Social media can often be a breeding ground for negativity, but Ilona Maher has proven time and again that resilience can drown out the noise. The U.S. rugby player, who is now a participant in ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ was trolled mostly because of her muscular body, which makes her different from any other contestant on the show. Rather than taking the criticism lying down, Maher flipped the script and turned the ridicule into a talking point about her strength.

Maher’s story has gone beyond her personal struggles; it has caused many people to think differently about beauty standards. Not only by boldly demonstrating her physical potential but also by challenging toxic stereotypes, she has become a model for the youth. A recent bold stunt not only silenced trolls but also brought up discussions about body image, thus conveying the message that strength, in every form, deserves celebration.

Ilona Maher’s powerful statement against body stereotypes

According to a 2014 BYT sport survey, 80% of 110 elite women athletes are under pressure to maintain a certain body type and image. Another survey reports that 78% of women athletes are self-conscious about their bodies. Being a body positivity advocate, Ilona Maher has always talked about being confident in her own body. Talking to AP Sports, she once said, “Women who run, tackle, and throw stiff arms can still be feminine,” which shows her resilience.

Recently, the Olympic bronze medalist again took to Instagram and shared a video of her DWTS performance to showcase her confidence, with a quote, “Never be afraid to be as strong as you possibly can.” In the video, Maher is seen lifting and spinning her on-stage partner at DWTS with the hashtag #womeninmalefields. Her fans are also seen supporting her and showing love; as one fan commented, “I genuinely wish I had a role model like you growing up.”

It’s not the first time when she shared something about body positivity. Once, the rugby star shared a picture of her with a friendly reminder, “We all have it; there isn’t one body type for female athletes,”. She often shares videos on TikTok about body positivity, confidence, and building strength that inspire all women, especially future generations—sharing her experience of being bullied over ‘being masculine’. In a video on TikTok, she said, “Take a look at all the different body types on display. All body types matter. All body types are worthy.”

Ilona Maher’s influence can be felt not only in rugby fields or ballrooms but also in the fact that women can be strong, sexy, and confident, regardless of their body type. For those struggling with insecurity, Maher has a message and an activity to perform: “Take a breath; remind yourself you’re beautiful. It’s okay if you’re going through [this].” Ilona Maher has come a long way in overcoming these body-shaming trolls, with her success as a star on the rugby field and now on the DWTS stage.

Maher’s journey in DWTS and future speculations

At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Ilona Maher helped her team win their first-ever medal in women’s rugby. The Vermont native started her journey at 17 and won three National Intercollegiate Rugby Association championships for Quinnipiac University. Maher has even been a model for the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue putting a cap on all her trolls’ mouths. Apart from sports success, she has also earned a spot in the ‘Time 100 Next list’, walked on the Emmys red carpet, and is now showing her dominance on the DWTS stage.

Before making her dance debut, Maher revealed that she was doing the show to carry forward her body positivity and confidence. And to everyone’s surprise, she is doing wonders and has reached the semi-finals. Maher dominated the DWTS stage for six long weeks when Stephen Nedoroscik dethroned the title. She scored only 18 points out of 30 in the first episode of the 33rd season of DWTS and reached 28 points in the show’s 500th episode where she was declared safe, confirming her spot in the semi-finals.

With such achievements, she also started her own skincare brand called ‘Medalist’ with swimmer Ann Ragan Kearns. Ilona has been an inspiration and a source of motivation to every woman out there struggling with body image issues. As far as her future events are concerned, fans are speculating about her participation in the dating show ‘The Bachelorette’. We hope Ilona Maher keeps inspiring everyone, and look forward to her in the semi-final of DWTS. Do you think she will win the 33rd season of DWTS? Let us know in the comments below.