We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Collins and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I see risk as an investment in potential , not just my own, but in the potential of others. I’m not reckless, but I believe real progress often requires stepping into uncertainty with a strong sense of purpose and preparation.

One of the most defining risks I’ve taken was founding The Mended Collective, a community focused on helping people achieve financial freedom through day trading the futures market. At the time, I was stepping away from more traditional career paths to build something I believed could change lives — especially for people who never saw financial independence as a realistic goal.

Launching this was a major risk. I was investing time, money, and my reputation into something that had no guarantees. Teaching others to trade the futures market, a space that’s high-risk by nature, required not only deep technical skill, but also trust, leadership, and a vision for long-term impact.

But I knew the risk was worth it. I’ve watched people in our community go from struggling financially to building real confidence and control over their financial lives. That’s the kind of outcome that makes the uncertainty and challenge worth it.

Taking this leap taught me that risk isn’t just about betting on success — it’s about betting on purpose. And I’ll always choose that kind of risk.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I’m the founder and CEO of The Mended Collective, a platform and community built to help people achieve financial freedom through day trading the futures market. What sets us apart is that we don’t just teach trading strategies, we teach mindset, risk management, discipline, and personal transformation. Our goal isn’t just to help people make money, it’s to help them unlearn limitations and rebuild confidence in their ability to take control of their financial future.

My journey actually started in tech. I landed a job as a software engineer straight out of college, and while it pays well and provides stability, I quickly realized there was more to life than working a traditional 9-to-5. I didn’t just want a comfortable salary; I wanted freedom, flexibility, and multiple streams of income. That’s what led me to explore day trading.

What started as curiosity quickly became a passion. Eventually, I reached a point where my trading income began to surpass my full-time salary. That was my turning point, not just financially, but mentally. I realized I wasn’t chasing a paycheck anymore, I was building freedom.

Starting The Mended Collective wasn’t easy. There was no blueprint, and I had to overcome a lot of self-doubt, market volatility, and the pressure of leading others. But I stayed consistent, and I leaned into the same mindset principles I teach now: controlling risk, staying emotionally neutral, and trusting the process.

I’m most proud of the people we’ve helped. Seeing someone go from uncertainty to confidence, from living check to check to building real financial strategy, that’s the impact that fuels me.

If there’s one thing I want the world to know, it’s that financial freedom is possible, especially for people who’ve never been told it is. You don’t have to trade time for money forever. With the right tools, mindset, and mentorship, you can rewrite your story. I did, and now I help others do the same every day.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Day 1: Welcome to Atlanta
Brunch at The Breakfast Boys (College Park) to kick things off with a vibe.

Rent scooters and ride the Atlanta BeltLine Eastside Trail, stopping to explore murals, street performers, and shops.

Chill out with coffee and dessert at Café Intermezzo — Euro vibes in the heart of ATL.

Dinner at Busy Bee Café for legendary soul food.

End the night skating at Cascade Skating Rink — yes, like ATL the movie.

Day 2: ATL Roots & Black History
Visit The King Center, Ebenezer Baptist Church, and the Apex Museum.

Explore Underground Atlanta — now home to Black-owned businesses, artists, and creatives.

Lunch at Old Lady Gang, founded by Kandi Burruss.

Ride the SkyView Ferris Wheel in Centennial Park for skyline views.

Grab dinner and take in a game — whether it’s the Atlanta Falcons, Hawks, or Braves, catch a live sports moment in the city.

Day 3: Culture & Nightlife
Morning visit to the Georgia Aquarium — one of the best in the world.

Lunch at Slutty Vegan — iconic, Black-owned, and a whole experience.

Relax or shop at Avalon in Alpharetta — upscale but chill.

Come back to the city and hit the Trap Music Museum in the evening.

Nightlife:

Start at Havana Club for upscale club vibes.

End at MJQ Concourse — underground, unfiltered ATL dance energy.

Day 4: Wellness & Real Atlanta
Morning spa time at JeJu Sauna

Brunch at Le Petit Marché in Kirkwood.

Explore Little Five Points — shop, vibe, and grab something artsy or vintage.

Coffee break at Black Coffee ATL or Cafe Intermezzo.

Evening dinner at Twisted Soul Cookhouse & Pours.

Late-night hangout at Parlor — grown, chill, and Black-owned.

Day 5: Faith, Family, and Foundation
Sunday service at World Changers Church International by Pastor Creflo Dollar
Brunch at Milk & Honey afterward.

Spend the afternoon strolling through Piedmont Park or relaxing at Atlantic Station.

If you’re up for more, visit Bar Vegan for cocktails and people-watching.

Day 6: Black Business, Art, & Style
Breakfast at Atlanta Breakfast Club.

Spend time exploring The Village Market ATL or The Black Wall Street Market.

Visit Castleberry Hill for Black-owned art galleries and shops.

Dress up and enjoy dinner at STK, Negril ATL, or Canoe.

Finish the evening with drinks and music at Red Martini or Suite Lounge.

Day 7: Wind Down and Reflect
Light breakfast and last walk or scooter ride down the BeltLine.

Lunch at South City Kitchen.

Dessert moment at Roll it Up Ice-cream in Buckhead

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout to the book Trading in the Zone by Mark Douglas. That book fundamentally changed the way I approach not only the markets, but life. It drilled into me that success in trading isn’t just about technical knowledge, it’s about mindset, emotional discipline, and most importantly, risk management.

Learning how to manage risk, not just in trades, but in decisions, was a turning point for me. Trading in the Zone helped me understand that consistency and confidence come from controlling the variables you can, especially how much you’re willing to risk. That perspective became foundational for me as a trader and eventually as the CEO of The Mended Collective, where I now teach others how to find financial freedom through futures trading.

The book gave me the mindset and tools to teach others how to trade with clarity, structure, and emotional control, and how to think like professionals, not gamblers. It’s more than a trading manual; it’s a guide to mastering yourself, and I’m deeply grateful for the role it’s played in my journey.

Website: https://mendedcollective.trade/

Instagram: __tyken

Youtube: tyken_thetrader

Image Credits
Headshot Photo Credits by: Caria Reynolds

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