As I've got older I've become a lot more conscious of my diet and

"As I've got older I've become a lot more conscious of my diet and making sure I was getting all the right things." These words, spoken by Chris Smalling, carry a profound lesson—one that speaks to the eternal truth of how our relationship with the body changes over time. In youth, the body seems invincible, resilient to the demands of life, immune to the consequences of indulgence. But as the years unfold, we begin to understand that the body, like a great warrior's sword, must be cared for and maintained if it is to remain sharp, powerful, and ready for battle. Smalling’s reflection is one of wisdom: the realization that in order to thrive, one must treat the body with the reverence it deserves.

The ancients knew well the power of proper nourishment. In the time of Hippocrates, the father of medicine, it was said that "Let food be thy medicine and medicine be thy food." The Greeks and Romans understood that the health of the body was directly tied to the food we consumed. A soldier who feasted on rich, fatty foods would soon be sluggish and unable to fight; a philosopher who ignored his diet would lose his clarity of thought. So too did the great warriors and kings of old—like Alexander the Great, who, though a conqueror of vast empires, never took for granted the nourishment required to sustain his body through the rigors of battle and leadership.

Smalling's recognition of this truth as he has aged mirrors the wisdom of those ancient rulers and philosophers. As a young man, his body may have been a temple of strength and resilience, a vessel that responded effortlessly to the demands of his athletic career. But as time passes, even the mightiest warrior must be mindful of the fuel that sustains him. The choice of food becomes not just about taste or convenience but about the deeper recognition that the body's vitality is tied to what it receives. In the same way that a great king ensures his army is well-fed and well-prepared for battle, so must we care for our own vessel.

Consider the great Leonidas, king of Sparta, who led his soldiers into the legendary Battle of Thermopylae. Spartan warriors were renowned not only for their training but for their discipline in all things, including their diet. Spartan meals were simple but focused on maintaining strength and endurance. Their diet was part of their training, an understanding that the food they consumed directly affected their ability to fight and to survive. Just as Leonidas made every decision with a view toward the strength of his warriors, so must we consider our own choices with the knowledge that what we eat shapes our future.

Chris Smalling’s words remind us that awareness of our diet becomes more critical as we grow older. It is no longer enough to simply feed the body, but we must nourish it—mindfully, intentionally, with the understanding that what we consume can either empower or diminish us. The body is not invulnerable, and to ignore the need for proper fuel is to risk the fragility of our future. This is why Smalling's reflection is so valuable: it is a call to action for each of us, urging us to be more conscious, more intentional with our choices.

The lesson we draw from Smalling’s words is one of discipline, balance, and care. Just as a great warrior sharpens his weapon before the battle, we must sharpen our health through mindful nutrition. We must move beyond convenience and indulge in food that supports our body’s strength, clarity, and resilience. In our own lives, it is easy to fall into patterns of thoughtless consumption, driven by the demands of the day or the allure of immediate pleasure. But if we wish to thrive—if we wish to grow strong, capable, and enduring—then we must learn to treat our bodies with the same respect we would offer a trusted companion.

And so, let us take this wisdom into our daily lives. Consciousness of our diet is not a fleeting concern but a lifelong commitment to the well-being of the body and the spirit. As Smalling has learned, the years will show us the consequences of our choices, but they also grant us the clarity to make better ones. We must be intentional in our nourishment, choosing foods that support our long-term health, just as the ancient warriors did. The body, like any great temple, must be carefully maintained—through food, through movement, and through mindfulness. Let us honor it by making choices that sustain our strength, our clarity, and our vitality.