Ilona Maher, the Olympic bronze medalist’s rise to stardom wasn’t just about talent, it was about the foundation that her father built long before she ever set foot on a rugby field. While fans might compare her family dynamic to the well-known sports legacy of Jason Kelce, Maher knows the true driving force behind her success: her dad. He didn’t just raise daughters; he raised athletes, competitors, and leaders.

But it wasn’t just about pushing them to succeed in sports. Much like the way Kelce is admired for his leadership and ability to bring people together, the 28-year-old’s father cultivated a deeper bond with his daughters that extended far beyond the game. He made sure they had confidence not only in their physical abilities but in their voices and ambitions as well.

“Sucks for him? He’s got an Olympian,” she says with a laugh in the episode of House of Maher, emphasizing that their dad never saw his daughters as anything less than elite athletes in the making. Ilona Maher knows firsthand the assumptions people make when they hear a father has all daughters. Assumptions that her dad brushed off with ease.

“And I imagine it’s going to be the same for Jason to like do the same for his daughters. He’s a football player. I hope he knows, you know like these girls are going to be just as athletic and fun as any sons would be,” she says, reflecting on the way her father never saw having daughters as a disadvantage. Instead of longing for sons to toss a football with, he encouraged his girls to push themselves, embrace competition, and chase their goals without hesitation. She further hopes that this is the case for the former Philadelphia Eagles center, who just welcomed his daughter No. 4 a few hours ago.

And his bond with his daughters wasn’t just about sports. It was about connection. “He has daughters who we can chat with. He gets along with them so well. He’s the man’s fine. No, he’s all good,” Ilona says, emphasizing how their father embraced every part of raising girls, from competition to conversation. He wasn’t just a coach from the sidelines; he was their biggest supporter, their confidant, and the person who instilled in them the belief that they belonged in any arena. Whether on a rugby field, a wrestling mat, or anywhere else their ambitions led them.

For the Maher sisters, their dad wasn’t just a supporter. He was a driving force, ensuring they embraced their full potential without limits. And given that their father was a rugby standout at Saint Michael’s College and the family coach, he could help his daughters better by intensively studying the sport. He taught them windmill-style pitching and when to release the ball so that it could be launched toward home plate and not over the backstop.

And when you go under such extensive training, it is safe to say that the sky is the limit.

More than an Olympian: How Ilona Maher is carving her own path

For Ilona Maher, excelling in rugby alone isn’t enough to guarantee long-term stability, especially in the United States, where the sport hasn’t yet reached mainstream popularity. Her sister and manager, Olivia Maher, acknowledges this challenge, explaining that even an Olympic medal might not be enough to secure her sister’s future. That reality has fueled the rugby player’s drive to expand her influence beyond the field, proving she is more than just a rugby player. Her growing presence on social media isn’t just for fun, it’s a strategic move to build a brand that extends beyond the game.

What started as a side hobby has evolved into something much bigger. Social media has become an additional career for Maher, one that allows her to showcase her personality while engaging with a broader audience. Her father, Michael Maher, recognizes the balance she maintains between her two passions, describing her dual career by saying, “She’s got two jobs; she’s a hardworking athlete and a TikTok Instagram presenter of things.” For her, it’s more than just content creation. It’s an outlet, a way to connect with fans and uplift women’s sports in the process.

But juggling both worlds isn’t always easy. The post-Olympic hustle is real, and Ilona has had to navigate the challenges of being both an athlete and a public figure. Still, she carries a deep sense of pride in representing her hometown of Burlington, Virginia, as well as her new home in San Diego. With her dedication to the sport and her growing influence online, she’s proving that success isn’t just about medals. It’s about impact. And as her career evolves, one thing is clear: Ilona Maher is making sure she’s here to stay.