Accusations, Responses, And a Trading Challenge
A blog reader named Sam writes, "Seems like you just cut and paste info from other places. What is the deal with that. Do you know how to trade on your own?"
Sam posted this comment on one of my blog posts. I didn’t publish it immediately because I wanted to respond to Sam’s comment in-depth in this blog post.
First, let’s examine what Sam is actually saying. He makes two separate accusations:
1. He says I cut and paste information from other places.
2. He implies I can’t trade.
Sam implies that I can’t trade after he states his belief that I essentially publish plagiarized articles on this blog, which is kind of confusing. I’m not really sure how writing skills and trading skills are related.
Anyway, let me answer the accusations directly…
My Responses…
I publish original articles on this blog. They are not copied from anywhere else.
Certainly, you may have encountered my ideas elsewhere. I haven’t cornered the market on option trading strategies. At least not yet. 
Furthermore, before I became an option trading coach, I was a student myself. And I learned from a variety of other successful traders.
Since then, I’ve created my own unique system for trading. It contains elements from a variety of sources, plus it has many of my own innovations based on my active trading experience.
Which brings me to the second question: Do I know how to trade?
The short answer: Yes, I am an active trader. And, yes, I know how to trade on my own.
Frankly, it’s a bit ridiculous to think I could train other option traders to be successful without having done it myself.
Now, do I trade every day? No way. I only place trades when the conditions are perfect for low-risk, short-term profits. That’s how I operate.
I realize that there are probably some folks out there with the same skepticism that Sam has. It’s no wonder. There are plenty of scams in the trading business. But I want to do what I can to change your perception.
Announcing a $10,000 Option Trading Challenge
Starting sometime this spring/summer (exact date is TBD), I am beginning a $10,000 Option Trading Challenge. This challenge is not for you; it’s for me.
Here’s how it will work…
I will start with $10,000 in my trading account. This money will be completely separate from all my other trading capital.
The goal? To double my money as quickly as possible trading options.
That means I will have to grow my $10,000 "seed" into $20,000.
Can it be done? And how quickly?
Well, that’s what I’m going to find out.
Even better, you’ll be able to look over my shoulder during this process. That’s because I’m going to be sharing my trades with you as I go along. You’ll be able to see when I lose money and when I make money. Ultimately, you’ll be able to be a firsthand witness as to whether I succeed or fail.
Also, I want you to know that if I am successful, 100% of my trading profits will be donated to charity. So that’s what’s at stake.
I’m passionate about giving, so I’m super motivated to achieve my goal. I want to give $10,000 to charity by the end of June.
Sound interesting to you? I hope so. And I hope you’ll come along for the ride. Stay tuned for more details.
Best regards always,
A.J. Brown
P.S. I’ll be posting updates about the $10,000 Option Trading Challenge right here on this blog. If you’d like to get these updates, please subscribe using the form at the top right of this page where it says, "Email Updates." Or add this blog’s feed to your reader by clicking here.
Comments on Accusations, Responses, And a Trading Challenge »
Hey A.J. let’s make it $11,000. I’ll put up $1,000 and split it with you.
RichE
Your trading challenge is a noble goal and I wish you all the success to achieve it…especially since any gains will go to a charity.
Might I suggest a seperate personal trading challenge? Handicap your trading a bit more by reducing your starting capital ($5000 or under) and attempt to achieve the same end result , but only during the summer doldrum trading months. This would serve several purposes, the more difficult trading period and more pressure to achieve like some undercapitalized traders.
Since suggesting this additional challenge, I claim the right to name the charity…The Humane Society in New Orleans.
A.J.
First I would like to meet Sam and express myself to him !!! Now as one member of your group I am pleased to be a part of your program and have the chance to learn new skills for trading the market.
Your trading challenge is a great way to quiet the nay sayers and gave to some in whichever charity you choose hope for the future.
I wish you all the best in whatever path you walk and thank you for your teaching me how to improve my and my families life by trading right.
Best Always,
Unclemike
thats going to be interesting……….
how many trades??/……. 1 or 2
ill bet you run the upper level of price
for your trades 10 dollars or more per…….
what do you think?????/
AJ,
If this supposed to be partly instructional too, can you describe the setups you are looking for to take the trades? Are you looking to the underlying only for the setup then finding an option, or does the option have its own setup depending on the Greeks and strike? Thanks.
Fantastic Idea! Keep the 10 grand idea it makes more sense to double 10 grand than 5!! Call it “A.J.’s Grand Stand” “10 Large for the Little ones” and my recommendation for the charity is the Salvation Army’s work and Care Centers for abused Women, there’s one in every community and they can always use donations or volunteers. That’s my two cents…
As far as critics A.J. forgetaboutit….You’re the MAN!
here’s what i take away from reading similar ideas from different traders….that these ideas are important, otherwise they wouldn’t be worth repeating….it’s like learning an actor’s lines for a play….the more they’re read, the more they’re learned and become ingrained subconsciously in our minds (LEARNED!!)….this way there’s no forgetting them….and it is when time does permit to trade, when i am not busy with my day job, that i read over my plan (as i call it the rules of battle in trading) many times….this way i stick to it 100%….as all it takes is to differ from it ever so slightly, that it comes back to bite you….so if it is what you’ve written i’ve seen or read someplace before, i take to have some importance (as i’ve seen you make a fortune with little money as Michael Parness has done)….as i hope some day shortly to do….and i propose that after you double the money and give the rightful half to charity, that you keep it this callenge goign as there are too many chgarities that can benefit from your generosity….i’d say best of luck, but knowledgeable trader’s don’t need luck, has they have the skills!!!
Well done A.J.
no need to defend yourself, just explain what you are doing.
We all like your style and the support you give us, otherwise we would not be paying members. . .
There are a lot of scams out there with prefabricated, outdated info but you are everyday on top of things.
My only fear is that your community becomes so big that you will not be able to respond to individual situations/questions any more. That would be really a pity.
One suggestion to your 10K challenge.
Why don’t you put up for all of the members the stocks/options you are considering to trade the next day. I would be willing to jump on your wagon.
And you could also post your trades for this challenge immediately on your site for us to see and maybe follow, if we like what we see.
With a little remark why you choose this particular stock, which evaluation criteria you applied, which indicators you used etc. etc..
That would be a great educational tool and I bet a lot of the members would like to see that and learn a lot; one way or the other. . .
Dirk
Dear A.J.
I am not ashamed to say I have yet to save enough money to get in your program ,and I know it will be profitable when I can. You have been the greatest support in the info you give in letting the average person know about your company.
Sam is probably a wonderful person and probably gives out a helping hand if needed but someone must have messed him over for him to strike out at your serves. I am honored to save money to get into this program in May and as I said before as soon as I can PORTLAND OREGON will continue to know about TRADING TRADERS.com as long as I can live here.
Mary Peterson
[...] As you might already know, I announced a trading challenge in my last post. I’ll have more updates soon. Thank you Bob, Tom, "MachoDuck," [...]
Hey I am not from the community but i wanted to know how truthfully u r in your claim or the challenge. or everybody forgot about that. and the if u think there is nothing u said if u were not able to make $20000 then what u would do?? Thanks
Hi. I just wanted to know when do u plan to start the challenge? When will u post your 1st trade here?