Maria Menounos Sets The Bar High For Pain Tolerance On Dancing With The Stars

TV Guide has a great article up on Maria Menounos and the “warrior” she is. Even with painful stress fractures in her feet and two cracked ribs, she continues dancing and what’s more, she doesn’t want to talk about it.

“Maria Menounos has set the bar so high for pain tolerance, you really can’t complain about anything,” said Sherri Shepherd, who now only has to deal with the psychological pain of being the third celebrity to be voted off the show. “As soon as I start to complain about anything, I say, ‘Maria has stress fractures and two cracked ribs.’ So I’m fine.”

What’s surprising about Menounos’ toughness is the fact that she’s never once suffered a physical injury. “I’ve never been injured in my entire freaking life!” she says. “That’s why this is so pathetic! I’ve wrestled in the WWE multiple times. I’ve played football with pro football players, hockey, basketball, everything, and I’ve never had an injury. And I play full out. I’m crazy.” Then her partner, Derek Hough, reminds her that this is one contact sport she’s never tried. “You’ve never danced,” he tells her. “And it’s no joke.” She nods, agreeing with him. “It’s no joke.”

You may recall that in 2009, former Republican House Majority Leader Tom DeLay had to withdraw from the competition because of stress fractures in both feet. No wonder Hough is taking his partner on his back — literally. “I give her piggy back rides everywhere,” he says. “I said, ‘When you finish this [show], you’re going to be a good dancer, but you’re actually probably going to be a qualified MD. She comes in and she says, ‘I’m gonna tape my foot up, I’ve got my bone stimulators.’ She’s drinking her milk, trying to get more calcium. She’s a warrior.”

A “warrior” indeed! Could you do the same? I’m not sure I could? More at TV Guide. Be sure you visit Pure Derek Hough for lots more on Derek and Maria this past week. Pictures above are Derek and Maria at a Dancing With The Stars after party last week at the Mixology. More at Zimbio Pictures.

Heidi: This is my idea of a GREAT rehearsal. :-)