"Unlock the Power of Stoic Teachings"
Welcome to my page on the fundamentals of stoicism. Stoicism is a philosophical school of thought originating in ancient Greece that is focused on living a virtuous life based on reason and self-control. It teaches individuals to focus on what they can control in life, rather than being consumed by things they cannot.
Through stoicism, you can learn to uncover hidden gems and unfamiliar corners in your surroundings. By exploring new places, whether local or far-off, you can invigorate your routine and gain fresh perspectives. With this mindset, every journey becomes a chance for adventure and personal growth.
Stoicism emphasizes the importance of curiosity and the drive to continuously learn and improve. By embracing this outlook, you can approach each day with a sense of purpose and actively seek out opportunities for growth and self-discovery.
Through this page, I hope to introduce you to a few Stoic principles that have profoundly changed my life. Before beginning the journey I’m on now, I was stuck in a job I didn’t enjoy, uncertain of my direction or purpose. Then I discovered Stoicism. I immersed myself in its wisdom, reading book after book, listening to countless podcasts, and learning everything I could about the philosophy. I’m still learning, still growing, and far from knowing it all, but that’s part of the journey. My hope is that by reading this page, you’ll feel inspired to explore Stoicism for yourself and embark on your own path of transformation.
The Four Tenets of Stoicism
There are 4 main tenets which the stoic philosophy follows, they are as follows: Wisdom, Courage, Temperance and Justice. These 4 beliefs if followed correctly have the ability to guide your path and push you towards a virtuous and fulfilling life.
Wisdom - This is the ability to navigate complex situations through good judgment and knowledge.
Courage - The ability to act rightly in the face of fear and adversity.
Temperance - The practice of having self-control and moderation in every aspect of your life.
Justice - Treating all others fairly alongside giving each individual their due.
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I will now delve further into each of these tenets as well as explore a fifth aspect of stoicism which affects me deeply.
Wisdom
In Stoic philosophy, wisdom is the foundation of a flourishing life. It’s the ability to focus on what you can control: your thoughts, choices, and actions. To act with purpose and clarity.
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External circumstances, like the weather or others’ opinions, are beyond your control. By letting go of these distractions, you unlock the peace to focus on your own growth.
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For example, in the gym, you can’t control every aspect of your body’s performance, but you can control your effort, consistency, and mindset. These are the factors that shape your progress, turning setbacks into opportunities for growth.
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Living in harmony with nature is a cornerstone of the Stoic teaching. This means to live with virtue in all aspects of life. Living with virtue means acting with integrity, no matter the challenge. This means pushing through discomfort, not for external rewards, but for the inner strength you build by persevering. The Stoic approach isn’t about ignoring limits, but about choosing to act with discipline even when it’s hard.
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True wisdom also involves mastering emotions. Instead of letting frustration or doubt take control, Stoic wisdom allows you to stay calm and deliberate. In both life and fitness, it helps you respond with composure, even when progress feels slow.
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At the heart of Stoicism is eudaimonia, the flourishing life. This is a life of purpose, strength, and fulfilment, shaped by wisdom and fuelled by resilience. Just as every rep in the gym builds strength, each act of wisdom builds your foundation for a flourishing life.
Courage
Courage is the strength to face fear, challenges, and adversity with unwavering integrity. It’s about standing firm in your values and acting virtuously, no matter the circumstances. Stoic courage is rooted in the ability to maintain composure and reason, even in the toughest of times.
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In Stoic philosophy, courage means enduring pain or difficulty without complaint, viewing these challenges as opportunities to practice virtue. A Stoic knows that nothing external can harm their character. Their virtue remains unshaken, no matter what life throws at them.
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True courage is about doing what is right, regardless of fear or personal cost. It’s the resolve to choose justice, wisdom, and self-control over comfort or self-interest. It doesn’t mean the absence of fear, but the strength to act despite it.
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Courage is about pushing through that extra rep when your body screams to stop. It’s choosing to train even when you're tired or facing setbacks. It’s not about reckless action but pushing forward with purpose, knowing that every challenge is an opportunity for growth.
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Stoics focus on controlling their emotions, ensuring fear or irrational desires don’t dictate their decisions. Courage is not about recklessness; it’s about acting with clarity and purpose, guided by reason. It’s standing firm for what aligns with virtue and nature.
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Stoic courage teaches resilience, whether facing the inevitability of death or enduring misfortune. These external events are beyond our control, but they cannot touch our inner strength or our capacity for virtue. Just like in fitness, setbacks and failures can’t define us, they are simply stepping stones toward greater strength.
Temperance
Temperance is the virtue of self-control and balance. It’s the ability to enjoy life’s pleasures without letting them control you. It’s about making choices with purpose, guided by reason rather than indulgence, and knowing that true fulfillment lies in moderation.
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At its core, temperance is about mastering your impulses. It’s the strength to resist the urge to overindulge, whether in food, drink, or fleeting pleasures, and instead focus on long-term well-being. It’s about taking control of your desires and aligning your actions with wisdom.
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Temperance is about finding the balance between pushing yourself and knowing when to rest. It’s not about depriving yourself but about understanding the difference between what serves your goals and what distracts you from them. Just as a balanced workout routine avoids overtraining, temperance ensures you don’t fall prey to excess in any area of life.
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Temperance also means avoiding extremes. It’s about creating a life where you live with clarity and focus, neither indulging in excess nor denying yourself basic pleasures. By practicing temperance, you realize that true strength comes from consistency, balance, and making choices that align with your deeper values.
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Ultimately, temperance leads to peace and clarity. It’s the key to maintaining inner harmony, staying true to your goals, and ensuring that external distractions don’t derail your pursuit of true flourishing, whether in fitness or life.
Justice
Justice is the virtue of fairness, respect, and contributing to the greater good. It’s about acting in ways that promote equality, integrity, and respect for others, while fulfilling your role in the world. Stoic justice is not just about rules, but recognizing our shared humanity and acting with reason to treat others with dignity.
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At its core, justice is about making decisions based on fairness and respect. It’s not letting personal desires or emotions cloud your judgment, but focusing on what’s right for the collective, even if it requires sacrifice. This might look like putting the needs of your team or community ahead of your individual gain, offering encouragement and support when it’s needed most.
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Justice in Stoicism means fulfilling your responsibilities with commitment. In relationships, work, or the gym, it’s about showing up and giving your best for others. It’s about the dedication to fairness, ensuring you make decisions that benefit the group, not just yourself.
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Justice can also apply to how we treat others: respecting their pace, encouraging their growth, and acting with integrity, whether in a gym environment or in life. It’s about supporting the growth of others while continuing to improve ourselves.
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Ultimately, Stoic justice is about recognizing the inherent worth in all human beings, treating others with respect while upholding your principles. It’s the practice of fairness, guided by reason, that fosters peace, respect, and collaboration in all areas of life, including fitness. Through justice, we help ourselves and others flourish, contributing to the greater good while staying true to our values.
Discipline
Discipline is the cornerstone of Stoic virtue, providing the self-control and focus necessary to stay true to your principles. In Stoicism, discipline isn’t just about restricting yourself, it’s about choosing purpose over impulse, focus over distraction, and action over complacency.
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It’s the strength to stay on course, to train your mind to act in line with your values, and to avoid the distractions that lead you away from your goals. Discipline means sticking to your training routine, fuelling your body properly, and not allowing short-term temptations to derail long-term progress.
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A Stoic disciplined in their thoughts and actions doesn’t let external circumstances, whether stress, setbacks, or fatigue, control their decisions. They choose thoughtfully, maintaining focus on what is within their control: their mindset, their efforts, and their perseverance. In the gym, this might mean pushing through the tough sets, staying consistent with nutrition, and remaining patient in the process.
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Discipline applies to every area of life. Whether in relationships, work, or personal habits, it’s the ability to act according to what is right, even when easier or more gratifying alternatives present themselves. In fitness, discipline means showing up even when you don’t feel like it, resisting the temptation to skip workouts, and constantly striving to improve.
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Ultimately, discipline is what allows us to live with purpose and integrity. It’s the foundation upon which all other virtues: wisdom, courage, justice, and temperance, are built. Through discipline, we take control of our lives, turning distractions into opportunities for growth and consistently pursuing the highest version of ourselves.
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