08/04/2024
"OMG, Mom, how are you not writing about Ilona Maher?" my teen daughter said to me late last night.
"Wait, I can't remember who she is..."
"She is ah-may-zing. She's huge on TikTok and is an awesome rugby player and she's so funny and promotes body positivity. She is the best."
Out of the mouths of babes.
{Daughter whipping out phone at lightning speed} "Just watch this."
So I spent 27 seconds listening to Ilona talk about how all body types can be Olympians and encouraged people to see themselves in these athletes--from the smallest gymnast to the tallest volleyball player and a wide-shouldered rugby player to a thin sprinter. We are all worthy. We are all beautiful."
And that's all it took for me to watch the U.S. women's sevens team match this morning with my teenage daughters. America won its first rugby medal in history (in a nail-biter) by beating Australia to bring home the Bronze
Maher and the team were extraordinary, showing power, grace, teamwork, and perseverance--and looking good while doing it. I may even practice some stiff arms in the grocery store later today.
While I'm not sure how much rugby I'll be watching moving forward, to Ilona Maher, you've got a new fan in this mom.
Sports can be such a powerful way to get a message across.
We are all strong. We are all worthy. We are all beautiful regardless of our body type.
Thanks for helping me show this to my daughter. Thanks for helping me to remember this about myself.
Thanks for being beautiful--inside and out.
Whitney Fleming Writes
