House of Maher – “Sabalenka's Engagement, FX's Love Story & Dream Dates with Jake Pates”

Podcast: House of Maher
Host: Wave (aka Ilona Maher)
Guests: Olivia Maher (Girl Dinner creator), Adrianna “Dre Baby” Maher, Jake Pates
Date: March 17, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively, laughter-filled episode, the Maher sisters are joined by Olympian snowboarder and viral TikTok star Jake Pates for a wide-ranging conversation. They cover everything from travels in Paris and Dublin, deep dives into sports and mental health, viral proposals (looking at you, Sabalenka), dating strategies, dream dates, and social media “coreness.” The combination of playful banter, vulnerable storytelling, and group wisdom make this a must-listen for fans of both elite sport and TikTok culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Maher Sister Catch-up: Fashion Week, Rugby & Irish Adventures

• Paris Fashion Week Recap: Olivia and Adranna describe attending their first (and Ilona’s first) major fashion show. (“These fashion shows actually only take, like, 10 to 15 minutes.” — 03:37)
• Paris Highlights: Models and horses performed side by side, with the sisters more captivated by the horses’ “synchronized choreography” than the runway itself (03:13).
• Dublin & Rugby Matches: The crew hops to Ireland, taking in a Six Nations game and the Celtic Rugby Challenge, relishing seeing old rugby friends play (“That fulfilled me so much more…watching the women play.” – 04:32).
• Dublin Night Out: The group’s unplanned, relaxed evening turns “one drink” into “the time of our lives” (05:15), featuring an impromptu meet-and-greet with actor/rugby player Peter Claffey.

2. Snack Taste Tests & Group Activities

• Ilona’s ‘Salt and Vinegar Taste Test’: Nine chip brands compete; by the end “your taste buds are fried. But [Miss Vicky’s] was the only one that still hit you in the face.” – Ilona, 06:59
• Planning More Quirky Contests: Chocolate chip cookie bake-off and classic egg drop contest floated as future friend get-togethers (07:37).

3. Love Story Binge & Relationship Real Talk

• Debating TV Dramas: FX’s “Love Story” – speculating about JFK Jr. & Carolyn Bessette’s fate. “I just have a bad feeling something bad’s gonna happen to them, and I don’t want that.” – Guest Host, 09:02
• Sabalenka’s Viral Engagement: The tennis star’s low-key proposal sparks conversation about surprise proposals vs. heavily orchestrated events:
  • “She was wearing her loose jeans…hair in a loose kind of messy braid…” (10:07)
  • “If I’m gonna get proposed to, I don’t need to be wearing this one dress... I want it to be a surprise.” – Ilona, 11:03
• Ring Trends & Traditions: Hot takes on lab-grown diamonds, status symbolism, and the cultural quirks of which hand you wear a ring on (12:14). “I like something a little different. Doesn’t need to be a honker.” – Ilona

4. Welcome, Jake Pates: The Olympic Bachelor

[Introduced at 13:18]

• Jake’s Viral Valentine’s Story:
  • “After his TikTok announcing he was free and available on February 14 went viral during the Olympics, he basically became the most eligible bachelor in Italy.” – Guest Host, 13:18
  • Jake recaps a “pretty chill” but memorable Valentine’s Day with friends in Italy’s magical ski towns (14:36).
  • Description of Olympic venues and the joy of a “crazy pow day” (powder day): “The village was magical…mountains are insane.” (15:09)
• Sports Worlds Collide: Funny war stories about rugby vs. snowboarding injuries—Ibuprofen, butt-pads, and helmet recommendations abound (16:31).
• Mental Health & Comeback Journey: Jake bares all, discussing a harrowing journey through injury, loss, and finding hope again:
  • “I lost belief in myself...I felt, like, the best I had ever felt—mind, body, soul—and I felt super capable still.” (28:53)
  • Reflects on the loss of a close friend (“My brother’s always been my guardian angel…”) and how it drove personal and professional transformation (33:00).
• What’s Your Purpose?:
  • “If you’re not dreaming big, what are you doing?” – Jake, 33:03
  • “It’s gonna be so crazy for you...you are gonna have to go and show people that they can do the same thing. That’s your duty.” – Jake, 34:00

5. Social Media, “Core-ness,” & Viral Fame

• Olympic Social Strategy:
  • Paris Olympics = embracing the moment: “Just started jumping on the bed [in Skims underwear] and made a funny caption…It was lit.”—Jake, 39:04
  • “I started to finally not give a fuck what people thought of me…and it was giving me confidence, too.” – Jake, 40:55
• Snowboarding’s Core Culture:
  • The panel debates the “core” mindset in snowboarding: “The less you post, the cooler you are…” – Jake, 43:13
  • “So you’re no longer core?” / “I was never core.” / “Corny gets you paid.” (44:03–44:11)
• DM Slide Science:
  • “Find a funny dog meme gif...” [for DM sliding] “It usually gets a giggle or a haha...” (46:07)
  • “My success rate? It’s tough.” (45:58)
  • Maher sisters reveal their own DM strategies, with self-deprecating stories and blue checkmark references (47:09–47:57).

6. Olympic Village & Athlete Life

• Village Comparisons: Milan’s “bougie hotel in the Alps” vs. past pop-up accommodations, killer spa included: “There were six saunas…massive cold tubs…” (48:31–48:43)
• Sleeping on the Road:
  • “I get to a hotel bed and it’s like, best sleep I’ve ever had…a new bed, that’s my vibe.” – Jake, 49:10
  • Hosts joke about sleeping “erect” in lie-flat seats out of habit from traveling economy (50:09–50:30).

7. Mindset, Gratefulness, & Performance

• Mental Coaching:
  • Jake’s first time working with a “mental performance coach”—“We focused so much on channeling this, like, aggressive, happy, exciting energy born out of gratefulness…” – 51:31
  • The value of presence: “Enjoy every moment…like, hotel, bus ride, locker room chats…” – Guest Host, 55:19
• Gratefulness Rituals: Both Jake and the Mahers share about quiet “thank you”s before runs, and practicing gratitude—sometimes with a glass of wine (55:26).

8. The Try Hard Game: [Rapid-Fire Q&A, 62:13]

• Favorite coffee order: “Americano…milk kind of messes with my tummy.” – Jake (62:37)
• Routine essentials: Two showers a day, motivational rap in the morning.
• Favorite tattoo: “Maybe the bumblebee…or a 4th-century Greek god with a Fibonacci spiral…No coincidence, it’s a piece, you know?” (64:10–64:31)
• Olympic scandal: “Hyaluronic acid injections in the penises of the ski jumpers…If they were doing that, like, respect!” – Jake, 65:39
• Something special at home: A tapestry from his mom with “You Are My Sunshine,” a deeply emotional story about losing his childhood dog Scout (67:49–69:53)

9. Relatable Dating & Dream Dates

• Weirdest Crush: “The sexy fish from Shark Tale…She’s fire.” – Jake, 71:28
• Dream Date: “A trip to somewhere super cool...maybe chopper to the pyramids, dinner, wine, fireworks at the top…” (73:12–73:38)

10. Books & Culture

• Reading Habits: Jake likes audiobooks, not big on reading physical books (74:26).
• Book Recommendation: Meditations, Marcus Aurelius – “I listened to that maybe five times…when I was really trying to figure some shit out…” (74:48)
• Romance Novel Idea: “Snowboarder meets surfer. Best of both worlds…trips between winter wonderland and ocean vibes.” – Jake, 75:40

11. Whimsical Questions & Closing Banter

• Roman Empire?: Jake’s “default loop” is white noise, but “eco-driven” daydreams, or peak snowboard performance (77:51–78:41).
• Are there dates ahead?: “Maybe…couple in the steamer. We’ll see who wants to make it.” – Jake, 78:48

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “I like something a little different. Doesn’t need to be a honker.” – Ilona, on engagement rings (12:05)
• “If you’re not dreaming big, what are you doing?” – Jake, on life after adversity (33:03)
• “Corny gets you paid.” – Guest Host, 44:09
• “Find a funny dog meme gif…It usually gets a giggle. And then you’re like, we in, boys.” – Jake, on sliding into DMs (46:07–46:32)
• “The whole gratefulness side…Even before all this fame, being a professional athlete, working out in the sun with your buddies all day is something to be really grateful for.” – Guest Host, 55:19
• “My Roman Empire might be like, yeah, my…maybe it’s super eco-driven. Oh man. Snowboard rock star Jake.” – Jake (78:16)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Paris + Dublin Stories: 02:37–06:08
• Salt and Vinegar Taste Test: 06:12–07:09
• Love Story TV & Sabalenka Engagement: 09:00–11:20
• Ring Talk & Traditions: 11:45–12:43
• Jake Pates Intro: 13:18
• Mental Health Comeback: 28:53–33:52
• Social Media & ‘Core’ Discussion: 38:22–44:22
• Dream Date Question: 73:05–73:38
• Special Home Object (‘You Are My Sunshine’ story): 67:49–69:53
• Rapid Fire ‘Try Hard’ Game: 62:13–64:18
• Favorite Tattoo: 64:10–64:35

Overall Tone & Style

Conversational, quick-witted, occasionally poignant, and sisterly—a signature blend of insight and wisecracks. The dynamic goes from chaotic group storytelling, to deeper mental health confessions, to pure TikTok “girl dinner” goof-off energy. Jake Pates brings humility, humor, and openness, making for fun chemistry and some surprisingly deep moments.

For Listeners: Why This Episode Stands Out

• Rare, authentic look at Olympian mindset and viral fame
• Smart but hilarious takes on relationships, sport, and TikTok life
• Candid discussions on mental health, injury, and comeback
• Sisterly banter and fun rapid-fire challenges
• Playful, punchy, and full of “pause-and-jot” moments for quotability

Replayable Moments

• [12:43] – “Lab grown diamonds” hot takes and ring status talk
• [14:36] – Describing the Olympic “pow day”
• [28:53–33:52] – Jake’s emotional journey (loss, mental illness, finding purpose)
• [38:22] – Going viral by “not giving a fuck” on social
• [44:09] – “Corny gets you paid.” banter
• [65:39] – Olympic scandal: “hyaluronic acid injections in the penises”
• [71:28] – “Hear me out…The sexy fish from Shark Tale”

Summary

A soulful and lighthearted episode fusing athletic drive, family chaos, and deeply human moments, capped with a memorable visit from viral bachelor Jake Pates. If you want sport talk, pop culture tea, candid mental health reflections, and one hero’s path back to joy—sprinkled with viral TikTok advice—this is House of Maher at its best.