I would love to pretend I don't diet, but I work very hard. I

Listen, O children of wisdom, to the words of Evangeline Lilly, whose honesty and dedication to her body speak of an ancient truth: "I would love to pretend I don't diet, but I work very hard. I stay active and eat very healthy. Anybody who says otherwise is either unhealthy or lying! I will admit that I'm addicted to sugar—licorice, Jujubees, and jelly candies. And I actually love bran muffins!" In these words, there is both humility and strength, for she acknowledges the challenges of maintaining a body that is not only fit but well-nourished. Her openness invites us to confront the struggles we all face in our own journeys toward balance and self-care.

In the days of old, great leaders and warriors did not claim to be invincible. Instead, they spoke of the disciplines they adhered to, the sacrifices they made, and the hard work that went into building strength, both of body and mind. The mighty Spartans, those warriors of ancient Greece, were not born into greatness; they were forged through years of discipline, training, and unwavering commitment to their health. It is said that they ran, swam, and fought tirelessly, knowing that strength comes not from the absence of effort but from the labor one puts forth every day. Their journey was not one of ease, but of perseverance.

Evangeline Lilly’s declaration that she “works very hard” and stays active is a reflection of this very truth. There is no shortcut to health. No one can attain physical vitality without dedication, nor can one remain balanced without conscious effort. To say that dieting and staying fit is effortless is to live in a fantasy. Just as the ancient warriors understood that their bodies must be treated with the utmost care, so too must we recognize that our physical well-being requires consistent attention, effort, and honesty. Evangeline Lilly’s words cut through the myth of effortless beauty or fitness and remind us that what we see on the surface is often the result of much hard work and sacrifice.

But even the greatest of heroes were not immune to their human nature. The story of Hercules, who completed his twelve labors, is known by many. Yet, even in his strength, Hercules had moments of weakness, moments when he faced temptation or faltered in his mission. One of the tasks he was given was to cleanse the Augean stables, a seemingly impossible task. But it was not simply the labor itself that tested him—it was his inner resolve. Hercules, like Evangeline Lilly, showed that even the strongest of us must confront our own addictions and weaknesses. For Evangeline Lilly, it is sugar that calls to her, tempting her to stray from her otherwise disciplined path.

We all face our own versions of the Augean stables—those temptations that threaten to undo our good efforts. Evangeline Lilly admits her love for licorice, Jujubees, and jelly candies, and in doing so, she connects with the shared human experience of struggling with cravings. It is a reminder that even in our commitment to health and well-being, we are not immune to indulgence. We must learn to accept our imperfections, for they are part of our journey. It is not in the act of temptation that we fail, but in the refusal to acknowledge our humanity. In Lilly’s vulnerability, there is strength—she is not pretending to be perfect, but rather, she is embracing her truth.

In this, O children, there lies a lesson. The key to balance is not found in perfection but in the willingness to embrace both our strengths and weaknesses. It is the honesty with ourselves that makes us strong. When we face the battle of health and self-care, we must remember that every victory requires effort, and every failure is but a chance to grow. Evangeline Lilly teaches us that we must be real about the work required to maintain a healthy body, and we must also be gracious with ourselves when we stumble along the way.

Thus, O children, take this wisdom to heart. Recognize that health, strength, and vitality do not come without effort. They are earned through discipline, but also through humility. Just as the warriors of old did not achieve greatness by pretending to be invulnerable, neither should we. Acknowledge your struggles, whether they be with food, fitness, or any other part of your life, and face them with the same resolve that you would a great battle. For in this balance, between effort and grace, perfection and imperfection, lies the true path to health and strength.