Grabbed a quick seat at the Abilities Expo in Chicago to talk with Maleena, a high schooler who lives with dwarfism and aims to break into sports management. What follows is a brisk, open conversation about scouting, communication, and the small, intentional choices that make teams work better—on the field and behind the scenes.

Maleena lights up when she talks football and basketball, but she’s not chasing highlight reels. She’s studying patterns, learning to read tempo, and thinking about how to support athletes and coaches with clear, timely communication. 

We also spend time on identity and purpose. Maleena’s explanation of dwarfism is direct and grounded, and it leads to a bigger theme: your body informs your methods, not your limits.

Tap play, share it with someone who needs a nudge, and tell us: what purposeful step are you taking this week? Subscribe for more candid conversations from the road, and leave a review to help others find the show.