Video of Olympian Ilona Maher's inspiring body positive message to 11-year-old fan goes viral

OCEANSIDE, CALIFORNIA: Olympian Ilona Maher not only grabbed a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics but has also managed to win people's hearts with her message to an 11-year-old girl from Oceanside, California.

The rugby union player helped Georgia, one of her ardent fans, to understand how to be comfortable in her own body, as reported by People.

Ashley Sullivan asked her daughter to watch Ilona Maher's videos to feel better about her body

Among Ilona Maher's millions of followers is the Sullivan family.

Ashley Sullivan, who played rugby at the Naval Academy, cheered on the rugby star with her daughters Georgia Sullivan, 11, and Maggie Sullivan, 9, during the Paris Olympics.

A few years back, when Georgia was just 9, she got insecure about her weight. 

Her mother explained, "I think [Georgia] had to fill out her weight on a field trip permission slip form. I don't know if somebody said something or what, but she said, 'I weigh more than all my friends.'"

"As a mom, you never want to see your kids go through anything like that," added Ashley. 

To make Georgia feel better about herself, Ashley asked her to watch some of Maher’s videos.

She stated, "I knew she had tons of awesome body-positive content and just empowering stuff. So I said, 'Let's look at a couple of her videos on Instagram and that might make you feel better.'" 

The 48-year-old further disclosed, "We watched a few videos and Georgia said, 'I really do feel better. She is awesome.' Any mom of a tween girl knows that you can tell them things a million times but when their role model is saying it, it lands a little differently."

Georgia Sullivan's mother encouraged her to write a letter to Ilona Maher explaining her issues 

Afterward, Ashley Sullivan even asked her daughter, Georgia Sullivan, to send a letter to her idol.

In the letter, the then-nine-year-old mentioned that she was "100 lbs," further noting that when she was 60 lbs, she did not become "team captain on my old team."

"Without you, I would probably be very anxious about my weight [sic]/look," added Georgia.

Ashley sent the letter to Maher via Direct Message on Instagram and the 27-year-old rugby union player did not disappoint as she replied through a video message.

She said, "I was always a bigger girl in sixth grade. I remember I was 130 pounds and I never understood why am I always bigger than everybody?" 

Maher continued, "I didn't get that, but now I've realized this is my body and my body is meant to be big and powerful and strong. And I think that's the same with you as well. So really recognize that and appreciate it because I'm gonna be honest, Georgia, this is it. This is the body you got and this is the body you gotta love."

"Thank you so much for your support. It means so much to me to see and to know that I may be affecting people in a good way," concluded the Olympian.

Her video was recently posted on Instagram by Ashley.

Internet gushes over Ilona Maher for sharing a body-positive message with Georgia Sullivan

Many people appreciated the way Ilona Maher responded to Georgia Sullivan.

An Instagram user commented, "Crying happy tears over here - this is incredible! 🙌 I’ve had so much fun watching her this Olympics, and now I like her even more!!"

"I’m literally sobbing like a baby over here right now. - so many feelings! 🙌❤️👏⚓️," wrote another, with a person saying, "@ilonamaher the world would be such a better place if more people were like you. I am so glad the next generation has a role model like you." 

"This is everything! Georgia is beast, beauty, and brains! What an incredible way for a celeb to use their platform," noted an individual.

One more stated, "@ilonamaher you are an amazing woman and inspiration to all of us!" and another person remarked, "Unreal. And they say don’t meet your heroes. So glad Georgia has someone like this to look up to!"

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