• On November 19, Ilona Maher will take part in the semi-finals of Dancing with the stars season 33.
• She tells Women’s health that she was “hesitant” to join the show because she would find it emotionally taxing.
• Here’s how Ilona, ​​28, takes care of herself off the dance floor.

Olympic bronze medalist Ilona Maher is known for being quite tough on the rugby field. (Tell that to any opponent she’s physical.) But as a contestant on season 33 of Dancing with the starsfans got to see a softer side of the Vermont native: During Hair Metal week, she even burst into tears after turning deviant during her jive.

But it didn’t surprise Ilona, ​​who becomes ’emotionally invested’ in everything she does.

“I’ve never been one to just do something halfway,” she says exclusively Women’s health on behalf of its partnership with Orga. “When I decide to do something and I decide I want to do it well, I put everything into it. That’s why I was even hesitant to get involved Dancing with the stars. I knew this would be hard and going into it I wanted to do my best.”

For Ilona, ​​rugby is physically more demanding than dance. But shows and rehearsals with partner Alan Bersten can be more emotionally taxing as the sport is completely new to the 28-year-old.

“It’s taking a toll on me because I just don’t know how to move my body like that. You tell me to connect my toe to my hand, but that just doesn’t work!” she says. “It’s very mentally exhausting.”

To cool down after a particularly challenging day of dancing, Ilona relies on her tried-and-tested self-care strategies, including unwinding at home with a delicious dinner and hanging out with loved ones, like her sisters.

This also applies to Bersten, who likes to take them outside the dance studio for a hilarious TikTok or two.

“When we’re in the studio, there’s a different dynamic: He’s my kind of coach and I just learn from him,” she says. “So we also want to be on a level playing field.”

For Ilona, ​​part of feeling her best means getting loads of protein, which gives her the energy to perform on the rugby field. And the dance floor. She especially likes to have an Orgain protein shake (Chocolate Fudge flavor) after rehearsal to help her muscles recover.

Orgain 30g high protein shake (pack of 12)

For meals, Ilona likes to eat ‘whatever is available’, as long as there is a good protein source.

“The most important thing is just eating and having food on board that will get you through,” she says. “That’s what has made me so successful and so powerful in sports. I’m not afraid to be big and powerful and give my body exactly what it needs. Sometimes women are afraid of becoming too big or too strong, but I truly believe that to be so.” what is best for me.”

I’m rooting for you, Ilona!

Charlotte Walsh (she/her) is an associate news editor at Women’s Health, where she covers the intersection of wellness and entertainment. She previously worked as a writer at The Messenger, E! News and Netflix. In her spare time, she enjoys reality TV, tennis and movies starring Nicole Kidman.