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 The duo critiques outdated trading psychology rooted in old behaviorism, advocating for modern, evidence-based approaches that avoid fighting thoughts and instead build resilience.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.

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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.

Sound Performance Psychology

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