Podcast Summary

Success Story with Scott D. Clary

Episode: Bernd Skorupinski – #1 Ranked Prop Trader in the World | The Psychology of Winning Traders
Date: November 30, 2025
Host: Scott D. Clary
Guest: Bernd Skorupinski

Episode Overview

This episode features Bernd Skorupinski, widely recognized as the world’s top-ranked proprietary (prop) trader, educator, and founder of Online Trading Campus. Together with host Scott D. Clary, Bernd unpacks his journey from a disillusioned corporate employee to an elite trader, the psychology and mindset required for trading success, and the realities of building a sustainable trading practice in a world awash with misinformation.

Listeners get candid insight into:

• The evolution from corporate burnout to trading mastery
• The pitfalls of trading hype on social media
• Practical advice on approaching trading as a profession
• The mechanics and benefits of prop trading
• The psychology of long-term success
• Proven strategies for evaluating market trends

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Trading as a Path to Freedom, Not Quick Wealth

• Bernd describes leaving a demanding corporate life for trading, seeking time freedom more than just financial gains.
• “The reason why I went into trading was not necessarily the money, but more about the time freedom.” (00:12 – Bernd)
• Warns against turning trading into another full-time “grind” via day trading; advocates sustainable swing trading over high-frequency activity.

2. The Day Trading Myth and Social Media Hype

• Bernd and Scott discuss the rise of day trading as a "social media phenomenon" appealing to get-rich-quick mentalities—especially among young people.
• “It’s about the perception of making quick money…almost like going to the casino or having the slot machine mindset.” (03:52 – Bernd)
• Most professional, consistent traders actually focus on swing or long-term strategies.

3. Trading Is a Profession, Not a Gamble

• Equates the learning curve of trading to becoming a lawyer or doctor – it’s a serious professional skill.
• “Trading is a profession like any other profession. You have to go with that mindset into that venture.” (08:32 – Bernd)
• Strong advice: Do not quit your job to become a trader; treat it as an ideal side hustle and build multiple income streams.

4. Getting Started: Building a Foundation of Knowledge

• Prioritize education and skill development, regardless of trading style or asset class.
• “Without foundation, the likelihood that you might lose all your money…is very, very high.” (10:33 – Bernd)
• Avoid the “casino” mentality; learn the underlying mechanics before risking capital.

5. Industry Reality: Scams, Fakes & Proof of Skill

• The trading education space is described as “shady,” rife with fake screenshots and unverifiable claims.
• “There’s no real accreditation system behind…who is allowed to speak about trading or not.” (15:42 – Bernd)
• Bernd advocates for third-party verified results—like official payout certificates from firms such as FTMO—to prove legitimacy.

6. What Is Prop Trading and Why It Matters

• Proprietary (prop) trading allows skilled individuals to trade with a firm’s capital, keeping a share of the profits.
• “If you get funded $400,000, 1% a month is $4,000—that’s a big difference for the general person.” (19:27 – Bernd)
• The only real cost/risk is the evaluation fee; losses are absorbed by the firm, not the trader.
• Success and scalability hinge on SKILL: “Your primary goal is to look to become skilled as a trader and then you can utilize prop firms to leverage capital.” (21:07 – Bernd)

7. Swing Trading: The "Set and Forget" Approach

• Describes swing trading as defining trade setups in advance (often over the weekend), then letting the strategy execute with minimal screen time.
• “Set and forget and get a life…You spend less time in front of the screen and still make decent returns.” (01:43, 38:14 – Bernd)
• Professionals spend as little as 15-30 minutes daily managing trades.

8. Managing Risk: Stop Losses & Risk/Reward

• Every trade must have a clearly defined entry, stop loss, and target.
• “Trading is always calculated risk…” (39:12 – Bernd)
• Effective risk management is the difference between gambling and professional strategy; “More trades usually results in losing more money. The only variable that matters is scaling capital.” (41:14 – Bernd)

9. Misconceptions and Mindset

• Emotion-driven or “ego” trading is a recipe for disaster.
• “You don’t need to be the smartest guy in the room. Trading is a skill that can be learned by anyone if you do it the right way.” (53:25 – Bernd)
• Women, according to Bernd, often make better traders due to greater humility and preparation.

10. Market Outlook and Data-Driven Strategy

• Bernd shares how presidential election cycles and decennial patterns (years ending in ‘5’) statistically shape major indices returns.
• “Post-election cycles always end up with a big positive return, regardless of who is president... statistically proven.” (60:18, 62:58 – Bernd)
• Layers decades of probability data—multidecadal signals—with technical analysis to maximize the odds.

11. The Limits of Automation and AI

• Skeptical of retail “magic button” trading bots and AI—big firms may use advanced tech, but for individuals, there are no shortcuts to developing skill.
• “If that magic button existed, they wouldn’t sell it for $50 online.” (76:02 – Bernd)

12. Building a Long-Term Career and Relationship with Money

• Emphasizes milestone-based risk tolerance and gradual scaling.
• “Percentage return is not the real measure of success. It’s about risk-to-reward: for every dollar you risk, try to make two.” (92:27 – Bernd)
• Average goal: 1–5% monthly returns, or 20–24 “R” (reward/risk ratio) per year.
• Trading offers uniquely unlimited scalability without a corresponding increase in personal time investment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Day Trading Hype
“It’s about the perception of making quick money…almost like going to the casino.”
(03:52 – Bernd)

On Trading as a Profession
“Trading is a profession like any other profession. You have to go with that mindset.”
(08:32 – Bernd)

On Fake Trading Gurus
"If a trader tells me or brags, ‘I made 50% return this year’, it’s already a red flag."
(92:25 – Bernd)

On Prop Trading as a Leveler
“Your primary goal is to look to become skilled as a trader…then you can utilize prop firms.”
(21:07 – Bernd)

On Risk Management
"Trading is always calculated risk…The difference between entry and stop loss is your risk."
(39:12 – Bernd)

On Mindset Shift
“Once you get detached from the money…trading is literally a process game.”
(25:30 – Bernd)

On Strategy and Historical Cycles
"Post-election cycles are always super, super strong…and you end up with a big positive return."
(60:18 – Bernd)
“A year ending with five – we call it 'the phenomenal five' – are always exceptionally strong.”
(65:39 – Bernd)

On AI and Shortcuts
“There will never be any kind of magic button that you don’t need real skill to make money.”
(76:02 – Bernd)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment/Topic | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | 00:00-01:00 | Bernd’s background: corporate life to trading | | 03:49 | Day trading popularity and get-rich-quick myth | | 08:16 | Why trading should not be a full-time job for beginners | | 10:29 | Steps and levels for new traders, need for foundational skill | | 15:39 | Trading industry’s lack of oversight, fake “gurus” | | 17:09 | What is prop trading and how does it work? | | 24:20 | Achieving world’s top FTMO record; what sets Bernd apart | | 25:30 | Detachment from money, focus on process and plan | | 38:14 | Swing trading: set and forget, time efficiency | | 41:13 | Myths: More trades = more money; power of scaling capital | | 47:34 | Futures, forex, leverage, and common misunderstandings | | 50:25 | How Bernd evaluates and times the market (ignores news hype) | | 60:00-64:00 | Presidential cycles, decennial patterns, and their impact | | 75:30 | Algorithmic trading & AI: myth vs. reality for individual traders| | 78:36 | Why “set and forget” trading matters for fulfillment | | 83:48 | Psychology, skill, and decision-making in trading | | 86:31 | Developing a healthy relationship with risk and money | | 92:27 | Realistic returns and the “risk-to-reward” framework | | 99:17 | Mistakes new traders make: ego, rushing, not learning first |

Actionable Takeaways

• Start with credible education: Treat trading like learning any high-skill profession.
• Don’t quit your day job too soon: Use trading as a side hustle until you are consistently profitable.
• Risk management is everything: Define your risk per trade and never deviate, regardless of leverage or asset.
• Beware the social media trading circus: Look for third-party-verified performances, not just screenshots.
• Prioritize process over money: Detachment from immediate results is crucial for longevity.
• Use prop trading for funding: Once skilled, use prop firms to scale without risking your own large capital.
• Study market cycles, not headlines: True trends are found in historical, statistical patterns – not day-to-day news.
• Understand your own psychology: Build skill first and emotional calm will follow.

Where to Learn More

• YouTube: Bernd Skorupinski (in-depth market analysis, strategy, and transparent trading results)
• Instagram: @berndskorupinski
• Online Trading Campus: [Learn with Bernd’s team]

Final Reflection

Bernd Skorupinski’s journey—and his straight answers—offer a welcome antidote to the noise and instant gratification of the online trading space. For those considering trading, his message is clear: Skill, process, and discipline win. Chasing shortcuts or social media hype almost always leads to disappointment. Treat trading as a craft, and the rewards (including true freedom) follow.