Cellulite, shmellulite—an Olympic athlete has a message for all of us with a few bumps on our legs

Society might celebrate those who don’t have it, but when it comes to cellulite, American rugby player and Olympian Ilona Maher has a few thoughts. 

In her recent TikTok video, Maher shares a picture of herself on the rugby field in a recent tournament. The picture shows a determined Maher in action during a game, with her leg clearly visible–marked with cellulite. A sarcastic Maher laments about her cellulite before pointing out how very natural it is.

“I’m a literal Olympian,” Maher says in the video. “I’m a professional athlete. I run all day long. I lift weights all day long, constantly. And that is what my legs look like. I have cellulite everywhere. It is completely normal, completely natural. It does not take away from your athletic ability or how fast or how fit you are. It’s just something that’s part of your body! We all have it.” 

And Maher isn’t wrong. According to the Cleveland Clinic, 80 to 90 percent of women who have gone through puberty, have cellulite. Annoyingly enough, less than 10% of men do. 

The video has garnered over a million views and thousands of comments in support of Maher’s transparency and healthy message have poured in, with many of the comments coming from individuals who have been humiliated by others for the cellulite on their body.

“All the love to you,” commented one user. “The first person to tell me about cellulite pointed to mine saying she could tell I never exercised. I was destroyed.”

Another user commented that their first exposure to being humiliated for their cellulite was at the age of 15.

“I wish I saw this when I was younger when a coach told me my thighs took away from my skills,” said a user. “I was 15, with a six pack.”

Other users commended Maher for being the role model they wish they had as they were growing up, and what a difference her message is having in their lives now.

“The little girl in me thanks you for using your platform to share this,” said one commenter.

Since her debut as an Olympian, Maher has been a fierce advocate for normalizing the female body and empowering women to be comfortable in the body they have, without feeling embarrassed or ashamed. Now, that’s something to celebrate!