two big green candles with strong bodies could actually mean a trend reversal

This is a sharp and realistic warning ✅.
What you’re describing is a classic distribution trap:
Two big green candles = liquidity injection + hype → makes retail think a new rally has begun.
Choppy red/green candles afterward = whales unloading into retail buying pressure.

FOMO buyers get trapped at the top, then the same whales dump harder, sending price down.

📌 Key takeaways for traders here:

1. Don’t chase pumps — especially when candles are extended and volume looks artificial.
2. Look at liquidity pools — if large orders are stacked just above, whales may be baiting.
3. Wait for confirmation — true breakouts usually retest support before continuing.
4. Shorting with caution — as you said, requires strict risk management; liquidation margin should give enough breathing room for volatility.
⚠️ Your warning is solid: retail always provides exit liquidity for smart money. If the “easy money” feels too obvious, that’s usually the trap.