Words of Rizdom - Trading Podcast

chevron_right

Elite Trader: Managing $25 Million at Just 25 Years Old - Ted Zhang

whatshot 5 snips

Jan 15, 2026

Guest

Ted Zhang

Ted Zhang, a 25-year-old portfolio manager at Revere Asset Management, shares his journey from pre-med to asset management during COVID-19. He emphasizes the importance of treating trading as a long-term game where mistakes are vital learning opportunities. Ted discusses key trading strategies, risk management lessons from painful drawdowns, and the significance of studying market history. He also explores how diverse team environments enhance decision-making and offers insights into his structured approach to trading, including entry tactics and exit rules.

02:14:28

forum

Ask episode

web_stories

AI Snips

view_agenda

Chapters

menu_book

Books

auto_awesome

Transcript

info_circle

Episode notes

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Form A Trading Pod To Reduce Blind Spots

Build a trading pod or team to catch blind spots and test theses collaboratively.
DM people, join communities, and align trading styles before committing.

volunteer_activism

ADVICE

Learn To Learn With Active Retrieval

Learn how to learn: use active retrieval, spaced repetition, and teach others to solidify knowledge.
Write and explain ideas publicly to synthesize and retain concepts.

insights

INSIGHT

Risk Management Is The Core Layer

Risk management and position sizing are the most important trading layers, not just chart patterns.
Progressive exposure and adjusting size by market feedback preserve capital over cycles.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Ted's unconventional path to asset management

02:55 • 2min

chevron_right

Cold DMs and landing a role at Revere

05:00 • 59sec

chevron_right

Early trading edges and SPAC lessons

05:59 • 8min

chevron_right

Handling drawdowns and recalibrating

Learning from trading greats and key books

17:34 • 4min

chevron_right

From trial-and-error to structured process

21:30 • 4min

chevron_right

Managing client money vs personal accounts

25:50 • 1min

chevron_right

Gradual trust: starting with tracking accounts

Portfolio objectives: Growtection versus Turbotection

31:41 • 1min

chevron_right

Track record maturity and cycle testing

33:04 • 2min

chevron_right

Timeframes, holdings and sector focus

35:09 • 2min

chevron_right

Approach to all-time highs and extended moves

37:01 • 8min

chevron_right

Exit rules: trail, sell into strength, protect capital

45:21 • 7min

chevron_right

History, psychology and why study past cycles

52:50 • 2min

chevron_right

Benefits of team environment and trading pod

54:20 • 2min

chevron_right

Learning how to learn and using AI

56:50 • 5min

chevron_right

No shortcuts: mastery takes years

01:01:31 • 2min

chevron_right

Layered learning: charts, risk, then environment

01:03:04 • 2min

chevron_right

Identifying favorable market environments

01:05:10 • 3min

chevron_right

Assessing the recent sell-off and bases

01:07:59 • 4min

chevron_right

Stick to your edge; don't trade every style

01:11:50 • 2min

chevron_right

Revere's mission: protect downside, capture upside

01:14:11 • 4min

chevron_right

Minimums, capacity and product limits

01:18:00 • 3min

chevron_right

Bitcoin, MicroStrategy and stage four downtrends

01:20:41 • 4min

chevron_right

Entry tactics: breakouts, pullbacks and scaling

01:24:53 • 2min

chevron_right

Ted and Connor's partnership and firm origin

01:27:11 • 22min

chevron_right

Theme identification and concentric thesis work

01:49:11 • 10min

chevron_right

Stage analysis: Stan Weinstein framework

01:59:04 • 4min

chevron_right

Consistency, timing and surviving cycles

02:03:10 • 2min

chevron_right

Habits, learning and Atomic Habits principles

02:05:04 • 4min

chevron_right

What success means and life priorities

02:09:00 • 3min

chevron_right

Advice for struggling traders

• Mentioned in 1,343 episodes

Atomic Habits

James Clear

Atomic Habits by James Clear provides a practical and scientifically-backed guide to forming good habits and breaking bad ones. The book introduces the Four Laws of Behavior Change: make it obvious, make it attractive, make it easy, and make it satisfying. It also emphasizes the importance of small, incremental changes (atomic habits) that compound over time to produce significant results. Clear discusses techniques such as habit stacking, optimizing the environment to support desired habits, and focusing on continuous improvement rather than goal fixation. The book is filled with actionable strategies, real-life examples, and stories from various fields, making it a valuable resource for anyone seeking to improve their habits and achieve personal growth.

#430

• Mentioned in 68 episodes

The Daily Stoic

366 Meditations on Wisdom, Perseverance, and the Art of Living

Ryan Holiday

Stephen Hanselman

'The Daily Stoic' offers daily insights and exercises drawn from Stoic philosophy, designed to cultivate wisdom, resilience, and mindfulness. Each entry provides a quote from a Stoic philosopher, followed by Ryan Holiday's reflections and actionable advice. It encourages readers to embrace challenges, practice self-control, and find meaning in everyday life. The book is structured as a year-long guide, with each day offering a new opportunity for reflection and growth. Its practical approach makes Stoicism accessible and relevant for modern readers seeking to improve their mental and emotional well-being.

#8639

• Mentioned in 6 episodes

How to trade in stocks

Jesse L. Livermore

Written shortly before his death in 1940, 'How to Trade in Stocks' offers traders an insight into Jesse Livermore's trading system. The book combines autobiographical and historical details with step-by-step guidance on reading market and stock behaviors, analyzing leading sectors, market timing, money management, and emotional control. Livermore's method emphasizes the importance of studying securities thoroughly, entering markets after they break resistance, and cutting losses quickly. The book also includes the Livermore Market Key, a method for tracking and recording market patterns, and insights from Livermore's private papers and family interviews.

#805

• Mentioned in 43 episodes

Reminiscences of a stock operator

Edwin Lefevre

This book is a classic in the realm of stock market literature, detailing the life and trading experiences of Jesse Livermore, a legendary trader, under the pseudonym 'Larry Livingston'. It explores Livermore's journey from his early days in 'bucket shops' to becoming a prominent figure on Wall Street. The book highlights the importance of understanding market psychology, the dangers of overtrading, and the need for discipline and independent analysis in trading. Despite being written nearly a century ago, its lessons on market dynamics and human nature remain relevant today.

#1482

• Mentioned in 28 episodes

Make It Stick

The Science of Successful Learning

Henry L. Roediger

Mark A. McDaniel

Peter C Brown

Make It Stick challenges conventional wisdom on learning and teaching by presenting evidence-based strategies that replace less effective but widely accepted practices. The authors explain that effective learning comes from self-testing, introducing certain difficulties in practice, waiting to re-study new material until a little forgetting has occurred, and interleaving the practice of one skill or topic with another. The book uses real-world examples and stories to illustrate these principles, making it an indispensable guide for students, educators, and lifelong learners.

#1420

• Mentioned in 29 episodes

A Calendar of Wisdom

Daily Thoughts to Nourish the Soul, Written and Selected from the World's Sacred Texts

Leo Tolstoy

This collection is a day-by-day guide that illuminates the path of a life worth living. It features gems of inspiration and wisdom from various historical figures including Epictetus, Marcus Aurelius, Lao-Tzu, Buddha, Pascal, Jesus, Muhammad, Confucius, Emerson, Kant, Ruskin, Seneca, Socrates, and Thoreau. Tolstoy considered this work his most important contribution to humanity, and it was widely read in pre-revolutionary Russia before being banned and forgotten under Communism. Recently rediscovered, it has been praised for its timeless wisdom and inspiration.

#1903

• Mentioned in 23 episodes

How to Make Money in Stocks

A Winning System in Good Times and Bad

William J. O'Neil

In this book, William J. O'Neil presents his CAN SLIM investing system, a proven 7-step process for minimizing risk and maximizing gains. The system combines analysis of company earnings, chart patterns, and market trends to identify winning stocks. O'Neil emphasizes the importance of strong earnings growth, institutional buying, and specific chart formations like the 'cup with handle. ' He also stresses the need to cut losses quickly and lock in profits systematically. The book is based on a major study of market winners from 1880 to 2009 and provides practical advice for both novice and experienced investors.

#120

• Mentioned in 157 episodes

Mastery

Robert Greene

In 'Mastery', Robert Greene argues that mastery is not an innate talent but a skill that can be developed through a rigorous process. The book outlines several key stages: finding your life's task, undergoing an ideal apprenticeship, finding the right mentor, acquiring social intelligence, and fusing intuitive with rational thinking. Greene draws on the lives of historical and contemporary masters such as Mozart, Einstein, and Temple Grandin to illustrate his points. He emphasizes the importance of deep practice, self-directed learning, and the ability to read and navigate social dynamics. The book challenges the conventional notion of genius as a genetic gift and offers practical steps for anyone to achieve mastery in their chosen field.

#547

• Mentioned in 57 episodes

Ikigai

The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life

Héctor García

Francesc Miralles

This book delves into the Japanese concept of ikigai, which translates to 'the reason for living' or 'the happiness of always being busy. ' The authors, Héctor García and Francesc Miralles, travel to Okinawa to uncover the secrets behind the longevity and happiness of its residents. Drawing from psychology, spirituality, and philosophy, including concepts like Viktor Frankl’s logotherapy and Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi’s 'flow,' the book provides practical tips and insights on how to find purpose and meaning in life. It emphasizes the importance of staying active, nurturing friendships, living in the moment, and pursuing passions to achieve a long and happy life.

If you enjoy these conversations, please follow the podcast and leave a rating on Spotify. It helps us reach more traders and continue bringing you the best guests in the industry.

____________________________________

On this episode of Words of Rizdom which was recorded on 21st November 2025 we are joined by Ted Zhang. We dive into the mindset and discipline behind elite performance, told through the perspective of a 25-year-old trader co-managing over $20 million. The conversation frames trading, and life, as a long-term game, where mistakes are not failures but essential feedback. Alongside lessons from elite athletes, authors, and trading industry professionals, the episode emphasises the importance of studying historical market data to understand patterns, probabilities, and context, using the past as a guide, not a crutch. We hope you enjoy this episode.

____________________________________

Join The Chart Fanatics FREE Discord Community for Exclusive Discounts, Giveaways, Live Events & More 👉 https://discord.gg/chartfanatics

____________________________________

SUBSCRIBE to Chart Fanatics Live NOW 👉 https://www.youtube.com/@chartfanaticslive

____________________________________

SUBSCRIBE NOW & Like this video to help us continue to bring the best verified traders in the world. turn on notifications to never miss a new video, we post new episodes EVERY Thursday 3pm GMT/ 10am EST with verified traders.

____________________________________

Use Code "RIZ" for 20% OFF ALL Challenges 👉 https://link.alpha-futures.com/k9V5Az

Use the Best Trading Journal Use Code “RIZ10” for 10% Off or Code “WOR” for 20% off 👉 https://refer.tradezella.com/riz

Use Code "RIZ" for 20% OFF ALL Challenges 👉 https://link.alphacapitalgroup.uk/eq7m8X

Use Code "PFT" for the BEST Discounts on ALL Prop Firms Listed 👉 https://propfirmtrader.com/

Join the Market Journal community for weekly direct market insights for FREE 👉 https://www.market-journal.com

Free Telegram Community! 👉🏽 https://t.me/pocketsofrizdom

Connect with our guests:

https://x.com/tedhzhang

ted@revereasset.com

https://revereasset.com

https://x.com/revereasset

https://www.instagram.com/revereasset

https://www.tiktok.com/@revere_asset

https://youtube.com/@revereasset

Connect with Words of Rizdom:

https://instagram.com/wordsofrizdom

https://x.com/wordsofrizdom

https://www.instagram.com/realriziqbal

Timestamps:

00:00 Managing $25 Million at 25 Years Old

05:00 The Power of Real Market Experience

10:00 Ted's Unconventional Path to Asset Management

17:00 Networking, Personal Brand & Breaking Into the Industry

25:00 Early Trading Journey & Lessons from Failure

41:00 Managing Client Money vs. Personal Accounts

47:00 Portfolio Construction, Capital Allocation & Benchmarks

54:00 Trading Strategy, Timeframes & Sector Focus

01:00:00 Risk Management, Position Sizing & Trade Exits

01:07:00 Market Cycles & Learning from History

01:13:00 Trading Environment: Teamwork, Feedback & Routine

01:21:00 Habit Building, Mental Resilience & Self-Improvement

01:29:00 Overcoming Drawdowns: Evolution as a Trader

01:36:00 Theme Investing & Identifying Market Trends

01:44:00 Stage Analysis & Timeless Market Principles

01:52:00 Learning from the Greats: Books, Routine & Growth Mindset

02:01:00 Success Principles, Philosophy & Last Words

Disclaimer:

The content on Words of Rizdom is for informational and educational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment or trading advice. I am not a licensed financial advisor, and the strategies, opinions, and commentary shared are based on personal experience of the respective guests. We are not personally affiliated with any of the guests featured in our episodes. The views expressed by our guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions or endorsements of Words of Rizdom.

Home Top podcasts Popular guests Top books