Welcome back to Chicks & Balls The Podcast: A Sports Podcast by Women, About More Than Women’s Sport.  This is our second ‘Half-Time Huddle’ Interview! These are our bonus episodes that feature conversations with some of our favourite Aussie athletes. Imagine this, you’re 29 years old, perfectly healthy and living your dream as a professional rugby league player. Even better -you’ve finally reunited with your brother at a new club, ready and pumped to play alongside him once more. Only one day, after training in pre-season, something isn’t right and before you know it, you’re in hospital with a doctor telling you if you’d ignored what your body was trying to tell you, the infection in your kidneys could’ve killed you.  This is exactly what happened to today’s guest, Malakai Watene-Zellezniak. After a terrifying health scare at the back of 2020, he was forced into early retirement. Despite which, and a few other obstacles he’s had to overcome, Malakai remains to be one of the most optimistic people we've ever had the pleasure of chatting with.  His outlook on life and the lessons he shares in this conversation have been truly inspiring for me and I have no doubt it will have the same impact on you! A huge thank you to Malakai for making the time to come on and share! If you want to learn more about him and his business, check them both out on Instagram here: @malakaiwatenezelezniak@wzelezniakwatches . . . Follow us on IG: @chicksandballspod Follow our hosts on IG: @marlee.silva @keelyysilva @g.moore  The best way to support us & the show? Subscribe + Give us a 5 star rating! Share with your mates! Need to contact us further, email us: [email protected] NOTE : We are sad to say today is Dakota's last appearance on the podcast, as she is stepping back to focus on her work. She will be sadly missed. . . . Produced and edited by Marlee Silva on the unceded lands of the Dharrawal people. We pay our respects to the Traditional Owners of each of the countries we record from and where all our listeners tune in from today and everyday. Always was, always will be Aboriginal land. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.