Who Oswald Is and What He Does
Chelsi
Hi everyone, welcome to a new interview with one of our students from the Unger Academy. Today we’re joined by Oswald, who’s been part of our Academy since April of this year and has already achieved some great results in a short time. We’ll talk about his journey, the initial challenges he faced, and how the systematic approach to trading has helped him improve in a very concrete way. Hi Oswald, how are you?
Oswald
Hi Chelsi, I’m doing really, really well.
Chelsi
Great! So, tell us a bit about yourself. Who are you, what do you do, and how did your passion for trading begin?
Oswald
Well, I’ve always had a bit of a passion for trading in my blood, mostly because of my job. I worked in banking for over 40 years.
So, I started working with my clients, and I gradually got more and more interested in the markets. I also took some courses.
Now I’ve been retired for five years, so I do try to keep my mind active. I was looking for new challenges in life, and that’s how I came across you. You became my go-to reference.
I have to say, I’ve been working with you since April, and I’m working with a truly competent coach, a lady named Federica, who’s really good. She’s guiding me through the markets and helping me learn this trading approach, which I didn’t know before.
And what surprised me the most was that even though I worked in banking, where risk is also part of the job…
Honestly, the way I learned to manage risk with you… it’s something you just don’t learn elsewhere. I’m really happy to be working with you because of that.
You also use risk management techniques that we couldn’t apply at the bank. We couldn’t really work with options or futures. The products we used were mainly funds and similar instruments.
But with you, learning what a drawdown is, how to manage it, and how to control risk – those things were really important for me.
I’m not someone looking for sky-high returns. I’m someone who wants to preserve the value of the money that I’ve saved, money I worked hard for my whole life. Just leaving it in the bank… well, having worked in banking myself, I know how that goes. So I said, “No, I need to find a way to improve my returns,” and that’s why I joined the Unger Academy.
Getting a good return is key, but for me, risk management is also extremely important.
His Situation Before Joining the Academy
Chelsi
Thank you. So before joining our program, what was your situation like?
Oswald
Well, my situation was fairly standard. I was managing my savings, keeping an eye on government bonds, which are interesting because of the tax benefits, and also, considering my age, they’re exempt from inheritance tax.
Yes, I was managing things a bit on my own, always trying to avoid highly risky products. I was doing a bit of stocks, some ETFs, some funds… mainly to stay connected with the bank, and I still maintain that relationship today.
But I was playing it safe, aiming for a return that would land in my account and that I could actually use in my daily life.
Chelsi
Great.
Oswald
To buy myself a few things, a few little extras too.
Chelsi
Ah, see? To enjoy life.
Oswald
Exactly. I’m here to enjoy life!
Chelsi
But what was actually going on during that time? Were there results, numbers, or situations that made you realize something had to change?
Oswald
Yes. You know, I was following the markets a bit, seeing the kinds of performances the stock markets were delivering and so on, and I thought, “I could get into those markets too, I know them, but I don’t want to take on too much risk.”
And so, like I said earlier, the way risk is managed, not just in practice but also as a strategy, really fascinated me, and I said, “This is a new path I need to take: learning how to manage risk.”
Why He Chose Unger Academy
Chelsi
Speaking of risk, would you say that’s what led you to choose Unger Academy over other programs, or were there other factors too?
Oswald
Yes, I mean, if you look on YouTube, there are tons of them out there, and you really have to be careful. But even back when I worked in banking, I saw that there were a lot of scammers out there.
And what really appealed to me was this: “I want to take a course with Unger Academy. I’ll pay professionals to teach me the know-how to work in the markets, but I’ll be the one managing my own money”.
And that was a key point: I didn’t want to hand my money over to someone and then have no idea where it ends up… entrusting it to people who would run off with it.
Chelsi
And that makes perfect sense.
Oswald
Yes, that was my reasoning: I pay someone for their knowledge, and then I take care of the risk myself. And I also know that there is always the possibility of losing money. Not losing money in the sense of giving it physically to someone else. That I did not want.
And that was a key point for me in choosing you, because you offer very professional training. I am really, really happy with what you provide to your clients or your students. And I still manage my own money, with your help as well, but that support is always external. And that was essential for me.
Chelsi
Thank you. At the beginning, did you have any doubts or hesitations about the program?
Oswald
No, not doubts. But you know, for me this was a completely new subject. So yes, even when I was working, whenever something new came along, I was always very open to innovations.
So it wasn’t that I was doubtful. I just thought, “Here is something new.” More the fear of the unknown. But no, no, I wasn’t afraid. Because you are guided properly before making any trades. You also talk about how to enter positions and so on.
What Helped Him the Most in the Program
Chelsi
During the program, was there something in particular that helped you the most?
Oswald
Yes. For example, we work with options. It’s a very interesting instrument, although also risky in some ways, for example, Bull Option Spreads.
But then, when I joined the OPT Formula Master program, I had some good experiences, and that is why I now want to move forward with the new OPT Elite program you are about to launch.
Anyway, options… Well, they add diversification and are very interesting instruments, very dynamic. You can use a non-directional approach, so this is completely different.
But it is also very interesting because I had never worked with real options before, and I got to see how it works.
Chelsi
Great.
Oswald
It has been a really good experience, I would say.
Chelsi
Wonderful. Tell us a bit about your coach.
Oswald
The coach is very important. I am really happy working with Federica. She follows me closely, and we communicate very easily because this is not a topic you can digest quickly. She is very good at guiding me and teaching me many, many things. I am very happy, yes.
The Results He Achieved Thanks to Our Program
Chelsi
Good. And after applying what you learned, what concrete results, numbers, performance, or changes have you achieved?
Oswald
Really, really good ones. When I look at Interactive Brokers, on the main page you can see not only the amount of money you have but also the performance you are generating.
And then you’ve got the benchmarks, like the Nasdaq, the S&P 500, and others. Seeing that you are above a benchmark is a great feeling, right? Clearly more than I expected. When I joined, I did not expect to start outperforming the benchmark. I was aiming for something safer.
But now I see that at the moment I am above a benchmark. I am above the Nasdaq, and that is quite good!
Chelsi
And on a personal level, what are you able to do today that used to feel out of reach?
Oswald
Working with options, working with futures, yes, working with many different things. I am happy that I learned the basics, the fundamentals of how the markets work. But this is a completely different level. It is much higher. Very interesting.
Where He Would Be Today Without Unger Academy
Chelsi
Good, thank you. If you had not chosen to begin this journey, where do you think you would be today?
Oswald
Well, I would be… clearly, in winter I would be skiing more, and in summer I would be cycling more. I would spend more time doing those things. It is not that working with you takes away my free time, because I still have plenty, but I think… I am happy, because for me this is like a hobby. Working on these things is a pastime too.
I have plenty of time. Since I retired, my time has also become time well invested for me. I have to say that honestly.
His Advice for Aspiring Traders
Chelsi
Here is the last question. What would you say to someone watching this interview who is still unsure about joining?
Oswald
Well, I would go back to that first point I mentioned: risk. For me, risk was a very delicate and very important issue.
Nobody, none of us, wants to lose money. Everyone wants to earn money, but the market does not let you do that. If you go into the market in the usual way, you have to be really careful because you can lose a lot of money.
And that whole point about how risk is actually managed, that is very important to me. It is about protecting all the money saved over a lifetime and not seeing it disappear just because a higher return looked appealing.
Yes, I want a better return. But what banks offer today on a current account or a simple savings book, now I am really talking about the basics, is nothing. It is zero. What the banks do today is not right.
Sure, you can trade individual stocks, and that’s fine. If you work well, if you use stop losses. But it is much more difficult that way.
So yes, on the one hand, trading does not take away much of my free time, and on the other hand, I have the satisfaction of seeing my money well invested. And then there is also the mental work, because at my age it is important to keep your mind sharp and trained. It is a mix of personal and financial reasons that I take into consideration.
Chelsi
Of course, of course.
Oswald
Anyway, if someone is unsure, I would say yes, with the Unger Academy you can invest your money without taking reckless risks, with a risk profile that is clearly defined, because I am the one who chooses the risk.
Chelsi
It’s under your control.
Oswald
Exactly, I decide how far I can go, or how much I am willing to lose. It is much more controlled than doing it the way we used to before.
Chelsi
There we go. Thank you very much, Oswald.
Oswald
You’re welcome.
Chelsi
Thank you for your time and for sharing your story with us. We’re also glad you’ve found the perfect combination, something that lets you earn a bit more while staying fully in control of your risk.
Oswald
Yes, yes. And also to follow my hobby a bit, right?
Chelsi
For fun!
Oswald
Yes, yes, to enjoy myself too, of course.
Chelsi
Great. Thanks again, Oswald.
Oswald
You’re welcome, my pleasure.
Chelsi
See you in the next interview. Happy trading.
Oswald
Thank you very much. I wish you a good day and good work.
Chelsi
Thank you. Bye bye everyone.
Oswald
Okay, bye.
