True Growth
Finding Value in Community
True growth thrives in the strength of community. When we learn from each other, support each other, and share our journeys, we unlock potential far greater than we could achieve alone.
On a cold night I found myself searching YouTube for side hustles and ways to earn additional income alongside my day job. Stumbled upon a video about matched betting. I watched it and dismissed it as too good to be true. Later that night, I looked into it more and decided to give it a try, starting with some opening offers and the popular "2ups".
During this period, I came across a trading video—Trading The Market's original "3-0" video. I discovered they had a Discord server, so I joined, adding it to the dozens of gaming-related servers I was already part of.
I became absorbed in the excitement of the TTM community and found myself drawn to trading. But in hindsight, I realise that what I was doing wasn't informed trading—it was gambling. Here's why.
At that point, I had been matched betting for about four weeks. My knowledge of exchanges and market behaviour was minimal, and my mindset was all about "easy, risk-free money". I would wake up at 5am for work, choose a morning fixture, and place a £50 bet, relying on recent Google results for guidance. While beginner's luck encouraged me to continue, I soon experienced the emotional highs and lows typical of gambling. I deleted and reinstalled Betfair five times, each time swearing I'd stop...and then reinstall it. I decided that the last time I downloaded it would be the last.
Over the following months, with the help of posts from John, Coop, and the TTM admin team, I began to change my approach. I remember one intense Saturday when I traded about 50 fixtures, juggling 15 trades at once. This didn't work out, but at least my stakes were lower. That day, Aaron, James, and Mark provided invaluable advice, nudging several of us toward better practices. They helped me realise that my approach was all wrong, and this recognition became a turning point.
I committed to learning and growth.
I took a six-month break to work on two issues. First of all, I was hesitant to trade due to previous losses. Mark calls this "trade fright". And second, I wanted to prove to myself that I could control my impulses and avoid a gambling addiction.
I returned with a fresh perspective, learning key TTM strategies and began to apply them more thoughtfully. I was honoured to be offered a moderator role on the TTM Discord, which has allowed me to support others, sometimes giving advice that may be hard to hear but could be transformative if followed.
Right now, I am trading smaller stakes than when I started but with a much-improved mindset and understanding of market profiling. My journey with TTM started in January 2023, and while it hasn't been two years yet, I view this path as similar to a university degree—it takes time and dedication. I'm committed to a "10,000-hour mindset".
One day, I will earn my salary from trading. But rather than focusing on "how fast", I focus on "following the process". None of this journey has been easy or free from failure. Placing trades is easy, but trading is hard because we are human.
A lot has improved since I committed to my health, both in diet and fitness. And now I enjoy the journey. Being part of TTM is a privilege, with access to resources that past traders had to figure out without support. I encourage everyone to take ownership of their journey, make the most of the resources and guidance available, and stay committed to growth.
As Helen Keller said: "Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much".
