House of Maher – Jordan Chiles: Dancing with the Stars, Sports Psych & Swarovski Dunks
Podcast: House of Maher
Host(s): Ilona Maher, Olivia Maher, Adrianna "Dre Baby" Maher
Guest: Jordan Chiles
Release Date: October 28, 2025
Overview
This vibrant episode of "House of Maher" welcomes Olympic gymnast and cultural trailblazer Jordan Chiles for an intimate, hilarious, and inspiring conversation. The Maher sisters and Chiles dive into her whirlwind life post-Olympics, including "Dancing with the Stars," family dynamics, sports psychology, and bold self-acceptance. The discussion unfurls across pop culture, sport, sisterhood, mental health, and chasing dreams, with Jordan opening up about the challenges and highs of elite athletics, recent fame, and her bestselling memoir "I'm That Girl."
Episode Highlights & Key Insights
Jordan's Life Lately: From Olympics to Dancing with the Stars
- [04:00] Jordan describes her current schedule as "a whirlwind," shifting from Olympic gold in Paris and Fashion Week appearances to the live ballroom of "Dancing with the Stars."
- She expresses gratitude for reaching childhood dreams: "It's crazy that we're in week six now... Never thought in a million years I would be on the show. It was a dream of mine ever since I was little." – Jordan ([04:27])
- Balancing athletics, reality TV, and full-time college at UCLA, she reflects on support from her community: “People are like, ‘Hey, I’m voting for you.’ And I’m like, oh, period. Text Jordan to 2,1,5,2,3.” ([06:30])
Family, Siblings & Legacy
- [03:26] Jordan proudly shares she's the youngest of five; all girls' names begin with J, boys' with T.
- Family inspiration: named after Michael Jordan, with sister named after his daughter.
- The Mahers and Chiles find resonance in being “professional sisters,” with siblings deeply involved in each other's journeys – “My older sister’s like my HMU [hair/makeup], my middle child is…my personal assistant.” – Jordan ([17:17])
- Childhood memories of "Dancing with the Stars" traditions, and her uncle predicting both her Olympic and reality TV stardom ([07:29]).
- Touching on their father's early encouragement: “He would put my siblings in the same room if they were arguing. ‘You’re not coming out of here until you guys figure it out.’” – Jordan ([18:19])
Handling Fame, Criticism & Social Media
- [09:07] Ilona and Jordan discuss the swirl of positive and negative feedback that comes with public performance, particularly as an athlete-turned-dancer.
- On criticism after a viral "Dance with the Stars" moment: “At the end of the day, I’m the one who’s on the ballroom floor…We grow a mindset to take those negative comments and prove you wrong.” – Jordan ([09:13])
- Context behind social media drama and abrupt on-stage exits dispelled with behind-the-scenes insights. “There was a person standing there going, like, ‘Go! Go!’ And I’m over here like, ‘Do I go now?’” – Jordan ([11:08])
Sisterhood, Support Systems & Vulnerability
- [14:11] Deep dive into family roles, honesty, and emotional bonds among siblings—both challenging and uplifting.
- On evolving relationships and teamwork: “The boys understand what it’s like to be in that world of sisterhood. My younger brother played Barbies with me, he was basically like a third sister in my eyes.” ([18:54])
Fun, Games & Olympic Memories
"Bronze, Silver, Gold" Game
- [23:06] Fun ranking of Halloween candies (Sour Patch Kids, Kit Kat, Reese’s), dance styles (salsa, jive, quick step), self-care rituals (binge-watching, meditation, bed-rotting), and Olympic experiences (Olympic Village, Food, Opening Ceremony).
- Notable moment: “Chocolate…I’m just not really a chocolate person. I’m a sweet girl—a cotton candy on the floor after regionals kind of girl.” – Jordan ([23:12], [24:53])
Life at the Olympics
- [29:23] Both Maher and Chiles reflect on deciding not to attend the Opening Ceremonies for performance reasons, and the quirky realities of the Olympic Village—ranging from disappointing food ("Olympic food also was not good this year" – Maher, [33:14]) to in-house nail salons and viral muffins.
- Inside scoop: “We had sushi, and that was the main thing we wanted to try….First time I ever had sushi was Tokyo. Now I eat sushi all the time.” – Jordan ([36:45])
On Gymnastics' Highs and Hardships
- [38:24] Jordan’s realization she wanted to be an Olympian came at age 12, after first medaling with Team USA.
- On sticking it out during tough times: “I can’t remember how many times I left a note on the kitchen counter for my parents before school: ‘I don’t want to do this anymore.’” ([38:44])
- Advice to parents: “They may be right or just need a little more encouragement…Having that balance was really good for me.” ([41:01])
Mental Health & Sports Psychology
- [48:18] Jordan speaks honestly about seeking therapy after experiencing abuse in gymnastics:
- “Having a sports psychologist really changed my perspective on my own life…Take the sport out of it, just my own life.” ([49:02])
- She’s an “affirmation girly,” relying on mirror mantras and sticky notes to boost mindset ([50:01]).
- Ilona echoes the importance of evolving and not being boxed in by the public’s expectations: “No, you’re allowed to grow. That’s what we want for people.” ([52:17])
Creativity, Vulnerability & Success
- [53:27] Book talk: Jordan shares the rawness of writing her memoir "I’m That Girl" and processing past trauma.
- “Being able to put my life in a book and understand that people actually know what happened…it’s just remarkable. I’m proud of myself.” ([54:59])
- On narration: only recorded the opening herself to avoid giving “too much emotion” ([55:07]).
- Ilona teases her own book-in-progress, laughing about calling out exes (“You were barely mentioned…and I gave you a fake name.” [57:05]).
Rapid Fire Segment
- [58:04] Reveals and fun facts:
- TikTok rabbit hole: “AI food babies…somehow these people made AI food babies, but they’re eating their own food.” – Jordan ([58:16])
- Drink order: “Pumpkin chai tea latte from Starbucks…Double Rainbro from Dutch Bros…Waikiki from Swig—won’t tell you what’s in it!” ([58:54])
- Most prized sneakers: “My Swarovski Dunks.” – Jordan ([59:27])
- Favorite artists: can’t pick just one, but loves Kehlani, Normani, Beyonce, Megan Thee Stallion ([59:46]).
Notable Quotes
- “Dream big. I always, never had imaginary friends. I had imaginary dreams.” – Jordan Chiles ([06:44])
- "At the end of the day, I’m the one who’s on the ballroom floor...We’re going to use [the hate] as fire.” – Jordan ([09:13])
- “He would put my siblings in the same room if they were arguing. ‘You’re not coming out of here until you figure it out.’” – Jordan ([18:19])
- “Gymnastics is a very challenging environment…but you can create your story, your culture, whatever it may be, the way you want to.” – Jordan ([42:19])
- “Having a sports psychologist really changed my perspective on my own life in general. Take the sport out of it.” – Jordan ([49:02])
- “Being able to put my life in a book...I’m proud of myself for being able to relive that and put it into writing.” – Jordan ([54:59])
Timestamps for Key Segments
- [04:00] – Jordan on life post-Olympics & "Dancing with the Stars"
- [09:07] – Dealing with social media criticism & viral dance moment
- [13:00+] – Dancing with her dad on national TV
- [17:00+] – Sibling roles and professional sisterhood
- [23:06] – "Bronze, Silver, Gold" (Candy rankings)
- [29:23] – Olympic rituals, ceremonies, and village life
- [38:24] – How Jordan found her calling in gymnastics
- [42:19] – Enduring and overcoming strict, challenging sports environments
- [48:18] – The transformative impact of sports psychology
- [53:27] – Writing "I’m That Girl" & reflecting on personal growth
- [58:04] – Rapid-fire favorites (TikTok, drinks, sneakers, artists)
Memorable Moments
- Jordan hilariously recounting being rushed off-stage on DWTS by a panicked producer (“There was a person standing there going, like, ‘Go! Go!’”) ([11:08])
- The sisters geeking out over their collective Miami sister-photo lineup ([16:05])
- The running gag about voting “10 times” for Jordan on DWTS, “on any device, you know, you can do it multiple times” ([06:44]/[28:13])
- The conversation about "cotton candy on the floor" as her go-to gymnastics treat ([24:53])
- Jordan’s vulnerable admission: “I didn’t realize how much trauma was still on me when I had to retalk about the younger Jordan” while writing her book ([53:46])
Conclusion
Throughout this dynamic, laughter-filled episode, Jordan Chiles gives listeners a masterclass in perseverance, reinvention, and honest self-reflection. Her journey spans Olympic podiums, ballroom lights, and the self-doubt and triumphs in between. With the Maher sisters’ familial warmth and humor, this conversation offers both inspiring advice and relatable snapshots of what it means to grow, heal, and keep dancing—on and off the floor.
Listen for:
Dreams fulfilled, the realities behind viral moments, the power of affirmation, sisterhood in and out of sports, and the courage it takes to own and share your story.
For more:
Subscribe to House of Maher on YouTube and follow @houseofmaher for clips and behind-the-scenes content.
