Ladies Is Apes, Too: It’s Not Just Men Thriving in Bro Trading Culture

We’re now several years in on the story of the r/wallstreetbets subreddit which has become synonymous with bravado, YOLO plays, and diamond hands - the bro-iest twist on stock trading culture that we’ve ever seen.

A movement that began as a rallying point for young finance bros looking to disrupt the stock market has quietly evolved into something far broader: a cultural phenomenon that draws in a diverse mix of participants, well beyond the boy’s club.

Empowered by private communities (where the tone is, well, different than WSB), training tools, and a growing network of mentors who champion strategic and inclusive approaches, women have steadily carved out their place in the world of trading—just alongside the chaotic energy of r/wallstreetbets.

These resources not only offer useful tools to those navigating a traditionally male-dominated space but also reveal a striking contrast to the aggressive, performative culture that WSB is known for.

In other words, the WSB way is not the only way: and ladies is apes, too.

Alternate Private Trading Communities

While r/wallstreetbets thrives on meme-laden chaos and public displays of triumph or failure, non-member traders find solace and strength in quieter, more intimate spaces. Private communities—whether online forums, social media groups, or niche Discord servers—have become where everything happens, including trading tips, fostering collaboration, and learning.

Here, people ask questions without fear of being dismissed (for not knowing the WSB lingo or methodologies), share strategies tailored to their unique goals, and receive encouragement from like-minded peers.

These communities operate in stark contrast to the performative nature of WSB, where the loudest and boldest posts often get the most attention. Instead of competing for upvotes or flaunting high-risk plays, people in these private spaces focus on mutual growth and practical advice.

And I don’t mean to suggest these are exclusive to female traders: there are many, for all kinds of people who don’t fit in or enjoy r/wallstreetbets. Of the several that I’ve become aware of, not one said that I could publish anything about their existence, which probably says it all: they’re more focused on quality and signal, not noise.

Training Tools: Building Confidence Through Preparation

It’s become commonplace for people to YOLO an options trade in the r/wallstreetbets culture, a form of learning “on the fly.” The subreddit’s culture tends to glorify bold, impulsive plays—“YOLO” bets on volatile stocks—that can lead to big wins or catastrophic losses.

Outside of r/wallstreetbets, traders tend to be less tolerant of risk and more likely to use thoughtful training tools to learn how to mitigate risk and prioritize long-term success over quick gains.

In 2025, these training tools are more accessible than ever, including YouTube and online learning platforms like Udemy, and even from online trading platforms themselves, like the educational materials provided by Olymptrade, an online trading platform, or E*Trade.

Training platforms offer accessible resources such as demo accounts, webinars, and step-by-step tutorials. These tools help women approach trading with a clear strategy, allowing them to learn at their own pace and practice without the pressure of risking real money.

When I connected with Olymptrade about how they support traders with resources, they shared a testimonial from college student Priya Sharma: "As a college student with no business experience, Olymptrade’s free resources and a demo account helped me learn the ropes of trading, and they were more fun than any of my current classes. Through dedication and practice, I turned my mistakes into lessons and gradually grew. If I can do it, anyone can."

So, if someone’s going to YOLO, they can use resources like demo accounts to figure it out before there’s real money on the line.

Mentorship and Strategic Networks: Learning from People Who Have Been There

Another factor empowering underrepresented traders is the rise of mentorship networks, groups that provide guidance from experienced traders who understand the unique challenges faced by people navigating a traditionally male-dominated, often exclusionary space.

Mentors help demystify the trading process, offer personalized advice, and act as role models, proving that success is possible without conforming to the loud, hyper-competitive norms of mainstream trading culture.

In contrast, mentorship on r/wallstreetbets often comes in the form of crowd-sourced advice, where users share tips, memes, and bold strategies in public threads. And while this collective knowledge can be insightful, it’s rarely personalized or consistent, and generally more entertaining than anything else.

For many, this is where the real value lies. Another trader made available by Olymptrade for an interview shared that her journey began like many beginners, in their demo accounts and guides. Iam Ning Ning shared: "I’d been practicing for the first 3 years, spending so much time with the charting tools. On more than one occasion, I stayed up all night, practicing with graphs and going to work without sleep. I was obsessed and it paid off: this knowledge will be with me and I can use it to earn more profits forever.”

And now? Iam says while she lurks on r/wallstreetbets, she focuses her energy on a Discord server where she’s surrounded by traders who were, like her, just getting started. That’s where she simply helps, trying to help others so they don’t have to travel the same all-nighter path.

Unless they want to.

That’s up to them.