Curtis: Refocus on Process Transformed Setbacks to Success

By Scott Geekie
December 20, 2022
12:30 pm
Funded Traders

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Introduction to Curtis's Story

Curtis’s trading journey is a testament to resilience and discipline. Despite a major setback during his trading evaluation, he managed to turn things around by refocusing on his trading rules and mindset. This summary highlights his experiences, struggles, and the lessons learned that helped him achieve his goal of becoming a funded portfolio manager with CTI.

Field	Details
Program	CTI Evaluation
Result	PASSED ✅
Account Size	$50,000
Profit Target Achieved	7%
Risk Per Trade	0.5%
Key Strategy	Engulfing Candles on 1H at Key Levels
Trade Frequency	3-5 trades per day
Validation	✅ Validated by CTI Risk Team

Initial Success and Setbacks

Curtis started the CTI evaluation with clear rules, trading three to five trades per day and risking $50 per trade on his $12.5k account. Initially, he saw consistent growth, reaching within $600 of his profit target. However, he became overly focused on hitting that target, abandoning his trading rules and overleveraging his trades. This loss of focus caused a significant losing streak, ultimately bringing his account balance below the initial level.

Turning Point

Faced with the potential loss of his account, Curtis took a step back. He stopped trading, revisited his rules, and re-evaluated his approach. He identified an opportunity with EUR/USD, using his strategy of trading break-and-retest setups and divergence on the RSI at significant levels. Holding this trade for two days, Curtis successfully reversed his losses, bringing his balance back up and surpassing his previous high.

Recovery and Refocus

Curtis’s recovery was driven by a disciplined return to his process. He recognized his mistake of trading beyond his usual hours and being fixated on his profit target. He took the time to reset, refocus, and wait for his criteria to be met before re-entering the market. This adherence to his strategy allowed him to regain control and reach his targets.

The Role of CTI’s Community and Content

Curtis attributes much of his recovery to the supportive environment provided by CTI. The Discord community and educational videos helped him maintain his focus during his toughest moments. A specific video on the dangers of becoming goal-oriented resonated with him, providing the insight needed to overcome his setback.

Biggest Challenges and Lessons Learned

Curtis identifies psychology as his biggest challenge, especially in maintaining discipline and adhering to rules during times of pressure. He emphasizes the importance of education, taking time away from trading when necessary, and consistently following established processes. The CTI funding program, with its generous timeframes, allowed him to focus on his trading goals without the pressure of hitting targets too quickly.

Key Takeaway and Advice for Traders

Curtis advises other traders to prioritize their psychological development alongside their trading skills. He stresses the value of taking breaks, engaging with the community, and learning from others who have faced similar challenges. His journey demonstrates the critical importance of discipline, sticking to your trading plan, and not letting emotions drive decisions.

Conclusion and Future Goals

Now a portfolio manager at CTI, Curtis aims to continue refining his psychology and trading skills with the support of the CTI community. His story serves as a powerful reminder that the road to becoming a successful trader is filled with challenges, but persistence, discipline, and a focus on the process can turn setbacks into success.

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Scott Geekie

Scott Geekie is CTI’s Chief Marketing Officer, focused on growth and retention in prop trading. He has spent 8+ years inside the model — progressing from trader to intern, client relations, marketing manager and now CMO, a path that spans the full trader lifecycle: who a firm attracts, how traders behave once funded, and what actually drives long-term retention rather than short-term spikes. That perspective shapes how CTI grows: deliberate about who it brings in, attentive to behaviour beyond conversion metrics, and mindful that in this model small changes compound quickly. Scott is Certified in Content Marketing, SEO and AEO, and is the author of ‘The Trader in the Chair: A Story for Anyone Who’s Bled Quietly at the Charts.’

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