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Legends of Trading: Mark Croock

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Written by Timothy Sykes
Reviewed by Jack Kellogg Fact-checked by Ellis Hobbs
Updated 12/13/2024 11 min read

Mark Croock is my first millionaire student to get there by trading options! Beginning as a student in my Trading Challenge in 2010, Mark went from a dissatisfied accountant to a top options trader, with a total net worth now exceeding $4.1 million. His journey is a testament to the power of dedication and the willingness to adapt in the stock market—as well as the adequacy of my penny stock strategies in any type of trading.

Read this article to learn how Mark Croock turns options trades into substantial gains using insights any trader can apply to master their own strategies.

I’ll answer the following questions:

  • How did Mark Croock develop his unique approach to trading?
  • How does Mark Croock manage risk while trading volatile stocks?
  • Why does Mark Croock emphasize the importance of trade discipline?
  • What strategies does Mark Croock recommend for spotting high-potential setups?
  • How can new traders apply Mark Croock’s methods to grow their portfolios?
  • What are some of Mark Croock’s biggest trading lessons for beginners?

Let’s get to the content!

Who Is Mark Croock?

Mark Croock’s trading journey began over a decade ago when he left his career as an accountant in search of financial freedom. Initially drawn to the stock market, he discovered my Trading Challenge and committed to learning everything he could, transcribing webinars, watching videos, and perfecting his understanding of market patterns. Through years of disciplined study and consistent effort, he became one of the top options traders in my program, focusing on strategies that leverage volatility in high-momentum stocks. Today, Mark is a dedicated family man and a highly respected mentor, sharing his experiences and strategies with new traders.

Mark’s commitment to learning and his ability to adapt his strategy to market shifts proves the importance of a structured approach, something I emphasize to all my students. By consistently applying the principles of patience, risk management, and focused analysis, Mark has built a substantial net worth and established himself as a trusted voice in the trading community.

Mark’s success story parallels other traders who found significant growth through structured strategies. Mariana Hincapie, one of the new crop of my millionaire students, also transformed her career path through dedication to disciplined trading principles, particularly in volatile markets. While Mark’s focus centers on options trading in high-momentum stocks, Mariana demonstrates how commitment to a specific approach can pay off for those starting out in any trading sector. Learning from various strategies provides a broad understanding of market trends and risk management, offering a useful foundation for evolving one’s trading skillset.

Learn more about Mariana Hincapie’s approach to trading here.

Is Mark Croock Legit or a Scam?

Mark Croock’s legitimacy as a trader and educator is backed by his documented trading history and transparent sharing of both his wins and losses. With over $4.1 million in net worth, Mark’s success is no accident but the result of disciplined strategies and consistent application of the principles he learned in my Trading Challenge. Far from promoting get-rich-quick ideas, Mark stresses patience, careful analysis, and the importance of following a structured approach to trading. His Evolved Trader course is designed to share these strategies with other traders looking to navigate the complex world of options.

Mark also regularly engages with the trading community on X/Twitter, where he shares insights and market updates via @thehonestcroock. His transparency and open communication add to his credibility, demonstrating that his journey from student to millionaire mentor is grounded in real trading experience. By focusing on calculated risk, disciplined setups, and continuous learning, Mark has built a reputation as a reliable resource for anyone looking to succeed in options trading.

What Trading Strategy is Mark Croock Famous For?

Mark Croock is best known for his “Evolved Trader” approach, a strategy that capitalizes on options trading in stocks with high momentum. His strategy focuses on using options to bet against overextended stocks, allowing him to capture gains from price declines without the exposure risk that comes with shorting shares. Known for his success in stocks like $SLV and $MARA, Mark uses technical analysis to pinpoint key entry and exit points, helping him maximize his profits while minimizing losses. His approach, developed over years of experience in my Trading Challenge, demonstrates how to trade with discipline and a focused mindset in highly volatile markets.

The Evolved Trader approach is particularly effective in markets with heightened price swings, where options allow Mark to manage risk and control his maximum exposure. He has refined this strategy to balance reward and risk, carefully timing trades to enter at ideal moments based on technical indicators like volume and volatility. His method is a prime example of how targeted options trading can lead to consistent profits when backed by careful planning and solid risk management.

While Mark Croock is best known for his “Evolved Trader” options strategy, other successful traders like Ben Sturgill bring unique perspectives to high-volatility stocks. Ben’s focus on anticipating price shifts with a mix of technical and fundamental analysis complements Mark’s strategy, revealing the diversity within options trading. By comparing these methods, traders can find approaches that resonate with their risk tolerance and goals.

Check out the webinar here to see why Ben’s smart-money scanner has been going haywire lately!

The Evolved Trader Approach

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Mark’s Evolved Trader approach focuses on trading options in high-volatility stocks, particularly when they show signs of being overextended. This strategy allows him to hold options positions with defined risk, using puts to profit from anticipated price drops. By focusing on timing and technical indicators, Mark has created a method that minimizes his exposure while capitalizing on the momentum of high-risk stocks.

The key to his approach lies in the combination of volume, volatility, and specific price setups. Mark typically targets stocks with elevated trading volume and momentum catalysts, waiting for clear signs of price reversals before entering trades. His strategy emphasizes disciplined risk management through stop-losses and careful entry points, making it a highly effective method for those looking to trade options with a structured, data-driven approach.

How Did Mark Croock Get Started?

Mark Croock’s transition from a public accountant to a full-time trader was driven by his search for a more fulfilling career. In 2010, he joined my Trading Challenge and immersed himself in the process of learning the fundamentals of trading. He spent countless hours transcribing webinars, studying technical setups, and refining his strategies. Over time, he developed a slow and steady approach that helped him grow his account without taking excessive risks, ultimately setting him apart from other new traders seeking rapid returns.

In June 2018, after years of disciplined learning and consistent application of his strategies, Mark reached the millionaire milestone. His path was marked by calculated risk, thorough analysis, and an unwavering commitment to learning from both his successes and setbacks. Mark’s journey serves as an example of how a trader can achieve substantial financial success through dedication and adherence to a structured approach.

Here’s a cheatsheet on what he’s learned through his trading journey:

What Are the Early Trading Successes of Mark Croock?

Mark’s early successes came from staying disciplined and focusing on consistent, small gains. By applying the principles he learned in my program and focusing on high-probability setups, he gradually built his account and achieved stability as a trader. These early wins provided the confidence and foundation that he would later use to expand into options trading.

Which Stock Picks Are on Mark Croock’s Watchlist?

Mark’s watchlist primarily includes high-momentum stocks that exhibit strong volume and clear price action. He focuses on stocks with the potential for significant price movement, like $SLV and $MARA, where his Evolved Trader approach can be applied effectively. These stocks typically have news catalysts or elevated volatility, which make them ideal for his options trading strategy. By tracking these types of stocks, he ensures that his trades align with his criteria for high probability setups.

Mark’s watchlist reflects the importance of preparation and analysis, key components of the strategies I teach in my Trading Challenge. He remains disciplined in stock selection, focusing on setups that offer a strong risk-reward balance and clear market signals. His approach underscores the importance of selecting stocks with sufficient volume and momentum, which are essential for executing his options-based strategies.

What Is Mark Croock’s Net Worth?

As of today, Mark Croock’s net worth stands at over $4.1 million, a figure built from disciplined trading and a consistent focus on risk management. Starting from a modest account, he grew his wealth through careful trade setups and a commitment to his Evolved Trader strategy. Mark’s financial success is a clear demonstration of how structured education, strategic discipline, and a focused approach to options trading can lead to substantial wealth.

Mark’s journey from an accountant to a multi-millionaire trader serves as an inspiration to traders who are dedicated to learning and applying proven methods. His results highlight the importance of patience and a long-term perspective in trading, showing that financial independence is possible with the right mindset and dedication.

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

Timothy Sykes built his Trading Challenge to pass on the things he had to learn for himself.

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 Mark got to where he is!

More Breaking News

FAQs About Mark Croock

How Old is Mark Croock?

Mark Croock is currently in his 30s, having spent over a decade honing his skills and building his account. His early training and time spent studying charts and making good investment decisions helped him establish a strong foundation, developing into profitability and performance with access to the right market conditions and more opportunities. This is what it looks like when a trader is PUTTING IN THE WORK—Mark showed the responsibility to put in 8 years of service before his money finally matched his process.

Does Mark Croock Have a Blog or Website?

Yes, Mark Croock shares his insights through his blog, evolvedtraderdaily.com, where he and contributors cover trading tips, value analysis, company-behind-the-security recommendations, and the accuracy and suitability of specific strategies. His blog serves as an additional resource for traders looking to understand his methods and gain insights into his approach to options trading. It’s a valuable tool for anyone interested in following Mark’s trading journey and learning from his experiences.

Does Mark Croock Have a TikTok, YouTube, or X/Twitter Account?

Mark Croock is active on X/Twitter at @thehonestcroock, where he shares market insights and trading tips with his followers. His social media presence allows him to stay connected with the trading community and provide real-time updates on his trading strategies.

Here’s a disclaimer—much of what he posts isn’t advice or endorsements, but just him as a person and investor trying to connect with readers. Oh, and he’s definitely no investment adviser or representative of a securities brokerage, he won’t give you solicitations or sponsorships or do your investment research or tax liability accounting. If you get a message with that kind of information, it’s safe to say that it isn’t the real “honest Croock.”

Does Mark Croock Offer a Course?

Yes, Mark Croock offers an Evolved Trader options course. The course covers his strategies in detail, focusing with completeness on the techniques that have helped him achieve multi-million-dollar success in options trading.


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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”