There's no question that 2024 was a banner year for Ilona Maher, and 2025 is shaping up to be just as noteworthy.
The Olympic medalist—who's kicking the year off in the U.K. with her new rugby team, the Bristol Bears—took to Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 2, to share a video of herself heading off to practice.
In the short clip, Maher zipped up a Bristol Bears jacket layered over a Bristol Bears T-shirt and sweatpants.
"First day of school vibes," she said, adding, "I hope they like me!"
"Nervous but excited," the 28-year-old captioned her post.
Maher's fans were quick to show their support in the comments.
"You got this girl!! 🙌 I hope you were sent off with a special note in your lunch box. But if not, we’re all here believing in you! ❤️," wrote one person.
"At least you’ve got the school uniform right!" a second pointed out.
"Photo by the front door or it didn’t happen!!" joked somebody else.
"MEANWHILE EVERYONE IS NERVOUS TO MEET U 😂❤️," another Instagram user declared.
Maher recently opened up to Parade about how she approaches new challenges, and why she doesn't hold herself to unrealistic expectations.
“I don’t actually make New Year’s resolutions,” Maher said. “I just say, ‘This is something I might want to try to do in the New Year.’ I’ve never had goals like 'lose 30 pounds' or 'I’m going to do this here.'"
She added, "My resolutions have been saying yes to more things that I truly want, and also saying no to things that I’m kind of iffy about. If it’s not an emphatic yes, it’s a no.”
