26 Year Old Trader Grew Roth IRA from $10K to $3M in Just Over a Year

By Jordan French Jordan French has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team
Published on March 4, 2025

Noted young day trader Jack Kellogg logged his latest astonishing result: transforming a $10,641.84 Roth IRA into a staggering $3 million in just over one year. This remarkable feat not only underscores Kellogg’s exceptional trading prowess but also draws a striking parallel to the legendary journey of his mentor, Timothy Sykes.

The Jack Kellogg story is one of persistent learning and unwavering adaptability. Starting in 2017, he immersed himself in day trading. His ability to navigate the market’s ever-changing landscape, from the bull runs of 2020-2021 to the AI-driven surge of 2023, has helped him earn more than $17 million in trading profits.

However, it’s his latest achievement and the period of time it occurred that has truly captured the attention of the trading community. By focusing on his swing trading strategy, which is based on identifying daily top percentage gainers and utilizing stop-loss orders, he has been able to capitalize on the market’s consistent uptrend.

The sheer magnitude of Kellogg’s Roth IRA growth is nothing short of extraordinary. Turning a modest initial investment into over $3 million in just over a year is a feat that few traders can claim. This accomplishment is particularly significant within the context of a Roth IRA, a retirement account that offers tax-free growth, making the compounded gains even more impactful.  

The achievement inevitably draws comparisons to Timothy Sykes, a well-known stock trader and financial educator who mentored Kellogg. Sykes himself famously transformed a $12,000 account into $1.65 million between 1999 and 2002. While Sykes’ journey spanned over four years, Kellogg achieved a similar level of growth in a fraction of the time, highlighting the accelerating pace of modern trading and the potential for rapid gains in today’s market.

Sykes’ influence on Kellogg’s trading philosophy is undeniable. Like his mentor, Kellogg emphasizes the importance of adaptability, risk management, and continuous learning. He has demonstrated a keen ability to adjust his strategies to align with prevailing market conditions, transitioning from day trading to swing trading as the market’s momentum shifted.

Kellogg’s recent success also underscores the power of disciplined trading within a tax-advantaged account. A Roth IRA, unlike a traditional brokerage account, allows for tax-free withdrawals in retirement, provided certain conditions are met. This means that Kellogg’s $3 million growth is poised to become an even more substantial nest egg in the years to come.  

While Kellogg’s achievement is undoubtedly impressive, it’s essential to acknowledge the inherent risks associated with stock trading. The market’s volatility can lead to significant losses, and past performance is not indicative of future results. Kellogg’s success is a product of his dedication, skill, and adaptability, but it also reflects the unique opportunities presented by the current market environment.

Kellogg’s story serves as an inspiration to aspiring traders, demonstrating that with the right mindset and strategies, extraordinary gains are possible. However, it also serves as a reminder of the importance of disciplined risk management and a commitment to continuous learning. As Kellogg continues to refine his approach and navigate the ever-evolving market, his journey will undoubtedly serve as a valuable case study for traders seeking to achieve similar levels of success.

By Jordan French Jordan French has been verified by Muck Rack's editorial team

Journalist verified by Muck Rack verified

Jordan French is the Founder and Executive Editor of Grit Daily Group , encompassing Financial Tech Times, Smartech Daily, Transit Tomorrow, BlockTelegraph, Meditech Today, High Net Worth magazine, Luxury Miami magazine, CEO Official magazine, Luxury LA magazine, and flagship outlet, Grit Daily. The champion of live journalism, Grit Daily's team hails from ABC, CBS, CNN, Entrepreneur, Fast Company, Forbes, Fox, PopSugar, SF Chronicle, VentureBeat, Verge, Vice, and Vox. An award-winning journalist, he was on the editorial staff at TheStreet.com and a Fast 50 and Inc. 500-ranked entrepreneur with one sale. Formerly an engineer and intellectual-property attorney, his third company, BeeHex, rose to fame for its "3D printed pizza for astronauts" and is now a military contractor. A prolific investor, he's invested in 50+ early stage startups with 10+ exits through 2023.

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