- On November 19, Ilona Maher will compete in the semi-finals of Dancing With the Stars season 33.
- She tells Women’s Health that she was “hesitant” to join the show because she would find it emotionally taxing.
- Here’s how Ilona, 28, takes care of herself off the dance floor.
Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher is known for being pretty tough on the rugby pitch. (Tell that to any opponent she’s bodied.) But as a contestant on season 33 of Dancing With the Stars, fans got to see a softer side of the Vermont native: During Hair Metal week, she even broke down in tears after getting off-beat during her jive.
But it didn’t surprise Ilona, who becomes “emotionally invested” in everything she does.
“I’ve never been like someone who’s just going to half-ass something,” she exclusively tells Women’s Health on behalf of her partnership with Orgain. “If I decide to do something and I decide I want to do it well, I put my all into it. That was the reason I was even hesitant to join Dancing With the Stars. I knew that this would be hard and if I started doing it, I would want to do the best I can.”
For Ilona, rugby is more physically demanding than dance. But shows and rehearsals with partner Alan Bersten can be more emotionally taxing, since the sport is totally new for the 28-year-old.
“It takes a toll on me because I just don’t know how to move my body in that sort of way— you’re telling me to link up my toe with my hand and it’s just not working!” she says. “It’s very mentally draining.”
To cool off after a particularly challenging day of dance, Ilona relies on her tried-and-true self-care strategies, including unwinding at home with some delicious dinner and hanging out with loved ones, like her sisters.
That includes Bersten, whom she likes takes outside of the dance studio for a hilarious TikTok or two.
“When we’re in the studio, it’s a different dynamic—he’s my kind of coach and I’m just learning from him,” she says. “So we like to be on an equal playing field, too.”
For Ilona, part of feeling her best includes fueling herself with lots and lots of protein, which gives her the energy to perform on the rugby pitch and the dance floor. She especially loves to grab an Orgain protein shake (the Chocolate Fudge flavor) after rehearsal to help her muscles recover.
Orgain 30g High Protein Shake (Pack of 12)
For meals, Ilona loves to eat “whatever’s available,” as long as there’s a good source of protein.
“The most important thing is just to eat and have sustenance on-board that’ll get you through,” she says. “That’s made me so successful and so powerful in sport is that I’m not afraid to be big and powerful and give my body exactly what it needs. Sometimes women are afraid of getting too big or getting too strong, but I truly believe that’s what’s best for me.”
Rooting for you, Ilona!
Charlotte Walsh (she/her) is an associate news editor with Women’s Health, where she covers the intersection of wellness and entertainment. Previously, she worked as a writer at The Messenger, E! News, and Netflix. In her free time, she enjoys reality television, tennis and films starring Nicole Kidman.
