EP311: Benny Voncken: A Philosophy of Life and Stoicism

In this episode of Health Coach Conversations, Cathy Sykora is joined by Benny Voncken, co-founder of Via Stoica, to explore the practical and transformative power of Stoicism. Benny shares how this ancient philosophy can be a modern guide to cultivating a calm, resilient, and meaningful life. From his personal journey through hardship to discovering Stoicism, Benny emphasizes self-awareness, emotional regulation, and personal responsibility as core principles. He also clarifies common misconceptions about Stoicism and highlights how it supports emotional intelligence, mental health, and purposeful living.

In this episode, you'll discover:

• The four cardinal virtues of Stoicism: wisdom, justice, courage, and temperance
• How Stoicism differs from the misunderstood “emotionless” stereotype
• Tools like the dichotomy of control, Amor Fati, and Memento Mori
• How Stoicism aligns with emotional intelligence and cognitive behavioral therapy
• Why self-reflection is crucial in building a personal life philosophy
• Practical ways Stoicism helps reduce anxiety and reframe everyday frustrations
• The importance of accepting life’s circumstances to regain inner peace

Memorable Quotes:

• “You are unfortunate because you have never been unfortunate.”
• “The best revenge is not to be that way.”
• “We suffer more in imagination than we do in reality.”

Bio: Benny Voncken is the co-founder of Via Stoica, a company where they provide Stoic Life Coaching, workshops, motivational speaking engagements, corporate training, and courses. At Via Stoica, they do all of this based on Stoic philosophy to help other people live better and more peaceful lives. Besides that, he co-hosts the Via Stoica Podcast and weekly live conversations (spaces) on X.

Mentioned in This Episode:

• Via Stoica Website: https://viastoica.com

Links to Resources:

• Health Coach Group Website: thehealthcoachgroup.com
• Special Offer: Use code HCC50 to save $50 on the Health Coach Group website
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