Happy Halloween Indeed! And why I Went as Ilona Maher.

Zarah is so funny. She originally wanted a unicorn onesie but this popped up on Amazon when we were shopping. Every time she put this on, I instantly was laughing. Glad for the laughs!

It was just us trick or treating this year. Other friends were too fast or got tired too quickly. I ate up every moment with this unicorn riding princess. 

Thought of my dad. Not because of the skeleton, you weirdo, but because he had a blue dune buggy when he lived in Utah in the 60s. 

The only picture I have of Ellis this year. As soon as pizza was in his belly and his feet hit the ground in Eagle Mountain, he was off. This year he went with a school friend and I hardly saw him. 

Me as Ilona Maher. My favorite Olympian and rugby player. 

This is why I was Ilona:

I wish I had women sports figures to look up to that had positive body image. Instead, all I really saw of athletes were the male pro-athletes. Women in sports was a thing but we didn’t have many in the spotlight like the men were. 

There also weren’t woman with my body type highlighted in sports. I have always been taller than my female peers and I also have always weighed more. I was born with big shoulders and more muscular curves. Ilona shows us that there is a place for bigger women. We can be beasts on the playing field and still get all fancy with clothes and makeup. There is room for both. 

Ilona also encourages people to get out and move and to try new things and get out of our comfort zones. Both Zarah and I have loved watching Dancing with the Stars and Ilona slaying it there. My favorite moment while watching was during one of Ilona’s dances, Zarah flexed her biceps, looked over at me and said: “Look Mom, I’m strong like Ilona!” 

Ilona is what girls today need. They need to know that their bodies are miracles and can do amazing things. They need to know that there is space for all body types in sports. They need to know that being strong is okay, in fact it is something we all need be strong to live long and happy lives. They need to know that fueling their bodies should be a priority and should be enjoyable.  They need to know that it’s okay to have a voice and a personality.  They need to know that they are just like Ilona: beast, beauty, and brains(Ilona’s tagline…oh how I need one of her shirts!)

I loved my short time playing club rugby at Utah Stare University! I am so glad that watching Ilona and her amazing teammates play has reminded me how much I love rugby. I needed it back in my life.