Ryan's TCG Reflection

My journey has always been about taking control of my own destiny. With a background in entrepreneurship and brand building, I’ve spent years running my own companies successfully. I also have experience in graphic design and coding—being a proud NYC art school dropout. Paying out of pocket for tuition while ranking in the top 10% of my class, I watched others take their education for granted. That realization led me to step away and start my own business, a decision I’ve never regretted. Trading, much like entrepreneurship, is about taking calculated risks, managing highs and lows, and adapting to an ever-changing landscape.

I’ve always been drawn to adrenaline-fueled pursuits, and that drive led me to build an action sports brand from the ground up. It eventually sold in over 4,000 stores worldwide and earned a spot on the Inc. 500 list of fastest-growing companies in America. My love for speed also pushed me to develop a motorsports brand to support my passion for race cars. In many ways, trading parallels these experiences—long hours, constant adaptation, and the thrill of taking on challenges every day.

My introduction to trading came in 2015 when I made my first Bitcoin purchase. It opened the door to an entirely new world. By 2017, I was diving into technical analysis, but my journey lacked direction until 2020, when I decided to take trading more seriously. By 2021, it had become my primary source of income.

I’ve been a member of TCG for two years. Before joining, I had followed Dan’s insights through various podcasts and appreciated his straightforward technical analysis and broad market perspective. Crypto Twitter, with its overwhelming number of opinions and styles, was chaotic—I was looking for a focused and structured community.

When I joined, I wanted education and camaraderie. I was seeking a place where I could learn, share, and get honest feedback without feeling judged. Most importantly, I was struggling with consistency. I had experimented with complex trading systems like Wyckoff and Elliott Wave, but they never truly clicked for me. I had done well in the 2020-2021 crypto market but gave back much of my gains. Finding a strategy that worked for me was crucial.

I primarily trade crypto, though since joining TCG, I’ve expanded into commodities and equities. The biggest improvement in my trading has been simplification. Before TCG, I tended to overcomplicate my approach. Now, I use the TCG framework as my foundation—focusing on most likely scenarios, simple statements, and trend analysis. Learning to define trends and adjust my style accordingly has been a game-changer. The TCG 12/26 EMA combo has been invaluable in analyzing trends across multiple timeframes, helping me refine my strategy. Where I once relied on abstract trend lines, I now use TCG’s tools to build a more structured system.

My results have been mixed, but my losses are smaller, thanks to TCG’s approach to clear entries and defined stop-outs. Trading is tough, and I’d be lying if I said I crushed it every day. Because I primarily trade crypto, my best months often account for half of my annual gains. The real challenge is not giving those gains back during less favorable market conditions. The good thing about TCG is its coverage of multiple markets—there’s always an opportunity somewhere if you’re willing to look.

The number one thing I love about TCG is the sense of community and the absence of ego. Founders and members alike are supportive and willing to help. The tools and resources are incredibly valuable, but ultimately, success depends on the effort you put in. Even if you’re not active in chat rooms, the wealth of educational content on the TCG dashboard is unmatched. I’ve been in other trading groups, but TCG’s structured approach—especially through Slack—sets it apart. The organization of topics, market updates, and direct interactions with other traders make a significant difference.

For anyone considering TCG, I’d say there’s something for everyone—whether it’s the pre-game show, market updates, crypto discussions, futures trading, or hours-long huddles with fellow traders. The Chart Guys team is professional, consistent, and genuinely invested in helping traders grow.

At the end of the day, there is always an uptrend somewhere. The chart is your compass.