So how does someone decide to go from trading commodities to being a blacksmith?

Coming from a family full of creative people, the satisfaction that comes from making things with your hands was something I experienced right away. You make a sandcastle or paint a sandpiper or play some music (even badly) and the result is fawning compliments and hugs. Who doesn’t enjoy that? Who doesn’t want more of that? lol
I learned from dad what tools could do - once you had them and learned how to use them. His main thing was restoring antique cars from the ground up, to new condition. But he was also the plumber, electrician, carpenter and ironworker. He had all the tools and knew how to use them.
Fast Forward:
Grew up, became a trader, moved to Chicago, got married and we bought a house. And suddenly there was a basement for my dad’s tools - and I began to find more. Got into hand tool woodworking and antique woodworking tools. Then a good friend told me to come out to Seattle to take a beginning blacksmith class. And in the first 15 minutes of that class a change happened. Moving metal. With hand tools. What magic is this?

That’s how it started.
Had a lot of tools, but didn’t have any blacksmithing tools.
After one class - I knew there would have to be a lot of practice. A lot.
At my house? Nope - would need to find an appropriate place to practice this ancient craft.
Being hooked by that magic - I started trading woodworking tools for metalworking tools. Started looking for a place to practice. That spanned five years. Five years that included a lot of industrial auctions, flea markets and tool meets. And more blacksmithing classes.