Who would’ve guessed an Olympian could bring the heat on the dance floor? That’s exactly what Ilona Maher did this week on Dancing with the Stars, and it just so happened to be the show’s 500th episode! Already a big night, but Ilona made it unforgettable with her near-flawless moves. The Instant Dance Challenge threw everyone a curveball—the dancers had no idea what style or song they’d get until five minutes before round two! The options? Quickstep, Viennese Waltz, Argentine Tango, and Contemporary. Ilona came in determined, drawing inspiration from the electric energy that Jordan Fisher and Lindsay Arnold had in their season 25 Quickstep.

After last week’s letdown, Ilona Maher was all in, and Carrie Ann Inaba rewarded her with a perfect 10, while Derek and Bruno scored her a 9 each, bringing her first-round score to 28. Then came the salsa showdown for the Instant Dance, and Ilona and her partner brought it to “Da’ Dip” by Freak Nasty. They racked up 24 points, with Bruno cheering on the good moments and Inaba giving a nod to Ilona’s growth this season. Their total for the night? A solid 52! But before she even hit the floor, Ilona shared some real talk about her journey on DWTS, reflecting on the ups, downs, and everything in between.

Ilona Maher gets reals about DWTS

In a heartfelt interview with Forbes, Ilona Maher opened up to entertainment writer Jeff Conway about how her time on DWTS has been a life-changer, pushing her well beyond her comfort zone. “I think it’s really gotten me outside of my comfort zone,” she shared, reflecting on the stark difference between rugby and dancing. “For years now, I’ve been playing rugby in my comfort zone—something that I’m so good at, that I’m so powerful at,” she said, describing the confidence she’s always felt on the rugby field. But on the dance floor, she’s had to dig deeper and embrace a new kind of challenge.

“I think I was scared to do it because I knew it was going to be so hard,” Ilona Maher admitted, yet facing this fear has unlocked a new sense of bravery in her. “I think I’m just a braver person,” she continued, feeling more ready than ever to explore new territories, whether it’s dancing, acting, or anything else life throws her way. Calling DWTS “almost a gateway,” she sees it as a path toward fresh possibilities, a reminder that stepping outside the familiar can be the first step toward something even greater.

When you look at Ilona Maher’s journey, it’s truly mind-blowing. From her Olympic debut in Rio to finishing sixth in Tokyo, and then helping Team USA secure their first-ever bronze medal with a thrilling 14-12 victory over Australia—it’s been a whirlwind of triumph. Now, she’s stepping onto Dancing with the Stars (DWTS), ready to take on an entirely new challenge. Why? To spread a powerful message of body positivity and inspire others, especially as a woman with a strong, athletic build. But what drives Maher to keep pushing boundaries?

Maher reveals her motivation!

While Ilona Maher is out there inspiring others with her powerful message of body positivity, there’s got to be something that fuels her own drive, right? It hasn’t been an easy road for Ilona on DWTS. She’s found herself at the bottom of the leaderboard, facing harsh critiques from the judges that left her in tears. It’s been a tough season for the Olympian, full of setbacks and challenges. Yet, despite it all, Ilona keeps pushing forward, finding the strength to keep dancing.

Ilona Maher recently opened up on Good Morning America, sharing that, while there are days when she feels like giving up, she dances for the little girls who look up to her. “People are loving to see a girl like me move,” she said during her November 7th interview, “They’re seeing themselves out there.” Ilona knows that her journey is bigger than just herself. Dancing alongside her pro partner Alan Bersten, Ilona acknowledges the powerful connection they share on the dance floor. She credits Alan for the way he “supports me and makes me feel beautiful.”

Ilona Maher explains how, when dancing the rumba, young girls get to see a muscular, strong woman embracing grace and sensuality. “At times, it feels like it’s not just for me that I’m doing this; it’s for others,” she added. Alan, too, recognizes the magic of their partnership, calling Maher “the epitome of the show.” And Ilona? Her strength doesn’t hold her back from showcasing her elegance. In fact, she even became the first woman to lift a male pro dancer on the show, proving that she’s not just breaking boundaries—she’s setting them. With every step, she continues to inspire, all while being inspired by the very people she’s motivating.