The "Brain" Behind the Nerd
In July 2016, Jay's perspective on life changed in a single second.
After tucking my children into bed, I slipped out for a routine game of indoor soccer—an activity I had enjoyed countless times. But that night, as I looked away to anticipate a rebound, the ball struck the back of my head with such force that my brain felt like freshly shaken Jell-O.
What followed was a brutal descent into Post-Concussion Syndrome. I lived with debilitating headaches, a crushing sensitivity to light and noise, and more. For six months, there was no progress. I lived in a world where "success" meant being able to tie my shoes without dizziness or surviving sixty seconds in a noisy restaurant without feeling like I was losing my mind.
From "Dead to Alive"
In those support groups, I met others fighting the same silent battle. I realized how fortunate I was to be recovering, and I became obsessed with proving I could go from "dead to alive." I set my sights on the ultimate test of resilience: The Ironman Triathlon.
In 2021, after 100+ therapy sessions and years of retraining my brain, I crossed the finish line at Ironman Lake Placid. But as I caught my breath, I felt an underlying emptiness. I realized that the true finish line wasn't a race—it was helping those still stuck in the therapy rooms I had finally left behind.
The Missing Variable: Life Goes On After TBI
I discovered Life Goes On After TBI (LGO), a 501(c)3 charity that provides direct financial assistance to survivors for the very treatments that saved my life. Their mission aligned perfectly with the vision I had held during my darkest hours: Helping survivors afford the "new normal."
Why Trader Nerds?
If you identify as a Trader Nerd, you know that we see the world differently. We find peace in the math and respect the data. While I spent my years in Switzerland perfecting algorithms between the quiet moments of being a "House Dad," I realized that the greatest "system" we can ever build is one that helps others.
The "Brain" in the Trader Nerds logo is a tribute to this resilience. While it represents the analytical power we use to trade, it primarily stands for those navigating the long road of recovery after a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI). We have dedicated this platform to LGO to ensure our community’s success has intrinsic value.
A Call to My Fellow Nerds
Trading can be a lonely game, but it doesn't have to be. When the formulas in this book work for you—when your "Pivot Point" hits and your spreadsheet turns green—I invite you to share a piece of that victory.
Let’s prove that the Trader Nerds community has the biggest hearts in the market. When you succeed, please consider sending a "Success Signal" in the form of a donation.
Systems are built on logic. Legacies are built on kindness.
About Life Goes On After TBI
Maddie Walter’s life changed at 16 after a 30-foot fall caused a severe traumatic brain injury (TBI). Following weeks in a coma, ICU care, and months of rehab, she had to relearn basic skills. Once a standout student-athlete, she faced immense challenges.
Throughout her recovery, Maddie embraced many different therapies and worked hard to overcome the deficits brought on by her accident. Unfortunately, many of these therapies were not covered by insurance and her family's search for financial assistance through grant programs yielded few options. Wanting the best for Maddie, her family took on the financial burden associated with exploring different therapies which was offset, in part, by the generous financial assistance of family, friends, neighbors, the Westwood community and beyond.
Inspired by that generosity and wanting to pay it forward the Walter family founded Life Goes On After TBI, a 501(c)3 charity that supports TBI survivors by fundraising, educating and distributing grants to help offset the expense of treatments and therapies not covered by insurance.
Visit the Life Goes On website to learn more.
