Ilona Maher was living the dream at the Paris Olympics, making history and helping Team USA snag the bronze medal in rugby union. The U.S. women’s team took down the 2016 gold medalists, Australia, in a thrilling bronze medal match—Team USA’s first-ever Olympic medal in the sport. Maher’s electrifying performances earned her comparisons to an NFL running back, and she even got a cheer from Jason Kelce, Snoop Dogg, and even Tom Brady.

Her popularity skyrocketed, landing her a spot on the upcoming Dancing with the Stars with a whopping 6 million social media followers. But with fame comes its share of baggage. Instead of critiquing her game, some critics have taken aim at her physical appearance. Not one to shy away from a fight, Ilona has hit back at the trolls with a response that’s as fierce as her on-field play!

Ilona Maher gives trolls a taste of their own medicine

Ilona Maher recently took to Instagram, rocking an orange dress and cheekily captioning it with, “What big arms you have!!!”—a playful jab at the social media trolls who’ve criticized her muscular build. Despite the online negativity about her body, Ilona remains a beacon of body positivity. She’s used to the spotlight, having graced the August edition of Sports Illustrated, where she was hailed as a ‘Feminist trailblazer.’

On the field, Ilona’s achievements are nothing short of spectacular. Helping Team USA clinch their first-ever Olympic bronze medal in rugby is no small feat. Yet, even with her impressive track record, she’s faced criticism. But if you think that’ll get her down, think again. Before the Olympics, when critics called her overweight, she fired back with, “I am considered overweight, but alas, I’m going to the Olympics, and you’re not.” Now, as she gears up for her next challenge on Dancing with the Stars, Ilona’s confidence is as high as ever, though she can’t help but feel a bit jittery!

Ilona Maher’s thought process while accepting DWTS offer

Despite being a rugby powerhouse and a fierce advocate for body positivity, Ilona Maher admits she’s no dancing queen. With her upcoming stint on Dancing with the Stars, she’s stepping way out of her comfort zone—one that’s usually confined to the rugby pitch. During an Instagram Live, Ilona shared her initial hesitation, saying, “I am very nervous. When I first got the call, I wanted to say no. I have never danced before. I think I took a ballet class at preschool, and that is it. My comfort zone is the rugby pitch.”

But Ilona decided to take the plunge, driven by a desire to test her body’s limits in a new arena. “Yet it felt hypocritical of me to not want to try something new that could show me why my body can do in a different way.” She explained, “I am always trying you guys, try rugby, try sports that’ll make you see what your body is capable of and that something that you just be something looked at and objectified.”

So while she might be a bit nervous about her dancing debut, Ilona’s commitment to embracing new challenges is something to cheer for. At the end of the day, it’s not just about how well she dances—it’s about stepping out and giving it a shot. And for that, she deserves a round of applause!