MY STORY

My Life Philosophy
My life philosophy is simple: relentlessly pursue growth in every aspect of life. Whether it's through pushing physical limits, refining mental discipline, or chasing intellectual edge, I believe in chasing excellence. I'm not here to live an average life and I'm not afraid to disagree with consensus, I'm a contrarian by nature.

Shanghai: The Early Years

My story begins in Shanghai. I spent my childhood split between two vastly different worlds: my grandparents’ farm on the outskirts and my parents' apartment in the city. That contrast shaped me. There exists a tension between the simplicity and sophistication that still drives my mindset today. For example, I like experiencing a very ancestral lifestyle when I travel (I really enjoyed my travels in the country-sides of Sweden, Norway, China, Poland and various other countries). However, I love living in a big city where everything is happening at once and I can live life at a very fast pace.

 

Sydney: A New Beginning

Moving to Sydney at the age of 7 was a significant change in my life. I was introduced to a new world where I learnt English and met new lifelong friends. During my high school years on the northern beaches, I found myself spending the majority of my time either surfing on the beaches, playing rugby union with mates, or training in the boxing ring.

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Competitive Boxing

Boxing, for me, is more than just a sport; it's a lesson in discipline and a transformative journey in shaping my life values. While boxing is sometimes mischaracterised as a savage sport, I believe otherwise. The discipline it instils through rigorous training and an unwavering commitment to push physical and mental boundaries extends to success not only in the ring, but in all aspects of life. Sportsmanship and honour are fundamental to the ethos of a fighter. Inside the ring, there exists a unique camaraderie and respect between opponents, regardless of the outcome. This invaluable lesson in respect and humility extends far beyond the sport in relationships and interactions with others. 

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University
I initially started off as a physics and finance double major, with the goal of pursuing a PhD and further research in theoretical physics. My passion for finance grew during my first year, and I decided to change my second major to mathematics instead as I believed it aligned with finance better and was more practical/less time consuming. 

 

 

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As most other finance students, I initially was attracted to the allure of investment banking. I partook in various university societies, case competitions, and internships. However, in my third year, I discovered buyside industries; more specifically, quantitative/proprietary trading. I was fortunate enough to have the option to choose between both buyside and sellside. After much contemplation and invaluable advice from mentors/friends (my heartfelt thanks), I opted for the buyside analyst role at a quantitative/proprietary trading firm.

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There were many factors that led to this decision, with the key ones being:
      1. Where do I expect to have edge in finance?
      2. Am I afraid of being contrarian?
      3. Would I do something productive with the extra time available?
 

I created this website at the start of November 2023 as a digital extension of me: part journal, part platform, part archive of ideas.

Expect deep dives into decision making, game theory, markets, productivity, fitness and mindset. But also, expect honesty about the process, struggles and the bigger picture.

My goal is to build something that lives beyond me, an idea. Whether you're here to level-up or to follow someone on a path of aggressive self-improve, welcome. You're in the right place. Feel free to contact me on LinkedIn @Morris Chen.

A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on

- John F Kennedy

 

 

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