skip to main content
Trading Education Posted by Team Topstep November 19, 2020

Topstep Trader Profiles with Jack Pelzer

Episode Summary:

This week on Limit Up! Podcast, Dan Hodgman interviewed Jack Pelzer to find out more about his long journey to joining the Topstep family. Take a listen as Jack discusses what it was like trading at a big prop firm during the Great Recession and writing for the satirical website, The Onion. Jack and Dan also reflect on the markets one year into the coronavirus pandemic.

Full Show Notes:

Jack Pelzer is one of the fearless hosts of Limit Up! Podcast. If you’ve wondered about his experience as a trader or how he came to be the voice of Topstep, this week’s episode will answer your burning questions.

After getting his start at a big prop firm amidst the turmoil of the Great Recession, Jack earned a Master’s degree, wrote for the satirical website The Onion, and then made his way to the Topstep family.

Listen to the episode for reflections on what it’s like trading at a big prop firm and what the markets look like one year into the coronavirus pandemic.

  • (01:15) – COVID-19 anniversary
  • (04:40) – Interview with Jack Pelzer
  • (09:44) – Jack’s introduction to trading
  • (13:01) – Prop firm nights
  • (19:51) – Dance of the spreaders
  • (25:54) – First account
  • (28:13) – Fixed costs
  • (33:26) – DRW acquisition of Chopper Trading
  • (36:30) – Finding Topstep
  • (38:08) – Drive of a billionaire
  • (41:25) – Back in action

 


What is Limit Up?

Limit Up! is a podcast for traders of all levels brought to you by Topstep. Whether you’re considering a career in trading and don’t know where to start, or you’re a seasoned veteran looking for advice from big names in the financial industry, Limit Up! is your guide. Join us weekly as we discuss the market in all of its volatile glory. Risk Disclosure: https://www.topstep.com/risk-disclosure/

Jack Pelzer is a co-host of Limit Up! He traded as part of a U.S. Treasury group for 7 years at Chopper Trading and DRW. After leaving the industry, he became a Writing Fellow and Senior Contributing Writer for The Onion. He is now the Head of Content at Topstep.

Dan Hodgman is a co-host of Limit Up! Prior to coming to Topstep Dan traded 30 Yr Treasury Options and Yield Spreads. Before that, he served in the United States Marine Corps where he simultaneously managed his own Futures Account applying the skills he grew up learning from clerking on the trading floor. Now Dan works with the Traders here at Topstep as a Performance Coach as well as being a regular on the Daily Market Recap.

Attend a free group coaching session offered every Wednesday at 1PM CT to get an idea of what Topstep Performance Coaches offer: https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_nZpAita9Rz-2_yMUjtkvpw

If you’d like to receive new episodes as they’re published, please subscribe to Limit Up! in Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. If you enjoyed this episode, please consider leaving a review in Apple Podcasts. It really helps others find the show.

Podcast episode production by Dante32.