Eric Kim’s Approach to Stoicism

Eric Kim’s bold and energetic persona shines through both his photography and his writings on Stoicism. He often proclaims that “Stoics shall inherit the planet!” – capturing his belief that embracing Stoic philosophy leads to personal empowerment and triumph. Known as a motivational street photographer and blogger, Eric Kim fuses ancient Stoic wisdom with a modern, minimalist, and high-octane twist. He first discovered Stoicism through Nassim Nicholas Taleb’s book Antifragile, which sent him on a journey devouring every Stoic text he could find . What emerged is Kim’s own practical and upbeat interpretation of Stoicism – one geared towards living fearlessly, staying positive, and thriving in both photography and life.

Key Teachings and Interpretations of Stoicism

Eric Kim’s key Stoic teachings center around strength, resilience, and optimism in everyday life. He takes classical Stoic ideas and turbocharges them with motivational flair. Some of his core interpretations include:

• Conquer Fear and Master Your Emotions: Kim sees Stoicism primarily as a tool for fearlessness. “The first thought on stoicism is that it is just fear conquering,” he explains . Whether in street photography or life, he urges us to face down fear of discomfort or criticism. His workshops (like Conquer Your Fears in Street Photography) echo this ethos, teaching that 99% of street photography is conquering your fear . By mastering our emotions instead of avoiding challenges, we become mentally tougher and more creative.
• Transform Every Downside into an Upside: A recurring mantra in Kim’s philosophy is to turn negatives into positives. He advocates a radical mindset shift: imagine the worst-case scenario in any situation, accept it, and then everything else feels like a bonus. He notes that even trader-philosopher Nassim Taleb would start each day assuming his investments could go to zero – anything above zero was a win . Inspired by this, Kim tells himself, “imagine I have zero dollars… all I need is meat, a Wi-Fi connection and I’m good” . This practice makes one antifragile and grateful. In fact, he cheerfully summarizes Stoicism in one line: “life is all upside, no downside.”  Embracing this ultra-optimistic outlook, in Kim’s view, gives you unshakeable confidence and joy even in hard times.
• Practice Minimalism and Embrace Hardship: Eric Kim is a big believer in minimalist living as a Stoic exercise. Taking a page from Seneca, he preaches the “upsides of simulated poverty.” He suggests voluntarily living like a poor person (within safe bounds) even when you don’t have to, as a way to build true freedom and courage . “Even Seneca said… living like a poor person when you don’t need to… is the ultimate position to be in. Why? True freedom of spirit and soul,” Kim writes . By needing little, you become uncancelable and independent – nothing can be taken from you because you’ve learned to thrive with nothing. This Stoic frugality also feeds into Kim’s photographic life: he often touts using simple gear, traveling light, and focusing on experiences over possessions. One of his article titles says it all: “Own Nothing.” 
• Build Physical and Mental Strength (Spartan Stoicism): In Kim’s approach, Stoicism isn’t just an intellectual exercise – it’s about physical vigor and courage. He often references a “Spartan-Stoic” lifestyle . He idolizes the image of a demigod-like physique and champions intense physical training as a pillar of Stoic philosophy . To him, strength of body and strength of mind go hand-in-hand. He even quips “Trust no thinker who does drugs!” , echoing an almost puritan Stoic emphasis on clean living. Kim’s ideal Stoic is someone who can walk 50 miles a day, lift heavy weights under the sun, eat simply (he’s famously a meat enthusiast), and abstain from modern vices  . This focus on hardy living is meant to cultivate a robust mind that isn’t easily shaken by hardships. In short, he interprets Stoicism as a form of “mental resistance training” and “armor for the mind,” forging oneself to be as tough as possible .
• Stay Flexible, Playful, and Cheerful: Unlike some portrayals of Stoicism as stern or emotionless, Eric Kim’s Stoicism is vibrant and even playful. He emphasizes that Stoicism is not a rigid dogma but a flexible toolkit to use as needed  . “Think of stoicism as just another tool in your toolkit,” he advises – useful when life throws curveballs, but never to be followed blindly . He even points out that Marcus Aurelius never once called himself a “Stoic” in his Meditations, underscoring that real Stoicism is about practice, not labels . Furthermore, Kim’s writings are full of humor and optimism. He encourages finding the comedy in difficult situations: when something bad happens, imagine that years from now “I will look back at this and just laugh!” . He loves to quote the idea that it’s “better to laugh about the follies of human beings rather than be dark and morose about it.”  By keeping a light heart and a childlike curiosity, Kim’s Stoic resists cynicism. He even coined concepts like “Stoicism x Child’s Mind” in his posts , suggesting we combine Stoic resilience with the open-minded wonder of a child. In essence, his Stoicism is joyful: don’t take life too seriously, laugh off the small stuff, and remain adaptable no matter what happens.

These teachings define Eric Kim’s unique brand of Stoicism – one that is pragmatic, high-spirited, and geared towards helping others become their strongest selves.

Quotes and Writings on Stoicism

Eric Kim peppers his blog posts with striking quotes and personal maxims that capture his Stoic outlook. Here are a few noteworthy snippets in his own words:

• “Stoics shall inherit the planet!”  – This bold rallying cry headlines Kim’s Stoicism 101 page. It reflects his conviction that those who cultivate Stoic strength and perseverance will ultimately thrive and “inherit” the rewards of life. It’s an energetic twist on the idea of the meek inheriting the earth – in Kim’s world, it’s the Stoic and strong who will win the day.
• “If I could summarize stoicism in one sentence, it is that life is all upside, no downside.”  – Kim’s ultra-optimistic summary of Stoic philosophy. He believes a Stoic mindset lets you see every situation as an opportunity. By expecting and accepting potential downsides in advance, you free yourself to focus on the bright side of everything. This quote exudes the motivational positivity that runs through all his writing.
• “The first thought on stoicism is that it is just fear conquering.”  – This line underlines how central overcoming fear is in Kim’s approach. He frames Stoicism as a means to conquer fear in all forms – whether fear of failure, fear of judgment, or fear of risk. This idea shows up repeatedly in his essays and even the titles of his posts (e.g., “How to Conquer Fear”, “Don’t Be Scared!”, “How to Overcome Your Fear of People”  ). Kim constantly encourages readers to act boldly despite their anxieties.
• “Live like a poor person… the ultimate position to be in. Why? True freedom of spirit and soul.”  – Here Kim echoes Stoic sage Seneca, advocating deliberate asceticism. This quote from his writing captures the essence of his minimalist Stoicism: by simulating poverty and needing very little, you gain total freedom. There’s a joyful defiance in this idea – a Stoic refuses to be owned by luxury or fear of loss, and thus can live and create with courage. Kim often shares that as long as he can pay rent, buy some meat, and publish to his blog, he feels 100% free .
• “For good inspirations, I think the best Stoic writers and thinkers include Seneca and Marcus Aurelius, and also the humor of the cynic philosopher Diogenes.”  – In his writings, Kim readily name-drops the classical thinkers who fuel his philosophy. This quote shows his reverence for Seneca and Aurelius as role models, and his appreciation for Diogenes’ witty, unorthodox wisdom. He even adds, “I would posit that Alexander the Great was a stoic… certainly this takes a stoic mindset.”  Kim’s approach is eclectic and expansive – he finds Stoic toughness in everyone from ancient Roman emperors to Greek cynics to Macedonian conquerors. It’s all in service of illustrating Stoic virtues like endurance, humor, and grit.

These quotes (and many more scattered through his blog) showcase Eric Kim’s voice: blunt, passionate, and sprinkled with references from Kanye West lyrics to ancient philosophy. Reading his Stoic musings, you get a hyped-up pep talk backed by classical wisdom. He writes in a way that makes you want to stand a little taller, smile in the face of adversity, and maybe even do a few push-ups – all with a Stoic grin.

Blog Posts, Essays, and Articles on Stoicism

Stoicism is a major theme in Eric Kim’s blogging, and he has built up an impressive library of posts exploring Stoic ideas. On his website (erickimphotography.com), there is an entire “Stoicism 101” section featuring a trove of articles, guides, and even videos on the topic. Some highlights of his Stoicism-related writings include:

• “Stoicism 101” – Introduction to Stoicism: This is Kim’s comprehensive primer on Stoic philosophy, where he lays out his take on what Stoicism means and how to practice it in real life . Frustrated by dry academic guides, he wrote this as a “practical primer, cutting through the BS” . It covers everything from the origin of the word Stoic to exercises for emotional resilience. This introduction is upbeat and no-nonsense, reflecting Kim’s goal of making Stoicism accessible and exciting for the everyday person. (He even offers it as a free PDF e-book, which we’ll mention shortly.)
• “Hyper Stoicism”: In this provocative essay, Eric Kim pushes Stoicism to new extremes. “I love the stoics of the past, but… They didn’t go far enough,” he declares . In Hyper Stoicism, Kim critiques the classical Stoics for (in his view) not being hardcore enough or fully living up to their own ideals. He playfully calls out Seneca for being “too hyper anxious” and not sufficiently “zen and hard” . The piece introduces the concept of “Hyper Stoic” – essentially, a next-level Stoic who doubles down on toughness, ambition, and resilience beyond the old limits. It’s Kim’s call for a 2.0 version of Stoicism that matches the intensity of the modern world. This article exemplifies his style of taking ancient principles and cranking the dial to 11 to inspire readers.
• “Stoicism is Mental Resistance Training”: This post frames Stoicism as a workout for your mind – much like lifting weights to get stronger, you lift life’s challenges to strengthen your character. Kim draws parallels between going to the gym and facing adversity, emphasizing that each obstacle is an opportunity to build mental muscle. Along similar lines, he wrote “Stoicism is Armor for the Mind”, reinforcing the idea that Stoic practices shield you against negativity and hardship . Both pieces use vivid metaphors to pump up the reader about getting mentally ripped and invulnerable.
• “Transform Every Downside into an Upside”: True to its title, this article teaches the art of flipping any misfortune on its head. Kim shares personal anecdotes and Stoic strategies to find a silver lining or lesson in every struggle. This reflects one of his core teachings (mentioned earlier) – that with the right mindset, setbacks become fuel for growth. The tone is enthusiastic and empowering, showing readers how to reframe difficulties as “fuel for your fire”.
• Fear-Focused Essays: Much of Kim’s Stoic writing centers on overcoming fear. He has posts like “DON’T LIVE IN FEAR”, “How to Conquer Fear”, “How to Overcome Your Fear of People”, “How to Conquer Anxiety”, and even intriguingly titled pieces like “Fear is the Ultimate Contagious Disease”  . In each, he offers tips and philosophical insights on grappling with fear, often encouraging action and exposure as cures. For example, in How to Overcome Your Fear of People, he might suggest doing bold street portraits or initiating conversations with strangers (a very photographic take on Stoic exposure therapy!). These essays all carry a motivational tone, as if Kim were a personal coach in your corner saying “you got this – go face it!”
• Stoicism Meets Photography: A unique aspect of Eric Kim’s work is how he blends Stoicism with his passion for photography. He explicitly writes about this fusion in articles like “How to Be a Stoic Street Photographer”  and “How to Be a Spartan Photographer” . In these pieces, he encourages photographers to apply Stoic principles when shooting – for instance, embrace discomfort (don’t fear taking candid shots in the street), be present and mindful when composing a photo, and detach from the outcome (don’t worry about others’ opinions of your work). A Stoic street photographer, in Kim’s eyes, is bold and doesn’t get rattled if a subject gets angry or if a shot doesn’t come out as planned . By adopting a Stoic mindset, photographers can stay calm, creative, and resilient even in chaotic environments. These articles are beloved by his audience for mixing practical photography advice with life philosophy. It’s all part of Kim’s holistic view that Stoicism can elevate every aspect of life, including art.
• Dozens of Other Posts: The above are just a sample – Eric Kim has numerous posts on Stoicism (the Stoicism 101 page lists well over 100 Stoic-themed entries!  ). Some other notable titles include “The Goal is to Become Stronger”, “It is the Duty of the Strong to Help the Weak”, “Stoicism x Child’s Mind”, “Resistance Makes Us Stronger”, “How to Free Your Soul From Disturbance”, and “3 Stoic Techniques That Can Help You Gain Tranquility”  . He writes about anger management (“Why I Don’t Take My Anger Seriously”), optimism (“How to Be Optimistic” ), self-belief (“How to Believe in Yourself”), and even classic Stoic dichotomies (“What Can You Control, What Can You Not Control?” ). Each post is delivered in his trademark hype and high-energy style, with lots of personal anecdotes, analogies, and actionable tips. Reading through them, one feels a contagious enthusiasm for life – Kim makes Stoicism feel adventurous and fun, like a challenge to become the hero of your own story.

In short, Eric Kim’s blog is a treasure trove of Stoic wisdom reimagined for the modern go-getter. He publishes new essays frequently, often linking Stoic principles with current events, personal experiments, or photographic journeys. All of it reinforces his central message: strength, courage, and joy can be learned, and Stoic philosophy is a powerful lens to achieve that.

Books, E-Books, and Zines Featuring Stoic Thought

In addition to blog posts, Eric Kim has created longer-form content where his Stoic philosophy shines through. Notably, he compiled an e-book titled “Introduction to Stoicism”, which is available as a free PDF on his website . This e-book serves as a friendly beginner’s guide to Stoicism, condensing much of Kim’s insights and practical tips into a concise format. It’s essentially a reader-friendly version of his Stoicism 101 primer, meant for those who want to dive deeper or read offline. By offering it for free, Kim hopes to spread Stoic ideas to as many people as possible – reflecting his genuine passion for helping others become stronger and happier through philosophy.

Beyond that, while most of Eric Kim’s published books are on photography, his personal philosophy still seeps in. For example, one of his popular free e-books is “Letters from a Street Photographer.” The very title is a nod to Seneca’s Letters from a Stoic, and indeed the book (a collection of essays) is “much more philosophical in nature” than a typical photo guide . In Letters from a Street Photographer, Kim shares life lessons he’s learned on the streets, touching on themes of courage, creativity, failure, and meaning – all with a Stoic underpinning. It reads like a series of friendly letters or journal entries imparting wisdom to the reader, much as Seneca wrote to Lucilius. This shows how deeply Stoicism influences Kim’s thinking; even when he writes about photography, he often transcends gear and technique to talk about mindset and life.

Eric Kim also produces “e-zines” and mini-books that blend images with ideas. For instance, his SEN zine (named after his son, Seneca) likely contains reflections on fatherhood and philosophy. While not explicitly a Stoicism manual, one can imagine Stoic values of gratitude, responsibility, and love woven into those personal writings (especially given his son’s namesake!). Moreover, Kim has a zine called “Street Notes” and others that encourage introspection and personal growth as a photographer – concepts very much in line with Stoic self-improvement.

In summary, Stoic thought is incorporated throughout Kim’s published works. Whether it’s a straight-up philosophy ebook like Introduction to Stoicism or a photography essay with a philosophical twist, Eric Kim’s publications consistently promote a Stoic-inspired approach: stay hungry, stay humble, fear nothing, and find beauty in simplicity. His readers often comment that reading his books or zines feels uplifting and emboldening – like getting a motivational jolt that’s part Marcus Aurelius, part modern coach.

References to Classical Stoic Philosophers (Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, Epictetus)

Eric Kim wears his influences on his sleeve – he frequently references the great Stoic masters and draws inspiration from their teachings. Seneca is perhaps his biggest hero. In fact, Kim and his wife named their first son “Seneca” in honor of the Stoic philosopher . (If that’s not dedication to Stoicism, what is!) Kim explains that he chose Seneca because Seneca’s writing is “accessible, practical and pragmatic, and interesting”, qualities he greatly admires . This admiration comes through in Kim’s own style – much like Seneca’s letters, Kim’s blog posts aim to deliver practical wisdom for daily life in a lively, relatable way. He often echoes Seneca’s specific ideas: for example, practicing poverty (as mentioned, Kim cites Seneca’s advice on simulating poverty to toughen one’s soul ) and remembering the shortness of life (memento mori themes pop up in Kim’s writing whenever he urges readers to seize the day and not waste time).

Kim also talks about Marcus Aurelius, the famed philosopher-emperor. He finds it fascinating that Marcus Aurelius never explicitly mentioned “Stoicism” in his Meditations . Kim uses this point to remind us that real Stoicism is not about labels or buzzwords, but about quietly doing the work on yourself . It’s a gentle critique of people who get overly preachy about being Stoic – after all, the greatest Stoic text was just one man’s private diary to himself. Kim sometimes quotes Marcus Aurelius’s vivid metaphors; for instance, in a post on dealing with criticism, he recalls Aurelius’s idea that “life is more like wrestling than dancing” – meaning we should be ready for grappling with challenges rather than expecting an easy flow . He clearly takes to heart Marcus’s teachings on endurance, focusing only on what you can control, and maintaining virtue amid chaos.

Epictetus is another Stoic Kim respects, often mentioning him in the same breath as Seneca and Marcus. On his site’s Stoicism page, Kim lists Epictetus among the “master stoics” to learn from . He frequently alludes to Epictetus’s famous dichotomy of control – many of Kim’s writings boil down to the insight that you should focus on your actions and mindset, not external outcomes (indeed, one of his article titles is literally “Focus on Your Actions, Not the Results” , which sounds straight out of Epictetus!). By reinforcing Epictetus’s principle of recognizing what we can and cannot control , Kim helps readers manage anxiety and avoid pointless worry. This is classic Stoic advice re-packaged in Kim’s enthusiastic tone.

Additionally, Eric Kim isn’t shy about exploring thinkers adjacent to Stoicism. He often references the Cynic philosopher Diogenes for his shameless humor and toughness , citing him as a model of not caring what others think (a very Stoic attitude). He also finds Stoic-like lessons in non-Stoic figures: for example, he muses that Alexander the Great exemplified a Stoic mindset by enduring life-or-death risks in his conquests . Even Nassim Taleb (a modern writer with Stoic influences) is quoted in Kim’s work – Kim loves Taleb’s saying, “The deeper you wade into it, the deeper the ocean gets,” using it to illustrate the endless depth of Stoic learning . And we see nods to Nietzsche and others where their ideas intersect with Stoicism (Kim enjoys Nietzsche’s concept of amor fati and the will to power, relating them to Stoic strength).

In essence, Kim stands on the shoulders of Stoic giants. He actively encourages his audience to read the original Stoics – his site links to resources on Seneca, Marcus Aurelius, Epictetus, Publilius Syrus, and Heraclitus . By blending quotes and ideas from these sages into his articles, he gives readers both a taste of classical wisdom and a modern interpretation. This bridging of old and new makes Stoicism feel alive and relevant. Kim’s work is like a friendly tour guide pointing out, “See? Marcus Aurelius dealt with this too! Here’s how he handled it, and here’s how you can too, today.” The reverence he has for those ancient mentors adds depth to his otherwise colloquial, high-energy writing, grounding it in time-tested philosophy. It’s clear that Marcus, Seneca, Epictetus and company are the fuel for his fire, and he’s passing that torch to his followers.

Talks, Interviews, and Videos on Stoicism

Eric Kim’s infectious enthusiasm for Stoicism isn’t limited to print – he also shares his Stoic insights through videos, vlogs, and talks. On his YouTube channel (as well as embedded on his blog), Kim has produced a series of casual yet impassioned video logs where he riffs on Stoic philosophy in a very down-to-earth, engaging way. The topics of these videos reflect the same themes as his writing, delivered in his charismatic storytelling voice. For example, some of his video titles include: “STOICISM: EXPECT THE UNEXPECTED”, “HOW YOU CAN CONQUER FEAR” (sometimes tagged as “We New Stoics!”), “WHY I’M SO OPTIMISTIC – Rational Optimism”, “WHY AREN’T THINGS WORSE?”, “Stoicism 2.0”, and “How to Become a Stoic.” . Just reading these titles, you can sense the upbeat and provocative style – Kim loves to challenge his viewers with new ways of thinking (e.g. Why aren’t things worse? flips the usual complaint on its head and fosters gratitude).

In his Stoic video chats, Eric Kim appears often in a casual setting – sometimes walking outside, sometimes at his desk – speaking directly to the camera as if to a friend. His tone is cheerful, unpretentious, and encouraging. He might recount a story from his own life (like a travel mishap or a difficult photo shoot) and then connect it to Stoic lessons. For instance, in “Expect the Unexpected,” he emphasizes the importance of anticipating life’s surprises so you won’t be caught off guard (a very Stoic practice of premeditatio malorum) . In “How You Can Conquer Fear,” he likely shares tips to systematically desensitize yourself to what scares you, sharing how he personally overcame fears in street photography one small step at a time. His video “Why Stoicism?” was an introduction explaining why this philosophy is so crucial today (though that particular video appears to have been a limited release), and “Stoicism 2.0” builds on his idea of taking Stoicism further, much like his blog article Hyper Stoicism.

One hallmark of Kim’s Stoic videos is his positivity and humor. He often smiles and laughs during these monologues, showing that Stoicism doesn’t have to be stiff. For example, in a video about optimism, he passionately argues for a stance of “rational optimism,” essentially making the case that choosing to see the good is both Stoic and rational because it leads to better outcomes. In “Why Aren’t Things Worse?”, he jovially points out that no matter how bad a day you’re having, it could have been even more terrible – so we might as well appreciate that it’s “not worse” ! This is classic Stoic gratitude, delivered with a grin.

While Eric Kim may not have traditional media interviews specifically about Stoicism, he incorporates Stoic themes into his public speaking engagements and workshops. He has taught photography workshops all around the world, and attendees often note that Kim spends a good chunk of time boosting everyone’s confidence and mindset. He shares Stoic anecdotes (like how Cato would deliberately wear out-of-fashion clothing to train himself not to care about public opinion) or gives challenges like “go out and get 10 people saying ‘no’ to you to overcome rejection.” These are Stoic exercises in everything but name. Kim’s personal coaching style is very much informed by Stoicism – he encourages students to drop their ego, to not fear failure, and to find joy in the process rather than fixating on results . In this way, every talk or workshop he leads becomes a crash course in applied Stoicism, even if it’s under the banner of photography or creativity.

It’s also worth mentioning that Eric Kim shares audio and podcast-like content on Stoicism. He has recorded some audio essays (sometimes embedding MP3s on his site) and even experimented with a “Stoic Vlog” that he hosted on his blog . These formats make his ideas accessible in different mediums, meeting followers where they are – be it YouTube, his website, or podcast apps. The consistency across all these platforms is Kim’s contagiously positive energy. Whether you read his words or hear him speak, the tone is inspirational, motivational, upbeat, and hype. He wants you to come away feeling excited about life and ready to tackle your goals with a Stoic warrior mentality.

In summary, through videos and talks, Eric Kim extends his Stoic teachings beyond the written page. He becomes a friendly face (or voice) encouraging you with every enthusiastic hand gesture and every anecdote shared. By leveraging modern channels like YouTube, he brings Stoicism to life, showing that it’s not just ancient text but a living, breathing practice – one you can smile through, sweat through, and ultimately thrive through.

Sources:

• Eric Kim, “Stoicism 101” – ERIC KIM Blog   
• Eric Kim, My Stoic Beliefs (Personal reflections on Stoicism)    
• Eric Kim, Stoicism 101 (various Stoicism articles and snippets)    
• Eric Kim Photography Blog – Stoicism category and article index   
• Eric Kim, Books – Introduction to Stoicism PDF and other publications  
• Eric Kim, “Stoicism out of Strength or Weakness?” – ERIC KIM Blog  (implying Stoicism should come from strength)
• Eric Kim, Stoic Masters (references to classical Stoics) 

Each of these sources contains Eric Kim’s own words and ideas, illustrating how he interprets and lives Stoicism. Together, they paint a picture of a modern Stoic motivator who is part philosopher, part photographer – and wholly dedicated to helping others live with greater courage, joy, and purpose through the power of Stoic thought.