"It's been like another Olympics in a way"- Ilona Maher opens up about the intense training for Dancing with the Stars

Ilona Maher has commented on the intense training she is having to undergo during her stint on Dancing with the Stars. She also talked about the importance of being physically and mentally strong to compete on the show.

Maher is a rugby union player who represented the United States at the Paris Olympics. She helped the US women's team win a bronze medal in rugby sevens. Besides, she is also known as a social media personality. Her TikTok videos, showcasing her personality, have become an inspiration for a lot of female fans.

Maher is participating in the 33rd season of Dancing with the Stars with her dance partner Alan Bersten.

During an interview with Good Morning America, she shared some of the behind-the-scenes from the ballroom at the Dancing with the Stars show.

"It's been almost like another Olympics in a way, I think I knew that it could be really big."

Maher said she stepped out of her comfort zone due to her love for the show. She also compared the dance training sessions to preparations for the Olympics Games.

Alan Bersten, her dance partner, also appreciated her performances on the show, stating:

"It's amazing! She's the first female partner to lift her male partner on the show, and it's just awesome."

In response to Bersten's comment, Maher replied:

"For me it's the showing that how powerful and how important it is to be strong physically and mentally, like to see my muscular body that is not that flexible. Still haven't learned to do a split, probably won't."

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Ilona Maher was at the New York City Marathon as a confidence coach

Ilona Maher at 2024 New York City Marathon - Source: Getty

On November 3, 2024, Ilona Maher participated in the New York City Marathon. She was tagged as a confidence coach, and helped by supporting the runners and boosting their confidence. Maher also posted on her official Instagram account, showing her attendance at the event.

"Do I know fully what that means? No, but am I going to inspire confidence in everybody? Yes. I am going to cheer everybody on, whatever you're doing, whether you're wheelchair racing, you're one of the pro athletes, you're one of them in one of the waves. I'm ready to cheer you on and make you feel confident," Ilona Maher said.

The athlete's fans praised her in the comments section under the post, saying that is the most confident thing anyone could say. Moreover, a fan was ready to run the marathon if it meant getting to meet Ilona.