Erik Smolinski returns to Chat With Traders after his first appearance on episode 272, joining Tessa for a trader-to-trader conversation about the intricacies of options trading, a topic Erik is deeply passionate about. In this episode Erik digs into one of Tessa’s own options strategies, offering thoughtful feedback and sharing his expertise and experience from years in the game. With so many myths floating around about options, their discussion clears up some of the biggest misconceptions and gives listeners a practical perspective on how to approach this trading style.
About Erik Smolinski:
Erik is a Marine veteran, options trader, and investor in both real estate and startups. It started when a high school teacher introduced him to investing in 2007, which then changed the direction of his life. Over the years, he’s put in more than 30,000 hours to master his craft and became a first-generation millionaire before turning 30. From his school days to his time in the Marines and his work as a trader, Erik has always set his own standards instead of following the crowd. That independent approach—what he calls the Outlier mindset—has shaped his life. Investing lets him spend time on things he cares about, like traveling, working on cars, training, and helping others learn what he knows.
Trading Disclaimer
Trading in the financial markets involves a risk of loss. Podcast episodes and other content produced by Chat With Traders are for informational or educational purposes only and do not constitute trading or investment recommendations or advice.
Topics & Timestamps:
Please note: Exact times will vary depending on current ads.
- 00:00 Introduction and background
- 00:26 Erik’s Market Performance Overview
- 02:31 Trading Strategies and Consistency
- 06:35 Market Volatility in Options
- 07:48 The Complexity of Options Trading
- 09:56 Personality Traits for Successful Trading
- 12:15 Challenges in Options Trading
- 13:23 Volatility and Time Decay in Options
- 16:45 Relationship with the Greeks
- 21:18 Earnings Trading Strategies
- 29:52 Process-driven mindset for Options Trading
- 33:17 Portfolio Management and Risk
- 45:45 Data Analysis and Trading Decisions
Links & Resources
- Erik’s Website: https://www.outliertrading.io/
- Erik’s YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@outliertrading
- Follow Erik on X: https://x.com/outlieroptions
- 1st Interview with Erik on Episode 272: https://chatwithtraders.com/ep-272-erik-smolinski/
Sponsors of Chat With Traders Podcast:
- Plus500: https://us.plus500.com/
- Trade The Pool: https://tradethepool.com/