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Ep. 1317: Tom Basso Interview with Michael Covel on Trend Following Radio

Tom Basso
Tom Basso

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My guest today is Tom Basso, an American hedge fund manager. He was president and founder of Trendstat Capital Management. He is the author of two books, Panic-Proof Investing and the self-published The Frustrated Investor. Tom is widely known in the trading community as “Mr. Serenity” due to his calm and disciplined approach to trading.

The topic is Trend Following.

In this episode of Trend Following Radio we discuss:

  • Equal opportunity v. equal outcomes
  • Government spending, efficiency, and economic policy
  • Importance of education in trading
  • Public speaking
  • Timeless principles in trading
  • Starting a fund management firm
  • Elon Musk’s mindset and influence

Mentions & Resources:

Listen to this episode:

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“My biggest challenge is being able to define the most appropriate price to enter and exit…”

Feedback in:

Hello.

I’m still a beginner trader and my biggest challenge is being able to define the most appropriate price to enter and exit the operation.

Rodrigo C.

I can help. Start here.


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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.

“You mentioned in your podcast about sending something if your listeners write to you…”

Feedback in:

Lovely place SGN. I’ve been there years ago when my son played in the chess tournament in 2018. I’ve not been there since but I love Vietnamese beef pho.

[name]

PS: I believe you owe me something. You mentioned in your podcast about sending something if your listeners write to you.

Sent!


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.

“The biggest challenge I’ve faced with my trading and hands down it’s my psychology…”

Feedback in:

Hello!

I love the question about the biggest challenge I’ve faced with my trading and hands down it’s my psychology. I was explaining to my 22-year-old daughter today that I never learned how to lose properly before I started learning trading. And I’m still not there, but I’m doing what I can to learn it. That’s just one component when I say psychology, though. It’s working on my patience and kicking my ego to the curb. I have a long way to go.

Wishing you all the best,
S. M.

My video is a great wake up call.


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.

“I’ve had three issues that have kept me from trading well over the years…”

Feedback in:

Mike,

I’ve had three issues that have kept me from trading well over the years.

1. The tendency to be a perma-bear
2. An unwillingness to cut losses and medicate with hope
3. Resistance to back-testing

I’d sum these up as an unwillingness to commit to trend following – that being my major obstacle / challenge, until now.

Fun fact, as related to the content of your message below: I joined Salomon Brothers in 1994 after my undergrad at Virginia Tech (not in Sales & Trading, but as a Business Technology Analyst).

And in 2009, I joined the [name] Trading Tribe and have had the good fortune to meet Ed Seykota at a couple of his workshops in Austin/Bastrop (2013, 2019).

Small world!

Best,
[name]

Yes, small world! A good start.


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.

“I am an 18-year-old high school student…”

Feedback in:

Hi Michael, I hope this email finds you well.

My name is [name], and I am an 18-year-old high school student attending Fairfield University in the fall of 2025 to study finance. I have been actively watching your series on Trend Following and would like to join the cult. I have just purchased some of your titles off Amazon, including The Little Book of Trading, Trend Following Masters, and Trend Following Mindset. I plan to rip through these as soon as I get them later this week. I am unsure of the full extent of what your “full course” entails, but I wanted to try to get a late Cyber Monday discount if it is still available. I am very thankful for your work, which aligns perfectly with what I have been looking for / building towards over the past few years. I am looking forward to hearing from you.

Best,
Mason Andrews

Discount sent!


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.

“What would you recommend for someone who does not have the resources…”

Feedback in:

Hi Michael,

Let’s test if you actually read these emails. I would have to say that my biggest challenge in investing would have to be some very limited funds. I am a student currently and don’t have the money necessary to even qualify as a day trader. So in all honesty what would you recommend for someone who does not have the resources necessary to invest?

Igli B.

If no money, no trade.

Start saving.


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.