In this episode of the Disciplined Traders Academy Podcast, we break down today’s U.S. stock market sell-off and explore the key factors driving volatility. Whether you’re a swing trader, scalper, or long-term investor, understanding the forces behind market moves is essential for making disciplined, profitable trades.We cover:

• Major market moves: Dow, S&P 500, Nasdaq, and the tech/AI sell-off

• Post-shutdown momentum fading and what it means for traders

• Federal Reserve rate-cut expectations and their impact on growth stocks

• Valuation pressure in AI and high-growth tech names

• What to watch next: jobs, inflation, Fed signals, and earnings

Learn how to position yourself strategically in volatile markets and capitalize on opportunities amid uncertainty.

Tune in to trade with clarity, confidence, and discipline.

If you are looking for daily clarity, elite prep, disciplined execution, and community accountability, join us in the Disciplined Traders Academy & Community - https://bit.ly/3Mm41N9

Need a framework to identify A+ set-ups? We have you covered! Download our FREE DTA A+ Set Up Checklist - https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9Be sure to subscribe to the podcast so you never miss an episode. Even better, leave us a review and your feedback!

In this conversation, Brian Montes discusses the dual nature of reading charts in trading, emphasizing the blend of art and science. He emphasizes the importance of distinguishing between normal pullbacks and broken trends to protect capital and refine trading strategies.

Key takeaways from this episode:

• Reading charts is part art.
• Understanding market trends is crucial for traders.
• Differentiating between pullbacks and broken trends is essential.
• Protecting capital should be a priority in trading.
• Improving trades requires a keen analysis of market movements.
• Asking the right questions can lead to better trading decisions.
• Recognizing a pause versus a trend reversal is key.
• Traders should continuously educate themselves on market dynamics.
• The emotional aspect of trading can influence decisions.
• Strategic thinking is vital for successful trading.

Connect with Brian Montes

• IG - https://bit.ly/4hYNSMx

• DTA Academy & Community - https://bit.ly/3Mm41N9

• Download your free DTA A+ Set-Up Checklist - https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

If you like our podcast, be sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode. Be sure to leave a review as well!

In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market podcast, host Brian Montes breaks down the powerful connection between inflation, hurdle rates, and the purchasing power of the dollar.

Most people measure success by how much their portfolio or savings account grows — but few stop to ask: Is my money actually keeping up with inflation?

Brian explains why understanding your personal hurdle rate — the minimum rate of return you need to maintain or grow real wealth — is the foundation of sound investing and business decision-making.

You’ll learn how to calculate your hurdle rate, how inflation quietly erodes real returns, and how to position your money to stay ahead of the weakening dollar.

Whether you’re a retail investor, entrepreneur, or financial professional, this episode gives you the mindset and math to make smarter, inflation-aware decisions.

Key Topics Covered

• What inflation really means for your purchasing power

• The hidden “inflation tax” on your savings and investments

• How to calculate your personal hurdle rate

• Why nominal returns can be deceiving — and real returns are what matter

• The historical decline of the U.S. dollar’s value

• How to use hurdle rates to evaluate stocks, bonds, or business opportunities

Are you trading too much and losing more than you think? Discover the mental, financial, and emotional toll of overtrading—and how to protect your account.

In this episode, Brian dives deep into the 7 hidden costs of overtrading that can quietly destroy your trading performance, confidence, and growth.

Overtrading isn’t just about losing money—it affects your mental focus, decision-making, learning process, and even your time. If you’re struggling to stick to your trading plan or find yourself taking too many trades, this episode is a must-listen.

Brian discusses:

1. Mental Fatigue – How trading too much exhausts your brain and slows reaction times.

2. Blurry Focus – Why scattered attention leads to missed signals and suboptimal trades.

3. Lower Quality Decisions – How overtrading weakens judgment and breaks your rules.

4. Drain of Capital – Small losses pile up quickly and erode your account.

5. Lost Learning – Skipping journaling and trade reviews slows skill growth.

6. Confidence Collapse – Taking unnecessary trades chips away at your self-belief.

7. Time Theft – Why chasing lower-quality setups dilutes your system and steals precious time.

By understanding these hidden costs, you can trade smarter, protect your capital, and improve your long-term performance.

If you found this episode helpful, subscribe to the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market podcast, leave a review, and share it with a fellow trader who might be overtrading without realizing it.

Bonus! As promised, here is the link to the DTA A+ Trade SetUp Checklist - https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

Ready to take your swing trading to a whole new level? Check out the Disciplined Traders Academy & Community - https://bit.ly/3Mm41N9

In this episode, Brian Montes discusses the recent dramatic sell-off in the stock market, analyzing the factors that led to the decline and emphasizing the importance of having a solid trading system.

He examines market sentiment, geopolitical risks, and the importance of position sizing and stop-losses in swing trading. The conversation provides valuable insights for new traders on how to navigate volatility and maintain discipline in their trading strategies.

Brian discusses:

• The recent sell-off was triggered by geopolitical risks and overbought conditions.
• Market sentiment can shift rapidly, resulting in significant volatility.
• Having a trading system is crucial for managing risk during market downturns.
• Position sizing should remain consistent regardless of market conditions.
• Stop losses are essential for protecting against large losses.
• Taking profits along the way can help ensure overall trade profitability.
• It's important to step away from trading after a significant loss to regain perspective.
• Market internals were weak prior to the sell-off, indicating underlying issues.
• Gold and cryptocurrencies also reacted negatively to the market sell-off.
• Traders should remain disciplined and adhere to their trading systems during volatile periods.

Ready to join a community of other like-minded traders? Check out the Disciplined Traders Academy & Community - https://bit.ly/3Mm41N9

Want access to our Free DTA A+ Trade Set-Up Checklist? Here you go! https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

When a stock reaches all-time highs, most new traders hesitate — assuming it’s “too late” to enter.
In this episode, Brian Montes breaks down a structured approach to analyzing breakout stocks, using volume confirmation, consolidation structure, relative strength, and the 1.618 Fibonacci Extension to identify sustainable upside potential.

Learn how to move from emotion-based trading to structured technical analysis, so you can confidently trade in price discovery territory — where real market leaders are born.

In this episode, we discuss -

• Why all-time highs signal strength, not exhaustion.

• How to confirm a breakout using volume analysis.

• Understanding pullbacks and retests for optimal entries.

• The role of relative strength in identifying market leaders.

• How to apply the Fibonacci Extension Tool to project price targets — including the 1.618 extension zone.

• Common mistakes traders make when analyzing breakouts.

• A real-world look at stocks like NVDA to see how new highs often lead to bigger moves.

Technical Tools Discussed

• Volume Profile & Breakout Confirmation

• Support/Resistance Flip (Retest Setup)

• Relative Strength Line

• Fibonacci Extension Tool (1.0, 1.272, 1.618 levels)

• Trend Structure and Consolidation Patterns

Connect with Brian Montes

• 📸 Instagram: @disciplinedtradersacademy

Don't forget to subscribe, like, and leave a 5-star review!

Think a bull market is just one long, straight climb? Think again. 🐂 In this episode of the Disciplined Traders Academy Podcast, we break down why pullbacks and consolidation aren’t obstacles—they’re your secret weapons as a swing trader.

You’ll discover:

• What pullbacks and consolidations really mean for your trades

• Why market pauses are essential for a healthy uptrend

• How to time your entries for better risk-reward setups

• Tricks to validate trends before committing your capital

Whether you’re just starting out in swing trading or looking to refine your strategy, this episode shows you how to embrace the natural rhythm of the market instead of fighting it.

Ready to start your journey to becoming a consistently profitable swing trader. Join us at The Disciplined Traders Academy and Community - https://bit.ly/3Mm41N9

Looking for a checklist to identify A+ set-ups? Download our free DTA A+ Set-ups checklist - https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

Follow us on Instagram - @disciplinedtradersacademy

Quadruple Witching may sound mysterious, but it’s a very real event that impacts the stock market four times a year — on the third Friday of March, June, September, and December.

In this episode of the Learn to Swing Trade the Stock Market Podcast, we break down:

• What Quadruple Witching is and why it happens

• How it impacts market volatility, volume, and price action

• Why swing traders often see false breakouts on these days

• The best way to prepare and trade around Quadruple Witching

You’ll learn how to recognize when price action is driven by real market conviction versus derivative expirations and institutional repositioning. Most importantly, you’ll walk away with strategies to protect your swing trades and even find opportunities after the dust settles.

If you’ve ever been confused by sudden spikes in volume or “fake moves” on certain Fridays, this episode will give you the clarity you need.

👉 Subscribe to the DTA Podcast so you never miss an episode. https://apple.co/446R4hQ
👉 Share this with another trader who needs to understand Quadruple Witching.

Want a proven framework to identify high-quality swing trade setups? Download the DTA A+ Setup Checklist — your step-by-step guide to filtering out noise and only trading the best opportunities. https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

Welcome to the first of a series of episodes designed to give you a foundation for swing trading.

Are you new to trading and feeling overwhelmed by YouTube rabbit holes, endless indicators, and conflicting advice? In this episode of the Swing Trading Foundations Podcast, we break down exactly what swing trading is, why it’s perfect for part-time traders, and how to avoid the most common beginner mistakes.

You’ll learn:

• ✅ What swing trading is and how it compares to day trading and investing

• ✅ The 3 pillars of successful swing trading: technical skills, risk management, and mindset

• ✅ The biggest mistakes new traders make (and how to avoid them)

• ✅ A simple roadmap to start trading with clarity and confidence

If you’ve ever wondered how to start swing trading as a beginner, this episode will give you the exact foundation you need to begin your trading journey.

Resources & Links Mentioned in This Episode:

• 📘 Join the waitlist for the Swing Trading Foundations Course → https://bit.ly/4pxjfRq

• 📝 Free resource: The Disciplined Traders A+ SetUp Checklist -> https://bit.ly/3Z0gWe9

• 💬 Question - Email Brian at [email protected]

In this episode, we dive into one of the most important — and most ignored — parts of swing trading: position sizing. If you want to stay in the game long enough to actually win, you need to control your downside. That’s exactly what this episode is about.

• Why position sizing matters more than your stock picks.

• The 1–2% rule and how it protects your account.

• The difference between capital invested vs. risk taken.

• The exact formula you can use to size every trade.

• Common mistakes new traders make with position sizing. Example:

• Account size = $10,000

• Risk = 1% = $100

• Entry = $50

• Stop = $48