Author: Captain Mal

About Mal – Options Trader and Cruise Ship Captain Still navigating the seas for over 28 years and for 13 years as Captain with a major cruise line, Mal steered his career into the world of financial markets—bringing discipline, leadership, and a steady hand to his new passion: options trading. His journey began a decade ago with modest results, but it was the global pause during COVID that ignited his dedication to mastering market strategy. Specializing in premium-based options strategies—including Covered Calls (CC), Poor Man’s Covered Calls (PMCC), Cash-Secured Puts (CSP), and a tactical mix of spreads and long calls—Mal discovered his niche as an income-driven investor with a focus on consistency and capital efficiency. His turning point came when he embraced a rule-based approach to trading, setting his sights on generating steady monthly CoC returns in the 3% range. To deepen his skill set, Mal joined the XBrat Apprentice Program, gaining valuable insights into futures and day trading under the mentorship of Paul Bratby and through the use of XBrat Trading Software. He continues to study and refine his approach to the markets, committed to evolving as an options trader and sharpening his craft with every trade. Today, he trades with clarity and purpose, combining structured strategy with a captain’s precision—always focused on controlled risk and cash-on-cash return.