“Losses are lessons – not verdicts,” says Jacek D. from Poland
He started with messy charts and painful lessons — but turned it all into structure, patience, and long-term discipline. Jacek, a Polish trader from the HTS community, shares how he rebuilt his confidence, passed prop challenges, and found calm in consistency.
From a rookie mistake to a structured mindset
Hi Jacek, welcome among the Fintokei Stars! Let’s start from the beginning — what made you think, “Yes, I’m going to start trading”?
Thanks! My story started back in 2006 when I moved from Poland to Ireland. For the first time, I felt financially stable enough to invest. So I opened a broker account, read a few articles about technical analysis, filled my charts with indicators… and lost everything in two months. 😅
That was a real wake-up call, so I stopped trading.
Fast forward fifteen years later, during the pandemic – I had a family, a steady income, and a more grounded mindset. That’s when I decided to give trading another try, this time with patience and structure.
How did those first steps go?
Like most beginners, I was obsessed with technical analysis. My charts were a total mess – dozens of indicators, lines everywhere.
Over time, I learned one golden rule I still live by: the cleaner the chart, the better the trade.
After all these years, do you still remember your very first trade?
Oh yes – it was GBP/JPY. The trade actually started well, which gave me way too much confidence. But without a clear strategy or proper risk management, that feeling didn’t last long.
Anpayod was there anyone to help you in the beginning? Or you were just “lone wolfing” it?
In 2022, I found a YouTube trader named Darek, who taught the HTS strategy. I joined his Discord group and met a lot of like-minded people. That’s also where I first heard about prop trading. That community completely changed my mindset. It gave me both structure and motivation.
The turning point
Was that the moment you felt things really shifted for you?
No, that was later – when I passed my very first prop firm challenge. I paid $49 for a small account with a Canadian firm (which later got shut down by regulators). A month later, I passed it. That moment proved to me that I could actually make it in this space.
So the insight you’ve got from that Discord group was valuable after all?
Yeah, totally. Almost everything I use now comes from the HTS Discord community and a few old YouTube videos by Rafał Zaorski from around 2016. Instead of jumping between random resources, I went deep on a few – and it worked.
FREE E-book: How to start with prop trading
Discover the secret to the discipline that turns everyday people into well-paid pro traders. Learn how prop trading works – and how you can start your own journey.
Trading as a structured extension of income
Let’s get back to the beginning again – what attracted you to trading in the first place?
Mainly, the potential to grow my capital. My full-time job gives me financial stability, and trading is an extra layer that adds long-term value. I’m not chasing adrenaline or flashy lifestyles. I treat it as a structured way to build wealth.
You’ve already mentioned your preferences regarding trading with clean charts. Could you describe your trading style in detail?
It evolved over time. When I had more free hours, I focused on lower timeframes. Now I trade mostly on H1 and higher. It fits my schedule better and helps me stay consistent.
What’s your approach to risk management?
I usually keep risk below 1.5% on longer-term setups, and under 0.2% per position for regular trades. On my “run” accounts, I’m a bit more aggressive, but everything stays within a structured framework. Risk control is key.
And your favourite market or instrument?
I love currency pairs for multi-day setups and indices for intraday trades. It’s the perfect mix between careful planning and quick action.
Unleash the power of TradingView now 💪
Crush your challenge with the most advanced platform on the market!
Discovering Fintokei
Let’s talk about your journey with Fintokei. How did you find us?
Through the HTS community again! 😀 After one bad experience with a prop firm that got closed by regulators, I wanted something stable – a company that pays out, communicates clearly, and has strong backing. Fintokei felt like that from the start. And so far, you’ve proven me right.
When did your first big win at Fintokei happen?
If I remember right, my first challenge was a $2k SwiftTrader account. I made a few withdrawals but got overconfident and lost the account. The real breakthrough came later – when I passed a $50k account and traded it successfully for over six months. That’s when it truly clicked.
How do you handle the stress that comes with trading?
I go for long walks. Headphones in, good music on, and just move. It clears my head and resets my emotions. I always recommend it to other traders – it’s the best therapy.
How do you deal with losses?
My day job is in compliance and quality control, so I naturally treat every loss as a “process flaw.” I review, take notes, and fix it. Losses are lessons – not verdicts.
Jacek’s trade analysis
Can you walk us through one of your favourite trades?
Sure! It was a recent one on the DOW. I spotted a downward gap that hadn’t been filled after a strong rally. I shorted with a take-profit at the gap. Once price hit that level, I flipped long based on HTS logic – and it turned into one of my most profitable single-day trades.
What was the key to success in that trade?
Fundamentals. It was all about understanding what the market had been doing in the days before. Timing plus context – that combination worked perfectly.
Life beyond trading
Okay, Jacek, let’s get a bit personal. 😀 What does a typical day look like for you?
Sunday evenings are sacred for me — that’s when I plan the week ahead. I review charts, fundamentals, and key levels. It sets the tone for everything that follows. During the week, I just execute the plan.
Do you still find time for family and hobbies?
Always. Family comes first. Trading is just one part of my life, not the whole thing. Keeping that balance helps me stay disciplined and calm.
Final thoughts
What’s the biggest myth about trading you’d like to bust?
That you can become a millionaire in a few months. It’s not about quick wins – it’s about mental discipline. The real challenge isn’t on the chart, it’s in your head.
And finally – what’s the best trading advice you’ve ever received?It came from someone in my trading group. He told me, “Clean up your charts.”
Once I did that, my entire perspective changed. Simple charts, clear logic – that’s how you find clarity in trading.
