Highlights
- Consistent trading results are built through habits and routines long before the market opens.
- Preparation, planning, and checklists reduce emotional decision-making during live trading.
- Repetition and trade journaling turn wins and losses into actionable feedback.
- Losses are data points, not failures, and should be reviewed without emotion or judgment.
- Discipline matters more than motivation when markets become volatile or uncomfortable.
- Strong trading habits create confidence by reinforcing process over profit.
- A structured environment reinforces process over profit and builds confidence before risking real capital.
“Most people won’t see it. Not the wake-ups. Not the weight of repetition.” – Alex Ferreira
Topstep Funded Trader® and 2026 Olympic Gold Medalist Alex Ferreira proves that greatness is built long before anyone is watching.
From registering for his first competition at age ten to standing atop the podium at the 2026 Winter Olympics, Alex has built one of the most decorated careers in halfpipe skiing history. A three-time Olympic medalist, he captured Olympic gold in 2026, adding to 16 World Cup podiums and seven X Games medals. In the 2023–24 season, he did something no halfpipe skier had ever done before. He won every contest he entered, completing the first perfect season in the sport’s history.
But none of it happened overnight. It was the result of early mornings, quiet reps, and an unshakable commitment to refining his craft. The discipline to show up. The routine to stay sharp. The resilience to improve, even after falling short.
Alex has always embodied what we believe at Topstep: Progress > perfection. Habits > hype. Show up. Improve. Repeat.
Because whether you are in the halfpipe or in the markets, consistency isn’t accidental. It is built.
Here are five discipline habits from Alex Ferreira that traders can use to build lasting consistency.
Lesson 1: The work no one sees is what builds you
Alex’s best runs don’t start at the top of the pipe. They start in the dark, quiet hours when no one’s watching.
The same is true for trading: your results come from the work you do before the market ever moves. The more intentional your preparation, the calmer and more focused you’ll be when it’s time to execute.
Tips for Traders:
- Make prep a ritual, not an afterthought. Mark levels, check volatility, and establish your plan before emotions get involved.
- Use a pre-market checklist. Remove guesswork and avoid “winging it.”
Set your goals for the day. Focus on process goals, not profit goals.
Lesson 2: Reps build skill and skill builds confidence
Alex writes down every run. Not to remember, but to improve. That’s how skill is built: one rep at a time.
Honing your trading strategy works the same way. Every trade (win or loss) is a rep that sharpens your process.
Repetition turns uncertainty into confidence. The more data you collect on yourself, the more you understand your strengths and weaknesses.
Tips for Traders:
- Journal every trade. Not just entries and exits. Your mindset matters too.
- Review your best and worst trades weekly. Look for repeat behaviors.
Pick one improvement target per week. Small upgrades beat huge overhauls.
See the habits in motion
Before diving into the next lesson, take a moment to watch the short film featuring Alex. It shows the discipline and grind behind every performance. The same mindset traders bring to the market every day.
Lesson 3: Mistakes are feedback
Alex says, “I’ve missed. I’ve fallen. I’ve lost. But I’ve always come back sharper.”
That’s not just inspiring. It’s the blueprint for growth.
Traders often assume losses mean they’re doing something wrong. But losses are information. They reveal emotional triggers, blind spots, rushed decisions, and the moments you fall out of your process.
Tips for Traders:
- Deconstruct your losses without judgment. Ask: What was my plan? What did I actually do?
- Identify one emotional pattern. Fear? FOMO? Hesitation? Track it.
Create a corrective rule. Turn a mistake into a guardrail for next time.
Lesson 4: Motivation is optional. Execution isn’t.
“I don’t train for motivation. I train for execution.” – Alex Ferreira
That’s the mindset every trader needs.
Motivation disappears the moment the market gets uncomfortable. Your routine, your rules, and your prep are what carry you through volatility, noise, and emotion.
Tips for Traders:
- Automate discipline. Use loss limits, max trades, or alerts to protect yourself.
- Trade your plan, not the market mood. If your setup isn’t there, you don’t force it.
Remove distractions. When it’s time to trade, everything else is noise.
Lesson 5: Different arenas, same discipline
Alex trains for physical execution. Traders train for mental execution. But the path is identical:
Show up.Refine.Review.Repeat.Respect your routine.
Trading isn’t a test of talent. It’s a test of consistency. And consistency is built on habits, not hype.
Tips for Traders:
- Track your emotional state daily. Learn your patterns.
- Build a routine around your strengths. The best routine is the one you follow.
Celebrate process wins. Entries, exits, patience, not just profit and loss.
What traders can learn from Alex’s story
Alex’s story isn’t about perfection. It’s about persistence.
Because your journey won’t be defined by a single trade any more than Alex’s career was defined by one run. It will be defined by the habits you build, the routines you protect, and the reps you put in when no one else is watching.
And when you’re building those habits, your training ground matters. That’s where Topstep’s® Trading Combine® comes in.
The Trading Combine gives traders a structured, simulated environment to practice consistency before trading real capital. You don’t start by risking your own money. You prove your process first. When you pass, Topstep moves you into a Funded Account® where you keep 90% of the profits, while the firm covers the losses.
Just like Alex, you earn your way forward through reps, refinement, and discipline. And if you’re ready to bring those habits into your trading, this is where it begins.
Frequently asked questions
What are good trading habits for traders?
Good trading habits for traders include following a written trading plan, preparing before the market opens, journaling every trade, managing risk consistently, and reviewing performance regularly. These habits help traders stay disciplined and reduce emotional decision-making.
How do you build discipline for trading?
You build trading discipline by creating repeatable routines, using predefined risk management rules, journaling trades, and focusing on process goals instead of profits. Discipline is developed through consistent execution, not motivation.
What are the habits of successful traders?
The habits of successful traders include strict risk management, consistent journaling, regular performance reviews, patience, and adherence to a clear trading plan. These traders focus on long-term consistency rather than short-term results.
Why is keeping a trading journal a good habit?
Keeping a trading journal is a good habit because it helps traders track performance, identify emotional patterns, review mistakes, and improve execution. A journal turns both wins and losses into actionable feedback.
How long does it take to develop profitable trading habits?
Developing profitable trading habits takes time and repetition. Most traders need months of consistent practice, review, and refinement to build discipline, confidence, and reliable execution, especially when learning proper risk management.
