TRAINER'S EYE #117 - "Elevating By Altaria's Wings" ft. RocketClare

In this Pokemon interview, we are joined by RocketClare, a Pokemon GO Trainer from Australia and Pokemon Worlds competitor in 2024.

RocketClare shares her initial entry into the Pokemon franchise starting with Pokemon GO where she attempted to develop ways to encourage both herself and her children to become more active outside. Despite her children losing interest in the game, RocketClare find the game engaging and beneficial to her mental health by meeting people and walking outside.

RocketClare speaks on her local community and how it led to her involvement with Pokemon GO PvP, starting with Silph Arena before transitioning to participating with Play Pokemon and competing. RocketClare also speaks on the importance of representation for women and how her involvement with GirlsThatPvP improved her experience with Pokemon GO PvP.

Sources
Opening Song: "Forget You" by Alex_MakeMusic from Pixabay

Connect with RocketClare: Twitter | Bluesky

Transcript

RocketClare: 0:00

I am Rocket Clare and this is my Pokémon story.

David Hernandez: 0:42

Welcome to As the Pokeball Turns, where we interview people about their experience with Pokemon. My name is David Hernandez, and today, I'm joined by a wonderful leader within the Pokemon Go community, Rocket Clare. Clare, welcome to the podcast.

RocketClare: 0:58

Oh, thank you so much for having me, David.

David Hernandez: 1:00

absolutely. I was happy that you decided to come on the show. I look forward to kind of diving into your experience with Pokemon Go, which doesn't start with the main series. It actually just starts with Pokemon Go. you did a recent, world's trip. You also are very involved within the PVP community with girls at PVP. And I want to highlight all that stuff. And I'm excited to kind of hear that kind of all unfold.

RocketClare: 1:19

Oh yeah, look, I'm really excited to be able to talk about it. This is one of my favourite topics and, I don't think there can be enough discussion, particularly about, how we promote women and the things that they're doing in PVP, and just all the fun stuff, all the things that make it such a great game to play.

David Hernandez: 1:36

But let's start with the origin story. Let's start with the beginning. Like what's the chapter one, where does this journey start off?

RocketClare: 1:43

So, back in 2016 when the game launched, I think It had been out for about a week. I think I started about a week late. I'd heard a bit in the news about this game called Pokemon Go. I had very young children at the time and I thought, I think that would be something that my kids would really enjoy playing. So I have three daughters. they're now 17, 15 and but obviously back then they were more of an age where I thought this could be something fun to do outside with them, which, When you've got three kids it's always a challenge to try and think of something that gets them out and about and that they enjoy doing. So, uh, I downloaded the game. And I took a little while to figure out what was going on because I, like you said, haven't played the main games. And when I started playing Pokemon Go, I didn't really get the concept of even trying to catch them in the ball. I do remember, uh, the first Pokemon I tried to catch trying to work out how you even threw the ball. Which is pretty embarrassing. I don't think I've ever admitted that to anybody. But, uh, it was just, um, a whole new, a whole new experience to me. it went from there. I sort of, I'm lucky in that I live Right near a park that has a lot of Pokestop and I could see, you know, when the game first started, it was just crazy, right? So people were out playing until 3am in the morning. I could see from my house, lawyers going all night, at these Pokestops. And, I'm sure that wasn't just in Australia. I'm sure that was, worldwide. There was, there was news stories about, you know, people chasing Snorlax spawns and. all sorts of fun and exciting stuff. It was just such a novelty and very, very, addictive when you see everyone else doing something and having so much fun with it and then you're having fun with it, it kind of builds momentum, I think.

David Hernandez: 3:17

So you started because you had your daughters. You were trying to find a way to get them out. And kind of, I guess, do a family kind of event. Did your daughters also get hooked into the game when y'all were starting? Like, were y'all going, like, on family outings to the park that, uh, where you stayed at and stuff like that?

RocketClare: 3:30

I have to be completely honest. I think for me, I started doing it and I thought I'd play first so that I could teach them what to do. And then I just got completely hooked and definitely did, I definitely started accounts for them. But, I don't know, they just weren't as interested as me. They'd be a little bit interested, but then they'd get bored really quickly and go and want to play. Or whatever, which is also fine. because, I was enjoying being out while they were playing, like I had something to do as well and it was in the park. So, yeah, it kind of worked really well for me that first, first year or so and definitely started to meet a lot of players. It was kind of weird to start off with. we didn't have established, well certainly here where I'm from, which is, you know, I should probably say a small country town in Tasmania, which is the smallest, or sort of the lowest population area of Australia, the southernmost point. so a bit remote, and it took a while to get any sort of chats established or discords or anything like that. So initially everyone was just playing, um, independently, um, I think there were a couple of Facebook groups start up, but when the game started it was such an individual game as well. Everyone was sort of battling gyms and trying to kick each other out of gyms, and it was very much about, I think there were brag posts in the, in the Facebook chat, but it was more about, Look at this fantastic Pokemon I caught, or look how much, my CP is now, and, you know, trying to impress people, or, or intimidate people, or, or all of that sort of thing. It was very much, valor versus mystic versus instinct, and, and all of that sort of thing, and not so much collaboration or working together. So, I've definitely seen a huge evolution of the game. as a lot of people who've played since the beginning have. and yeah, my kids kind of lost interest pretty early on and I started to want to meet and play with other players and started to just chat to people if I saw them out and thought that they looked like they were playing Pokemon Go and catching Pokemon, which you can kind of tell. I would start a, strike up a conversation. So Got to know a few people, and particularly I'm in Team Mystic, so we, in my area, yeah, in my area, we, uh, we were a bit outnumbered by Valor and, definitely had a lot of issues holding gyms, so that became a bit of a, I'm pretty competitive, so that became a bit of a, a focus for me initially, trying to get the Mystic players to band together and hold some gyms and get the coins that you could get at the time much more readily from gyms if you managed to hold them. So, that was more my focus then. I think one of the most exciting and, and one of the things about this game that has endured for me and has been the most wonderful part of it has been, I initially in that first year met so many people locally who I'd never met before, even though it's only a population of 15, 000 people in my town and I'd sort of grown up nearby and lived here most of my life. there were just so many people. Probably more of a younger generation than me because they were people who played the main games and naturally sort of just progressed to Pokemon Go. but I don't know just all different walks of life. There was a lot of families playing as well but they were just people I hadn't come across or met before and probably wouldn't have if it hadn't been for the game. And I've made some really wonderful friends through that. People who I now, you know, would happily go and have a coffee with, or, you know, we've done stuff to help each other out, you know, with our kids, or, or whatever else. Community days have become really wonderful for us. It's an opportunity for us to book out, you know, the local barbecue shelter, and, make it a real celebration, and, and all chat about what we're catching, and chat to each other's kids as well, and, walk around together and have a really fun time. So that community side of it for me. was an added bonus that I probably didn't appreciate as much to start off with because I was so focused on playing the game. But, as time wore on and I started to realize that I've met all these wonderful people, I really started to appreciate that a lot. So, yeah, that was sort of what really got me in at the start.

David Hernandez: 7:13

It sounds like even early on, you know, before you even get to the PVP side of things, that you really valued connection. And I imagine, you know, you have, you said you had three girls, you know, your hands are probably full, plus I'm assuming you probably work and stuff like that, whatever commitments that come with, you know, being a mother. So it seems like that you value just being able to go out, trying to rally the mystic people together, and you found a way to connect with people through Pokemon, both older, younger, through all different ages and stages of life.

RocketClare: 7:37

absolutely. And anyone who knows me knows that I am a connector. Like, I value my personal time and my private quiet time, but I also really enjoy social connections with people. And I have to say as well, the game started at a time that was significant for me because my youngest daughter was at home. She was only one and I'd been through a particularly difficult period. I'd lost my mother, when something like that happens, it's, it's terrible enough. But I also had a baby and I was sort of stuck at home, not working at the time. I had had a break from work. So, um, I can't tell you how isolating that can feel, particularly if you are someone who really enjoys making connections and interacting with people. So, I really feel like my story was one of it was definitely right time, right place. I could get out with the pram. I could have the phone running on Pokemon Go. It's so important to be able to feel like you're not trapped and not, sort of, you can't leave the house. So to be able to get out, walk around, get that very important exercise, which is so good to lift your spirits, get some sunshine, fresh air, all of those things. I really do believe that was life changing for me and it came at a really good time. Particularly as, when you talk about connections and meeting new people, I'd sort of lost a lot of connections that I had before. through my workplace at the time, and I was feeling, like I said, you know, pretty isolated. So, yeah, meeting new people at that time was great.

David Hernandez: 8:53

You know, it makes a huge difference, especially when you go through that kind of trauma, because for me, I lost my dad that same year. I lost him early 2016. And you know, I was young on the youngest side. I was like 25, 26, and nobody else around me had ever, at least my friend wise, had lost a parent before. So it

RocketClare: 9:10

I reckon.

David Hernandez: 9:10

isolating in that fact because it was like. I mean, it's hard for me to kind of connect with people who something you've never experienced before. That's not what just lost, but that's, it's anything. And, you know, I felt like I was kind of very on my own to a way. And, you know, I was trying to, you know, wrap up with the effect of not having your parent at that age. And then, you know, Pokemon go comes out and. At the time I was still mourning what is, you know, in a way, but it helped me kind of get out to kind of connect with old friends, new friends, because everybody was playing Pokemon, right? And like you, it allowed me to kind of step out and just connect with the franchise that I've grown up with. So I'm more of a Pokemon from gen one guy, but it allowed me to kind of reconnect with the franchise that, you know, I've loved really for a long time.

RocketClare: 9:50

I just love hearing that you were so young as well, and I'm so glad for you that it was there at that time. Again, another story of the timing couldn't have been more perfect.

David Hernandez: 9:59

Well, I never even thought about that. I'm like, wait, I lost my dad that same year. That makes actually a lot of sense that she says that. I've never connected before until you came on the podcast. So it was great.

RocketClare: 10:09

I, I had a friend that I made through, through the game as well who suffered from, chronic anxiety and she had told me that she was at a point where She just couldn't bear to be around anyone. She'd had some really bad experiences in her life, and she would just stay home and not want to leave the house. And again, it got her out of the house. But not only that, like, she was Team Mystic. So I was onto her. And I managed to tap into something in her that was super competitive. So despite the fact that she was too shy to even speak to me, But we would be in the chat and I'd be like, Come on, come on, we've got to get out there and get these gyms back. And it kind of egged her on because she, she was quite a competitive person inside well. And it, She said to me so many times over the following years how much it changed her life. So, over the next two years, she actually managed to get out of a bad relationship, go back to school, and do some pre course subjects that meant she could then, Do a course in um, uh, it was caring for people with disabilities. And she's now working in that field. And she had been at a point where since she'd left school, she'd left school early because of the issues she'd had at home. And she hadn't been working that whole time. So, I truly believe, and she, she believes that the, the game was the starting point, for her to be able to make some of those connections, to feel confident. myself and a couple of other friends were able be referees for her when she was looking for work. Like, it was just a massive turnaround for her and just such a good news story. So, I'm sure there's many stories like this about the game. I believe there would be.

David Hernandez: 11:35

Eventually you know, the game progresses. Were you able to stick with the game throughout, or did you take any breaks before the PVP side?

RocketClare: 11:40

I am such a, I never give up. Like, there were times when it frustrated me so much, particularly early days, when there were so many glitches for the first, I think it was pretty bad first, I know it was terrible the first few months and there were so many issues, but I think that went on for quite some time, didn't it? I can't actually recall it's going back so far, but I just, I just stuck with it anyway. Like, I'm very kind of focused, I think I hyper focused on which says a lot about me, but, uh, it was just one of those where. I don't know, it was my escape, and, you When I went back to work after having Kira, I could do my work and I could do my stuff around the house. I could do my stuff with the kids, but this was for me. And think as a working mum, a lot would relate. you need some stuff for yourself. And I'd played competitive sport as well, All my life and the last one that I was still sticking with was hockey. but that's very hard on your body. And I think I had my last season of hockey. Well, I think it was my last season a couple of years ago. I may still go back I don't know, play masters or something. But at this stage I'm having a rest from that cause it's just so hard on the body. but I've I still need that outlet and I need something that's for me. And I need something that I can compete in and feel like I'm achieving something. That's just, I know that's who I am. So, what a great way to be able to. Continue to do that without needing a wheelchair the next day to be able to play it on your phone. It's still good.

David Hernandez: 12:55

hockey's violent sport. Yeah.

RocketClare: 12:58

Well, I'm talking field hockey, not ice hockey. I should probably clarify.

David Hernandez: 13:02

I mean, that's even worse.

RocketClare: 13:04

Ice hockey. What I've seen looks pretty crazy. I don't think I could manage that. I think that would be so, like, it's hard enough without having to do it on ice skates.

David Hernandez: 13:13

I don't know, I feel like field hockey has more of a no rules bar, almost, basically. At least we got some referees.

RocketClare: 13:18

yeah. Oh, I kind of like that. I didn't

David Hernandez: 13:20

That's

RocketClare: 13:24

you've got be uh, keep, keep your, uh, speed up. And, if you can sort of muscle someone off, that's better than skills sometimes. I've had my share bruises and black eyes out of it. But, yeah, you do get to an age where you're like, Oh, yeah, I don't think I can go to work a black eye on Monday morning. That wouldn't Ha,

David Hernandez: 13:42

right? It's like, what, are you okay at home? Like, yeah.

RocketClare: 13:46

Yeah, that's true, actually. I never thought of that.

David Hernandez: 13:49

but you know, diving into the competitive side with you getting the PVP, it seems like it's like a natural fit your competitor and you know, PVPs, you know, competitions, one against one, you got into it because from my understanding, your community is very active, right?

RocketClare: 14:00

That's right. Yeah. Oh, I was super lucky in this sense. There's a couple of guys in particular that kept saying, probably six months before PvP came out, because it was teased for a long time, and they kept saying, we can't wait for PvP. And I'd be like, what's this PvP? What are they even talking about? I've never done anything like that. I didn't realise that that was such a key part of the Pokémon games. I just really learnt, you know, what I needed to know about, about raiding, and that sort of thing. And actually, I should say, raiding really changed the game as well, because we went from a community that was divided amongst the three teams, to a community that, if we were going to be able to beat any of the raids, because in early days they were so tough. We had to band together and we had to start joining our chats together. So you didn't just have a Mystic chat and a Valor chat or an Instinct chat. Like everyone was in the same chat and helping each other and getting to know each other. And that was a big part. That was a huge turning point. I'm actually so glad that the game changed like that because it changed from sort of dividing the community to us all working together. And, you know, we became a really close knit group here in Ulverston. and then, yeah, further to that, Two of the local guys loved PvP and, you know, as soon as it became apparent that that was going to be something that we could do and we could battle each other, they were saying, come on, Clare, let's battle. And I would like, oh, know what to do. I'm pretty sure I just did auto rec the first few times they sent me invites because know. Anything about what Pokemon to choose or what my best Pokemon were. I'm sure they, it would be hilarious see, if I could see a video of that now. I do have some really old battle videos actually, but maybe not from quite that far back. Um, but yeah, and then something in me would be like, I get beaten all the time, but I hate that. I hate losing. And I just think, well, I've got to try and figure out how I can, you know, win. how win and would continue to practice because I'm very determined. And like I said, I've got a never give up attitude. So we would just send each other battle invites because this is before there was even grassroots tournaments or anything. So it was just send someone an invite. and play them. Um, but, oh

David Hernandez: 15:57

even before like there was tips or those even before metas. people were really trying to figure out what was good at PvP. So you didn't have any, you really just went with kind of rumors of the playground in a way, right?

RocketClare: 16:08

yeah, absolutely. I had no idea. People who'd played the main games definitely had more idea. but it was still, I mean the mechanics were all pretty unknown and IVs were unknown still at that stage I believe. I think IVs but didn't really know how that translated into gameplay or, Or advantages or disadvantages. So yeah, fun times. I haven't thought about that while, but, the next thing that happened was, Silph did that wonderful thing they did, which was to start up, um, Silph tournaments and measures, which. the beginning of making it really fun for me and for a lot of people, I think, because it meant that our local community could hold our own tournaments in person and everyone could join, you know, kids joined, whole families, we'd get a really good turnout and I've got to say, the guy that, was our first, I guess, tournament organiser. Did an amazing job, like he provided prizes. He provided prizes not just for the people who won but, also for the people with the most unique team or the most spicy team. Which kind of encouraged the fun of it because it meant that even if someone thought, well I don't think I'm going to be able to do any good, they'd still join because they could maybe win the spicy team prize. So that, I think, really fun and helped to make sure everyone just It didn't become too much like ship stations and people would still participate, which good. And, I think I did okay in my first couple of tournaments, but not great. Like, obviously, had a lot to learn, and the more experienced players would take those out. I did start listening to, around then, when there were actual metas and themes for the cups, people started making, content that you could watch to learn about what to use and some of the first videos that I watched to try and understand what was going on and what I should be trying to use and what was good against what was Purple Kyogre actually. Um, yeah, so I watched a heap videos. so shout out to him. He's a great guy. I've actually managed to meet him America when I was over there. So that great. and just watched a few others, but I think back then the people that were making content perhaps weren't so much the ones that are now. So, I think there were a few things available online that I started to study, and I'd make all these notes. I'd make, I'd have a notebook and I'd write all this stuff down, which probably really difficult to remember, but that's kind of how I learned so. Yeah, just started out like that and would turn up and eventually, join some discords where I was practice other people more and prepare better for the tournaments and that made a huge difference.

David Hernandez: 18:40

When you reflect on those early days of PvP, what was the biggest challenge for you with somebody who didn't have experience with Pokemon to kind of learn the meta and learn the games? Like, what were you, what do you remember like finding it most difficult?

RocketClare: 18:52

I definitely feel like, I remember going through the same learning curve that I see everyone go through now when they're beginning, and that is things like just using all your shields up too early, not knowing how much of a move your Pokémon can tank, and so you shield things that you shouldn't and waste them. or even just things like not understanding. typings, because that is not as clear cut, like, some of them are logical and some are not really that logical, and,

David Hernandez: 19:17

Right.

RocketClare: 19:18

and resistances, I still struggle with those sometimes, don't tell anybody, but, but I sometimes I say, oh, I think this resists, but it doesn't, so I, you know, I still, I studied those charts a lot as well back then, because it's not as clear cut as you would, as you would think. Which is what makes it brilliant, to be honest. If it was really obvious, I don't think it'd be as fun and as intriguing. Like, one of the best parts about it is that sometimes it's really intricate to understand all the, all the ways that things work and the ways that Pokemon can resist or typings can resist or work, work against each other or work together. So that took a lot, I think, from memory. It was probably one of the main things.

David Hernandez: 19:57

and you know, for me, like I said, going back, you know, I grew up with the franchise, so I've had the chance to kind of progress with the typing's, yes, they've been the change, but what changes is the mixtures, for example, water, ground. Electro community and but four times we took grass when you get into more complex typings like the grass water or if you get into like psychic ground like stuff all the you know as much as i love to see the types used it also makes it more learning curve and more daunting because now you're coming straight from pokemon go you were having to learn 15 years of types and combinations and the pokemon on top of that that's that's daunting for anybody i wouldn't even know how to address that you know

RocketClare: 20:35

Oh, and your mind has to work so quickly as soon as you see that symbol as it comes in. You've got think so fast. what you need to do next. Am I going to switch out? I'm going to throw a move? Am I going to farm? And yeah, some of them are so confusing. I can't tell you how hard I found things like, like it's easy now because it's been in so much use, but things like Gligar. What is that? Ground flying? Like what? Makes no sense. What I use against that? Like, oh, you think you know, you just think, start to get to a point where you think you know, you know, what the best thing is to use. And then you come across a Pokemon go, oh, That one's a really weird combination.

David Hernandez: 21:47

Now, eventually you got involved with girls at PVP. When did that kind of happen within your Pokemon Go journey?

RocketClare: 21:53

Yeah, so that happened actually, yeah, not like that long after the Silph tournament started. I was enjoying the Silph tournaments, enjoying my local community. I joined because with Silph, to do well on the, um, on the rankings, the more tournaments, You did the better to an extent, and I was already doing the local ones, which was fine, but wanted access to more tournaments. So I joined, actually our Australian discord, Arena Australia, shout out to those guys. So it was fantastic that that was started up initially. So the Australian battlers all got an opportunity to have, Silph tournaments within our lobbies. and then from there, one of the guys in there was talking, He was in my lobby and he was talking about his girlfriend and that she plays and that she joined girls PVP and I was like, what's this girls at PVP? It sounds fantastic. Cause I had really noticed that I was one of the few women that were playing locally. There were, there were a few of us, but I could definitely see the disparity already at that stage. And definitely once I joined discord tournaments, um, it was definitely probably only about 20 percent women, which is still a lot higher than some tournaments that you see. But, I'd noticed the difference. And look, it wasn't too daunting for me because I work in a very male dominated industry in my, day to day work. So I wasn't daunted or intimidated by it, but I did sort of wonder about it and wonder where all the women were. I wasn't really sure why there weren't more women around playing, um, and why it was mostly guys. So I still don't, still not really sure. We, we know, the full answer to that but we might get to it. so I somehow managed to get a link, because it's obviously only by invitation to join the server. So back then actually it was hosted on the JFARM server, and you had to be verified that you were female to join and that all happened and it was still fairly small then and it was really mainly a channel, for women to discuss their experiences to do with battling and to encourage each other and give each other advice and I found it absolutely amazing as soon as I joined. Like, There were so many really cool women in there from all over the world and from all walks of life. And I still remember some in particular who have probably long stopped playing because I haven't heard from them for ages, but some of them were just so fantastic. They, their knowledge was amazing. They were really, really great battlers and really impressive and had achieved some fantastic stuff. And I will always be drawn to people like that who share their knowledge and who help others. And I know, I remember posting questions about stuff that now I look back that was a really, such a basic noob question, but everyone just had patience. Like, I think that was one of the premises of having a space like that was, you won't be ridiculed, you know, you will be welcomed and encouraged and there's no need to feel intimidated or shy because we are going to help you be the best can be. And that was definitely the vibe and the feel that I got and I really felt like I'd found a home.

David Hernandez: 24:37

It makes a huge difference, right? Because there are a lot of, people. who we think, Oh, you should already know this. Like, how do you not know, you know, grass beats with fire. I'm sorry. Fire beats grass or, you know, whatever have you, like we all, uh, there's people who think that. they, everybody thinks like them and they're not, fact, add the fact that plus, you know, if you're a, woman in a male space, generally y'all are going to be the minority, you know, that's the reality, right? And, but that, but like you said, it makes it safe space to have that server to go to, to kind of be willing to ask the quote unquote stupid question. Although it really isn't a stupid question. You're just trying to learn without having to face ridicule.

RocketClare: 25:10

a hundred percent and ridicule is a big thing and I'll probably touch on this now. It is really difficult, even for me. today to be on stream or to stream your battles and I can guarantee you that if it is a woman battling she will cop so much more flak than a guy and people probably won't like me saying that or probably argue with me but I don't mind putting it out there because I've witnessed this, I've experienced it. You can be on stream and you can play just as well as the guy that played before you or just as badly but you will cop criticism for every decision you make, even if you actually are doing something, because sometimes it's not always apparent when you're battling, you might do something that someone else is watching and thinks, Oh, I'll never do that. She's going to lose now. and it's interesting because Sometimes you actually do have a reason to do it, and maybe you've timed it wrong, or you haven't done it right, but you don't have the benefit of seeing where, you know, what they've got in back, or, or anything, but people don't give you that grace at all, because they're watching the stream, they can see what moves, you know, your opponent has in the back, so the ridicule aspect is something that I've found really difficult to adjust to, in the game and probably one of the negatives that I wish we could get past because it can actually be quite unpleasant to watch a stream and to have people being, you know, treated like that when honestly they really are doing the best they can and a lot of people who are commenting wouldn't even have got to that position of being on stream. So,

David Hernandez: 26:25

Now, how important has the PVP server been within, you know, your PVP journey and your Pokemon journey?

RocketClare: 26:31

I would say, especially in the early days, incredibly important. I felt a great deal of solidarity. I've been fairly fortunate in the circles that I move in that, I have not felt too intimidated. There have been times when I have felt some of the locals perhaps. probably more broadly, just in the community itself, I feel like the movement itself plays such an important role at holding people accountable. So, early days, there were some issues online and so on, people saying things about women battlers and so on, and they definitely got challenged very early on, and I, I really see that now. And I think that's a credit to all of the pioneers of that movement that, would speak up for women and make sure that we had our say and that we weren't, treated poorly or, or ridiculed or, or left out. so I, I definitely think now I see barely any of that and it just is accepted that girls at PVP are here to stay and that we're growing and that we're going to continue to encourage and try and, and build the community of women amongst the community.

David Hernandez: 27:30

Now, you know, Clare, you started with just somebody who had very little experience and you didn't know how to use shields to somebody who gets on the road to worlds here in 2024, you know, it's such a huge evolution. Right? Talk to us. Like, what is it like to kind of get to worlds? Like the journey to get there starting, you know, in Perth and trying to earn your spot there.

RocketClare: 27:50

Yeah. It's so interesting because I competed in Play Pokémon events really. In Australia, unfortunately, we don't have many anyway. we only have maximum of three year. And when it was announced that Play Pokémon would start holding these live regional events, It was exciting. However, it was also intimidating for me because it was very much touted as you will have to qualify to compete in the regional. So I don't know if you remember, but when it was first announced, it was kind of, you know, you must be a legend battler and you must you must that. And people had to apply. And I thought, I took it yeah, I it as, to even compete in a regional, it wouldn't just open to everyone. And I definitely that stage had very much of a, Even though I'd done quite well in grassroots tournaments. I still very much felt I had imposter syndrome. I didn't think that I was that person. I knew there were many, many great battlers in Australia who I look up to and who I still, you know, learn from and fantastic and I love to see them do well. didn't really put myself in that category at all. mostly because we've been through COVID and you know it was funny the first Australian regional was in St Kilda, Melbourne of years ago and it was the first time I'd met most face to face because we just battled each other online we'd become friends online and got along great but you know to actually meet them face to face was so exciting and that was one of the main reasons I wanted to go to Melbourne. it's a one hour flight from here and obviously have to get accommodation on because so it's not it's not simple it's not cheap I really enjoyed just meeting everyone and seeing everyone was super excited just about that. So that's kind of what drove me to start and I think I came, top 16 in Melbourne. I'm not 100 percent sure, So, That was nice. I got some card packs, I think, and, and, you know, enjoyed myself a lot. But then that was it. You know, I just, I just played that and I was really impressed. I loved being able to the other battlers play and I loved the four guys that qualified from Australia who went to Worlds that year. It was in London. I was super excited to watch them play and support them and, that was about it. the following year we actually had the first and only ever OCIC, in Australia, in Melbourne. And Melbourne being the closest, regional for me anyway, that was perfect. So going to that was super exciting because we had Actual casters who you only ever see on TV, haha, attend. Um, we had King come and be a judge, which was awesome. Um, and Cindy came and competed and we had, Caleb and Speedy and, Butters, all come over and cast, which was just so cool. And just walking into the hall, when we had that regional was Just mind blowing just all of the setup for the stream and the way everything was decorated It was just so cool compared to what I'd already experienced and I really just felt so much excitement to be participating, and you know, I prepared reasonably well for that. I kind of got the hang of preparing for tournaments because most of the tournaments I've done grassroots were show 6 3 anyway. So that ended up being a great grounding, I think, for play Pokemon. I was fortunate in that sense. And I'd prepared reasonably well and I up coming, I think, equal ninth, you know, CIC, I was happy with, and again, you know, won some cards, which great, which I've still got. I haven't opened them yet. That's a bit of a

David Hernandez: 31:01

Oh, that's cool. Yeah.

RocketClare: 31:02

all the cards that I've won. I haven't sold or opened any of them. They're all sitting there, so. One day I'm either going to have a heap of fun opening or, or something, but

David Hernandez: 31:10

that'd hard. yeah. would not want to open them. That'd be difficult.

RocketClare: 31:14

I'm a bit of a hoarder, so yeah, sitting there, sitting there as prizes still. But it was encouraging because I felt like I was improving and getting better results each time, and then after that was the year that, I did quite well. So I first of all did the Melbourne tournament where I came third, which was shocking because, well, I'd prepared well and I had a team I was and confident because you just never know what's going to happen at these tournaments, but I was happy enough that I'd prepared and I was playing well, so that was great. I literally just kept taking it one battle at a time, played some awesome players, and definitely overcame a few, demons for myself as far as, once I got to like the third round, I was playing, fish on a heater who's quite an accomplished player. in the year before and and traveled to worlds the year before and I lost the first battle against him. So in a best of three losing the first battle is pretty difficult because you know then your back's up against the wall you have to win the other two. But also for me mentally part of the mental game for me had been As much as I've tried to, previously, if I'd lost the first, I'd kind of almost, not give up, but I'd put so much pressure on myself to win after that, because I have to win, have to win, that it could sometimes, be counterproductive. So, I'd done a lot of mental previously in, in grassroots tournaments to, make sure that I worked past that. And, take the benefit out of that loss. At least now you know what mons they're using. learned some valuable information about, who wins CMP or whatever else. And we just write down all the things that I've learned from that, so that I go into the next battle as prepared as possible. So, I think for the next three rounds I played, I lost the first battle. I think it was FishonaHeater and, um, and then Anacor. I, managed to win the second and third battle and come back just pure, the mental work that I'd done. So that was a huge achievement and I, try really hard to look at, no matter how I go or, you know, if I bomb out or I don't do as well as expected, I think about What are the things that I worked on and still went well? Because that's still a winner. I sometimes you can't win everything and you just have to take the learnings and look at where you've improved and the things that you've worked on and how that's benefited you just so that you know that you're still progressing and moving forward. So mentally I felt like that a huge breakthrough. Um, and then I was, really happy to continue on through that tournament and make it today to, to the top four and win my first round of, of day two against Avrip to progress to top three. I was defeated by Triple Crit so I actually lost to Triple Crit twice. He was the person that knocked me out. Um, he was the only person I lost to at Melbourne and good friend of mine and great battler. still absolutely stoked to be top four and to come third in So, got quite a few, points, towards Worlds from that, and prize money which was really nice. and some more cards. I think one of my favorite memories was I don't even know which round it was, but potentially, I think, I had a big break. So after my first loss to triple I was sitting at, I think, one, two, three, four, one, four, one, and there was a huge break, because then I went to lose this break, and I had to wait for all of them to catch up. So I had some lunch, and I came back in, and Yakovovich, who you probably know of, he's the, One of Australia's best battlers actually walked up to me and we're friends. We've played, you know, on the same team in, um, a couple of, like gym breakers and also in battle frontier. And he just came up to me and he said, do you realize that now, no matter what happens, you've won. He said, I think you've won about, oh, you know, 1, 000 American, which in Australia is about 1, 500. And I was just, no way, no, no. Are you serious? Like, I hadn't even realised how far I'd progressed, or that I'd gotten I could actually win money out of this game that I play. And to me, I really got quite emotional, and it wasn't about the money. It was about, I can't believe that I actually am good enough to win some money I'd never thought of myself in that. category of battlers, I guess. And I know Rick Flareon, who probably also know of, one of the great Australian battlers, he was there as well. And they were both just sort of grinning away because I got all emotional and then like, Rick had to turn away, you see, because was so emotional it's making him emotional. It's like, it was just a beautiful moment, I think, amongst friends and people that love this game and have battled together for a long time. And, you know, to, to hear it from guys who I'd admired for such a long time in their prowess in the and to feel like I was. that crowd was just amazing. So that was a huge breakthrough tournament for me. And really when I started to believe that I could this and, for me, self belief is huge. And I think that's also a big part of helping women to believe that they can succeed. I think it's important to see other women succeeding, to know, Well, I could do that too. And I actually really want to shout out to Cindy at this point too. The time when Cindy won the Vancouver, Play Pokemon tournament, I was so in awe of her and so amazed and impressed. And I actually feel like that was when I first started to believe women can do this. We're so outnumbered, but we can do it. So I think that's really important for be able to role model, on someone. And I, I take that really seriously.

David Hernandez: 36:10

You know, you touched on so many things. We're just talking about your experience, trying to get to worlds, you know, one hand you talk about the mental side in regards to people don't think about that. not just like counting moves, not just knowing types. It's exhausting. It's a gauntlet trying to get through two days of constant battling. And then you didn't mention it, but you actually had a buy before you even faced fish on the heater. So you were constantly on edge, you know, with the and they want to put you on the screen. So constantly just want to, you know, ideally, you know, if you go in there, you want to just go ahead and get it over with, like nerves already on, let's just battle. Let me win or lose. You had a way to buy. Then you had a way more just to get on the screen before battling fish. So. You had both that going for you too.

RocketClare: 36:50

So yes, so that was at the Perth tournament actually. My first round was a buy, which I'd never had before and it was actually the worst. I remember, I remember previously I'd seen people have buys in the first round and I always oh lucky bastard, like it seems you're sort of getting a free ticket into the next round, which I don't know, everyone else is battling and I'm staring into space getting more and more nervous, and wondering who was going to win, the pairing That person would then be who I faced. And yes, you're right. Then, after that, Fish and I were about to battle and they said, Oh no guys, please stop, you're on, uh, wait, waiting for stream just in case. You're not definitely going to be streamed, but we need someone to stand by in case. So we really got held up with our battle and, you know, get more and more nervous and it was so coincidental as well because, Fish was actually running a team that was really fantastic team. It was, um, it had Shatter for Alligator and, Guzzlord and, Which was really big at the time. plus a couple of others. And that team in particular was very tricky for my team to handle. And I knew that because it was a non team that I'd been practicing against and really struggling to beat. So that was adding to my nerves as well. So all of that definitely does add up. You're right. And, when we went into the battle, um, Fish played excellently. And I went down 0 2. So I lost my first round. So, once again, the mental game comes into it. You know, am I going to absolutely bomb out of this tournament? Was Melbourne just a fluke? Should I, should I, should I really have flown all the way to Perth just to try and qualify for Worlds? Like, oh my goodness. There is so much, that goes into it and I think something that's helped me too is talking to more and more of the top battlers and realising that I'm not alone. it's not just me that has those self doubts and that a lot of them do think about, all of those things and, It's hard sometimes, so yeah, you can think you've got imposter syndrome because you're a girl trying to do something, or you've never played the main games, or whatever, whatever other, many reasons that I might have for having imposter syndrome, but you're not alone. It is, a big part of it is the mental game on top of all the game mechanics, understanding, and the counting, and so on, and I think if you can eliminate that mental stress, then that's a big key to it, and I see some of the best battlers on stream in the big tournaments. do that, really well. Like, they just are so relaxed. And you can see people like Lurgen Rocket or Inadequence. You can just see their whole demeanor as they're battling. Like, they're giving little smirks to their opponent or they're making little kind of fun, like, jokes or whatever. And I think to be able to do that and still be locked in and still play as well as they do is pretty incredible. So that's a big part of it, I'm sure.

David Hernandez: 39:20

Now, you said earlier how you didn't really put yourself into that category. Somebody who can go around and win tournaments. Why didn't you feel like you were a top battler at the time? And do you still feel that way? Even after going to worlds?

RocketClare: 39:32

I just think it's my nature. I think that I'm really, like even playing sport, I've always been someone who's been happy to be a member of the team and to work hard on my fitness and to do as well as I possibly can, but I never expect to be the star. I just want to, I just want to enjoy myself and do my best. And I don't know if that's detrimental to myself. I think it probably has been in the past. But. There comes a point where I think you do well enough that do start to have some self belief and that confidence has really helped me. the confidence of going Worlds been amazing. Like, I loved Worlds. It was a fantastic event. It was so great being around everyone. One of the things I enjoyed the most was once I was out watching on stream all the amazing players. I got so much out of it. I learned so much. but it was hugely stressful competing. Like, I But, you know, you're up against the absolute best players. And I had a pretty good run. Like, I played the Japanese champion first round. And he won the first and then we tied the second battle. and then he won the third, which was really, really close as well. So I felt like I, you You know, gave him a good run his money. And I learned a lot from that and I won my second round, which was fantastic. I, feel I played quite well that one. And then, in my third round I did lose, but again, I think like what I learned from that battle, like I played an amazing player, as you do at worlds. Everyone's amazing. I just took as much as I could of learning out of it. And I feel like the experience of being at something, you know, with such a high standard. Was okay anything I do from now on I won't be as intimidated because nothing really compares to that to knowing that it doesn't matter Who you draw you're going to get someone really good. So think that's going to help my confidence moving forward and really Help me back Locally to feel a bit more like I must I must know what I'm doing, you know, hopefully right?

David Hernandez: 41:24

Yes. Yeah. Of course you do. You just went to worlds.

RocketClare: 41:28

Yeah, no, definitely. I think my gameplay really improved since then. Um, there was some key things that I learned, but also I really enjoy the changes that have been made to PvP in this new season. there's a shortened switch timer, which, my gameplay, my style, Has always tended to be, and I've heard this from numerous coaches and people that have tried to help me, I have a fairly chaotic playstyle. I definitely take and I like to be able to switch in and out and maximize how much energy I've got on each Pokémon and not necessarily just play things out straight or, um, Yeah, I find it boring. I like, I like dynamic play and I like to, to switch it up and so on. So that change to the game has really made it more enjoyable for me. And when I'm enjoying myself, I play my best. So that's been a fantastic thing. So definitely excited for the future, future tournaments and, to see what other changes might happen in the game and how things go from here.

David Hernandez: 42:25

Well, rocket Clare, that is the interview. I want to finish off on this last question. What is your favorite Pokemon?

RocketClare: 42:33

Oh, that's really hard. Well actually, it's not. I've got lots of favorites. I've got lots that I've loved and thought were just so cute the start. my absolute favorite Pokemon though is Altaria.

David Hernandez: 42:43

Oh, why Altaria?

RocketClare: 42:44

Altaria is beautiful, just I look at the wings and just feel like I could be flying on those clouds on a sunny day. It just, it just, I don't know, it's just so beautiful and very strong. So Altaria was an MVP for me in both the placings that I got at Melbourne and Perth Regionals as well, which is very, very, um, beautiful. fitting. Altaria is still pretty good actually. I've seen a few Altaria's in GBO recently. So, you know, it might be on the comeback, but unfortunately it keeps getting nerfed. but as a Pokémon, just absolutely beautiful.

David Hernandez: 43:14

Well, think of it this way, they keep nerfing it because it's just too strong, you know, like let it out of its cage. So that's why they're told it because yeah, that's it.

RocketClare: 43:21

That's right. Altaria will prevail.

David Hernandez: 43:25

I will say this. So my first memory of Altaria was actually, back when Hoenn, uh, Ruby Sapphire Emerald, I faced it off against a gym leader and it was always the toughest Pokemon to beat because it knew Earthquake and it knew, uh, Dragon Dance, which would speed up the attack and speed. And I always got killed by it. I know it'll always be my wall for me playing the Hoenn game.

RocketClare: 43:44

Oh, amazing. Amazing. Fancy it knowing earthquake. There you go. I've learned something today.

David Hernandez: 43:49

Yeah. Maybe someday, well, I don't know if I'll do any good at PVP, but maybe someday I'll come to Pokemon go.

RocketClare: 43:54

fantastic. Oh, I look forward to that.

David Hernandez: 43:56

Well, Clare, thank you for coming on the podcast before you go. People want to connect with you. If they want to maybe join girls at PVP, where can they go? By all means, please plug away.

RocketClare: 44:04

Yeah, for sure. I'm on X as Rocket Clare. Uh, very, very simple. Clare without an I. C L A R E. Uh, I've also joined Blue Sky under the same handle. And feel free to contact me any of, you women out there that like the sound of, The girls at PVP is a supportive space, uh, make contact and we'll hook you up.

David Hernandez: 44:24

Thank you for listening to As the Pokeball Turns. Follow all my socials and join our Discord community to stay connected by clicking any of the links in the description of this episode. Tune in next time for more episodes featuring more people, more stories, and more Pokemon. Until next time.