When $SPY drops hard and panic floods the market with recession talk—that's when most people freeze. But here's the thing: extreme fear always produces worse sentiment after the big moves. So the real play? Trade against that momentum. Everyone's running scared when they should be looking for entry points. Leaps are particularly juicy this year if you've got the patience to ride through volatility. The generational opportunities don't announce themselves with fanfare; they show up when headlines feel bleakest and conviction disappears. That's exactly when seasoned traders start positioning. Market cycles reward contrarian thinking—buy when others are selling, simple as that.