TraderDane

Jesper hosts the TraderDane podcast, this time with guest Dr. David Bonanno, a clinical psychologist and author of The Consistently Calm Trader (see link below), who has worked in the mental health field since 1993 and served over 17,000 clients. Dr. Bonanno explains how adrenaline activates fight-or-flight, taking the logical brain “offline,” leading to execution problems like FOMO, impulse entries, hesitation, and especially revenge trading. He describes a “robocat” model of two brain systems (logical vs. emotional/instinctive) and argues willpower and rule-making often fail when emotions take over. Drawing from PTSD work, he introduces eye-movement exercises (based on EMDR/REM-like processing) to reduce emotional intensity, separate sadness from anger after losses, and build acceptance to reset faster. We discuss optimal arousal levels, mindset leakage, limits of journaling alone, prop-firm pressure, and coaching as performance support, and share where to find Bonanno via his book, YouTube exercises, and website.If you're interested, you can find Dr Bonanno's 1 on 1 coaching program here http://www.maxdiscipline.com/ or by visiting https://maxdiscipline.com/1on1 to engage.Use my code DANE50 for exclusive discounts on the Max Discipline program!You can find Dr Bonanno's book "The Consistently Calm Trader" here https://www.amazon.com/Consistently-Calm-Trader-Between-Discipline-ebook/dp/B0GCW6HV8DTraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

In episode eight of the Trader Dane podcast, I explain how I went from knowing nothing about trading to earning my first prop firm payout in under six months after starting my first prop account and about eight months total trading experience. I shares costs and transparency around my journey, including about $320 spent on prop accounts vs a $635 payout, plus additional gear expenses, while noting I am not fully profitable overall. I describe starting with swing trading, then trading CFDs on indices with $1,500 before switching to TradingView paper trading in August 2025, and beginning a 50K challenge on October 1, passing it in January, and then buying a funded account, meeting payout rules by March. I credit community and three months in Austin Silver’s Black Shirt Club coaching program, where I learned to trade primarily using VWAP, and I finish up by discussing scaling via additional accounts while managing mindset and mechanics.TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

In TraderDane Episode 7, I sit down with upcoming day trader Emiel Middel who hails from the Netherlands. We dive into his background, how he got into trading while managing a career as a marine surveying engineer and applying his experience with data and analytics to his trading. We also geek out on trading systems and how to apply discretion vs mechanics in trading, before ending up with dreams for the future, and what Emiel sees trading do for his life, as he progresses and gets more payouts and more success.TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

Episode 6 - How I generate profits in my own trading - A deep diveIntroducing episode six as a deep dive into how I trade, recommending viewers watch on YouTube due to chart markups. I explain using black-on-white candlestick charts to reduce emotional reactions, then detail my core principles: an ASFX “Automatic VWAPs and Key Levels” tool with three VWAPs (yesterday’s NY session, 6:00 PM EST changeover/overnight, and the current NY session anchored at 9:30), plus a 15-minute NY opening range. I describe a VWAP hierarchy led by the current NY session VWAP, using alignment across VWAPs to bias long or short, and preferring entries near VWAP as fair value with confirmation rather than chasing moves. I discuss “handoff” VWAP and low/high-of-day VWAP as lower-probability tools, adds volume profile levels for confluence, and outlines discretionary trade management, including stop placement using multiple resistance levels, scaling out in drawdown, adding to winners, and trailing stops.Enjoy, and feel free to reach out on [email protected] if you have questions or feedback!TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

In Episode 5 of the TraderDane podcast, I welcome my first guest, Griffin, and we discuss connecting through Austin Silver’s Black Shirt Club, carrying forward accountability habits via a shared Discord, and the value of community and mentorship in what is ultimately a personal trading journey. Griffin shares his path toward entrepreneurship, including running a small business flipping couches and funneling revenue into prop accounts while also day trading. We talk about keeping trading simple, avoiding constant strategy tweaks after losses, and needing many repetitions to assess performance. Griffin describes focusing on trending days and bounces around VWAP levels, and shares his short-term goal of earning payouts and a longer-term vision centered on freedom, balancing trading with work, and growing over the next 3–12 months.TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

In episode four of the TraderDane podcast, I frame how current macro uncertainty affects trading, citing Middle East turmoil and disruption through the Strait of Hormuz, spiking oil (WTI near 120 and Brent above 100), a strengthening dollar as a perceived safe haven, and weaker precious metals. I note major indices have been slowly declining but remain supported, creating headline-driven volatility and whipsaws that have hurt my swing trading (including being stopped out of PBR) and left it roughly break-even for months, while I keep a long-term portfolio mostly in cash waiting for a deeper correction. I discuss rate-cut uncertainty given sticky PCE inflation and a weakening labor market, and mention bond yield curve signals. I contrast this with improved day-trading results using VWAP, volume profile, and opening range, describing a recent 10-day winning streak, prop-firm payouts, and focusing on short timeframes during the New York session.AffiliationsTop One Futures - https://www.toponefutures.com/ Code "DANE" for discounts!Tradezella - https://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46Follow TraderDane on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/traderdane_/TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

Episode three of the Trader Dane podcast (not financial advice) explains what technical indicators are and how they’re derived from candlestick price and time data, using moving averages as a core example, including concepts like golden/death crosses and tools such as Bollinger Bands. Dane argues indicators can simplify price action and help traders make decisions, then focuses on the subset he uses for day trading: the 15-minute opening range (high/low of the first 15 minutes), the session volume profile and its key levels (value area low/high and point of control, often using the prior day’s levels), and anchored VWAPs, which combine price, volume, and time and are anchored to key session points (New York open, prior day New York open, and the 6:00 PM changeover). Emphasis is on using confluence among these levels, plus monitoring the “Mag 7” and correlated indices (ES, NQ, YM) to increase confidence, manage risk with stop orders, and adjust position sizing.AffiliationsTop One Futures - https://www.toponefutures.com/ Code "DANE" for discounts!Tradezella - https://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46Follow TraderDane on Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/traderdane_/TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

In episode two of the Trader Dane podcast, I explain my goal of creating a European- and Danish-focused counterbalance to mainstream investment media that emphasizes long-term buy-and-hold and “cheap vs. expensive” stock narratives. Drawing on classic trading literature and examples from renowned traders, I argue that markets often reward strength—breakouts and “expensive” stocks can become more expensive—while disciplined risk management matters more than valuation labels. I discuss practical challenges for European traders, including time zone constraints when trading U.S. markets after work, and cultural risk aversion that can make day trading seem taboo. I outline how stop losses cap risk in day and swing trading, and I aim to share more actionable trading education, and plan to bring on European and international traders in future episodes.TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46  

On this first episode, I introduce myself and go through my journey all the way from studying at university, via conventional investing to venturing into day trading in 2025. TraderDane, hosted by TraderDane himself, Jesper Holst, is a podcast built specifically for European retail traders navigating today’s futures and prop firm trading landscape. With a distinctly European perspective, the show breaks down day trading, futures markets, and prop firm trading in a way that’s practical, relevant, and accessible for traders across Europe.The mission is to help both new and experienced traders focus their journey towards a profitable, structured trading approach, while staying informed on what’s shaping the European and global trading and prop firm space. Episodes explore risks and opportunities for traders, in Europe and abroad - and how you, as a retail trader, can position yourself within it.The podcast combines in-depth educational episodes with candid trader interviews and open discussions, focusing on real-world experience, psychology, and the skills needed to survive and thrive as a European retail trader.Any and all content on the podcast is for educational and entertainment purposes only, and do not constitute investment advice or recommendations.TraderDane on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/traderdance_/  Top One Futures - Use my code DANE for great discounts on your next prop account!https://toponefutures.com/?linkId=lp_707970&sourceId=jesper-holst&tenantId=toponefuturesTradezella: Journaling software for your tradinghttps://tradezella.com?fpr=jesper46