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Legends of Trading: Ben Sturgill

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Written by Timothy Sykes
Reviewed by Jack Kellogg Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs
Updated 12/13/2024 9 min read

Ben Sturgill is a highly regarded options trader and mentor with nearly 20 years of market experience. Known for his momentum-based strategies, Ben helps traders leverage tools like his Smart Money Scanner webinars and programs like Smart Data Trading to identify high-probability setups and make confident trading decisions. His disciplined, data-driven approach empowers traders to take advantage of volatility while managing risk effectively. From identifying unusual options activity to analyzing earnings season opportunities, Ben’s services teach traders to buy and sell opportunistically

Read this article to learn about Ben Sturgill’s journey from professional athlete to full-time trader, the source of his unique strategies and disciplined approach to the stock market.

I’ll answer the following questions:

  • Who is Ben Sturgill?
  • How did Ben Sturgill transition from professional sports to trading?
  • What trading strategies does Ben Sturgill specialize in?
  • How does Ben Sturgill utilize technology and data in his trading approach?
  • How does Ben Sturgill’s experience as an athlete influence his trading discipline?
  • How can traders apply Ben Sturgill’s methods to improve their own trading performance?

Let’s get to the content!

Who Is Ben Sturgill?

Ben Sturgill began his trading career as a teenager, drawn to the markets by a fascination with price action and the potential for financial growth. After a career as a professional athlete and tech entrepreneur, Ben transitioned to full-time trading, bringing with him a focus on discipline and strategic thinking. Today, he applies these principles to his trading and mentoring, helping traders use advanced tools and data-driven insights to achieve results in the fast-paced world of options trading.

Ben’s Smart Data Trading provides traders with powerful resources like SPYDER Trades and Earnings Edge, focusing on identifying momentum-driven setups and profiting from earnings season. His work emphasizes preparation and precision, equipping traders to act decisively in volatile markets. Through his webinars and programs, Ben shares his expertise in using institutional data, technical setups, and momentum strategies to unlock opportunities that many traders miss.

Is Ben Sturgill Legit or a Scam?

Ben Sturgill is a legitimate and well-respected trader and mentor, with a long history of market success and a proven ability to help others improve their trading performance. His programs, including the Smart Money Scanner webinars and Smart Data Trading, offer traders transparent and actionable strategies. Ben’s emphasis on using tools like the Smart Money Scanner to track institutional activity gives his students a significant edge in identifying high-probability setups.

Ben’s transparency in sharing his strategies and his track record of delivering results reinforce his credibility. His work with Daily Strike Alliance, alongside his focus on developing tools and programs for independent traders, showcases his commitment to helping others succeed. For those interested in leveraging data-driven strategies to navigate the markets, Ben provides trusted guidance and resources.

What Trading Strategy Is Ben Sturgill Famous For?

Ben Sturgill is best known for his momentum trading strategy, which focuses on capturing short-term price swings in stocks driven by news catalysts or unusual options activity. He combines data analysis with technical setups to identify opportunities where institutional “smart money” is taking significant positions. Tools like the Smart Money Scanner help him track this activity, giving him the confirmation needed to act on high-probability trades.

Ben also excels in trading during earnings season, using his Earnings Edge program to identify stocks poised for big moves based on earnings-related catalysts. By focusing on volatility and volume, he applies his momentum-based approach to options trading, targeting setups that offer both high reward potential and manageable risk. His emphasis on speed, size, and precision makes his strategies effective for traders looking to profit from rapid market movements.

Ben stays adaptive in trading, and you should too… Ben’s partner at Daily Strike Alliance, Jeff Zananiri, has some other well-honed strategies that you should check out. Jeff’s focus on “market-neutral” trading techniques, such as the Money Link strategy, offers traders a way to minimize risk while capitalizing on market fluctuations. Jeff’s background in macroeconomics and options trading adds a layer of sophistication to these methods.

Learn more about Jeff’s journey and unique trading philosophy here.

How Did Ben Sturgill Get Started?

Ben’s journey into trading began when he was just 15, inspired by a fascination with the financial markets and the opportunity to achieve financial independence. After gaining early exposure to the stock market, he pursued trading full-time following a successful career as a professional basketball player. His background in sports and entrepreneurship taught him the discipline and focus required to succeed in competitive environments, skills he now applies to his trading strategies.

Over time, Ben developed a momentum-based approach that combines technical analysis, institutional insights, and proprietary tools. His transition to options trading allowed him to refine his strategies further, focusing on leveraging data to find setups with strong potential. Through programs like Smart Data Trading, he shares the lessons and methods that helped him build a successful trading career.

Ben’s transition from sports to trading highlights the role of discipline and focus, which are the bedrock of successful trading. I got that from playing tennis, and another one of my students, Ellis Hobbs, got it from playing team ball in the NFL. With his experience balancing high-pressure situations on the field, Ellis applies a calculated, business-like approach to trading. His emphasis on measured risks and steady learning mirrors the qualities that set successful traders apart.

He’s closing in on $500k but it isn’t just about numbers — and here’s your disclaimer, trading features more losses than profits for most. Ellis’s story is a testament to the idea that dedication and adaptability can redefine one’s career.

To explore how he applies these principles to trading, read more about Ellis Hobbs here.

What Are the Early Trading Successes of Ben Sturgill?

Ben’s early trading successes came from his ability to identify momentum-driven setups in high-volatility stocks. By combining technical setups with a focus on news-driven catalysts, he quickly established a reputation for making well-timed trades. These early wins paved the way for his transition into options trading, where he continues to apply and refine his strategies for even greater success.

Which Stock Picks Are on Ben Sturgill’s Watchlist?

Ben Sturgill’s watchlist focuses on stocks and ETFs with high volatility and significant institutional interest. He uses the Smart Money Scanner to track unusual options activity, which often signals potential momentum plays. Stocks with strong news catalysts or elevated trading volume are also key targets, as these factors often lead to rapid price movements that align with his momentum trading strategy.

Ben’s disciplined approach ensures that his watchlist prioritizes quality setups over quantity. By focusing on stocks where institutional “smart money” is making moves, he increases the likelihood of finding high-probability trades. This targeted approach is central to his programs like SPYDER Trades, which teach traders how to identify and capitalize on momentum-driven opportunities.

What Is Ben Sturgill’s Net Worth?

While Ben Sturgill’s exact net worth remains private, his long history of trading success and his role as a mentor suggest significant financial achievements. His work with programs like Smart Data Trading and tools like the Smart Money Scanner has helped him and his students achieve results in the options market.

Ben’s financial success is a testament to his disciplined approach, use of advanced tools, and focus on continuous improvement. His journey from a teenager fascinated by the markets to a respected mentor underscores the potential for financial independence through well-executed trading strategies.

Trading isn’t rocket science. It’s a skill you build and work on like any other.

I’ve built my Trading Challenge to pass on all the company hijinx and broker shenanigans I had to learn for myself. It’s the kind of community that I wish I had when I was starting out.

We don’t accept everyone. If you’re up for the challenge — I want to hear from you.

Apply to the Trading Challenge here.

Trading is a battlefield. The more knowledge you have, the better prepared you’ll be.

Who is your favorite trader? Write “I’ll put in the work” in the comments if you understand how Ben got to where he is!

FAQs About Ben Sturgill

How Old is Ben Sturgill?

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Ben Sturgill started trading at the age of 15 and has nearly two decades of market experience. His early start allowed him to develop a deep understanding of market behavior, which he now shares with traders through his programs and webinars.

Does Ben Sturgill Have a Blog or Websites?

Ben writes for Daily Strike Alliance, covering strategies, tools, and market insights. His work provides traders with valuable information on navigating the options market and making data-driven decisions.

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Does Ben Sturgill Have a TikTok, YouTube, or IG Account?

Ben isn’t much of a self-marketer. His social accounts are more about Ben the person than Ben the investor, so if you want access to investment advice or finance points you won’t find much value. Ben is locked into the reason that members look to him for trading ideas — trading can give you the life you want, and Ben’s family life serves as a great example.

Does Ben Sturgill Offer a Course?

Yes, Ben offers several programs tailored to options traders. His Smart Money Scanner webinars help traders identify unusual options activity, while his Smart Data Trading platform includes programs like SPYDER Trades and Earnings Edge. These programs are designed to give traders an edge by combining data-driven insights with actionable strategies. For those looking to elevate their trading, Ben’s courses provide the resources and mentorship needed to succeed.


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* Results are not typical and will vary from person to person. Making money trading stocks takes time, dedication, and hard work. There are inherent risks involved with investing in the stock market, including the loss of your investment. Past performance in the market is not indicative of future results. Any investment is at your own risk. See Terms of Service here

The available research on day trading suggests that most active traders lose money. Fees and overtrading are major contributors to these losses.

A 2000 study called “Trading is Hazardous to Your Wealth: The Common Stock Investment Performance of Individual Investors” evaluated 66,465 U.S. households that held stocks from 1991 to 1996. The households that traded most averaged an 11.4% annual return during a period where the overall market gained 17.9%. These lower returns were attributed to overconfidence.

A 2014 paper (revised 2019) titled “Learning Fast or Slow?” analyzed the complete transaction history of the Taiwan Stock Exchange between 1992 and 2006. It looked at the ongoing performance of day traders in this sample, and found that 97% of day traders can expect to lose money from trading, and more than 90% of all day trading volume can be traced to investors who predictably lose money. Additionally, it tied the behavior of gamblers and drivers who get more speeding tickets to overtrading, and cited studies showing that legalized gambling has an inverse effect on trading volume.

A 2019 research study (revised 2020) called “Day Trading for a Living?” observed 19,646 Brazilian futures contract traders who started day trading from 2013 to 2015, and recorded two years of their trading activity. The study authors found that 97% of traders with more than 300 days actively trading lost money, and only 1.1% earned more than the Brazilian minimum wage ($16 USD per day). They hypothesized that the greater returns shown in previous studies did not differentiate between frequent day traders and those who traded rarely, and that more frequent trading activity decreases the chance of profitability.

These studies show the wide variance of the available data on day trading profitability. One thing that seems clear from the research is that most day traders lose money .

Millionaire Media 66 W Flagler St. Ste. 900 Miami, FL 33130 United States (888) 878-3621 This is for information purposes only as Millionaire Media LLC nor Timothy Sykes is registered as a securities broker-dealer or an investment adviser. No information herein is intended as securities brokerage, investment, tax, accounting or legal advice, as an offer or solicitation of an offer to sell or buy, or as an endorsement, recommendation or sponsorship of any company, security or fund. Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes cannot and does not assess, verify or guarantee the adequacy, accuracy or completeness of any information, the suitability or profitability of any particular investment, or the potential value of any investment or informational source. The reader bears responsibility for his/her own investment research and decisions, should seek the advice of a qualified securities professional before making any investment, and investigate and fully understand any and all risks before investing. Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes in no way warrants the solvency, financial condition, or investment advisability of any of the securities mentioned in communications or websites. In addition, Millionaire Media LLC and Timothy Sykes accepts no liability whatsoever for any direct or consequential loss arising from any use of this information. This information is not intended to be used as the sole basis of any investment decision, nor should it be construed as advice designed to meet the investment needs of any particular investor. Past performance is not necessarily indicative of future returns.

Citations for Disclaimer

Barber, Brad M. and Odean, Terrance, Trading is Hazardous to Your Wealth: The Common Stock Investment Performance of Individual Investors. Available at SSRN: “Day Trading for a Living?”

Barber, Brad M. and Lee, Yi-Tsung and Liu, Yu-Jane and Odean, Terrance and Zhang, Ke, Learning Fast or Slow? (May 28, 2019). Forthcoming: Review of Asset Pricing Studies, Available at SSRN: “https://ssrn.com/abstract=2535636”

Chague, Fernando and De-Losso, Rodrigo and Giovannetti, Bruno, Day Trading for a Living? (June 11, 2020). Available at SSRN: “https://ssrn.com/abstract=3423101”