Ilona Maher has always been a powerhouse; as the center for the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team, and after the Paris Olympics catapulted her into stardom due to her witty TikTok and Instagram (@ilonamaher) presence, she has taken the world by storm. Maher quickly became a favorite amongst athletes as she documented life in Paris with clever commentary about the Olympics, her relationship with her sisters and everyday life. She also played a pivotal role in helping her team score the bronze medal, the U.S. women’s rugby team’s first Olympic medal in history. Now, she has taken to the dance floor to earn a new championship title: the Mirrorball Trophy on “Dancing with the Stars.”
Ilona’s impact is evident in much more than her follower count, as her confident and bold personality has resonated with women and young girls around the globe. As a woman with an athletic build, she has repeatedly caught criticism for looking “too masculine.” To overcome such asinine comments, Maher unabashedly showcases her wide shoulders, flexing muscles, tall stature, and ultimately, her strength. She exemplifies brains, brawn and beauty, encouraging other girls to do the same whether they are racing up the pitch or simply hanging out with friends.Â
Sports have historically been male-dominated in many areas such as, overall interest, revenue, broadcasting and sponsorships. This lack of inclusion for women in sports is partly due to arriving late to the table. For example, the NBA was founded in 1949 whereas the WNBA got a start almost 50 years later. Because of this delayed opportunity for women, it was less likely for young girls to participate in athletics. While several efforts in the past 20 years have made tremendous progress in giving girls space to lace up their cleats and don their jerseys, there are still barriers for girls on and off the court, leading to many quitting sports at twice the speed of boys by age 14. A shortage of female role models also causes young girls to not see themselves in their sport. According to Aspen Institute’s Project Play, nearly 75% of youth head coaches are men. Ilona Maher, and other female athletes, serve as a reminder that there is space for girls in sports; they just need to have the courage to take it and make it their own.Â
Historically, society has praised slim and petite body types with diet pills, fat-burning workout regimes and harmful trends being pushed upon young and older girls. These misguided expectations have been broken down constantly throughout the years, but continue to crop up. TikTok is flushed with adverse trends such as the “forgot to eat lunch, good luck finding my waist” joke. Kourtney Kardashian is also pushing her latest supplement brand, Lemme, claiming to burn fat and stop bloating. Additionally, fitness influencers push workouts that tone but do not build bulky muscle as that is “not feminine.” These are just a few examples of the harmful sentiments that cause easily influenced girls to view themselves in a negative light. Maher leads the charge to change this narrative; she has continually advocated for girls to not only be active but be proud of their bodies for all they can do. She is a strong woman—an Olympian no less—and posts videos confidently eating sweet treats and fueling her body to be able to perform. Maher has single-handedly given girls with muscular and athletic builds, large shoulders and thick thighs space to love themselves. She recently was featured in Sports Illustrated Swimsuit edition, not only showcasing her Olympic medals, but also demonstrating that athletic and muscular bodies are enchanting and sensual. She is not afraid or ashamed of her body, she is proud of it and encourages people to not only be active but to eat in a way that maintains energy. Her new merch line features hoodies and tshirts with the slogans “Body by Bread,” “Never Tone It Down” and “Beast Beauty Brains” amongst other designs. Ilona has become a champion for women everywhere to appreciate themselves for what they are—magnificent.
Ilona is a current contestant on “Dancing with the Stars” where she has blossomed from a novice dancer to a finalist. Female dancers have been socially viewed as people who must be light and delicate in order for their partner to lift and twirl them around. Ilona has redefined this stereotype as, week after week, her partner Alan Bersten has lifted and spun her in impressive dance moves. She also made history as the first female contestant to lift her partner in a dance. Ilona goes out every time in costumes with cut outs and short skirts that highlight her beauty. As she dances alongside performers of various body types, it is emphasized that every body is beautiful and capable. Ilona’s time on DWTS has underscored that muscular, bulky girls are also elegant and sophisticated; she never has to transform herself into something false to fit a cookie-cutter dancer mold.
Maher’s witty humor is a testament to her brains. Her success on the rugby pitch and dance floor showcases her brawn. Finally, her outer beauty is apparent with her signature striking red lipped smile, and her inner beauty shines through her unwavering confidence, compassion and encouragement to everyone she encounters. She has illuminated the space for athletic girls in dozens of ways beyond being the “biggest” on the team. She has redefined beauty standards and emphasized that being big is not something to be ashamed of, but a way to praise your body for all it does for you every single day. The world would be a little better if we all took a lesson from Ilona Maher to not only believe in ourselves, but to uplift all who we meet.