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Justin Hammond: From Psychology to Prop Trading Success

Justin Hammond From Psychology to Prop Trading Success
In this article
  1. Lessons and Insights
  2. Justin’s top advice for traders revolves around three key principles
  3. From Behavioral Therapy to Trading
  4. The Trading Journey Begins
  5. Finding a Mentor and Developing a Strategy
  6. Justin’s Trading Strategy
  7. Looking Ahead

Lessons and Insights

Justin’s journey from psychology to trading underscores the importance of discipline, continuous learning, and adaptability. His background in psychology has given him a unique edge in managing trading psychology, helping him stay disciplined and avoid common pitfalls like overtrading and emotional decision-making.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7Jrbac9NCs

FieldDetails
ProgramCTI Funded Account
ResultPASSED ✅
Total Funding$75,000 in 3 months
Monthly Profit Target10%
Risk Per Trade1%
Risk-to-RewardUp to 1:20
Preferred AssetsUS30, AUD/JPY, AUD/CAD, AUD/CHF
Trading HoursNew York Open (7 AM – 11 AM)
Validation✅ Validated by CTI Risk Team

Justin’s top advice for traders revolves around three key principles

Risk Management: Proper risk management is crucial. Traders should use appropriate risk levels to avoid emotional stress and ensure longevity in the market.

Discipline: Sticking to a well-defined trading plan and not deviating from it, regardless of short-term outcomes, is essential for long-term success.

Belief: It is vital to have confidence in one’s strategy, which is backed by extensive backtesting and validation. Believing in your approach helps maintain consistency and resilience through market fluctuations.

From Behavioral Therapy to Trading

Justin’s career began in the rewarding and challenging field of behavioral therapy, working primarily with the autistic community. He found immense satisfaction in helping individuals and their families navigate the intricacies of autism, providing short-term behavioural therapy and making meaningful differences in their lives. Despite his dedication to psychology, Justin was drawn to the potential of trading, seeking a new challenge and a different kind of fulfilment.

The Trading Journey Begins

In 2017, Justin was introduced to network marketing and financial education programs. His initial exposure to trading came through a network marketing company, which provided signals and financial education. However, the lack of proper risk management guidance, particularly the omission of stop losses, led to inconsistent results and frustration.

Finding a Mentor and Developing a Strategy

Justin’s turning point came when he found a mentor who introduced him to a strategy focused on gold and the US30 index. This mentorship provided a solid foundation, although Justin quickly realized that he needed to adapt the strategy to better suit his psychology. He spent the next few years honing his skills on demo accounts, meticulously studying and backtesting various approaches.

By 2021, Justin had discovered prop firms and began trading live accounts with a more refined strategy. He focused on specific pairs and indices, utilizing a methodical approach that emphasized market structure, risk management, and disciplined execution.

Justin’s Trading Strategy

Justin’s strategy revolves around a break and retrace method, focusing on the New York trading session. He looks for market structure trends, identifies key levels, and waits for precise retracement points to enter trades. His approach is highly mechanical, with specific rules for different pairs and a consistent risk management framework.

For example, in his trades, Justin waits for a break above or below a significant market level, followed by a retracement to a predetermined number of pips or points. He then sets a tight stop loss and aims for a substantial risk-reward ratio, often targeting a 1:20 risk-reward ratio, although he typically takes profit at more conservative levels to ensure consistency.

Looking Ahead

Justin’s goals include continually scaling his funded accounts, aiming to achieve higher funding levels and consistent profitability. He remains committed to both his trading career and his work in behavioral therapy, balancing both passions effectively.

Scott Geekie
Scott Geekie
Chief Marketing Officer | CMO
8+ years prop trading industry experience.

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.’