I have to make sure I get the right amount of protein and iron

In the pursuit of greatness, whether in the realm of physical prowess or the quiet cultivation of the soul, there is one truth that rings eternal: the way in which we nourish our bodies shapes the course of our lives. Lizzie Armitstead, the determined athlete, reveals this truth when she speaks, "I have to make sure I get the right amount of protein and iron, and I take supplements for that. I think people would be surprised if they saw my diet, though; it's very normal." Ah, how powerful this declaration is, for it speaks to the wisdom of moderation—the understanding that true strength does not come from extremes but from the balance and intentionality we bring to our nourishment.

The ancient philosophers were keenly aware of the sacred relationship between the body and the mind. In the teachings of Hippocrates, we find the timeless truth that "Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food." This was not mere advice, but a guiding principle—one that understood that the body is a vessel not to be neglected but to be cared for with the respect it deserves. The Greeks, in their pursuit of excellence, knew that the mind cannot rise above the state of the body. Thus, their athletes and philosophers alike engaged in balanced diets, not extremes, understanding that strength is not merely a matter of willpower, but of nourishment. Armitstead’s focus on the right proteins and iron mirrors this ancient wisdom—a commitment to nourishing her body with care, so it may serve her in the pursuit of excellence.

Even in the time of Rome, the great Stoic philosophers like Seneca extolled the importance of balance in all things. For them, moderation was not simply a principle of living, but a core tenet of virtue. In their view, to seek extreme indulgence or strict deprivation was to fall prey to the tyranny of the appetites, leading one astray from the path of true strength. Rather, the Stoics believed that one must maintain a life of discipline, but also recognize the importance of simple, nourishing foods. Armitstead’s diet, described as normal, reflects this very Stoic ideal—one must not overcomplicate the act of nourishment, but must instead focus on what is needed to fuel the body for its rightful purpose.

Consider the great warrior Alexander the Great, who sought to conquer the known world. Even in his campaigns, Alexander understood the importance of balance—of eating to fuel his body for battle, yet not succumbing to the excesses of indulgence. His soldiers, too, were nourished for endurance rather than excess, knowing that the strength to overcome could not come from fleeting pleasures but from a sustained and well-balanced diet. Armitstead, in her own disciplined life, mirrors this ancient approach—not seeking the extremes of fad diets or starvation, but carefully tending to the body's needs with intentionality and balance.

Armitstead’s approach to nourishment teaches us something profound: true health does not arise from the extremes of restriction or overindulgence, but from the balance that comes with understanding our needs and responding to them with wisdom. To focus on essential nutrients like protein and iron, as she does, is not to succumb to obsession, but to care for the body with the respect it deserves. The "normalcy" of her diet is a reminder that strength does not come from unusual or extreme measures, but from a commitment to the basics—the quiet, steady work of nourishing the body in a way that supports long-term health and vitality.

The lesson, then, is clear for us all: in a world that often celebrates extremes, whether in diet or behavior, the path of wisdom lies in moderation. Just as the ancient philosophers and warriors understood the power of balance, so too must we recognize that our health and strength are sustained not through dramatic extremes but through careful, intentional actions. Nourish your body with the knowledge that each choice—each meal, each supplement—shapes the strength and vitality of your future.

In your own lives, children of the earth, take care to balance your nourishment. Focus on what your body truly needs, and do so with the awareness that each choice contributes to your overall well-being. Like Armitstead, choose to embrace a simple, sustaining approach to diet, one that provides what you need without obsession or excess. In doing so, you will not only fuel your body but honor the deeper purpose that drives you—just as the ancient warriors and philosophers did before us.