Gary Stevenson, a name synonymous with financial acumen and economic foresight, has lived a life that reads more like a screenplay than a memoir. Born into poverty in London, Stevenson defied the odds to become one of the most profitable traders at Citibank. However, his journey was fraught with personal struggles and professional clashes that have shaped his complex narrative. Today, he stands as a multimillionaire trader with a robust YouTube following and a memoir that scrutinizes his time in the high-stakes world of banking. Through it all, Stevenson has remained a vocal critic of economic inequality, using his platform to highlight the unsustainable financial path he believes the UK government is pursuing.
Gary Stevenson's early life was marked by adversity. Growing up poor in London, he faced societal and educational challenges that could have easily deterred him from success. Despite being expelled from grammar school, Stevenson's tenacity led him to the prestigious halls of the London School of Economics (LSE). Reflecting on his upbringing and educational journey, he has been candid about the obstacles he overcame.
“I was born and raised poor in London. I went to grammar school, got judged for being poor. I got expelled from school, I went to LSE, I went to Citibank: everybody was always richer than me. I had to study for my exams sat on my bedroom floor. There’s this thing for young people: work harder, be better. And I was like, ‘No, I’m just going to be an idiot.’” – Gary Stevenson
Stevenson's entry into the financial world was unconventional yet fortuitous. He secured an internship at Citibank through a card game, demonstrating early on his knack for risk-taking and strategic thinking. As he transitioned from intern to trader, Stevenson quickly rose through the ranks. By 2011, he had become Citibank's most profitable trader, amassing wealth that many only dream of.
However, success came at a cost. Despite his financial achievements, Stevenson experienced a personal breakdown. Isolated and depressed, he struggled with his mental health, weighing only 8 stone during this period. His behavior became erratic, leading to a significant clash with Citibank.
“It’s about a total numbness, feeling nothing. You don’t care if you haven’t eaten for five days, you don’t care if you haven’t brushed your teeth – it’s a total separation from the world.” – Gary Stevenson
Despite the turmoil, Stevenson emerged victorious from his clash with Citibank. He walked away not only with his dignity intact but also with a renewed sense of purpose. Today, he continues to trade successfully, using his financial acumen to validate his insights into economic trends.
“I don’t just say these things; I bet on them. And I make money every year. You can’t do that if you’re not right. If you made every economist who chats shit on the media bet their own personal money on what they’re saying, there’d be a lot less bullshit on the news.” – Gary Stevenson
Beyond trading, Stevenson has embraced new platforms to share his insights and experiences. His YouTube channel, GarysEconomics, boasts 620,000 subscribers and serves as a conduit for his economic predictions and critiques of governmental policy. His predictions have been remarkably prescient, including warnings about the global economy collapsing and the ongoing cost of living crisis.
Stevenson's memoir, The Trading Game, provides an intimate look at his life as a trader at Citibank. It delves into both the highs of financial success and the lows of personal despair. His candidness about wealth's impact on mental health adds depth to his narrative.
“You write a book, basically saying the global economy’s going to collapse. And they’re like, ‘He’s not the best trader.’ It’s the only thing they can say: ‘I made more money than you.’” – Gary Stevenson
In addition to sharing his personal journey, Stevenson has been vocal about the broader implications of economic inequality. He warns that without addressing inequality, living standards will continue to decline.
“This is quite a simple idea: if you don’t do something about inequality, it will get worse, and living standards will continue to fall. That idea is pretty simple. It doesn’t need to be all on my shoulders. I’m trying to set a fire under the people. I’m trying to get them pumped on it.” – Gary Stevenson
Stevenson's experiences have also made him acutely aware of how wealth and power dynamics affect mental well-being. He believes that sharing his story may help others understand depression's isolating effects.
“If you can enable people who’ve never experienced depression to in some way feel it, that would be a service. I don’t want people to sit listening to Prince William on a podcast – I want you to be there. I want you to be a little bit confused, because I was confused.” – Gary Stevenson
Through all his trials and triumphs, Stevenson remains confident in his understanding of the British economy and its power structures.
“It can make a person go mad, to be called a liar, again and again.” – Gary Stevenson
“When we had this big split, he called me and said, ‘You fucking need me.’ And it’s right, in a way; I looked after him like a father, and he kept me human. When he goes, life is nothing but the numbers.” – Gary Stevenson