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August 2, 2024
US women’s rugby sevens star and Olympic bronze medalist, Ilona Maher, is going viral for promoting inclusivity and body positivity across social media. Her #beastbeautybrains videos from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games have made her the most-followed active rugby player in the world – reaching 2 million followers on both Instagram and TikTok.
Maher produced similar light-hearted videos from the Olympic Village at the Tokyo 2020 Games. In addition to the fun-loving content – including pictures with tennis star Coco Gauff and rapper Snoop Dogg – the 27-year-old is challenging those who comment on her muscular physique.
“I’ve been considered overweight my whole life,” said Maher on her experience of being called overweight, and listed as such on high school physical documents, because of her BMI. “I chatted with my dietician… We talked about BMI and how it really isn’t helpful for athletes. [My] BMI doesn’t really tell you what I can do. It doesn’t tell you what I do on the field, how fit I am, it’s just a couple numbers together.”
According to a survey, 78% of women athletes are self-conscious about their body image. Additionally, a 2014 BT sport survey found that 80% of 110 elite women athletes feel pressure to conform to a certain image and body type. Maher is using her platform to challenge limiting stereotypes, insisting that “women who run, tackle and throw stiff arms can still be feminine,” reported AP Sports.
Following her viral video, Maher posted a video titled ‘All body types can be Olympians’ on TikTok. Maher encouraged people to “take a look at all the different body types on display” at last Friday’s Olympic Opening ceremony. “All body types matter. All body types are worthy… From the smallest gymnast to the tallest volleyball player, from a rugby player to a shot-putter, a sprinter. All body types are beautiful and can do amazing things. Truly see yourself in these athletes and know that you can do it too.”
This isn’t the first time Maher addressed her body on social media. In January, she showed images of her thigh to normalize cellulite. “I have cellulite everywhere,” she said in a TikTok. “It is completely normal, completely natural. It doesn’t take away from your athletic ability or how fast or fit you are. It’s just something that’s part of your body. We all have it.”
Facing criticism about your body is a normal part of daily life for many women athletes. In the public eye, their genetic makeup is under scrutiny constantly, and on social media, trolling can become a huge issue. Athletes like Maher speaking publicly about body shaming as an elite athlete are transforming and uplifting other women athletes and girls in sports. Maher lives in San Diego and is a registered nurse, as well as a professional rugby player. She also competed at Tokyo 2020. She previously played hockey, basketball and softball at high school in Burlington, Vermont.
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