Gold Medal Moments :: How Ilona Maher Champions Body Positivity
It’s my favorite time of year (well, every four years) – the Olympics! I’m usually drawn to gymnastics (hello Simone!) and swimming (go Ledecky!), but these Olympics have introduced me to Rugby star Ilona Maher. American Rugby 7s won the bronze medal, but Ilona wins the gold in body positivity!
It is so refreshing to see athletes like Ilona Maher promoting body positivity, especially in a world where social media often pushes unrealistic standards. As a mom of a daughter who struggled with an eating disorder that began with body image issues, I can’t express enough how much Maher’s messages mean.
About five years ago, my daughter went through a really tough time with her body image. It was heartbreaking and so hard to navigate. Social media didn’t help; it seemed like everywhere she looked, there were ‘perfect’ images telling her she needed to look a certain way. She got sucked into these “thinspo” pages that glorified unhealthy thinness, which only made things worse.
It’s crazy how social media algorithms can trap you in a cycle of negative content. That’s why voices like Ilona Maher’s are so important. I came across her Instagram while watching Olympic coverage and was SO inspired by her body positivity and her undeniably strong sense of self. As a rugby player, she defies traditional beauty standards and encourages everyone to love their bodies as they are. One of her posts that stood out to me said, “All body types can be Olympians” which is such a powerful reminder that EVERY body type has value and strength. Another post about fueling her body emphasized the importance of nourishment and self-care over restriction. It is such a stark contrast to so much of the content that teens are exposed to.
Ilona’s message is about celebrating your body, not just accepting it. She showcases her strength and beauty in a way that is so empowering. This kind of representation is incredibly important, especially for young girls who are constantly exposed to narrow definitions of beauty.
What makes Ilona even more special is how funny and relatable she is. Her social media, run by her sister (who coined “girl dinner” and is clearly a marketing genius), is a mix of humor and real talk that feels so genuine. It’s this authenticity that helps her connect with so many people and makes her messages about self-love and body positivity even more impactful.
Seeing someone like Ilona thrive and embrace her body can be transformative for young girls’ scrolling social media. It reinforces that beauty comes in many forms and that health and strength look different for everyone.
Ilona Maher’s influence goes beyond individual stories; she’s contributing to a broader cultural shift that values diversity and rejects harmful stereotypes. Her work shows that social media can be a force for good, spreading positive messages and making a real difference.
We all need to support and amplify voices like Ilona’s. We need to create an environment where our children feel valued and confident in their skin. By promoting body positivity and challenging societal norms, we can help prevent the struggles that my daughter and so many others have faced.
Ilona Maher’s commitment to body positivity is a powerful antidote to the negative impacts of social media on body image. Her influence offers hope and inspiration, showing that it’s possible to embrace and celebrate our bodies as they are. For my daughter and countless others, this message is a lifeline, a step toward self-love, and a brighter, more inclusive future.
