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Ilona Maher has condemned people who assume she suffers from imposter syndrome and made it clear that she deserves the success she has achieved so far in her career. The American athlete is the most followed rugby player in the world and led Team USA to a maiden bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Maher shared a lengthy video on her Instagram handle and claimed that she had been asked during recent interviews about how she dealt with the imposter syndrome even when she never admitted to suffering from it.
"I want to talk to you all about imposter syndrome and why people automatically assume that succesful women have it. For those who don't know, imposter syndrome is the inability to believe that your success is earned, or that you are deserving of everything you have whether it's your job or your life. I've been asked this a couple of times in interviews how do I deal with imposter syndrome and every time I sit back and think, did I say I have imposter syndrome? So are you saying that you automatically assume I must not feel that I am deserving of where I am at," she said.
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Maher called out the misogynistic approach, stating that the same questions were rarely asked of successful male athletes or personalities in general.
"It's interesting, you think they are asking NFL players, male politicians if they have imposter syndrome. Probably not," she added.
Maher made it clear that she had worked hard to achieve the success she had and that it was okay to believe as such.
"I've worked very hard. I'm out here doing workout, I posted videos on social media constantly, I put myself out there to be where I'm at. I do in a way feel I've earned my success and I'm deserving of it. I also think it's okay to feel that you are deserving of the success you have, always stay grateful and believe that your success is earned," Ilona Maher added.
The 28-year-old made her Olympic debut at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and scored tries in all of Team USA's matches, finishing 6th. She led the scoring during the group stages at the 2024 Paris Olympics as well before leading them to a bronze medal victory against Australia. She is now set for her debut in the Premiership Women's Rugby after signing with Bristol Bears.
Ilona Maher eyes 2025 Rugby 15s World Cup after signing with Bristol Bears
Ilona Maher has been playing Rugby Sevens for the majority of her career, having last appeared in a 15s game in 2021. However, following the Tokyo Olympics, the Olympic medalist was aiming to make the team for the 2025 Rugby 15s World Cup and when the opportunity arose to sign with Premiership Women's Rugby club Bristol Bears, she took it with both hands.
"I want to put myself in the best position to hopefully be selected for the World Cup," Maher told Guardian about her reasons behind the move.
The 28-year-old has signed a three-month contract and will play in the remainder of the 2024-25 season for the Bears. She is expected to make her debut in January 2025 and plans to play in the center and wing.
