Beyond the Try Line: Ilona Maher & Naya Tapper on Life as Pro Rugby Players

Step inside the world of elite rugby with USA Rugby stars Ilona Maher and Naya Tapper in this powerful and personal episode of Unfiltered Power. From the brutal training sessions to the quiet moments of self-doubt and triumph, Ilona and Naya open up about what it truly means to live as professional rugby players. They discuss the pressures of representing their country, finding balance off the field, building confidence, and breaking barriers in a male-dominated sport. This intimate conversation dives deep into their friendship, resilience, and the sacrifices behind the glory — giving fans an unfiltered look at the women driving the future of American rugby. Whether you’re a rugby fan, athlete, or someone chasing big dreams, this episode delivers raw honesty, laughter, and inspiration from two of the sport’s most dynamic voices.Keywords Ilona Maher, Naya Tapper, USA Rugby, women’s rugby, professional rugby players, rugby podcast, athlete mindset, female athletes, rugby life, sports podcast, women in sports, rugby sevens, Team USA, Olympic rugby, sports motivation, athlete interview, rugby training, mental toughness, Ilona Maher podcast, Naya Tapper interviewHosts: Naya Tapper & Ilona MaherFor complete shows notes and more information, links and resources as well as other conversations from the world of women’s sport including articles, blogs, videos and podcasts visit wispsports.com. WiSP Sports is the World’s First and Only Podcast Network for Women’s Sport with more than 60 hosts, 1300+ episodes across 50 shows and over 7 million downloads. WiSP Sports is on all major podcast players. Follow WiSP Sports on social media @WiSPsports. Contact us at [email protected].