Ilona Maher, Olympic gold medalist, has had an incredible time on Dancing with the Stars. And she’s kept extremely busy too. Not only is the athlete advancing to the next week, she’s also continuing to produce compelling content, maintain her body advocacy images, and plan ahead for what comes next after DTWS.
Not that she hasn’t already done so much. Since the Olympics, Ilona has been on the covers of magazines, walked the red carpet, and of course, made her mark in the ballroom. But she does realize that to keep going, it’s important to have guidelines for the journey.
Ilona Maher’s rules for life guide her and will continue to do so after Dancing with the Stars
We know she’s a social media queen and America’s sweetheart, a title which Ilona accepts with gratitude and honor. And ever since she’s been on DWTS, she’s also felt more feminine and hopes to inspire other girls to feel confident in their own skin.
But what happens when she moves on from the ballroom? She’ll keep going of course! Ilona shared with PEOPLE that she has rules for life that help guide her path ahead. Her first rule — make it smaller. Go for big goals but also enjoy all the little moments. And knowing her goals keeps her grounded.
Next, Ilona reminds herself to do what scares you and own your insecurities. Agreeing to DWTS wasn’t an easy decision but she jumped out of her comfort zone to give it a try. It’s hard and not always smooth sailing with self-doubt and fear, but she’s glad she did it. “I think it’s making me a better person and I’m having the time of my life.”
She also remembers to strengthen her circle of trust where her sisters, family, and friends figure prominently. They are always there to help her – not being a “little harsh” like the DWTS judges. And of course, she’s looking for a supportive partner. But while waiting for potential suitors to slide into her DMs, she remains focused on being the best she can be.
Lastly, essential rules for moving forward for Ilona include being prepared to pivot as needed and learning to find joy in everything she does. Ilona knows life continues to change. She even admitted that a return to nursing isn’t out of the question in the future, though for now, she’s more excited about her current momentum in media.
She would love to act too! “I can see myself as the boss assassin lady,” she shared. “I’d also love to be Wonder Woman.”
She also looks forward to hopefully more traveling and spending time with loved ones. And dancing too when possible (but not too much!). Looks like Ilona’s got it all figured out after leaving the ballroom. For now, she gonna ride the wave and see where it takes her.
TELL US – HAVE YOU BEEN ENJOYING ILONA ON DWTS? WHAT DO YOU THINK ABOUT HER LIFE RULES?
