I am a full-time trader of stocks, futures, and options. In past lives I have been a CPA with Ernst & Young, managed a health care industry business, and owned (with 4 other partners) a manufacturing business serving the concrete construction industry. I have become a trader over the past 3 or 4 years because I have a deep interest in (and passion for) trading, a strong work ethic, and (I believe anyway) the personality traits and requisite situational factors for long-term success. I like the freedom that trading makes possible, but also have learned that hard work is what makes success happen - just like everything else I've done in my life. I think that good luck comes to those who anticipate and prepare well, and I don't have a lot of sympathy for those who don't. I have a compassionate side but it is selective and I always call a spade a spade. Sometimes people don't like that, but it is who I am and I believe straight forward honesty is the best policy in life.
Brian Shannon is my mentor and trading coach, even though he thinks I'm a geek for riding around on a Vespa. If you haven't visited his blog you really should: www.alphatrends.blogspot.com