"I feel weaker" - Ilona Maher makes honest confession about physical changes she experienced following DWTS journey

Ilona Maher’s career has soared, with a 2024 Paris Olympics bronze and a runner-up finish on "Dancing with the Stars" alongside Alan Bersten. However, the journey wasn’t without its challenges as the rugby star experienced physical changes after her DWTS experience.

In a recent interview with Parade, Maher opened up about her DWTS journey. The rugby sevens player expressed how she felt about her body transformation, recalling her days from the DWTS experience. She said [1:04 onwards]:

“Just talking to my sister and I was like, I don't have noticed a difference at all; if not, I feel weaker, which isn't something that I like to be. I always love to be stronger. I've always found like my body for a purpose, not for aesthetic. I function over form so it was tough for me to be in this environment where, I was using my body a different way where I wasn't strength training or running and you know in rugby you want to have that muscle on you to be able to take hits.”

Maher continued:

“So I think I definitely lost some weight but that was really, it was tough for me because I'm so proud of what my body does on the rugby pitch and here I don't think I could have done what I did at the Olympics in the same way because of the dancing and what not. So I'm hoping to get back to that physical shape of rugby and to pack on the muscle and to feel like you know, I'm ready to take a hit.”

One of the known voices on social media platforms for body positivity and women's sports, Ilona Maher joined DWTS in September last year. As one of the celebrities, she competed in the 33rd season of the reality television series.

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Ilona Maher begins her PWR league journey for Bristol Bears against Gloucester-Hartpury

Ilona Maher during one of her rugby matches (Image via Instagram/@ilonamaher)

Ilona Maher represented the US team during the Paris Summer Olympics and achieved the country's first-ever medal in the sports category. The bronze medal match took place between US and Australia, with the former emerging victorious.

In December 2024, the rugby player signed with the Premiership Women's Rugby League in England with the Bristol Bears. Her three-month contract officially began on January 5, 2025, as she made her debut against the Gloucester-Hartpury women's team in front of a record crowd of 9,240.

For this game, the venue was moved from Shaftesbury Park, which is the Bristol Bears home venue, to Ashton Gate. The changes were made to host a larger crowd, on account of Maher’s rising popularity.