International Leaders in Trading Education
The Van Tharp Institute Instructors
At the Van Tharp Institute, our instructors are the cornerstone of our success. Each member of our team brings a unique blend of expertise, experience, and passion to their teaching. They are not only accomplished traders but also exceptional educators dedicated to helping you reach your full potential.
Explore our comprehensive education programs and resources to take your trading to the next level.
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great instructors is how it all began
Meet the Van Tharp Institute Instructors
Dr. Van K. Tharp, Ph.D. Founder of Van Tharp Institute. He is a professional coach for traders and investors. Dr. Tharp is the only trading coach featured in Jack Schwager’s best-selling book, The Market Wizard’s: Interviews with Great Traders. Dr. Tharp has written eleven books, each one making profound advances in the understanding of what creates trading success.
His research and modeling work with outstanding traders over the past 30 years has made his training programs and workshops among the most well-respected in the world. His programs offer unique learning strategies, and effective techniques for producing Super Traders. Dr. Tharp has been featured in Forbes, Barron’s Market Week, Technical Analysis of Stocks and Commodities, Investors Business Daily and Futures and Options World, and Trader’s Journal, just to name a few.
Dr. Tharp has collected over 5,000 successful trading profiles by studying and researching individual traders and investors, including many of the top traders and investors in the world. From these studies, he developed a model for successful trading and investing in which other people can adopt and learn. Learn more about Dr. Van Tharp
Van Tharp
Coach and Founder of the Van Tharp Institute
RJ Hixson
VP of Research and Development
RJ Hixson earned his MBA from the University of North Carolina and brings decades of trading experience to his role. In 2009, he joined the prestigious Van Tharp Institute as an instructor, where he has educated thousands of students on the essentials of successful trading. He has held the position of Vice President of Research and Development at the Institute and is currently the Co-Founder of TenHundred Marketing. Through Dr. Van Tharp's models, based on 30 years of research, RJ has helped countless professionals and new traders improve their results.
Before his employment with VTI in 2009, RJ was a long-time client and student of the Van Tharp Institute, completing the Super Trader program and graduating in 2012. His deep understanding of Dr. Tharp's methodologies made him an invaluable asset to the Institute.
RJ has developed several training products and played a crucial role in shaping the curriculum for Van Tharp Institute programs. He co-taught numerous workshops with Dr. Tharp and served as the lead instructor for many others. Additionally, RJ edited and contributed to the Van Tharp newsletter, ensuring high-quality information for traders. He worked closely with students in the Super Trader Program, relishing the opportunity to serve and learn from an amazing client base. RJ's dedication to education and his passion for trading have made him a respected leader and mentor in the trading community.
Dr. Libby Adams is the founder of Psychology Rehab for Traders and the International Academy of Self-Knowledge, a world-class personal development education company specializing in cultivating a high-performance mindset. Her graduates consistently experience significant improvements and dramatic changes in their lives, achieving levels of joy, confidence, success, peace, and freedom that were once just dreams. The curriculum at her academy is specifically designed to shift the minds and negative patterns of her students, enabling them to experience real change and optimize their potential.
Carol "Libby" Adams is a highly skilled presenter and educator, with many years of experience teaching in the public school system. She is a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) and the developer of Transformational Meditation, a technique she has successfully used with hundreds of students over the past decade.
Dr. Adams is a popular guest lecturer at Cal-State Long Beach, where she speaks on the topic of meditation. She co-instructs the Advanced Peak Performance 202 workshop with renowned trading coach Dr. Van Tharp. In 1999, she was voted Member of the Year by the Women's Council of the Long Beach Chamber of Commerce and received a certificate from California Senator Betty Karnette in recognition of her commitment to community service and dedication to promoting women in business.
Libby Adams
Founder of Psychology Rehab for Traders
Gabriel Grammatidis
Founder of IntuFX and full-time Forex trader
Gabriel Grammatidis is a seasoned trader and dedicated coach who has been an instructor at the Van Tharp Institute (US) since 2008. With over 35 years of experience trading Forex, Futures, Cryptos, Stocks, and Options, Gabriel brings a wealth of knowledge to his students.
Although Gabriel enjoyed a highly successful corporate career at PIMCO and AllianzGI (Allianz Global Investors), he chose to follow his dream of becoming an independent trader, coach, and system developer. His passion for learning and growth fuels his dedication to sharing his trading expertise through workshops, group mentoring, and individual coaching. Gabriel is renowned for developing successful traders within less than a year.
As a rule-based discretionary trader, Gabriel embodies the type of trader that Dr. Tharp has identified as the most successful. His trading systems rely heavily on visual pattern recognition, requiring students to train their eyes to detect trade opportunities.
Together with Gabriel, you will craft your weekly and daily trading plans based on market conditions and apply three trend-following systems. Under Gabriel's guidance, you will trade (preferably on a demo account) using your own platform and funds. Gabriel offers thorough direction and individualized feedback, analyzing markets and executing trades interactively using a projector to enhance the learning experience.
Ken Long is a proud father of three wonderful children and a retired Army lieutenant colonel with experience in infantry, ordnance, and force management. He serves as an Associate Professor at the US Army Command and General Staff College, bringing his extensive military background to the academic arena. Additionally, Ken holds a Doctor of Management in Organizational Development from Colorado Tech University and teaches as an Adjunct Professor in the doctoral program for Organizational Development at Colorado Tech, as well as in the MBA program at City University, Seattle.
Ken's investment journey began in the 1990s with mutual funds, but over the past fifteen years, he has evolved into a distinguished big-picture thinker and tactical trader. His strategies have continually advanced, and he now shares his latest insights through specialized workshops. Ken's unique combination of a graduate degree in systems design and a doctorate in management, with a dissertation focused on decision-making under uncertain conditions, sets him apart in the trading world.
Thanks to his academic background, military experience, and extensive market knowledge, Ken identifies trading opportunities that others might overlook. For instance, during a systems workshop at the Van Tharp Institute, he developed a strategy for a complex trading game that is now an integral part of the curriculum. This ability to innovate and strategize exemplifies his exceptional skill set.
Ken's approach to trading and teaching is driven by a relentless pursuit of excellence. He treats his trading and teaching with the same passion and discipline he applies to his martial arts practice, soccer coaching, and everyday life. Ken is a thinker, philosopher, tinkerer, and leader, always striving for mastery and continuously applying his learning to achieve remarkable results each day.
Ken Long
Professional trader and Systems developer
Kim Andersson
Super Trader Graduate - Van Tharp Institute
**Introducing Kim: A Distinguished Super Trader and Cyber Security Expert**
Kim is a distinguished Super Trader graduate from the Van Tharp Institute (VTI). Prior to completing her studies with VTI, she earned a Master's degree in Systems Engineering—a significant accomplishment that speaks to her analytical and technical prowess. Her career includes serving as an IT Security Consultant to the Pentagon and fulfilling her duties with the Canadian Air Force.
Currently, Kim works as a Cyber Security Engineer at Lockheed Martin/Leidos while trading her systems part-time. She has mastered the art of balancing work and personal life, which allows her to excel both professionally and personally. With over 1,850 trades under her belt, Kim possesses the experience and insights necessary to develop and lead successful trading strategies.
Kim has dedicated significant time and effort to creating unique training materials. Initially designed for Super Traders, she and Van Tharp decided to expand these workshops to benefit all traders and investors. Her expertise and innovative approach ensure that the training and critical information provided are of the highest quality, helping traders achieve their financial goals.
The Van Tharp Institute ADVANTAGE
Why Our Instructors Stand Out
Our team of experienced instructors is dedicated to providing you with the tools and knowledge you need to succeed in the markets. We believe that by mastering the principles of trading psychology and risk management, you can achieve your financial goals and create the life you desire. Join us on this journey of personal growth and financial success, and let us help you become the best trader and investor you can be.
Our instructors are seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the financial markets. They have navigated various market conditions and consistently delivered outstanding results.
Beyond trading strategies, our instructors focus on the psychological and emotional aspects of trading. They understand that true success in trading requires a balanced approach that integrates mindset, discipline, and technical skills.
With their hands-on experience, our instructors provide practical insights and actionable advice that you can apply immediately to your trading. They share their personal successes and challenges, offering you a realistic perspective on what it takes to excel.
Our instructors utilize a variety of teaching techniques to engage and inspire you. Through interactive workshops, detailed courses, and hands-on exercises, they help you grasp complex concepts and apply them effectively in your trading.
The Van Tharp Institute testimonials
What Our Students Say
"I've attended several workshops at the Van Tharp Institute, and the instructors are truly exceptional. Their expertise and dedication have transformed my trading. I highly recommend their programs to anyone serious about trading success."
Alex M., Professional Trader
"The personalized attention and practical insights I received from the instructors at VTI have been invaluable. They don't just teach you how to trade; they teach you how to think like a trader."
Jessica L., Aspiring Trader
“Peak Performance is not just a course, it’s an attitude and a lifestyle. I took the course 20 years ago and now I’m blessed to have annual profits (and a 50x growth in net worth) that provide for a very nice lifestyle for my wife and me...”
Phil Smith, MD
“Thank you for teaching a beginner and saving me $1,000's of dollars and anxiety-ridden hours.”
Leopold Hauser IV
IMPROVE YOUR TRADING SKILLS
Ready to Transform Your Trading?
Unlock your trading potential with the Van Tharp Institute's diverse selection of workshops, courses, and books. Our proven strategies and techniques have empowered traders globally to achieve their financial goals. Whether you're looking to improve your trading psychology, perfect your position sizing, or create a winning system, our resources can help you succeed in the markets. Explore our offerings today and take your trading to the next level.
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