Embracing Discomfort w/ Sean Sawyer
This week Kyle welcomes back Sean Sawyer, a seasoned performance psychotherapist, to explore the psychological edge of trading. Sean previews his upcoming six-week workshop, diving deep into two key concepts: the "Internal War Room" and "Discomfort as Data." The Internal War Room helps traders identify and manage competing internal voices, like impulsivity versus professionalism, to make conscious, value-driven decisions. Sean explains how visualizing these "parts" enhances self-awareness, drawing parallels to Internal Family Systems (IFS) while grounding it in trading-specific challenges.
Meanwhile, Discomfort as Data reframes unease—such as boredom, fear, or hesitation—as critical signals to guide trading decisions, emphasizing mindfulness and learning by addition, not subtraction. The duo critiques outdated trading psychology rooted in old behaviorism, advocating for modern, evidence-based approaches that avoid fighting thoughts and instead build resilience. They also tease an upcoming miniseries on trading emotions like fear, greed, and shame, to be recorded live in Sean’s Discord.
Packed with practical strategies and candid insights, this episode is essential for traders seeking to master their mindset and trade with discipline.
Join Sean’s workshop starting June 22, 2025, at SoundPerformancePsychology.com.
Sponsors and Friends
Our podcast is sponsored by Sue Maki at Fairway Independent Mortgage (MLS# 206048). Licensed in 38 states, if you need anything mortgage-related, reach out to her at SMaki@fairwaymc.com or give her a call at (520) 977-7904. Tell her 2 Bulls sent you to get the best rates available!
For anyone trading futures, check out Vantatrading.com. Founded by Mr. W Banks and Baba Yaga, they provide a ton of educational content with the focus of teaching aspiring traders how to build a repeatable, profitable process. You can find our exclusive affiliate link/discount code for Vanta ‘s subscription in our free discord server as well!
If you are interested in signing up with TRADEPRO Academy, you can use our affiliate link here. We receive compensation for any purchases made when using this link, so it's a great way to support the show and learn at the same time! **Join our Discord for a link and code to save 10%**
To contact us, you can email us directly at bandoftraderspodcast@gmail.com
Be sure to follow us on Facebook, Clitter, or Discord to get updated when new content is posted!
Check out our directory for other amazing interviews we've done in the past!
If you like our show, please let us know by rating and subscribing on your platform of choice!
If you like our show and hate social media, then please tell all your friends!
If you have no friends and hate social media and you just want to give us money for advertising to help you find more friends, then you can donate to support the show here!
About Sean:
Sean Sawyer, a licensed psychotherapist since 2003, whose journey into the world of stock trading in the mid-2010s led him to become a full-time trader by 2017. Sean’s unique expertise lies at the intersection of psychology and trading, blending his in-depth understanding of human behavior with practical trading experience in shared trading commons, options, and futures.
Sean’s work in psychological trauma has been pivotal in shaping his approach to performance psychology. With a rich background in clinical settings, hospitals, universities, and private practice, he excels in helping individuals manage real and perceived threats—skills that are crucial for decision-making in high-pressure situations. His performance coaching, which began in 2010, spans corporate professionals, athletes, and performers, focusing on the mastery of threat response and resilience.
Known for his candid, evidence-based approach, Sean emphasizes the importance of confronting and transforming deep-seated patterns and beliefs. His performance coaching bridges the challenges of psychological resilience and high-stakes decision-making, offering invaluable insights for thriving in both personal and professional arenas.