“Dancing With the Stars” runner-up and Olympian Ilona Maher is getting major love online after opening up about body image. Her candid post was about not having a six-pack and why that doesn’t define her fitness or worth. This message struck a powerful chord with fans, who couldn’t stop praising her for keeping it real.
‘Normal & Healthy Stomach’
In the Instagram post, which Maher is posing while wearing workout gear, she wrote, “Posing with my completely normal and healthy stomach like those people with six-packs do.” The video includes a clip of Madonna’s song “Vogue.”
Maher can be seen with her stomach showing. She goes on to show off some different angles, all while some free weights can be seen in the background.
In the post, Ilona wrote, “I’m not saying six-packs are bad but I do firmly believe that we aren’t all meant to have them and they are not a determinant of how fit or athletic you are.”
Of course, “Dancing With the Stars” fans fell in love with Maher while she was partnered with Alan Bersten during season 33. She has also been to the Olympics twice, playing rugby. Maher states she’s been a professional athlete for the past seven years. Despite all of that, she says she’s never had a six-pack.
The “Dancing With the Stars” finalist wrote that she used to compare herself to her teammates that did have six-pack abs. However, she came to find out that she was often “faster, stronger, and fitter than some of them.”
She went on to say, “I learned my body and mind need to be properly fueled and that looks different for me.”
She finished her message, writing, “Be kind to your body. We aren’t all meant to be small. Take up space. See exactly what your body is capable of with or without a six-pack.”
Fans Flooded Her Message With Love
So many “Dancing With the Stars” fans of Ilona have stated how much they love her and love seeing someone like them on television and online. She is a positive influence for so many young girls, and the fans were showing her love with this post, which currently has over 500K likes on Instagram.
One person wrote, “Thank you! I feel seen by seeing you! You’re strong and beautiful!” Another person joked, “Wait, I have the same stomach as an Olympic athlete? 😂”
She is healing people, as one user wrote, “I just want to say on behalf of all us women we really needed you to come into our lives and the world is so lucky to have you.” Another person added, “Every single post you make heals me just so you know.”
The love continued, as one person commented, “Honestly, your presence on here has changed the way I love and treat my body. Thank you! 🥹” And this fan wrote, “I needed a role model like you so badly when I was growing up, but I’m so glad I have you now 🫶🏻 you’re an inspiration!”
