In Bulls, Bears and Pigs: Trading, Grief and Reinvention, Chris Cathey’s path from academic research to the trading floor is anything but ordinary.
Raised in working class Newcastle, Cathey went on to study at Cambridge, completing a PhD in Chemistry before entering the fast moving world of Goldman Sachs. It was a shift from laboratories, research, and academic discipline to markets, money, risk, and split second decisions.
Yet the two worlds were not as separate as they first appear. Academic research teaches patience, logic, precision, and the ability to work through complex problems. Trading demands the same qualities, but under far greater pressure and with money on the line.
Cathey’s scientific background helped shape the way he approached markets. He had learned how to think carefully, challenge assumptions, analyse information, and make decisions based on evidence rather than emotion. In trading, those habits became invaluable.
The financial world may seem driven by noise, confidence, and speed, but beneath the surface, success requires structure. A trader must absorb information quickly, understand risk, and act with discipline. Cathey’s journey shows that intelligence alone is not enough. What matters is how that intelligence is applied when pressure rises.
His story also proves that careers do not always follow a straight path. Skills developed in one field can become powerful advantages in another. The ability to learn, adapt, and think clearly can open doors that once seemed impossible.
What makes Bulls, Bears and Pigs so engaging is the contrast between worlds: Newcastle, Cambridge, Goldman Sachs, global markets, personal ambition, grief, and reinvention. Cathey writes with honesty and sharp observation, giving readers a rare look at both the professional and human sides of high finance.
Bulls, Bears and Pigs: Trading, Grief and Reinvention by Chris Cathey is a compelling memoir for anyone interested in ambition, education, trading, resilience, and the unexpected paths that can shape a remarkable life.