When geologist Mark Dugmore joined the Trading Game Mentor Program in 2025, trading was relatively new to him.
But with a disciplined plan, a sharp focus on commodities and the Australian sharemarket, he’s achieved an extraordinary 90% return in a single year.
In this episode of Talking Trading, you’ll hear how Mark transformed his passion for discovery into sharemarket investing success. From leading mineral exploration teams to mastering pyramiding strategies, Mark shares how the same drive that fuels his geology career has helped him build freedom through the markets.
This conversation dives deep into how he uses structure, trading psychology, and disciplined risk management. This approach generates profits and creates more time for the things that matter most – fishing, travel, and family.
3 Reasons to listen:
- Learn the power of structure and discipline – how Mark created a trading plan that worked under pressure and turned it into consistent results.
- See how trading can fund your lifestyle – Mark shares his vision of financial freedom, fishing adventures, and the joy of having choices.
- Discover the mindset shifts of a high-performing trader – how trading psychology and self-awareness were just as important as his systems and strategies.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking for inspiration, Mark’s story will encourage you to think bigger, act smarter, and trade with purpose.
Yes, real-life traders are out there, putting their systems into practice and making money in the markets right now.
Think of it as proof that with the right mindset and structure, consistent results are possible. You too can take the same steps in your own trading journey.
Questions we discuss
Background and Story
- Mark, can you tell us a bit about your background as a geologist and how that curiosity for discovery led you into trading the markets?
- You’ve had an incredible 90% return this year — what were the key drivers behind that performance? Was it the commodities focus, your systems, or the discipline of sticking to your plan?
Trading Plan Deep Dive
- Let’s walk listeners through your trading plan — what were the core systems and rules you built into it?
- In your plan you included detailed definitions and ‘how-tos’. How has having such a comprehensive plan helped you? What challenges have you found with using it day to day?
- Risk management is such a big part of your approach — can you explain your rules around position sizing, portfolio heat, and pyramiding?
- You’ve also built in strong routines — daily, weekly, and quarterly reviews. How have these structures helped keep you consistent?
Mentor Review and Top 5 Improvements
- From my mentoring perspective, there are five areas where fine-tuning could take your trading to the next level. Let’s talk through them one by one:
- Creating a shorter “execution-ready” version of your plan.
- Being mindful of lifestyle fit (4-hour commodity checks vs daily).
- Tracking emotional state and rule adherence in your journal.
- Watching out for correlated exposures in commodities and resources.
- Practising trial runs of pyramiding and GSLOs to reduce stress under pressure.
Psychology and Lifestyle
- Trading psychology plays a massive role in your plan. How have you managed fear, discipline, and confidence when things don’t go as expected?
- You’ve been clear about your lifestyle goals — fishing, travel, and financial freedom. How does trading bring you closer to living that vision?
Wrap-Up
- If you could give one piece of advice to new traders listening — something you wish you’d known when you started — what would it be?
About Louise Bedford
Louise Bedford has traded, taught, and written extensively about the financial markets for over 30 years, building a reputation as a highly accomplished and experienced trader, educator, and author.
She co-founded The Trading Game and has gained recognition for her unique approach to teaching trading psychology and market analysis.
Louise has authored several successful trading books. In particular, her titles include Trading Secrets, Charting Secrets, The Secret of Candlestick Charting, and Investing Psychology Secrets.
Louise runs her hugely popular, repeat-for-free Mentor Program Pro online course. Through this course, she shows you how to automate your trading so you can retire early and get on with your life.
To get in touch with Louise
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TradingGame/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheTradingGame
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/louise-bedford/
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/tradinggame
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@tradinggame.com.au
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tradinggame.com.au/
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