Baar – September 10, 2026 -- Jonathan Eitel of the Eitel Academy is pushing back against the idea that trading offers a fast track to financial independence, arguing that real market skill takes years, not weeks, to build.
Theory and live trading are not the same skill
Eitel says many men over 30 are drawn to trading by the promise of flexible hours and location independence, especially since strategy videos and courses are now widely available online. But he warns that analyzing past charts is fundamentally different from making decisions with real capital on the line. "Anyone who thinks they can trade safely after a few videos is overestimating themselves," Eitel explains, noting that decisions must hold up under genuine financial pressure.
Eitel started trading at 16 and took two years to turn a profit
Eitel began trading at age 16 while looking for ways to earn money online, and it took roughly two years before he saw real results. After friends and former classmates approached him with their own struggles, he began sharing his knowledge informally -- a practice that grew into the Eitel Academy. The company now offers one-on-one training rather than short courses promising quick outcomes, with sister company Eitel Invest handling the group's operational trading activities.
One-on-one coaching targets mistakes that self-study misses
The Academy's model pairs an experienced trader with each participant: the coach first demonstrates how to assess market situations, then the trainee applies the lesson and receives direct feedback on their own decisions. Eitel argues this differs from recorded video courses or large group calls, which cannot react to an individual's specific trading behavior. "A profitable trade doesn't make someone a professional trader," he says. "What matters is whether someone can repeatedly make sound decisions while controlling risk."
Serious progress takes about two years, Eitel says
According to Eitel, the first six months should focus on building a solid foundation and practicing execution, with meaningful results possible after roughly a year of consistent work. Reaching largely independent trading typically takes around two years. He recommends about ten hours of weekly effort during this period -- five hours of practical market work and five hours of theory -- while cautioning that these timelines are not guarantees of success.
A recommended starting capital of roughly 5,000 euros carries real risk
Eitel suggests around 5,000 euros as a sensible minimum for beginning traders, while stressing that no amount of training or coaching removes the risk of losing that capital. "A training program can support the learning process, but it doesn't take away anyone's responsibility for their own decisions," he states. He also publishes his own trading track record, though he notes this history offers no guarantee of future profits.