Every funded trader’s journey begins with a single decision, the choice to take trading seriously, to treat it not as a gamble but as a discipline-driven profession. In the world of funded trading, where real capital meets real consequences, success is built on risk management, consistency, and the right mindset. At FundingTraders, a leading proprietary trading firm, we believe that the most powerful trading strategies are born from adversity, refined through process, and proven through discipline. This week’s funded trader insights spotlight two traders whose paths reflect the resilience of the trading community: Mark Lenin Crisostomo and Andres Damian Garcia. Their stories offer actionable advice on passing trading challenges, managing funded accounts, and building a lasting trading business. Read on for insights that can reshape your approach to prop trading and funded trader programs.
Quick Summary Box
Mark Lenin Crisostomo transitioned from crypto futures to Forex trading in 2022 and spent over a year refining his skills before passing his first funded account challenge. Andres Damian Garcia brings eight years of industry experience and five years of active trading, with a focus on swing trading and patience-driven risk management. In this article, both funded traders share their trading strategies for passing evaluations, how they use trading journals to track consistency, the discipline rules they follow to protect funded accounts, and the mindset shifts that helped them succeed in funded trader programs. Whether you are preparing for your first trading challenge at a prop firm or scaling into larger accounts, these insights from successful traders will help you build a plan for long-term growth in the prop trading industry.
Mark Lenin Crisostomo: “Confidence doesn’t come from hope — it comes from preparation.”
Total Payouts | Duration as a Trader with FundingTraders | # of Accounts Purchased |
|---|---|---|
$750.15 | 2 years and 3 months | 7 |
You made the switch from crypto futures to Forex, how did that transition shape your approach to trading as a funded trader?
I’ve been trading since 2022. I initially started with crypto futures before transitioning into Forex trading. The shift helped me develop more structure and discipline in my approach and that’s where I began taking trading more seriously as a profession rather than a side activity.
What was the key mindset shift that helped you succeed in funded trader programs and start managing funded accounts with confidence?
Trusting my trading system was a complete game changer. Once I committed to proper backtesting and gathered enough data to validate my edge, I stopped second-guessing every trade. Confidence doesn’t come from hope, it comes from preparation. That shift alone helped me execute consistently without emotional interference.
Risk management is critical for protecting funded accounts, how do you manage risk differently during winning streaks versus losing streaks?
During winning streaks, I stay disciplined and stick to my original trade idea, usually holding until full take profit unless market structure shifts or I see strong impulsive movement that justifies partial profits. During losing streaks, I stay calm and avoid revenge trading. Sometimes I move to breakeven to protect capital, and if I re-enter, it’s only when my setup is fully aligned again. Capital preservation is always the priority.
Many traders face setbacks before passing their first trading challenge, did you experience that, and what helped you push through?
Absolutely. It took me at least a year before I passed my first funded account. There were moments of doubt and times I considered quitting. But I reminded myself that trading is a high-skill profession, and like any high-level craft, mastery takes time. The setbacks strengthened my discipline and emotional control.
Consistency is a word every trader hears, but what does it actually look like in your day-to-day trading routine and trading journals?
Consistency means executing the same proven strategy hundreds or even thousands of times without hesitation. It’s about following your plan regardless of emotions and allowing probabilities to play out over time. True consistency comes from discipline, not motivation.
What is the costliest mistake you have made, and what actionable advice would you give to traders in a trading challenge or protecting their funded accounts?
Greed. I learned the hard way that focusing on potential profits instead of potential losses is dangerous. As traders, whether in evaluation phases or funded, we must protect capital as if it’s our own hard-earned money. Once I shifted my mindset to risk-first thinking, my results improved significantly.
For traders who are close to quitting, what would you say to keep them going?
Keep showing up. Keep refining your system. Keep trusting yourself. This profession is challenging, but it can truly be life-changing if you treat it with discipline and patience. Progress may feel slow, but consistency compounds over time.
Mark’s journey from crypto to Forex is a powerful reminder that trading strategies evolve as traders grow. His focus on backtesting, discipline, and capital preservation are the hallmarks of a trader who treats funded trading as a serious profession, not a shortcut to money. His actionable insights on passing a challenge, managing risk, and maintaining focus through setbacks offer a roadmap for any trader looking to rise in the prop trading industry.
For traders who are still in the process of refining their strategy, Mark’s story proves that skills development is not a linear path. It takes patience, discipline, and a willingness to learn from every loss. Keeping a detailed trading journal, setting clear exit points, and following your plan even when the market feels range bound, these are the habits that separate funded traders from those who never make it past the challenge phase.
If Mark’s story resonates with you, there has never been a better time to take the leap into funded trading. FundingTraders is offering 30% OFF every challenge + 100% profit split with code MADNESS, you keep it ALL. No limits, all challenges. Start your funded trading journey today.
Trader Andres Damian Garcia: “The culture of instant gratification leads nowhere — results take time.”
Total Payouts | Duration as a Trader with FundingTraders | # of Accounts Purchased |
|---|---|---|
$5262.09 | 1 year and 5 months | 20 |
With eight years in the trading industry and five years of active trading, how has your perspective on the market and trading as a profession changed over time?
I have been in the trading field for 8 years, and trading for 5 years.
What was the biggest mindset shift that helped you in passing funded trader program evaluations and managing funded accounts?
Understanding how to manage risk and combining it with patience is key; I believe patience in trading is one of the most difficult pillars to achieve.
Losing streaks can be devastating for traders, how do you adjust your risk management strategy when trades are not going your way?
When I’m on a losing streak, I try to calibrate the ratio and let the position develop further so that it can offset several losing trades.
Every funded trader faces adversity on the road to passing a challenge, what were your biggest difficulties, and how did you overcome them?
There are always difficulties in trading, the important thing is to face them seriously; the biggest difficulty, I think, is self-confidence.
Consistency is one of the most discussed topics in the funded trading community, but you see it differently. Can you explain?
It’s important, although one can’t always be consistent with the market, which is why I see managing anxiety and risk as even more important.
What is the single biggest mistake from your trading career, and how did it reshape your approach to profit targets and risk management?
The biggest mistake was believing that a few good months mean profitability; you only assume profitability after going through very bad streaks, and even then you end up with a good balance.
For traders who are on the edge of quitting their trading challenge or funded trader program, what is your advice to keep them focused and involved in the process?
First, understand that the culture of instant gratification leads nowhere, that results take time, which is why training is essential. Manage risk effectively, as risk is one of the tools that can help you through bad streaks. Have confidence in yourself; in my case, being a swing trader has helped me control my patience, since my trades can last many days, and I manage everything very well. And don’t get frustrated and dwell on the negative aspects of the process; everything balances out in the end.
Andres brings a rare level of experience to the funded trading conversation. His emphasis on patience, particularly as a swing trader whose positions can last many days, challenges the popular notion that success in trading requires constant screen time and rapid-fire decisions. His insights reveal that managing anxiety and emotional triggers is just as important as managing risk on a spreadsheet.
For traders at any prop firm, Andres’s story is a reminder that the process of becoming a successful funded trader is a long-term job, not a sprint. It requires training, risk management skills, the right mindset, and above all, patience. The market does not reward those who rush, it rewards those who plan, focus, and wait for their strategy to deliver results.
Andres proves that patience and discipline pay off in funded trading. Ready to put your own strategy to the test? FundingTraders’ challenge programs are built with transparent rules and clear expectations, designed to reward traders who focus on the process. Use code MADNESS for 30% OFF every challenge + 100% profit split. Explore your options now.
Conclusion
The stories of Mark Lenin Crisostomo and Andres Damian Garcia remind us that there are no shortcuts in the funded trading industry. Success as a funded trader is not about finding the perfect strategy or the perfect market condition, it is about discipline, risk management, and the patience to let consistency compound over time. These funded trader insights offer a clear message: focus on your process, manage your risk, trust your plan, and never stop learning.
FundingTraders is proud to have paid over $5.5 million in total rewards to traders who embody these principles. The community, the platforms, the tools, and the funded trader programs are all designed to help you rise, but the discipline, the skills, and the commitment must come from you.
Whether you are just starting your first trading challenge or you are a seasoned funded trader looking to access larger accounts and greater growth, the insights from Mark and Andres apply. Build strong habits. Use your trading journals. Manage your risk. Focus on the process. And trust that the reward will follow.
Your funded trading career is waiting. Use code MADNESS for 30% OFF every challenge + 100% profit split, you keep ALL the profit. No limits, unlimited uses, every challenge. Don’t wait. Visit FundingTraders and take the next step today.
Disclaimer: Trading involves significant risk and is not suitable for every investor. Past performance is not indicative of future results. The information provided in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. All account rules, payout structures, profit splits, and promotional offers described in this article are subject to change at the discretion of FundingTraders. Promo codes may expire or be modified without prior notice. Always trade responsibly and only risk what you can afford to lose.
