Drawdowns Don’t Destroy Investors — They Define Them
- Landon Flesher
- Apr 6
- 3 min read

Futures just opened… and they’re getting obliterated.
The S&P 500 is down 4.5% in pre-market trading — bringing 3-day losses to -15%. If things hold, we’re opening squarely in bear market territory tomorrow morning.
The headlines are screaming. The fear is thick. It feels like 2008, 2020, and every financial nightmare all over again.
But here’s what no one wants to hear when fear is this loud:
This is exactly what long-term opportunity looks like.
It’s not hype. It’s not euphoria. It’s blood in the streets.
And if history has taught us anything, it’s this:
Every bull run is born when it feels like the world is ending.
Bear Markets Don’t Destroy Long-Term Investors — They Build Them
The average bear market lasts between 9 and 12 months.
They’re sharp. They’re painful. But they’re temporary.
The investors who panic, sell, and run for cover usually miss the comeback.
But those who stay calm, keep stacking, and invest through the pain?
They come out stronger — and wealthier — on the other side.
We’re already deep into this one. The time to fear was back then.
Now? It’s time to focus, zoom out, and trust the process.
The Biggest Rallies Start When Fear Peaks
History is clear: the most explosive stock market returns come right after the worst crashes.
After the 2008 financial crisis, the S&P 500 didn’t just recover — it rallied over 400% in the following decade.
After the 2020 COVID collapse, the market doubled in 18 months.
Those who bought when it hurt the most made life-changing gains.
Today feels a lot like those moments — and if you’re stacking smart, you’re right where you need to be.
Volatility Signals the Turning Point — Not the End
When volatility spikes, most people see danger.
But seasoned investors see something else: capitulation.
The VIX is popping. Futures are falling fast. People are rushing to the exits.
This isn’t the beginning of a long decline — it’s what often happens right before markets bottom out.
Chaos doesn’t mean the end is near. It means a reset is coming.
Bitcoin Is a Crash-and-Comeback Machine
Crypto is a wild ride — but if you’ve been paying attention, you’ve seen the pattern.
• In 2018, Bitcoin dropped 85% — from $20K to $3K. Then it ran to $69K.
• In 2022, it dropped 77% — and now in 2025, it’s back with a vengeance.
Every crash has been followed by a wave of innovation, adoption, and momentum.
Crypto thrives in the ashes.
That’s not luck — that’s a cycle.
Markets Price in Bad News Before You Feel It
The stock market is a forward-looking machine.
Recession talk? Inflation? Interest rate fears? Tariffs? You name it — most of it’s already priced in.
The headlines are just catching up, but the market has already reacted.
By the time the media “feels safe” again, the smart money will already be fully deployed and halfway up the recovery curve.
If you wait for certainty, you’ll miss the upside.
You have to invest when it’s uncertain to earn the gains that feel unfair.
This Isn’t a Setback — It’s Forward Momentum
If you’re dollar-cost averaging, this isn’t a time to pause.
It’s a time to press in.
Every share, every buy, every consistent move you make right now is setting up future momentum.
Stacking through the storm is how you build long-term wealth.
When the dust settles — and it always does — you’ll be glad you didn’t fold when things looked worst.
The content is for informational purposes only, you should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice.
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