Ilona Maher remembers that women wanted her protection in a nail salon

Ilona Maher He is always willing to step in to help another woman in a potentially dangerous situation.

“I went to get a pedicure and I went there about an hour (or) hour and a half before they closed, so I was one of the last customers to be there,” the Olympian, 28, said in a instagram video shared on Sunday, October 27. “While I was there, the employees were leaving (and) all the customers were gone. “It was just me and two ladies.”

Maher added that while she was receiving her treatment, a man came into the salon asking for a pedicure as well.

“Then they sit it down and you know we’re working on both,” he recalled. “And mine is ready, but I put on regular nail polish, this time I didn’t put on gel, so that means it has to take time to dry.”

Related: Who is Ilona Maher? Meet the TikTok-famous Team USA rugby star

Mike Coppola/Getty Images Olympic athlete Ilona Maher has made quite an impression with her rugby talent and interesting online shots. Maher, 27, began playing rugby in high school before making a name for herself as a college athlete. She finally caught the attention of coaches Richie Walker and Emilie Bydwell, who chose her to join (…)

While Maher’s nails dried, employees put sandals on him, but advised him to wait a little longer. Workers were still tending to the man and were not yet ready to send Maher away.

“I waited there, no joke, probably another half hour to 25 minutes since everything was done,” he said. “Then they finished him off, (and) he leaves. And finally they say, ‘Okay, we’ll close it now.'”

As Maher was ready to leave, the workers apologized for keeping her longer than they initially expected and explained their reasoning.

“Then they said, ‘I’m sorry for keeping you so long. We just wanted you to be here with us while he was there. And then I totally understood why they did that,” he reflected. “It’s a crazy world out there.”

After her exchange with the women in the salon, Maher was unexpectedly greeted by the man as she left the business.

“When I walk out, this guy looks me in the eye and says, ‘Can I come home with you?’ And then I said, ‘No.’ and he says, ‘Why not?’ “I keep walking,” he said. “It’s crazy out there.”

Maher shared that after that experience, she is more than happy to stay by anyone’s side when they feel uncomfortable or unsafe, and time is not an issue.

“I want you to know that you can keep me as long as you want. “You can keep me for another hour,” he added. “I’ll cancel my plans if you want me for safety or if you want someone there to just be present.”

After those encounters, Maher joked that he was rewarding himself with a special gift.

“Since I did my security thing tonight, I bought myself mozzarella sticks. “That’s my oven that’s on and I’m having a glass of wine,” he said. “Seriously, stay safe ladies, travel together. Do your thing.”

Maher became a household name after winning a bronze medal in rugby at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. He is currently competing in dancing with the stars.