WATCH: Ilona Maher reveals tough aftermath of returning to rugby with Bristol Bears after DWTS runner-up finish in a unique way

Ilona Maher recently shared the aftermath of getting back to playing rugby after her participation in season 33 of the Dancing with The Stars (DWTS). Her journey at the DWTS witnessed her conclude her campaign as the runner-up along with dance partner Alan Bersten.

Although Maher was previously a social media sensation for her advocacy of body positivity, her popularity rose even more when she contributed to the USA’s bronze medal victory in the rugby sevens at the Paris Olympics. Following this, she became a contestant in the American dancing reality contest and continued to impress her fans through her versatility.

Recently, Maher opened up on the challenging aftermath of her comeback to rugby after the conclusion of the DWTS. She shared with her followers in a unique way how challenging the transition has been for her, even struggling to climb stairs.

In the video uploaded on her Instagram handle, she looked visibly annoyed because she had to climb the stairs. She captioned the post:

“It’s as if they (the stairs) were laughing at me”

Take a look at the video here:

It is worth noting that Maher has been training with the Bristol Bears in England after signing a three-month contract with the team. She is set to begin her journey with the Bears and compete starting in January 2025 in the English Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) tournament.

The Bristol Bears also shared glimpses of the American rugby star in their jersey on their Instagram account.

Watch it here:

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Ilona Maher shares her thoughts on English Premiership Women’s Rugby

Ilona Maher at the Paris Olympics 2024 (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)

After joining the English Premiership Women’s Rugby (PWR) where she is set to compete for the Bristol Bears, Ilona Maher shared her thoughts on the competition. When asked about her opinion on the tournament, she responded (starting at 0:47):

“I've really been interested in the PWR. I loved the rebranding last year and what they're trying to do with it. I think there's so much room here to grow and to improve as a player as a person. I know a lot of you know my teammates or opponents on the series who play for these teams and speak so highly of it. So, I'm really excited to actually get to experience it myself.”

Additionally, Ilona Maher shared in the interview how she believes that being a part of the Bristol Bears will play a pivotal role in her preparation for the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England.