Good morning, traders…

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again:

Trading is an individual sport best played as a team.

That’s why I created the Smart Data Trading community — to foster an environment of collaboration, communication, and teamwork.

Think you can master the options market all by yourself? More power to you. But if you really felt that way, you probably wouldn’t be reading this.

If you only consult yourself for advice, you might fail to identify your errors. It’s difficult to have an objective view of your own trading. 

By surrounding yourself with like-minded traders, you’ll gain a priceless perspective. Your friends might spot mistakes in your process that you completely overlooked. 

In that spirit, I’ve got something different for you today: an interview with one of your trading peers.

Becca is one of my most promising students. She’s smart, driven, and determined to become the best trader she can be.

But she isn’t some high-falutin’ multi-millionaire (yet). She’s a stay-at-home mom, working tirelessly towards building a nest egg for her children’s future. 

Most importantly, she’s an aspiring options trader who uses my tools, scanners, and alerts to guide her strategy … just like you. 

Without Further Ado, Here’s My Interview With Becca…

Becca’s Trading Origin Story

Ben: Tell us about yourself, Becca: who you are, where you’re from, what service you started in, and how many years you’ve been trading.

Becca: Sure. My dad traded when I was younger, pretty unsuccessfully. I saw a lot of the emotions behind it and didn’t want anything to do with it. But I remained interested in trading. I went through life, had kids, and now I’m a stay-at-home mom. I’m absolutely blessed, but I needed something for me, to keep my brain active and feel successful. I started with Tim Sykes, trading penny stocks, but realized that wasn’t my thing. I prefer trading stocks I know. That’s how I found you, Ben, through IRIS, and here I am.

(QUICK WORD: Finding great swing trades takes scanning charts, analyzing catalysts, and tracking market sentiment. But our AI-driven tool, IRIS, does a lot of that work for you. And if you follow its plan, you stay out of trouble. Click here to start using IRIS today.)

Ben: How long have you been trading options, and why do you prefer them over penny stocks?

Becca: I find options more manageable risk-wise. They can be risky, sure, but easier to manage. I trade stocks and options on companies I hear about daily. I know they won’t disappear overnight. I’m comfortable holding them overnight, unlike penny stocks which can crash to zero.

Becca’s Strategy and Process

Ben: So it’s about the volatility profile, and fitting that with your personality. Is that fair?

Becca: Absolutely.

Ben: Let’s talk about risk. Men often trade aggressively (testosterone, competitiveness) while women tend to be more risk-aware. Have you seen that dynamic?

Becca: Definitely. My dad and husband both trade aggressively, and I don’t want that. I prefer staying away from super-volatile things. After having kids, that awareness increased. I want to set them up for the future.

Ben: Do you think your approach is because you’re female, or because you’re you?

Becca: Both, I think. Before kids, I might’ve had more risk-taking tendencies, but now it’s different. I’ve seen the losses my dad and husband experienced. Plus, Ben’s training — his videos emphasize that managing risk is the #1 goal, and that sticks with me.

Ben: Research shows women statistically earn slightly higher returns: fewer trades, lower fees, more discipline. But could risk aversion ever be a downside?

Becca: It could if you undertrade due to fear. But being emotionally aware helps. I notice when I’m not in the right headspace. If I start getting too emotional, I shut it down and walk away.

Becca’s Reset Routine

Ben: That’s powerful. Walking away to reset is key. What do you do to detach?

Becca: Bake with my boys (usually sourdough or cookies), then vigorously clean or go for a walk, a swim, anything physical to release tension. Then I come back refreshed and ready.

Ben: Great. And for those who feel obsessed with monitoring every tick: focus on the process, not the outcome. Like practicing free throws until you make 70%.

Becca: Exactly.

Ben: Any specific advice for other traders, especially women?

Becca: Stick with it. It’s the hardest part. Resist the urge to quit when it gets tough. But persistence pays off. Repetition rewires your brain. Watch videos, replays, keep learning. Be patient. It will work, but only if you put in the time and effort. Be hard on your system, easy on yourself. Your system isn’t you. Ask yourself: Will it produce results over enough trades? If not, improve the system, but don’t beat yourself up.

Ben: Thanks, Becca. Loved having you. Appreciate you. 

Key Takeaways from Becca’s Interview

Here’s what I learned from speaking with Becca…

Background matters: Becca grew up watching her dad trade emotionally and unsuccessfully, which shaped her cautious approach.

Trading gave her purpose: As a stay-at-home mom, trading gives Becca the intellectual challenge she was previously craving.

Risk awareness is central: She avoids high-volatility trades and emphasizes long-term financial health for her family.

Personality and parenting influence her style: Having kids made her more risk-averse and emotionally aware.

Emotional control is key: When emotions rise, she walks away (bakes, swims, or cleans to reset).

Focus on process, not outcome: Like practicing basketball shots, repetition builds confidence and skill.

Persistence pays: She urges traders to keep learning and stay patient.

Detach identity from results: Becca reminds us to evaluate our system, not ourselves, when trades fail.

I hope you got as much out of reading this conversation as I did from having it. 

Let me know if you’d enjoy more interviews like this. I love hearing from my students. 

Happy trading,

Ben Sturgill

P.S. Ready to take on our brand-new trading challenge?

The goal is simple: To make a 400% return on a small account. 

$1000 → $5,000 by October 14.

We already 3x’d a small account TWICE using my Earnings Edge system…*

And if we DON’T turn $1,000 into $5,000 by October 14th…

We’re giving everyone who joins our “$5K Blitz Challenge” an exclusive $5,000 value gift…

Completely FREE of charge.

5x or bust.

That’s how confident we are.

Join Danny Phee TOMORROW, July 25 at 4:00 p.m EST to see exactly how we’ll conquer the challenge. 

*Past performance does not indicate future results