Ilona Maher is USA international (7s & 15s), Olympian and the most followed rugby player on social media.

Ilona talks about the positives and negatives with having close to 1 million followers on social media. She opens up about a time where she fell into a depression because of rugby and how she worked her way out of that hole, and is continuing to do so. We chat about her time at the Olympics last summer with Team USA & also;

We also chat about;

• Why she decided to start playing rugby.
• Being a role models for young girls and wanting to grow the game.
• Her experience playing collegiate rugby in the States. 
• Balancing a nursing degree with rugby.
• Winning the USA Collegiate Player of The Year.
• Deciding she wanted to become a pro rugby.
• What she wants to do after the next Olympics.
• Why she’s doing a TEDx Talk.
• Pre match nerves & Breaking down before a match.
• Working with a sports psychology coach.
• Going to see a therapist.
• The contract situation with the USA Women’s Sevens.

Link to join The 1st XV Patreon & get extra podcasts

https://www.patreon.com/offfieldrugby

My instagram is https://www.instagram.com/offfieldrugby/

Ilona’s is https://www.instagram.com/ilonamaher/

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