Even incredibly powerful Olympic rugby star Ilona Maher sometimes worries about her body size and shape, but she continues to advocate for body positivity and self-defined femininity and beauty.
Maher, a U.S. Women's National Rugby Team Olympic Bronze Medalist, was featured on the digital cover of the Sept. 2024 Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
The SI team introduced Ilona Maher as a model of "beast, beauty, [and] brains."
"When we say, 'beast, beauty, [and] brains,' THIS is what we mean."
"At just 28 years old, Ilona Maher has already made a name for herself both on and off the rugby field. The Vermont native, who led Team USA to its first bronze Olympic medal in rugby sevens at the Paris games earlier this summer, is breaking the stereotype of what it means to be a female athlete."
You can see the cover here:
That announcement was met with applause, and Maher continues to work with the magazine—and to inspire others to love their bodies.
In a recent video featuring the rugby star in different bikinis, she admitted that wearing a bikini was once an "unthinkable" concept to her, as her build is not as "small" or "thin" as what beauty standards often demand.
But she's ready not only to celebrate her own body and her strength, but she's eager for people to define their own sense of beauty through what makes them beautiful, whether it's strength or something else.
The video featured a text overlay that read:
"Shooting with Sports Illustrated again to show that strong is still sexy."
In the caption, Maher stated:
"Thank you to [Sports Illustrated swimsuit] for once again letting me showcase my strong, powerful body and for making me feel so beautiful. For young Ilona, wearing a bikini was once unthinkable, but now I'd actually prefer to be prancing around in one. Stay sexy, folks!"
You can watch the video here:
Fans loved Maher's look during the photoshoot and couldn't compliment it enough.
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
But more importantly, fans applauded Maher for her honesty, vulnerability, and inspiring spirit.
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
@ilonamaher/Instagram
It's always beautiful to see someone accept themselves for who they are and how they look, but it's even more beautiful when they've healed so much that they're eager for others to learn the same lesson.
All bodies are beautiful, and without a doubt, strong women are undeniably beautiful.
@gseabhac/Bluesky
@wardhog/Bluesky
@vagabondvivant.com/Bluesky
High Five Top Gun GIF 
children of men GIF 
Mask Zorro GIF 
Jurassic Park Opening GIF by Regal 
