Just as baseball has its two-way star Shohei Ohtani, the prop trading world has 'Proptani.' He is a college student trader aiming to master both sides of the game: sharpening his trading edge while aspiring to one day work at LifeUp.
From starting with impulsive crypto trades to executing disciplined strategies, trading the low-volatility morning session using VWAP as his benchmark, and reinvesting his Payout into self-development—every answer radiates focused energy.
For anyone looking to test their strategy, prop trading is paradise. Here is Proptani's story!

Q. Hello! What is the story behind your nickname?

A. Hello! I'm 'Proptani,' a college student aiming to become the 'Ohtani of prop trading'!

Q. Congratulations on your Payout! How did it feel when you received the deposit notification?

A. It was amazing to realize, 'You really can generate consistent profits through prop trading,' and it fueled my commitment for next week's trading!

Q. As a student trader, how do you plan to use your profits?

A. As a student, instead of spending impulsively, I invest in my future! I've already allocated funds toward purchasing Challenge Accounts, studying English, and personal development.

Q. You transitioned from crypto trading. Why did you choose LifeUp as your first prop firm?

A. LifeUp was easily accessible as Korea's premier prop firm. Supporting crypto trading also caught my attention, which made the transition natural coming from a crypto background.

Q. What has impressed you most while using the platform?

A. Fast customer support and quick issue resolution. Switching between AI support and live agents is seamless, and being able to communicate promptly in Korean whenever I have questions has been great.

Q. Is there anything you'd like to see improved at LifeUp?

A. It would be great to see an increase in the maximum number of active Reward Accounts allowed. Other than that, everything is solid.

Morning Session: Trading the VWAP

Q. Comparing your early crypto days to now, what has changed the most?

A. Starting with crypto trading, whether I took a profit or a loss, greed always led to emotional trading. Now, trading within prop firm risk parameters forces me to stick to strict rules, resulting in much more stable and refined execution.

Q. Let's talk trading strategy. What instruments do you trade, and how do you approach the market?

A. My go-to instrument is MNQ (Micro E-mini Nasdaq-100). It moves with cleaner structure than crypto, so if you map out trends and support/resistance levels accurately, it offers reliable opportunities for steady profits.
I typically trade the Korean morning session when volatility is relatively low. I draw macro trendlines and key support/resistance zones on the 4-hour and daily charts, then monitor the 5-minute chart using the Volume-Weighted Average Price (VWAP) as my reference. I occasionally check the 15-minute chart, but I mostly confirm macro direction on the 4H/Daily and use VWAP on the 5-minute chart for execution triggers. When the 5-minute candle taps VWAP, I either short into resistance or go long on a confirmed retest. In low-volatility morning sessions, moving averages and VWAP often provide reliable support/resistance since there isn't enough liquidity to break major levels.
I predefine my stop-loss and profit target levels, but I actively monitor the 1-minute chart and DOM (order book) to read candle momentum. Since I scalp, reading the tape and gauging candle strength is essential.

Q. What keeps you disciplined during challenging moments?

A. LifeUp's risk parameters keep me grounded. Constantly reminding myself to 'stick to the rules and avoid emotional trades' helps me stay objective and rational.

Q. Compared to spot or crypto trading, what is the biggest advantage of prop trading?

‍A. Significantly lower capital risk. With discounts, you can purchase an Expert 50K account for around mid-100,000 KRW, and a single successful Payout can return up to roughly 2,000,000 KRW. Even if it takes 12 to 14 attempts, hitting just one Payout makes it profitable. That asymmetric risk profile allows you to test and execute your strategy with confidence.

Q. Any final advice for those considering getting started?
A. Build a defined trading edge before you step into the market. Prop trading lowers psychological pressure because of predefined rules, but consistent profitability requires your own tested strategy. Approach prop trading as a continuous process of refining your edge. For traders focused on executing and testing a defined strategy, prop firms are an ideal arena.

Q. What's the next step toward your goal of becoming the 'Ohtani of prop trading'? What is your ultimate target?

A. As a student, my goal is to build a career in finance and quantitative data. I entered prop trading because I saw it as a high-growth sector and wanted hands-on experience. If the opportunity arises, I would love to gain professional experience at LifeUp while continuing to refine my edge and develop into a top-tier trader.

Plotting levels on 4-hour and daily charts, identifying low-volatility morning windows, and patiently waiting for price to interact with VWAP—Proptani executes like a disciplined trader who knows his edge inside and out.
Allocating payouts toward further challenges and skill development while proactively targeting a career in prop trading reflects a serious, professional approach to the markets. Whether as an elite Reward Account trader or a future colleague, LifeUp looks forward to Proptani's next milestone.