One Prop Trader a Day - Chimenim Andrew Daniel: I Almost Called It Quits

Quick intro – who are you, and what do you trade?

My name is Chimenim Andrew Daniel. I am 28 years old, from Nigeria, and I trade currency pairs.

When did you become a funded trader? What changed for you at that point?

I first became a funded trader on the 7th of April, 2025. What changed at that point was the peace and fulfilment that came with achieving the feat. But it was really the beginning of a totally new chapter.

What is the first thing you bought with trading money that felt like proof it was working?

I first paid off an old debt, and I felt so happy.

How many times did you fail before getting funded? What kept you going?

I failed many times; I cannot even recall how many times I lost. It felt so heavy, going from one prop firm to another, and through personal funds too. There was even a time I withdrew my remaining balance and almost called it quits. But I was in a community of traders, like-minded people who always found a way to propel me back.

What is the single most expensive lesson you have paid for?

I paid for an academy. It was the most expensive lesson I had to pay for: two hundred thousand Nigerian naira (N200,000).

What was your lowest point in trading? Did you ever consider quitting?

My lowest point was when I lost all hope of getting funded, or even of getting capital, and I was in debt at the time. Yes, I considered quitting at one point, but my friends brought me back.

Did trading ever affect you mentally or emotionally?

Of course, trading affected me a lot in the beginning. I was mentally, emotionally, and even physically drained. A lot of stress, overtrading, self-doubt, sleepless nights, and nightmares.

What does your trading style look like today?

Today my trading style is different. I trade with more clarity and more freedom than before, and with less mental battle. I still trade currencies, on higher timeframes for clarity and less noise, with the same strategy, Smart Money Concepts.

What is a typical trading day for you?

A typical trading day starts when I wake up early at 4 AM. I do my prayers and get some motivational quotes to inspire and renew my mind. Then I go to the charts, mark up, and check the news for fundamentals. I set my positions and let them play out, and afterwards I review the outcome and document it.

Walk us through your most recent losing trade.

My most recent losing trade was AUDJPY. I saw what looked like a possible change of character and entered at the retracement, but I lost it. What I would do differently is wait for added confirmation.

What is a popular trading rule you completely ignore, and why?

Moving to break even when a trade is in your favour. I ignore this because I know that most times price comes back to your entry, and even dips in, before finally moving out.

Do people around you understand what you do? How do they react?

Some people do, especially my friends, but many do not. They always ask how this helps me.

How has trading impacted your lifestyle?

Trading has made me calmer in life. It has made me realize that nothing is guaranteed, but with consistent and persistent effort, one can get a good result.

What separates you from someone who washed out at their third evaluation?

For me, it is first the Grace of God, and then having the right people around you, especially the ones willing to help.

What advice would you give yourself one year ago?

That is funny, but I would say: never be afraid.

If prop firms disappeared tomorrow, would you still be trading? Doing what?

Yes, I would still be trading. I will always be a trader, no matter what.

If I gave you a $1,000,000 funded account today, what would you do in the first 7 days?

First, I would allow myself not to get too excited. Then I would trade it with all the same discipline I use on my other accounts. And if you gave me one, you would have truly changed my life forever.