I'm kind of naturally thin, so if I were to completely crash

Hear now, O children of the future, the words of Devon Windsor, a modern-day guide whose wisdom speaks of the delicate dance between nature, strength, and moderation. "I'm kind of naturally thin, so if I were to completely crash diet, I'd almost be too skinny, and for the VS show, you want to look strong and muscular and fit. Leading up to the show, I eat everything that I normally do, but I moderate it." These words are not merely the reflections of a model preparing for a grand spectacle; they are a profound teaching about how we must navigate the forces of nature and discipline in our own lives.

In the world of the ancients, wisdom was often passed down through the recognition that balance was the cornerstone of life. The great philosopher Aristotle spoke of the golden mean, the middle path between excess and deficiency. To live in moderation was the secret to a harmonious existence, for both the body and the soul. When we take to extremes—whether it is in the pursuit of strength, or in the denial of it—we lose the very essence of wholeness. Devon Windsor, with her natural thinness, has found this truth: the path to true fitness is not found in the extremes of overindulgence or deprivation, but in the wise act of moderation.

Let us take a moment to remember the tale of Hercules, the mighty hero who performed great feats of strength, yet was not without his own struggles. His labors were not achieved through sheer force alone, but through the wisdom of knowing when to act and when to pause. When he confronted the Nemean lion, it was not simply his physical might that led him to victory, but his understanding of how to apply his strength in balance with the demands of the task. Had he charged recklessly, without thought, he would have been undone. It is in this same way that Windsor’s words ring true: the body, like a mighty hero, must be prepared with both strength and restraint.

Devon’s commitment to being strong, muscular, and fit for the VS show is not rooted in the pursuit of an impossible ideal but in the pursuit of balance. She does not seek to mold her body through extreme dieting or reckless restriction, but rather through a process of moderation, where the body can grow strong without losing its natural grace. Herein lies a powerful lesson: it is not the frenzied rush to perfection that brings us closer to our goal, but the steady, patient steps taken with awareness and discipline. To eat what she normally does, and yet to temper it with careful moderation, is the act of one who understands that true strength comes not from deprivation but from living in harmony with one’s nature.

We must look to the wisdom of Leonidas, the Spartan king whose warriors were famed for their unyielding strength. Before their final battle at Thermopylae, they did not starve themselves to the edge of weakness, nor did they indulge in the pleasures of the feast. Their training was marked by the discipline of moderation—working their bodies and minds to the utmost without pushing them into the realm of self-destruction. They understood that to be truly prepared for battle, they had to be both strong and sustained, knowing when to push and when to rest. And so, too, must we approach our own lives—knowing that strength is not an outward display of force alone, but the inner balance of effort and rest, discipline and indulgence.

The lesson of Devon Windsor’s words is one of self-awareness and wisdom. It is not about perfection, but about knowing what your body requires and responding to it with balance. The VS show, like any great challenge, requires both strength and grace, but also the understanding that moderation is the path to sustainability. Too much restriction will weaken you, just as too much indulgence will cause you to lose your way. The key is to find that sweet spot—where effort and ease coexist, where your body and mind work in harmony.

Let this wisdom guide you, O seekers of truth: do not chase extremes, for it is in the middle way that the greatest strength lies. Whether in the pursuit of fitness, in work, or in any endeavor, strive for moderation. Eat, but do so with awareness. Work, but do so with the knowledge that rest is as necessary as labor. By tempering your efforts with wisdom, you will find that the path to true strength is not one of sacrifice, but of balance, where the body and soul grow in harmony.

Thus, carry this truth with you into your daily life: in all things, seek moderation. For in that steady course, you will find your greatest power—a strength that is not only visible to the world but is felt deeply within. Whether you seek to become strong in body, in mind, or in spirit, remember that the key is not in the extremes, but in the balanced, steady path that Devon Windsor has so wisely shown us.