MIHC26 Speker Spotlight

Jeff Benink was born in Amsterdam and developed an early fascination with sound and
entertainment. During his school years, he worked as a mobile DJ at parties, later transitioning
into club DJing and eventually finding his voice on local radio. However, his true passion lay in
live music. After a brief period playing guitar and saxophone, he discovered his love for sound
engineering—especially mixing live bands. This passion took him across the globe, tuning
audio for performances big and small.
His career took an unexpected turn when he worked at trade fairs in Germany during the
winter months, providing technical support for the well-known stage hypnotist Pharo. What
started as a technical job quickly became a personal fascination. Je witnessed not only how
hypnosis could mesmerize an audience but also how Pharo used it backstage to help dancers
overcome migraines, allowing them to perform in the next show without pain. This experience
planted a seed in Jeff’s mind.
Although he bought a few books on hypnosis, it remained a side interest—until a theater
accident forced him to look for a new career. By chance (or perhaps subconscious influence),
he came across an advertisement for a four-year hypnosis training program. After attending
an open day, he was hooked. The rest is history.
Fifteen years ago, Je opened his first practice, and since then, he has helped thousands of
people through hypnosis. Today, he runs **Hypnosepraktijk Zwolle** and travels the world
training other hypnotherapists, speaking at conferences, and working with companies. But
Jeff's curiosity extends beyond hypnosis alone. Over the past sixteen years, he has expanded
his expertise into human behavioral science, child development, and forensic psychology,
making him a sought-after expert in behavioral change and mental processes.
In 2023, he published and presented his research on the effects of **COVID-19 lockdowns
on young people**
, a study that gained widespread attention. A year later, in **2024**
, he developed the groundbreaking school program **"Voices of the Mind.
"** This interactive program teaches children to recognize and evaluate their thoughts, helping them develop critical thinking and effective communication skills.
His work has not gone unnoticed: in 2024, Jeff Benink was honored with the prestigious title
of "Hypnotist of the Year".

In 2025, he wrote the book Breathe like the Animals, meditation for children.

In 2026, he was honored with the prestigious title of "Hypnosis Ambassador of the year".

It was a well-earned recognition for a career that started with
sound waves but evolved into exploring the deeper layers of the human mind.
Whether on stage, in his practice, or conducting research, one thing remains constant:
Jeff Benink helps people understand and harness the power of their minds to improve their
lives.