Will R. Young CFP®, a behavioral finance strategist and avid surfer, is redefining how individuals approach investing by blending psychological insight with the strategic mindset found in wave riding. His work draws upon a wide foundation of behavioral science, Stoic philosophy, and real-world experience, offering investors a novel lens through which to understand risk, uncertainty, and emotional discipline.
By positioning financial markets as unpredictable yet navigable systems—similar to the ocean—Young crafts a model of investing rooted in observation, preparation, and emotional control. Rather than attempting to predict future events, his philosophy promotes developing the cognitive and emotional tools necessary to adapt effectively as conditions change. In a world marked by constant information flow and shifting global dynamics, this adaptability is central to his message.
Central to Young’s approach is the psychological concept of affective forecasting. This phenomenon describes the common human error of inaccurately predicting future emotional responses, which can lead to poor investment choices and irrational behavior. Drawing heavily from the pioneering research of Daniel Kahneman and Amos Tversky, Young aims to make behavioral finance more accessible by translating complex theories into practical strategies.
Young’s early life experiences, including navigating social complexities as someone on the autism spectrum, influenced his intense focus on understanding human behavior. Rather than shying away from complexity, he pursued it—studying decision science, social cognition, and the intricacies of motivation. Through this lens, he has created a range of mental models and frameworks aimed at helping others refine their decision-making processes.
One of his primary tools, “Matching and Looping,” helps individuals align their actions with internal values and external contexts. Complementary frameworks, including “Metacognition” and the “Decision Competency Scale,” provide structured methods for reflecting on thought processes, evaluating risk, and applying reasoned judgment in volatile environments. These approaches form integral parts of a larger system of daily meditations and reflections that he has carefully developed as the foundation of his forthcoming book.
Young’s work emphasizes a philosophy of continuous improvement through mental discipline, intellectual humility, and consistency. His approach draws inspiration from Stoic principles, integrating them with neuroscience and modern psychological research. He encourages individuals to focus on what can be controlled—such as effort, preparation, and mindset—while remaining detached from outcomes that lie beyond their influence.
Through metaphorical comparisons to surfing, Young provides relatable guidance for navigating complexity. He highlights that successful surfers, like disciplined investors, wait for the right moment, avoid unnecessary risks, and remain composed even when caught in turbulent conditions. The act of surfing becomes more than a sport in this framework—it becomes a mental model for adaptive thinking.
This analogy extends further into core investment concepts: reading the waves mirrors market analysis; maintaining balance corresponds with risk management; and recovering from wipeouts parallels emotional resilience during financial downturns. Rather than relying on conventional metrics alone, Young encourages his audience to develop a nuanced awareness of cognitive bias, emotional drivers, and situational context.
Outside of his written and visual content, Young is building a presence across podcasts and speaker platforms, where he continues to emphasize the importance of long-term thinking and narrative framing in both investing and life decisions. His work advocates for replacing reactionary decision-making with patient strategy—an increasingly relevant theme in today’s volatile economic and political climate.
Young’s participation in Social Edge, a community for high-performance thinkers, has played a key role in refining his messaging and frameworks. The group fosters open inquiry and disciplined introspection—qualities that Young sees as essential for those working to improve their personal and professional decision-making.
His meditations tackle a wide array of subjects, including emotional regulation, belief evaluation, philosophical consistency, and social awareness. He approaches personal growth as a structured process, not a vague aspiration. His daily practice incorporates timeless philosophical ideas with actionable routines, such as refining core values, confronting cognitive distortions, and fostering emotional intelligence.
Young also places high importance on intellectual curiosity, self-evaluation, and deep listening. By encouraging people to question their assumptions and update their beliefs using rigorous processes, he hopes to create a culture of reflective reasoning. His advice often centers around clarity of thought, the elimination of distractions, and the consistent application of effort—what he sees as the underpinnings of successful long-term behavior.
A recurring theme in Young’s work is the idea that values should guide decision-making, not the other way around. He stresses that success in life and finance depends not on chasing every opportunity but on selecting the right commitments and following through with consistency. He writes, “In the short term, you are as good as your intensity. In the long term, you are only as good as your consistency.”
Another signature phrase of his—“Don’t daytrade your opinions”—underscores his belief in developing durable beliefs and strategies that can withstand the pressures of volatility. He encourages people to take their time forming views, test those views against reality, and resist the urge to constantly revise them based on fleeting external noise.
Beyond his intellectual contributions, Young has cultivated a digital presence designed to engage a broader audience with insights that are both rigorous and relatable. His work appeals to those who want more than surface-level advice. Whether through structured meditations or media appearances, he invites others into a practice of reflective living, grounded in cognitive clarity and behavioral realism.
In addition to these pursuits, Young is part of the Good Judgment Project and competes globally on predictive analytics using the Brier Score—a measure of forecast accuracy. He recently outperformed prominent economists and financial institutions in forecasting key economic indicators, including mortgage interest rates and inflation. In one notable example, his prediction on the 12-month percentage change in the US Consumer Price Index (CPI) for March 2025 achieved a Brier Score of 0.019, compared to a median of 0.136, resulting in a Relative Brier Score of -0.095767. Similarly, on March 27, 2025, he predicted the weekly average interest rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages with a Brier Score of 0.042, outperforming the median score of 0.073.
These results highlight his ability to apply behavioral and statistical insights in real-world forecasting environments. He mentions that he has consistently outperformed major institutions like JPMorgan, showcasing his exceptional forecasting skills. For those unfamiliar with the metric, a Brier Score is calculated by comparing the forecasted probability of an event with the actual outcome. The closer to zero, the better the accuracy. His relative Brier Scores—both negative—indicate superior performance against the reference median
This commitment to accurate, thoughtful forecasting underscores Young’s broader mission: to reshape how individuals and institutions make decisions under uncertainty. Whether navigating markets, making life choices, or forecasting macroeconomic trends, Young’s approach remains grounded in clarity, consistency, and well-informed judgment.
For ongoing reflections and insights, follow Will R. Young at www.willryoung.com on TikTok or connect via @liamliamwood.bsky.social.