SHS028: How To Make A Full Time Living Stock Trading With Theo
Intro
Trading stocks is one of the most talked-about ways to make money…
👉 But can you actually turn it into a full-time income?
In this episode of The Side Hustler’s Society, Elijah Bilel sits down with a professional trader to break down:
What trading really looks like day-to-day
How traders actually make money
And whether this path is realistic for beginners
Intro to Theo
CEO of Omega Trades
Experienced options trader with several years in the market
Uses algorithm-based strategies to identify trading opportunities
Specializes in analyzing market trends, volatility, and sector movements
Based in New York with global trading experience
Episode Overview
In this episode, you’ll learn:
How Theo got started in trading
What a typical day looks like as a trader
The difference between bull and bear market strategies
How to identify winning stocks and industries
The mindset needed to succeed in trading
Listen to the Episode
Check us out on Apple Podcasts or Spotify! While you’re there, hit subscribe so you don’t miss our latest episodes!
What Trading Actually Looks Like
One of the biggest misconceptions:
👉 People think trading is either:
Sitting at a computer all day
Or making money in 30 minutes
The reality?
👉 It’s both… depending on the market
Theo explains:
Some days = 30 minutes of monitoring
Other days = hours of adjusting positions
Some weeks = very little activity
How Theo Got Started
Like many traders…
👉 It started with curiosity + opportunity
Learned from his dad (finance background)
Started with a small amount of money
Realized the earning potential quickly
Key takeaway:
👉 The money is what attracts people… not the process
The Truth About “Boring” Money
Elijah Bilel highlights a major principle:
👉 The highest-paying skills are often the least exciting
Examples:
Finance
Trading
Accounting
👉 Less competition = more opportunity
Do You Need Passion to Make Money?
This episode flips a common belief:
👉 You don’t have to monetize your passion
Instead:
Make money with something you don’t hate
Use that money to fund what you love
Theo’s Trading Strategy Breakdown
1. Sector Rotation
Theo Darringer focuses on:
Where the economy is headed
Which industries benefit most
Example:
Bull market → Tech stocks perform well
Bear market → Defensive strategies
2. Bull Market Strategy
When markets are rising:
👉 He looks at:
ETFs (like S&P 500)
Long-term options (12+ months)
Goal:
👉 Leverage growth while managing risk
3. Bear Market Strategy
When markets are falling:
👉 He shifts strategy completely
Focus:
Smaller companies (low market cap)
Companies less tied to overall market swings
How Traders Pick Stocks
Theo keeps it simple:
P/E ratio
Industry trends
Economic direction
Company fundamentals
👉 Everything ties back to one question:
“Does this company benefit from where the economy is going?”
The Reality of Trading Life
Trading is:
Unpredictable
Market-driven
Emotionally dynamic
But for the right person…
👉 That’s part of the appeal
The Most Important Skill in Trading
According to Theo:
👉 Experience beats everything
Why?
You learn from losses
You avoid repeating mistakes
You develop real judgment
Elijah’s Real Estate Comparison
Elijah Bilel connects trading to real estate:
👉 People who take action get more help
Beginners who just “study” stay stuck
People with skin in the game get real guidance
Big Lesson From This Episode
If you want to succeed in trading:
👉 Don’t just learn… DO
Start small
Gain experience
Learn from mistakes
Who This Episode Is For
People curious about stock trading
Beginners wondering if trading is realistic
Side hustlers exploring new income streams
Anyone interested in financial markets
Key Topics Covered
Theo’s trading journey
Insights from Elijah Bilel
Bull vs bear market strategies
Sector rotation explained
Trading mindset and experience