In Paris, Olympic medalist Ilona Maher learned valuable lessons from her loss in Tokyo that helped her succeed.

Ilona Maher, a rugby player and social media star, has experienced heartbreak despite her Olympic medal and popularity.

The U.S. women's rugby sevens team won the bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics, defeating Australia in a last-minute match on July 30. This is the first time the U.S. has won a medal in women's or men's rugby sevens, and it marks the country's first appearance on an Olympic rugby podium in 100 years, since the men's team took gold in 15-a-side rugby at the 1924 games.

In the 2021 Olympics in Tokyo, the U.S. team, led by Maher, lost to Great Britain in the quarterfinal match, ending their medal contention. In a 2022 Tedx Talk, Maher, now 27, described the loss as a "huge fall" in her Olympics experience.

"All of my eggs were in one figurative basket, and they all cracked," she said.

Despite wrestling with the idea, Maher ultimately decided to try again in Paris after her defeat.

""The Olympics are a rollercoaster of emotions, with both triumphs and disappointments, but they offer valuable lessons," she stated."

According to her Tedx Talk, Maher learned three lessons from her Olympic heartbreak that helped her achieve later success.

1. Cherish the journey

The postponement of the Tokyo Games from 2020 to 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic left Maher feeling disheartened. Another year until the Olympics meant another year of training, another year of stress, and another year of hearing her coach shout, "Get on the line!"

She came to appreciate the process, she said, especially in hindsight. The journey is everything.

"Maher stated that if she had the chance to go back in time, she would spend another year bonding with her teammates and improving her skills as a player. She emphasized that she is fortunate to be able to play the sport she loves for a living, which is a rare opportunity for many women."

In 2021, Maher shared her Olympic journey on TikTok and has continued to do so in Paris. She now has 1.8 million followers and over 100 million likes on her videos.

Maher has focused on capturing moments, documenting Team USA's fit checks and Jason Kelce's transformation into a women's rugby super fan. Additionally, she challenges misconceptions about fitness and body types.

2. Stay present

Maher's second realization was the importance of staying present rather than overthinking the future.

She said that she didn't fully appreciate the Olympics because she was so focused on the next great moment or experience, rather than enjoying the present.

In Paris, Maher revels in small moments, such as discussing pickleball with fellow Olympian Coco Gauff prior to the Opening Ceremony.

3. Be authentic

Authenticity resonates with people, Maher discovered as fans expressed their admiration for her honest portrayal of herself.

Maher stated that she believed viewers perceived them as infallible and invincible, placing them on a pedestal and viewing them with perfection.

In 2021, when the team lost to Great Britain, Maher expressed her mixed emotions about the defeat on TikTok. Although her sisters cautioned her about sharing such a personal experience with a large audience, Maher believed it was the right decision.

"She stated, "I wanted to demonstrate that even top athletes, including Olympians, face challenges with both their physical and mental well-being.""

Though she didn't win a medal in Tokyo, she said, 'I'm already on the journey to the next.' So, she'll be ready when the whistle blows.

After winning against Australia, Maher spoke with NBC News about her bronze medal victory, but the reality of it hadn't fully set in yet. She later posted a video of herself strutting down the runway in her bronze medal, set to Beyoncé's "Crazy in Love," on her TikTok account.

According to Maher, despite the medal difference, it was beneficial for the team to connect with fans in person in Tokyo.

She said, "It was really cool to spread my sport out there as we were just breaking barriers."

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