Let’s rewind to the Paris Olympics, where Ilona Maher was living her dream, making history as she helped Team USA secure a hard-earned bronze in rugby union. It was an intense showdown, with the U.S. women’s team defeating the 2016 gold medalists, Australia, in a nail-biting match that earned Team USA its first-ever Olympic medal in the sport. Maher’s powerhouse performances on the field drew comparisons to an NFL running back, earning cheers from the likes of Jason Kelce, Snoop Dogg, and even Tom Brady. But such greatness doesn’t happen overnight, does it?

Just a few months back, Maher fearlessly clapped back at an online troll who tried to shame her for her Body Mass Index, which the commenter labeled as 30—technically “obese.” With wit as sharp as her game, Maher didn’t flinch, replying, “But alas, I’m going to the Olympics, and you’re not!” Now, with the bronze medal shining bright, she’s been candid about the weight of expectations that comes with leading Team USA.

Ilona Maher opens up about pressure

Ilona Maher knows what it’s like to face high-stakes pressure. Competing for the U.S. women’s rugby team at the Tokyo Olympics, she felt the weight of everyone’s expectations, but none weighed more heavily than her own. She later shared with FIRST that during those intense moments, she couldn’t shake the feeling that every outcome rested on her shoulders. The highs of competing often mixed with some heavy lows, pushing her to her limits in ways she hadn’t anticipated.

Opening up about the toll, she admitted, “I put a lot of pressure on myself,” and revealed how she “struggled with my mental health.” It was a learning curve, one that taught her how essential it is to give herself space to breathe and grow through the game’s toughest moments. Now, with Tokyo in her rearview, she’s stronger for it—ready to tackle whatever comes next with that same fearless spirit as she did at the Paris Olympics. So how did she deal with the mental health struggles?

Ilona Maher turns to social media

It all started with a simple TikTok post—Ilona Maher shared a video for fun, and people loved it. What began as a spontaneous clip evolved into a steady stream of rugby highlights and body-positive messages, captivating fans who couldn’t get enough. By the time she headed to Tokyo, her TikTok following had surged to over 87,000, and she was ready to make her mark on the Olympic stage in more ways than one.

In Tokyo, Maher’s videos showed glimpses of her Olympic life—from dancing around her room to showing off her daily “fit checks.” But amidst all the fun, the Games also highlighted the pressures athletes face, both on and off the field. Inspired by Simone Biles’ brave decision to prioritize her mental health, Ilona felt it was time to speak out too.

Ilona admitted, “I think with my own mental health, I’ve always wanted to be the stronger one…the strong sibling who doesn’t really struggle…” and revealed that her experience at the Olympics wasn’t all highs, sharing she went through “a very dark time.” Opening up, she added, “It’s okay. It doesn’t take away from who you are, and it doesn’t change the athlete.”

Body image has always been a journey for Maher. Although it wasn’t always easy, she’s learned to appreciate her body and its strength. “I don’t know where I got all the confidence from,” she laughed, but she knows it’s contagious. Now, taking her message of self-love to Dancing with the Stars, Ilona’s dancing her heart out and embracing every move, reminding everyone to love themselves a little more, one step at a time.