. This was deterring to me as a new trader because I thought trading was the cats ass of professions and looked up to the turtles. So I was disheartened. After 12 years of failed attempts, my interest in trend following has been re-ignited. I just signed up for your email course, watched your intro video and have gone through a few episodes of your podcast. I’m definitely interested in learning more. I plan on reading your TurtleTrader and Trend Following books. How would you recommend proceeding after that?

Thanks,
Jason A.

Read the books first, then hit me back. Both books will correct your current understanding.

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How can you move forward immediately to Trend Following profits? My books and my Flagship Course and Systems are trusted options by clients in 70+ countries.

Also jump in:

• Trend Following Podcast Guests
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Performance
• Research
• Markets to Trade
• Crisis Times
• Trading Technology
• About Us

Trend Following is for beginners, students and pros in all countries. This is not day trading 5-minute bars, prediction or analyzing fundamentals–it’s Trend Following.

Feedback in:

Dear Michael, Your podcasts are always fun and enlightening to listen to. I’m a trend follower myself so it always hits home. And, of course, your delivery style is unique. I have a couple of queries if you will regarding your course. Is it a system in itself or is it a general set of rules around which one is expected to build their own system?
What kind of annual returns and drawdown can one expect on average if one trades as per the system?

Warm regards,
Jai

Actual system rules. No black box. The course includes systems, instruction, examples and support. There is no one return or drawdown to promise. This is variable to your selected risk.

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How can you move forward immediately to Trend Following profits? My books and my Flagship Course and Systems are trusted options by clients in 70+ countries.

Also jump in:

• Trend Following Podcast Guests
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Performance
• Research
• Markets to Trade
• Crisis Times
• Trading Technology
• About Us

Trend Following is for beginners, students and pros in all countries. This is not day trading 5-minute bars, prediction or analyzing fundamentals–it’s Trend Following.

Subscribe to Trend Following Radio on iTunes

My guest today is Mark Gjormand, aka Coach Pudge, the Head Baseball Coach at James Madison High School in Vienna, Virginia. During the offseason, Gjormand concentrates his efforts on Directing the MVP Baseball School located in Reston, Va. as well as MVP International Athletics; Sending athletes from across America overseas to compete and see the world through athletics. He is a 2020 member of the National High School Baseball Coach Association’s Hall of Fame.

The topics are baseball and life.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

• #3 nationally ranked high school baseball team
• Number one team in Virginia history
• Pressure following a big season
• Travel opportunities
• MVP Dreams Foundation

Mentions & Resources:

• Mark Gjormand on Twitter
• MVP International
• Justin Upton
• Nick Saban
• Ryan Zimmerman
• David Wright
• Bill Belichick
• Eric Metcalf
• James Triantos
• Bryce Eldridge

Listen to this episode:

• Listen to this podcast on iTunes. (Please leave a rating!)
• Listen on Spotify.
• Listen on Stitcher.
• Libysn RSS.
• Download as MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
• Free Video.

Jump in!

Feedback in:

Hello Mr. Covel,

First of all I wanted to say thank you so much for your research and generosity sharing this knowledge, I feel hopeful for the first time in a long time so again, THANK YOU!

I have no background in finance and coming into this knew nothing about the market. But I knew I was a sheep and media was the shepard, and I knew financial independence was the first step to getting off the farm. I could care less about being rich but the rat race is something I cannot do. So I dove into research and started looking for sensei’s to learn from and see if trading was for me. Well as you could’ve guessed my first attempt was terrible. Everybody wants to be the next Wolf of Wall Street, pride, ego, greed everywhere, people following the news and social media looking for an edge, it felt like researching tabloid magazines or following TMZ trying to get rich. Hey buy this secret tool and you’ll get rich easy! Just more of the same, sheep being sheep, making more sheep.

After seeing how most people trade I was convinced this world wasn’t for me. And then on a whim from a random Instagram post, I bought your book as a last hoorah to see if there was a place for me in the trading world. I read the first few pages and this quote from the foreword hit me square between the eyes, “Anyone can learn the methods Covel discusses here. Putting them into action requires commitment to the craft, and a military discipline. The Achilles heel of so many traders is a lack of precisely those qualities. It is an old joke but it’s true: If it was easy, everyone would be rich!” Finally someone speaking the truth! I am a man of science who trains athletes for a living and started my own gym when I was 19, I KNOW commitment and discipline is how you gain an edge, there are no shortcuts. So I proceed to consume your book over the next 2 weeks and I am now here emailing you because I’m starving for more.

To answer your question, the quote from David Baltimore in your book has been ringing in my head. “At its best, he noted, good science is a collaborative, community effort. On the other hand, crackpots work alone.” I very much have the Seykota growth mindset, so much so I find myself isolated a lot of the time because I’m pursuing things people don’t want to think about (“tell the truth, then run” quotes on the side of the margins are incredible btw). I am currently working on my algorithm on ninjatrader and I would say my biggest challenge is being alone every step. With only the internet/books as my guide it’s very difficult to suss out all the nonsense as I ask questions. I plan on using paper money to try and perfect it but building it alone, and having the strong faith required to stay steadfast worries me. Like Baltimore said, I don’t want to be a crackpot.

I apologize for the long email, I know you’re a busy man, bless you if you respond to this. I just wanted to make sure you got a positive testimonial and an encouraging email because I know helping people doesn’t produce as much gratitude as it should, and having the balls to put yourself out there for public scrutiny can get very negative very quickly.

I discovered your website today so I’m sure there is more opportunity and offerings on there. I look forward to learning more! Thank you again and happy trading.

Your Disciple Brian P.

Great path. Keep going. Also see my links below.

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How can you move forward immediately to Trend Following profits? My books and my Flagship Course and Systems are trusted options by clients in 70+ countries.

Also jump in:

• Trend Following Podcast Guests
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Performance
• Research
• Markets to Trade
• Crisis Times
• Trading Technology
• About Us

Trend Following is for beginners, students and pros in all countries. This is not day trading 5-minute bars, prediction or analyzing fundamentals–it’s Trend Following.

Sadly, Van Tharp passed away. In his memory our podcast episodes:

Episode 509.

Episode 247.

Episode 43.

RIP Van. Thanks for your time.

Subscribe to Trend Following Radio on iTunes

Please enjoy my monologue Fundamental Bullshit with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio.

Listen to this episode:

• Listen to this podcast on iTunes. (Please leave a rating!)
• Listen on Spotify.
• Listen on Stitcher.
• Libysn RSS.
• Download as MP3 by right-clicking here and choosing “save as.”
• Free Video.

Want to learn more Trend Following? Watch my video here.

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Michael, I just want to say thank you because your book change my life. I am still trying to be a trend follower trader. I read 2 of your books, The Complete TurtleTrader and Trend Following. Both are amazing. Best wishes for you!

Best Regards,
Ivan T.

Thanks.

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How can you move forward immediately to Trend Following profits? My books and my Flagship Course and Systems are trusted options by clients in 70+ countries.

Also jump in:

• Trend Following Podcast Guests
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Performance
• Research
• Markets to Trade
• Crisis Times
• Trading Technology
• About Us

Trend Following is for beginners, students and pros in all countries. This is not day trading 5-minute bars, prediction or analyzing fundamentals–it’s Trend Following.