I give myself a cheat day where I annihilate my diet. I'm an

In the grand dance of life, where we strive to master our desires and our actions, there lies a profound wisdom in balance—a wisdom that transcends the rigid boundaries of self-denial and the relentless pursuit of perfection. Ashley Wagner, in her lighthearted yet insightful words, offers a revelation that speaks to the heart of this balance: "I give myself a cheat day where I annihilate my diet. I'm an all-American girl, so I go for a burger and fries and a shake." Here, in these words, lies the truth that even in our pursuit of health and discipline, we must allow room for the human experience, the joy of indulgence, and the celebration of life itself.

The ancient philosophers, too, understood this delicate balance between restraint and freedom. Aristotle, in his teachings on virtue, spoke of the golden mean—the path that lies between extremes, where true fulfillment is found not in excess, but in the thoughtful integration of opposing forces. Just as Wagner allows herself a cheat day, indulging in the pleasures of burgers and shakes, so too did the ancients understand that life is not meant to be lived in a perpetual state of denial, but in a harmony of discipline and enjoyment. The cheat day is not a rebellion against health, but a celebration of our humanity, a recognition that joy is an essential part of the journey.

Consider the Roman concept of moderation, championed by Seneca, who recognized that self-control does not require the abandonment of pleasure, but the wise integration of it. The Roman feast, though rich and indulgent, was also a celebration of abundance and gratitude, balanced by the understanding that excess could lead to imbalance. In the same vein, Wagner's "cheat day" is a wise acknowledgment that true health and well-being cannot be measured by rigid adherence to rules alone. The heart, the spirit, the soul—they all need moments of joy, moments that cannot be quantified by calories or rules, but are instead rooted in the experience of being fully alive.

Similarly, Socrates, whose philosophies continue to guide us, did not live a life of complete deprivation. He lived a life of moderation, balancing his pursuit of wisdom with the simple pleasures of life. In his time, the ancient Greeks understood that true wisdom lies not in the avoidance of pleasure, but in the mastery of one’s desires. Wagner's approach to indulgence, then, is in keeping with this ancient tradition. By giving herself the freedom to indulge once in a while, she is embracing her humanity, acknowledging that the joy of eating, the pleasure of satisfying one's cravings, is not a weakness but a strength.

Wagner's practice of a cheat day also reflects a deeper psychological truth—the power of flexibility and forgiveness. In a world that often demands perfection, that imposes strict rules upon us, we are given the opportunity to reclaim our freedom by accepting that imperfection is part of the human experience. Consider the wisdom of Confucius, who taught that a wise person embraces change and adapts to the rhythms of life, finding balance in both action and rest. By allowing herself the space to indulge without guilt, Wagner practices a form of self-love, choosing not to burden herself with the shame that often accompanies indulgence in modern culture.

Let us take this lesson into our own lives. In our pursuit of health, success, and fulfillment, we must remember that the road to true joy is not paved with rigid restriction but with moments of indulgence that nourish the soul. Wagner's cheat day is a symbol of the wisdom of the ancients—of embracing both the sweetness of life and the discipline required for a life well-lived. By integrating moments of freedom into our own routines, we allow ourselves to be both strong and joyful, to live in balance with both the flesh and the spirit.

In your own journey, consider allowing yourself moments of indulgence, moments when you can release the pressure of perfection and simply enjoy life’s simple pleasures. Like Ashley Wagner, take a cheat day, not as a rebellion, but as a way to reconnect with the joy that comes from living fully. Indulge in the things that nourish your spirit, and in doing so, remember that true mastery is not about sacrifice alone, but about finding the rhythm between discipline and freedom. As you walk the path of life, let it be one of harmony—one where both pleasure and purpose coexist, where both indulgence and self-control are celebrated. In this balance, you will find true freedom, true health, and a life well-lived.