Have you ever stopped to think about how some traders manage to do what seems impossible? Then let me tell the story of a guy who became a legend in the markets—Takashi Kotegawa, a Japanese trader who practically came out of nowhere and turned 13 mil dólares into 150 milhões.

The craziest part is that this guy is so discreet that there are barely any photos of him on the internet. Seriously, nobody knows much about him because he simply doesn’t like to show up. But his accomplishments speak for themselves.

Kotegawa started trading on the Japanese stock market around 2001, right during the time of the dot-com bubble burst. The situation was perfect for anyone who understood speculation on declines—the market was falling, and he took advantage of every opportunity. Over about 8 years of trading from his own room, this guy managed to generate profits that most traders only dream of having.

His strategy was very straightforward: he watched stocks that had dropped at least 20% below the 25-day moving average and entered positions expecting quick recoveries. He used RSI and Bollinger Bands to confirm entry points, but the moving average was the main trigger. Many trades he closed on the same day; others he kept a smaller position overnight.

Now comes the part that turned into a legend. In 2005, J-Com Holdings held its IPO and Takashi Kotegawa was glued to the screen all day. Then it happened: a trader at Mizuho Securities made a monumental mistake—he placed an order to sell 610 mil ações for 1 iene, when what he actually wanted was to sell 1 share for 610 mil ienes. The chaos that followed was perfect for Kotegawa. He bought 7.100 shares at the bottom, and when the market recovered, he earned 17 milhões de dólares in a single day. Yes, a single day. That earned him the nickname “Homem J-Com”.

But what impresses most about Takashi Kotegawa isn’t just the money. After winning a fortune that would send anyone into retirement, he kept a humble attitude. He doesn’t show off, he doesn’t buy luxury cars, he doesn’t want to be seen. The only major investment he made in himself was a new apartment because, apparently, his original room became too cramped.

That’s the difference: Kotegawa trades out of love for trading, not for money. For him, profit is only a metric of success, not the ultimate goal. Considering how markets have evolved since then, it’s very likely this guy multiplied his wealth even more in the years that followed, but he remains invisible.

It’s a story worth reflecting on when you’re trading.