The Trader's Journey: From Penny Stocks to Peace of Mind with Jesse W
In this episode of The Forge Trader Podcast, host Gates Adams reconnects with YouTuber and veteran trader Jesse W for an honest, hilarious, and heart-hitting conversation on trading, crypto, burnout, lifestyle design, and how to actually enjoy the fruit of your trading grind.
Jesse shares his full-circle story—from trading OTC penny stocks as a teenager on Scottrade (yes, that’s aging us all), to crushing futures and growing a loyal YouTube following with “Trade with Jesse W.” But this isn’t just about setups and signals. It’s about the real emotional ride of being a trader, the trap of overworking even after hitting success, and the hard lesson Jesse learned after crashing into burnout recently despite doing better than ever financially.
They unpack:
Jesse’s first $1K gain… and the crash-and-burn that followed
Crypto nostalgia, the OG days of Bitcoin, and why LCX is Gates’ wild card
Why traders struggle to “enjoy the ride” even after they’ve made it
Burnout, anxiety, and the pressure to always produce more
The power of setting lifestyle rules—just like trading rules
Why Jesse unplugs by 11am, plays Apex Legends, and goes fishing in the Keys
Gates' plan to RV across the country and finally breathe after 20 years of nonstop hustle
Whether you're a full-time trader, an aspiring prop account warrior, or someone grinding toward freedom, this episode reminds you why you started. It’s a raw conversation on money, mental health, freedom, and how to not let the charts steal your life.
"I used to burn the candle at both ends, and guess what? My income didn’t change when I stopped."
Connect with Gates Adams:
