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This week, we had the pleasure of speaking with Austin Silver, a full-time trader, educator, and founder of ASFX. He has built a reputation for his structured trading approach and commitment to helping traders develop consistency.
He shared his trading journey, from the early struggles of finding consistency to becoming a disciplined futures trader with a structured approach. Along the way, Austin explained how mentorship, journaling, and focusing on “process over profits” have helped him avoid tilt, build discipline, and achieve long-term success in the markets.
Exclusive interview with Austin Silver, who shared how he transformed early trading struggles into a consistent futures strategy by focusing on mentorship, discipline, and a process-driven approach.
Getting Started: Curiosity Turned Obsession
Austin’s introduction to trading began while preparing for his Series 7 license, a requirement for becoming a financial adviser in the U.S. While studying, he discovered day trading and quickly became hooked by the idea of:
- Time freedom
- Financial independence
- Location flexibility
But like most new traders, the reality was tough. For the first 18 months, Austin lost money, jumped between strategies, and fell into information overload. He spent thousands on courses and content, only to realize that none of it guaranteed success.
The turning point came when he sought out mentorship. Traders like Brian Shannon and Scott Redler helped him move away from randomness and toward structure. This shift set the foundation for everything that followed.
Common Struggles Traders Face
Through his mentorship work today, Austin sees the same mistakes repeated by most struggling traders:
- Lack of guidance – Trying to figure it out alone wastes years and money.
- Ego – Refusing to admit mistakes prevents growth.
- Money focus – Trading with desperation often leads to tilt and blown accounts.
As Austin explained:
“Swallow your ego, get around people who have what you want, and detach from the money. Trade a process, not a P&L.”
This mindset shift from chasing profits to following a process, was what allowed him to finally build consistency.
From Forex to Futures
Austin started out in the Forex markets, where he learned technical analysis and developed his price action skills. Over time, he transitioned to futures, focusing primarily on the S&P 500 (ES futures).
By sticking to one market, he gained a deeper understanding of its rhythm and avoided the distractions of constantly switching instruments. This narrowed focus brought him the clarity and results he had been chasing.
Prop Firms: A Tool for Growth
Austin sees prop firms as one of the biggest opportunities for traders today. They allow traders to access capital without risking large amounts of personal money. But, he warns, they can also be a trap if approached recklessly.
His advice is simple:
- Don’t buy too many accounts.
- Start small and build gradually.
- Use built-in risk tools (like daily loss lockouts) to prevent tilt.
- Treat accounts as if they were your own money.
“If you treat prop firms seriously, they give you a real chance to grow without risking financial ruin.”
If handled properly, prop firms can accelerate a trader’s growth without the financial setbacks that often come with early mistakes.
Structure and Routine: The Foundation of Success
For Austin, success isn’t just about strategy, it’s about structure. His daily routine is designed to keep him disciplined and in balance:
- 7:00 AM – Family time.
- 8:00–8:30 AM – Market prep and reviewing key levels.
- 9:30–11:00 AM – Primary trading window.
- Afternoons – Coaching, podcasts, and business.
By limiting his trading hours, he avoids overtrading and ensures he only acts when the best opportunities are present.
Tracking and TradeZella
One of Austin’s biggest edges comes from tracking every trade using TradeZella. The platform helps him:
- Build Playbooks for high-probability setups.
- Review performance to see which strategies are working in current conditions.
- Use video recaps to reinforce lessons and identify recurring mistakes.
