One Prop Trader a Day - Sebastian Strulea: I Wouldn’t Change a Thing

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

My name is Sebastian, I am 25 years old, and I am from Romania. I am a graduate of Financial Institutions and Central Banks, and I also hold an investment advisory certification. I have always been passionate about macroeconomics, financial markets, and understanding how capital moves across the global economy. In trading, I do not focus on one specific asset; I look for opportunities that best fit my macroeconomic and fundamental thesis, usually commodities like gold and silver, major forex pairs, or equity indices.

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

I first became funded in April 2023. At that time, I still did not have the experience and maturity to manage a funded account properly, so I eventually lost it. The real consistency started around September 2024. That was when I understood that becoming funded was not just luck or a one-time achievement. It was possible, but staying funded requires a different level of discipline, patience, and risk management.

How did you feel when you became a funded trader for the first time?

It was a very special moment. I opened a bottle of champagne to celebrate, because it felt like the result of thousands of hours spent learning, testing, failing, and trying again. It was not only about the account itself; it was about proving to myself that the work I had put in was finally starting to produce results.

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

I failed many times before becoming funded. In the beginning, most of my learning came from trading my own capital. Later, when I moved into prop funding, I took several free trials before going into real challenges, and I lost the first two real attempts before finally getting funded. What kept me going was that I genuinely loved the markets. Even when things were difficult, I still wanted to understand what was happening in the economy, why assets were moving, and how I could improve. That curiosity made it impossible to fully walk away.

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

My lowest point was losing a funded account because of a silly mistake. I changed something in my strategy, moved away from what was working, and paid the price. It was frustrating because it was not only a technical mistake, but a discipline mistake. Yes, I considered quitting several times, but even when I was serious about stopping, after two or three days I would find myself checking the markets again, reading the news, and trying to understand what was happening. That is when I realized trading was not just something I did for money; I was genuinely interested in the game.

Did trading ever affect you mentally or emotionally?

Yes, of course, especially in the beginning. There was stress, overtrading, self-doubt, and frustration. But with experience, most of that started to fade. The stress usually comes from risking too much or not fully trusting your process; if a position gives you too much emotional pressure, the position size is probably too big. Overtrading is mainly solved through discipline and structure. For me, everything changed once I had a clear strategy, clear risk management, statistics, and a better understanding of the macro environment. When you know what you are looking for, you stop chasing every move.

What does your trading style look like today?

Today, the fundamental and macroeconomic part is the most important part of my process. I am mainly a swing trader, so I analyze the broader macro environment first and where money is likely to flow. I also pay attention to the difference between what policymakers say and what the market is actually pricing. Forecasting is very important to me, across different time horizons. For sentiment, I look at data such as COT positioning for commodities and forex, and indicators like the put/call ratio or VIX/VIX3M for indices and equities. Technically, I keep it simple: weekly support and resistance zones, previous high-liquidity areas, and important reaction zones, then I refine execution mostly on the 4-hour and daily timeframes.

What is a typical trading day for you?

My main analysis is done during the weekend, when I prepare the key levels, macro scenarios, and markets to watch for the week ahead. In the morning, I check several news and market platforms, usually reading the Asian session wrap first to understand what happened overnight. I keep a news and events platform open on one monitor throughout the day. During the first two hours of the London session, I check whether any asset is approaching one of my planned zones. Then I take a break and come back about an hour before the New York open to see if any important news changed the picture. Most of my trades are opened during the New York session, but only if the setup fits the plan. Trading is mostly a patience game for me. If I open a position, I go through my checklist, track the trade, and complete the statistics after it closes.

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

I am probably most enthusiastic when talking about macroeconomic themes and the economy in general; there is honestly no other topic I speak about with the same passion. At the same time, it can be difficult for people around me to fully follow, because the subject becomes technical very fast. I try to explain things simply so people can understand why markets matter and how the economy affects real life. Sometimes I catch myself going too deep into the details, and when I see I am losing the person, I simplify.

How has trading impacted your lifestyle?

Not in any particular way. I just genuinely enjoy following the economy and seeing what the markets are doing. I like understanding why things move, how different events are connected, and what drives investor behavior. Everything else is collateral; the lifestyle aspect is secondary for me. What keeps me interested is the constant learning process and the chance to apply my passion for finance every day.

What keeps you motivated to continue trading?

My motivation comes from my love for finance in general. Trading is one part of that, just like investing is another. What I enjoy most is the problem-solving side: building a thesis, understanding macroeconomic forces, forecasting what could happen over the next months or years, and then seeing how the market reacts. That process keeps me motivated far more than the short-term outcome of any single trade.

What would you tell your younger self when you first started trading?

I honestly would not change a thing. Every decision, every mistake, and every lesson helped me become the trader I am today and brought me to this point. Because of that, I do not think I would tell my younger self anything. The journey happened the way it needed to, and I learned the most from experiencing it myself.

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

I would do exactly what I do now. I would not change my risk, strategy, or behavior just because the account is bigger. If there is no valid setup, I would not touch the account; the first priority is protecting capital and respecting the process. If I found a strong long-term macro opportunity, I might allocate a very small risk, around 0.5%, to a carry-style, fundamental position with a one-to-two-year thesis. But overall, I would treat the account with patience and discipline. Bigger capital does not mean you need to trade more; it means you need to be even more selective.