‘Trying to Give Myself Grace’

Season 33 Dancing with the Stars finalist Ilona Maher shared a vulnerable post on social media that has her fans cheering her on. The Olympian shared a key reminder for herself that also resonated deeply with her followers.

On October 17, Maher took to Instagram to share a video. In the caption, she explained she had been cleaning out her closet, and she decided to try on many of the items to see if they still fit. “As I went along, I realized a lot weren’t fitting me anymore.”

Related: Ilona Maher Sparks Buzz With Hint at Surprising New Chapter

Throughout the video, Maher recorded herself trying on a handful of different denim items, from jeans to skirts to shorts. Some she could fully button or zip up, but several she could not.

Maher noted, “I am not training full time right now and am not in Olympic Sevens shape.” She admitted that mentally, she still wants to be in that condition. However, she added, right now, it’s not a realistic expectation.

“I’m trying to give myself some grace,” Maher acknowledged.

She added that at the moment, she feels “a little bigger but I’m being kind to myself.” Maher is trying to give her body time to “just be.”

“So for now my belly stays and the jeans will go,” Maher declared.

In just a day, nearly 400,000 people “liked” the post, and over 3,600 comments poured in from supporters.

“You are such a breath of fresh air,” one person declared.

A comment from the page of retailer Old Navy read, “We need more role models like you.”

“Knowing that a literal Olympian feels this way makes me feel healed (because I feel this way too),” wrote another supporter.

“I wish I had someone like you to watch when I was growing up,” shared someone else.

“You’re changing the world, one self-compassionate body image moment at a time,” added a fan.

This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.