Name: Cat Doyle
Course: BA (Hons) Game Design and Production
Year: 2nd Year
What made you choose to join the AberFly Society?
I wanted to do something dance-related at university and found Aberfly. I tried the taster session and immediately fell in love with pole dancing and decided to join the society.
What initially drew you to pole, and how has it impacted your physical and mental well-being?
I started pole dancing since I grew up loving dance and thought it would be a good way to step out of my comfort zone. It's a challenging sport but very rewarding, which is why I now love it. The instructors and people there are also really welcoming and supportive, and I've made some amazing friends through it. It's a lovely community and having that space helped me get through my first year at university since it's a great place to chill and escape from things.
How does pole contribute to your self-confidence, body positivity and overall sense of empowerment?
Learning pole dancing has helped me become more confident as developing my strength and mastering moves makes me feel more capable. I also overcame what used to be a big insecurity of mine because of going to pole classes. I used to never wear shorts because I was insecure about my legs but after wearing them constantly for classes and being surrounded by such supportive people, I eventually moved past it without even realising.
Can you share a memorable experience of breaking through a personal limitation or fear while practicing pole? How did you approach it and what did you learn from that experience?
Doing handstands always makes me nervous and I'm not great at them but they are slowly becoming less scary as I practice them. Getting spotted also makes it way less daunting (having someone watch you and help if necessary). With any fear in pole, I find it best to know how to get out of the move in case something goes wrong and just push through the fear and do the move anyway. It gets easier with time and practice and you'll always get support and spotted if you want it.
If you could live in any fictional world, which one would it be and why?
I would love to live in the world of Avatar The Last Airbender because I love the magic system and setting.
What's your favourite board game or video game, and what makes it so enjoyable for you?
My favourite video game series is Splatoon because I like shooters, I find it challenging but cozy and I love the art style and characters.
If you could have any superpower for a day, what would you choose and how would you use it?
I'd choose shapeshifting so that I could fly and explore. Would probably end up in a forest or people-watching.
