The Backpack Trader Podcast

What if the successful business you are working so hard to build is actually the exact thing keeping you from living the life you truly want? On this episode of The Backpack Trader , host Troy Noonan sits down with executive coach and communications strategist Wayne Veldsman to unpack his powerful journey of walking away from a thriving, seven-figure digital agency to build a lifestyle designed on...

Why should one consider launching a coaching program for potential financial gains? Justin Boyum, a military veteran turned entrepreneur, has developed an innovative approach to sales calls that emphasizes efficiency through understanding and trust-building. He argues that sales calls can be more effective by focusing on group presentations, which streamline communication and address client inquir...

How should traders think about bot trading as a business or trade plan? Cenzig Eller brings a practical, business-minded perspective to bot trading, viewing it as a serious algorithmic method that can work well for prop firms and even live funds when the systems are genuinely robust. He is cautious about unreliable bot providers and emphasizes that effective bots should function like real trading...

What challenges do affluent clients face in deriving meaning and satisfaction from their wealth? Richard McWhorter, an esteemed wealth manager with a remarkable 16-year tenure at Merrill Lynch, now leads his own firm, SRM Private Wealth, in Beverly Hills. Catering to ultra-high-net-worth athletes and entertainers, McWhorter distinguishes himself by rejecting traditional corporate strategies in fav...

What is the secret to building a highly profitable real estate portfolio that simultaneously changes lives?  Jim Boad is a seasoned real estate investor with 25 years of experience who successfully pivoted his business model in the wake of COVID-era rental constraints. As the founder of Group Home Accelerator, he has built 14 successful recovery homes and now dedicates his time to coaching ot...

Why are low-cost index funds like VOO and VFIAX recommended for maximizing returns? Tom Bernard, a seasoned financial expert based in San Francisco, is highly regarded for his disciplined approach to investing in the S&P 500 index. With decades of experience, Bernard believes that investing in the S&P 500 is a robust strategy due to the resilience of American businesses and the expertise o...

What is the importance of delegation in fostering growth and scalability? Jen Nielsen, with her extensive background in IT management and a successful transition into real estate, brings a wealth of experience to her role as a high-performance coach. She is passionate about helping business leaders overcome the founder's trap, a common pitfall where founders struggle to delegate and thus stifle th...

What is the importance of pattern recognition in trading? Idan Peysahovich, a Siberian native residing in Israel, embarked on his trading journey after being inspired by a podcast by Dr. Steve Turley that emphasized financial empowerment for everyday individuals. Despite lacking previous experience, he was proud and humbled to join the CEO Trader Mastermind program, where he aimed to gain control...

What are the benefits of tokenization in real estate? Michael Fernandes is an army veteran and former professional MMA fighter who has successfully transitioned into the competitive world of New York City real estate, leveraging the mental discipline and perseverance honed in his previous careers. Despite the setbacks of the 2008 financial crash, Fernandes showcased remarkable resilience, reinvent...

Why is financial literacy among young people important? Mario Sicari, a distinguished wealth management expert at BGS Capital, manages an impressive portfolio of over $350 million in assets and has dedicated his career to fostering financial stability amidst national economic challenges. With a keen focus on the burgeoning national debt, which has soared to an alarming $39 trillion, Sicari questio...

Why is it important to adapt to market volatility as an opportunity? Carlos Garcia, the visionary founder of Gar Capital, emphasizes the indispensable role of mentorship in demystifying market complexities and guiding traders towards autonomy. With over a decade of experience, he advocates for the development of personal market intuition, urging traders to base their decisions on solid reasoning r...

What are the benefits of forming business entities like LLCs? Cheri Hill, the President, CEO, and co-founder of Sage International, is a renowned expert in tax strategies and asset protection, having guided over 40,000 entrepreneurs, traders, and investors toward structuring their businesses for optimal financial security. Her advocacy for understanding asset protection and the importance of strat...

How can simplicity in trading systems contribute to success? Felipe Guirao, a seasoned trading professional with over 12 years of experience, specializes in swing trading and US stocks and is widely recognized for his expertise in risk management strategies. Starting his career in FX trading in 2013, Felipe founded Liberty Signal with the mission of developing systems that enable traders to achiev...

What is emphasized as the most valuable long-term investment in real estate? Rod Khleif, a celebrated real estate mogul, attributes his remarkable success to maintaining a powerful and resilient mindset, a concept he deeply explores in his Lifetime Cash Flow podcast. Having immigrated to the United States in 1966 and overcoming significant early life challenges, Rod emphasizes that 80-90% of succe...

What are the key tips for balancing professional pursuits with personal life in trading? Wiley Smiley, a compassionate individual who dedicated over a decade to supporting people overcoming addiction and homelessness in Cambridge, has transitioned into the world of market trading, a field he sees as both a personal liberation and a lifestyle choice. Drawing on his vast experience, Wiley believes t...

What if you could sell a business or property, defer massive capital gains taxes, and reinvest the full amount to create long-term wealth for generations?  Brett Swarts, founder of Capital Gains Tax Solutions and a leading expert in Deferred Sales Trusts, explains how this powerful strategy helps entrepreneurs and investors defer taxes after major exits such as selling a business or real esta...

How does timing, patience, and studying the market play a crucial role in trading? Ibn Rahman Ali is a renowned advocate for patience and consistency in trading, underscoring the essential role that integrity and character play in achieving financial freedom. He likens the practice of trading to planting a seed, which requires time, care, and consistent effort to grow and ultimately yield results....

What are the challenges of managing a funded trading account? Jonathon Hurst, a multifaceted artist, musician, and filmmaker, has successfully navigated the demanding world of trading through a steadfast commitment to discipline and sacrifice. He champions the necessity of setting specific goals and maintaining focus, often likening the rhythm and structure of his trading style to electronic music...

What if the biggest edge in trading isn’t a strategy but radical honesty about who you are, what you want, and what’s actually possible? Trader, author, and mentor Steve Ruffley reflects on a career shaped by more than two decades in the markets, from his early days on electronic trading floors to becoming a trusted voice for retail traders seeking clarity over hype. Drawing on lived experience, h...

What if trading wasn’t about predicting the market but about building a repeatable edge that buys you your time back? Moneyball Austin is a data-driven trader who has built a location-independent lifestyle by prioritizing edge, disciplined risk management, and mindset over hype. Broadcasting from Puerto Vallarta, he reflects on his path out of the 9-to-5 grind and explains why most traders struggl...

What challenges did traders face with the transition from floor trading to electronic platforms? Eddie Z, who embarked on his trading career at just 17 on the vibrant floor of the New York Mercantile Exchange, offers a unique perspective on starting in trading as a clerk. Immersed in the dynamic and often chaotic market environment, Eddie quickly developed a fascination with trading, fueled by his...

What is the Trade Plan Hacking framework? Andrew Keene, the president and CEO of Alpha Shark Trading and a former CBOE floor trader, is renowned for his "trade plan hacking framework," which he believes is essential for transforming traders into the CEOs of their own trading businesses. This framework focuses on creating a structured trade plan, acquiring confidence in it through testing and pract...

How can I combine manual trading with algo trading effectively? Cenzig Eller, the founder and CEO of Prosperity Algos Solutions, is a leading figure in the automation of trading strategies, particularly within U.S. equity markets and commodities like gold. Drawing from his extensive background in finance, high yield bonds, and infrastructure private equity, Eller is at the forefront of developing...

What is the importance of developing and following a well-thought-out trading strategy? Mike Giles, a former home builder and homeowners insurance professional, ventured into trading with no prior experience in 2023, inspired by a webinar featuring Dr. Steve Turley and Troy Noonan. Initially skeptical about the complexity of trading, Giles decided to try the Backpack Trader system, trusting in Noo...

Why is it important to define one's 'it' in trading? Tyson Clayton is a distinguished figure in the world of options trading, celebrated for his expertise in transforming intricate strategies into practical, digestible steps for traders. With over twenty years of experience, Tyson is a fervent advocate for systematic and strategic trading approaches like the double calendar and poor man's covered...