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🌟 Questions for Eliza
If you could have any Pokémon as a real-life pet, which one are you picking?
Eliza Says: "If it was real life I would have a Venusaur, Because… It has a really nice scent, it can help you lift heavy things, it would help you grow nice plants and you could ride on it but you wouldn’t have to worry about getting wet like a Blastoise or getting burnt by fire like Charizard or an electric shock from an electric Pokémon."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Eliza’s answer is not only adorable, but also impressively practical! Choosing Venusaur for its helpfulness, rideability, and even its scent shows a level of thoughtfulness beyond just picking a favourite. It’s also such a unique and refreshing take — most people gravitate toward the flashy or cute picks, but Eliza went with the dependable plant powerhouse that doubles as a gentle giant and gardening buddy. We love the logic and the personality behind this choice! 🌿💪"
What’s your favourite card in your collection (and why is it extra special)?
Eliza Says: "My current most favourite and special card is my SIR from Stellar Crown, Galvantula . I think it’s one of the most pretty cards I have and I like that it’s a spider and spiders are not always pretty but it looks really cute."
The Trading Card Co Says: "This is such a sweet and thoughtful answer! Eliza’s pick of the SIR Galvantula shows a great eye for beauty in unexpected places — appreciating a spider Pokémon for its cuteness and unique artwork is such a fun and refreshing perspective. It’s also lovely how she connects her favourite card to the idea that even things people might overlook can be special. That kind of appreciation makes her collection feel even more personal and full of heart. 🕸️✨"
What’s your go-to snack when you’re opening packs?
Eliza Says: "Nutella milkshake with whipped cream and an Oreo on top. A favourite from my local game / TCG play store & cafe."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Now that is a top-tier snack choice! Eliza’s go-to treat sounds absolutely delicious — the perfect mix of sweet and indulgent for a pack-opening session. It’s also really cute that it’s a special item from her local TCG café; it adds that cozy, community feel to the ritual. Between the cards and the milkshake, that’s a whole vibe! 🍫🥤💥"
If you could challenge any Pokémon trainer (real or fictional), who would it be?
Eliza says: "I would like to have a battle with Hop the Pokémon Trainer as I would like to battle a Zacian because I have played against a Hops Zacian deck and want to see what it would be like in real life."
The Trading Card Co Says: "That’s such a fun and thoughtful pick! Challenging Hop is a bold move — Zacian is no joke! It’s awesome that Eliza’s already faced off against his deck and wants to take it to the next level. You can tell she’s got both the curiosity and competitive spirit of a true Trainer. A real-life battle with Zacian would be legendary! 🛡️⚔️🔥"
What do you love most about going to events like PokéCon?
Eliza Says: "I love seeing things I’ve never seen before like merchandise you can’t find in the shops and seeing old Pokémon plushies and things from places I haven't been to like Japanese items and all the different cards and pins you can get that you won’t come across often. I like seeing people that I might have seen or watched online and being around lots of people who like Pokémon so you can talk about it and trade cards. I always find them really fun and enjoy games and activities you can take part in."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Eliza’s answer perfectly captures the magic of events like PokéCon! Her excitement about rare merch, meeting fellow fans, and discovering new things is so genuine — it’s clear she really immerses herself in the whole experience. The fact that she values the social side just as much as the collecting makes it even more heartwarming. She’s not just attending — she’s living the PokéCon dream! 🧡✨"
Which Pokémon do you think would be the best at school?
Eliza Says: "Espeon. Because it could use its powers to keep children safe in the playground. Like if you tripped Espeon would make you stop before you hit the ground. Also because school is daytime and it’s a sun Pokémon so it could make it sunny for lunchtime and breaks… Also its purple colour is gorgeous."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Eliza’s answer is pure brilliance! 🧠☀️ Picking Espeon as the best school Pokémon is not only super thoughtful but also shows how much she understands and imagines the world of Pokémon in real life. From playground safety to sunny lunch breaks, she’s created the ultimate helpful school buddy — and the love for its purple colour is the perfect finishing touch. Total 10/10 answer! 💜📚"
One card you’re really hoping to pull this year?
Eliza Says: "The Journey Together SIR Salamence it’s my current set chase card."
The Trading Card Co Says: "A girl on a mission! 🔥 Eliza’s choice of the Journey Together SIR Salamence as her chase card shows serious taste — that card is stunning and packed with personality. It’s always exciting to have a goal when opening packs, and this one’s a banger to aim for. Fingers crossed you pull it soon, Eliza — may the Pokémon pack gods be with you! 🙌✨"
If Pokémon held a talent show, which Pokémon would win — and what would their talent be?
Eliza Says: "Umbreon would win a talent show because it is able to do a mysterious show and could turn the sky from light like day to night by absorbing the energy into its rings to make them glow bright. Slowpoke would lose because it would just walk onto the stage and lie down flat on its belly and say slooow poke."
The Trading Card Co Says: "This answer is pure gold! 🌙 Eliza’s pick of Umbreon as the mysterious talent show champion is spot on — that glowing ring light show sounds like the ultimate grand finale. And the Slowpoke bit? Hilarious. 😂 Perfect mix of imagination and humour. Clearly, Eliza knows how to put on a show, both on and off the battlefield!"
🧸 Questions for Eliza’s Parents (The Pokémon Parents)
When did Eliza first show an interest in Pokémon, and did you expect it to grow into what it has today?
Shaun & Clare Says: "Around the time Scarlet & Violet came out, we were planning on getting her a Nintendo switch for Christmas and while out one day we tried to find out what sort of games she’d like. After she’d picked out Violet I started asking her about Pokémon and next thing you know we were going through my old cards."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Such a wholesome origin story! 💜 It’s amazing how a simple Christmas shopping trip turned into a full-on Pokémon journey. The image of you all bonding over your old cards is so heartwarming — like passing down a legacy. It’s wild how quickly it all snowballs when a genuine spark of interest turns into a shared passion."
What's it like supporting your daughter in a hobby that’s also a full-on community and competitive scene?
Shaun & Clare Says: "It's fantastic, everyone is so welcoming and friendly. It’s pretty much consumed our life now."
The Trading Card Co Says: "It sounds like a truly amazing experience! The fact that the Pokémon community is so welcoming really makes all the difference. It must feel great to be part of something that’s not only fun but also supportive and full of passionate people. And it’s clear that Pokémon has become more than just a hobby — it’s a family adventure! What an awesome way to connect and grow together."
How do you balance being a parent, a cheerleader, and sometimes even a manager?
Shaun & Clare Says: "We play ourselves and are naturally competitive, so Pokémon always comes first. If it’s school related, its parent time and anything else is focusing on the next challenge or cup and working out builds and strategies together."
The Trading Card Co Says: "It’s really cool how you’ve found a balance that works so well for your family! The fact that you’re all involved in the competitive side of Pokémon together makes it a special bonding experience, while also being able to draw clear lines when it’s time for school and other priorities. It’s impressive how you juggle everything, and it sounds like it creates a solid foundation for Eliza’s growth in the community while keeping the fun and excitement at the forefront."
Has the Pokémon world brought any surprises — like unexpected skills or friendships?
Shaun & Clare Says: "We've made a crazy number of friends since starting this. Know most of the competitors in our county and are in multiple group chats which is fantastic as whenever something gets dropped on the Pokémon center there is always someone to let you know."
The Trading Card Co Says: "That’s such a great aspect of the Pokémon community — it’s not just about the game or cards, but the friendships and connections that come with it. It’s awesome that you’ve built such a supportive network of fellow competitors and fans, and it sounds like you all help each other stay on top of the latest news and releases. It really highlights how Pokémon brings people together in unexpected ways, fostering a sense of camaraderie and shared excitement."
What’s been your proudest moment so far on Eliza’s Pokémon journey?
Shaun & Clare Says: "Seeing Eliza getting paired against masters that have played at worlds and her coming out with the win is always a proud moment."
The Trading Card Co Says: "That’s such a huge achievement! It must feel incredible to see Eliza competing at such a high level, especially against seasoned players who have experience at the World Championships. The fact that she’s holding her own and winning against them speaks volumes about her skill, determination, and passion for Pokémon. It’s definitely a proud moment for you as parents, too — watching her excel in a community she’s so deeply involved in. What an inspiring journey!"
Do you have any advice for other parents whose children are getting into collecting or playing competitively?
Shaun & Clare Says: "You haven’t got to start big. We started with the battle academy set and went along to one of our LGS Pokemon nights to be shown how to play it. Then when we knew it wasn’t just a fad for Eliza, we started buying other bits like the ready to play battle decks . When you get to a good competitive level you don’t have to go all fancy with a full art deck. Half art EX’s etc… are fine as the cards will be getting heavily played and shuffled a lot so we don’t see the point in wasting huge amounts on playable cards."
The Trading Card Co Says: "Such great advice! It’s so easy to feel like you need to start big, but your approach of taking it slow and building up gradually is spot on. Starting with the Battle Academy and then transitioning into competitive play shows that taking your time to understand the game and the community is key. Plus, your perspective on not needing to splurge on fancy cards is practical and refreshing. It’s all about having fun, improving your skills, and building lasting memories along the way, rather than focusing on perfection or expensive cards. Thanks for sharing such helpful tips for other parents who might be just starting their Pokémon journey!"
Do you get involved yourself — any favourite Pokémon or cards of your own?
Shaun & Clare Says: "We learned to play at the same time as Eliza so it could be our thing to do together. Now that Eliza is at the level she is, it's great as we can play against her regularly at home, work on deck builds with her and are able to explain new cards and mechanics to her when new sets drop."
The Trading Card Co Says: "We love how you’ve all embraced Pokémon as a family activity! Learning to play together from the start really sets a strong foundation, and it’s amazing that you’re now able to collaborate with Eliza on deck builds and new strategies. It sounds like you’ve all become a solid team, and it must be so rewarding to be able to explain new mechanics to her as she levels up. It’s also awesome that you get to share that growth in the game together – Pokémon truly becomes a special family experience in your case!"
What’s the vibe like at tournaments or events like PokéCon — are they as fun for parents as they are for the kids?
Shaun & Clare Says: "It's brilliant. Everyone is really outgoing and friendly. Everyone is there for the exact same reason Pokémon! So, you can always strike up a conversation with practically anyone. The community is definitely one of the friendliest around and are always willing to chat or help you out with something."
The Trading Card Co Says: "It’s fantastic to hear that the Pokémon community is so welcoming and friendly, not just for the kids, but for parents too! It must make the whole event so much more enjoyable when you can strike up conversations and connect with people who share the same passion. It’s also great that the atmosphere is all about helping each other out – that sense of camaraderie really enhances the experience for everyone, no matter their age or skill level. Sounds like PokéCon is a wonderful space for family bonding and meeting new friends!"
💭Final Thoughts
It’s been so inspiring to hear about Eliza’s Pokémon journey and the incredible support from her parents, Shaun and Clare. From starting with a Battle Academy set to facing off against top-tier competitors, it’s clear that their dedication and love for the Pokémon world has helped Eliza grow not just as a player but as a member of a vibrant, welcoming community. Whether it’s building decks together, chatting with fellow fans, or soaking in the excitement at events like PokéCon, the passion and teamwork are undeniable. We can't wait to see where Eliza’s journey takes her next – the future looks bright for this talented trainer and her amazing support team!
