Trading Like a Pro Funded Trader Is Easier Than You Think!

By Scott Geekie
September 24, 2022
8:30 am
Funded Traders

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Graham, a trader with over seven years of experience, recently achieved a significant milestone by passing the City Traders Imperium (CTI) evaluation. After earning his 70k funded account, Graham reflects on his trading journey, his evolution as a trader, and how the CTI program transformed his approach.

Field	Details
Program	CTI Evaluation
Result	PASSED ✅
Account Size	$70,000
Experience	7+ years
Drawdown	2.84%
Win Rate	46%
Risk-to-Reward	1:2+ realized; targets 1:5 to 1:10
Asset Focus	AUD/JPY and EUR/CHF
Avg Holding Time	Up to 3 weeks
Strategy	Symmetrical Triangle Theory (STT)
Validation	✅ Validated by CTI Risk Team

The Turning Point: Switching to Higher Time Frames

Like many traders starting out, Graham initially focused on smaller time frames, which often led to overtrading and impulsive decisions. “I stepped back from the smaller time frames and concentrated more on the four-hour time frames. The more time I spent at the PC, the more money I would lose,” he recalls.

Through the Symmetrical Triangle Theory (STT) program at CTI, Graham learned the importance of patience. Trading on higher time frames meant he didn’t have to sit at his desk all day, which ultimately helped him avoid unnecessary losses. “STT doesn’t finish overnight. Some trades can take up to three weeks, which taught me the discipline I lacked in the past.”

Finding the Right Strategy: A Game-Changer

Before discovering the STT strategy, Graham experimented with several approaches. But it was the structured, mechanical rules of STT that finally helped him find consistency. He highlights the shift that came from following STT’s strict entry and exit criteria. “In the past, I’d stretch stop losses, hoping the market would turn around. With STT, I learned to respect the stop loss and wait for better opportunities.

Graham’s biggest wins came from sticking to the STT process. He recalls, “I traded the Aussie Yen and Euro Swiss, and these pairs, though not very volatile, offered clear setups on the four-hour chart. The smaller STT within the larger ones gave me the confidence to target larger profits.

Adapting the STT System to Fit His Style

Though STT provided Graham with the foundational rules, he tailored the strategy to suit his personality and risk tolerance. “I wasn’t good at holding trades in the past. But with STT, I learned to manage trades for longer periods, which improved my discipline and performance.”

Lessons from the Journey: Discipline and Focus

Graham’s transformation as a trader didn’t happen overnight. He emphasizes that patience and discipline are key. “STT taught me to stay disciplined and not chase every trade. Less is more. Before, I was all over the place with different strategies. Now, I stick to a few pairs and focus on quality setups.”

He attributes his success to the process-oriented mindset fostered by the CTI community and the mentors at CTI. “Daniel Martin’s mentorship was pivotal. His emphasis on psychology and risk management made a huge difference in my approach to trading.”

Advice for Aspiring Traders

When asked what advice he would give to aspiring traders, Graham is clear: “It’s not a get-rich-quick scheme. Patience is everything. If you’re struggling with lower time frames, consider moving up to higher ones. Find a solid system like STT, stick to it, and focus on process, not outcome.”

He also highlights the flexibility of the CTI evaluation. “With the 12-month evaluation period, there’s no pressure. You can take your time to refine your strategy without rushing into trades.”

Conclusion

Graham’s journey demonstrates that success in trading is not about chasing quick wins but about mastering discipline, patience, and a structured approach. His story is a testament to the power of staying committed to a process and finding a system that aligns with your personality.

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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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