00:00What made you want to then do that quick turnaround and be a part of Dancing with the Stars?
00:04Well, I think it's kind of a strike while the iron's hot type thing.
00:07It almost feels like a rite of passage to do Dancing with the Stars after the Olympics.
00:10You know, Simone Biles has done it, Suni Lee, even Sean Johnson and whatnot.
00:14So I thought it was just so cool and I'm the first rugby player to do it.
00:17A big thing for me was trying out something new because a big thing I preach trying new things
00:22like trying rugby, getting girls to try rugby and get out of their comfort zone.
00:25And if I'm not going to do it myself and get out of my comfort zone with this, I think a little hypocritical.
00:29So I'm excited to see what I can do on the dance floor.
00:32Getting out of the rugby field where it just is my home.
00:35Alan, how have rehearsals been going?
00:37You've only had a few so far, right?
00:39We've only had two rehearsals so far.
00:41There's so much fun. I'm having a blast.
00:44Ilona's having a blast. We're working really hard.
00:46But above all else, it's just an enjoyable environment.
00:50You know, I look forward to rehearsals.
00:53I'm so excited to be partnered with Ilona.
00:56Alan Lowe, we're thinking of team names.
00:58So if anyone has anything, DM us.
01:01Are there any contenders so far?
01:03Team names or the dancers?
01:05Team names.
01:07Alan Lowe, Ilona, but that's just my name with his name.
01:12Ilona Lynn.
01:13Ilona Lynn. We're really workshopping it.
01:16We're working.
01:18I love that. I love that.
01:19Are there any specific songs or artists that you would love to hopefully dance to this season?
01:25I love, you know, I'm a big into Chapel Rowan right now.
01:29Any of her cool songs.
01:31I love some older music, whether there's older pop artists in there.
01:36I'm blanking on every pop artist.
01:38You could do Hot To Go and you could do the Hot To Go dance.
01:41If it was that easy, I would be happy, but it's not.
01:45I know the athletes tend to do really well on this show.
01:49So how do you think your skills will carry over?
01:53I don't know if it's my skills so much as I'm coachable and I'll listen and try to do better every time.
01:58So I don't think I have the skills just yet, but I will listen and truly try to improve.
02:03You've been such an inspiration for so many people, even just by seeing you at the Olympics.
02:08What do you hope people will take away from seeing your journey this season?
02:12I hope for little girls and boys to go out and try new things,
02:16whether it's the rugby you've been scared to try, even the soccer, the new, the language to learn.
02:21See my body type out there on the floor as well, very muscular, big woman.
02:25Cutting a rug with my partner here.
02:27I don't know what cutting a rug means.
02:31Wearing the dresses and feeling good and expressing myself out there.
02:34Showing you really can do so much and be really confident with it.
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