Travis Cloke reveals the toll of social media on his life
Former AFL star Travis Cloke is set to make his debut on Dancing With The Stars but the ex-Pies player hasn’t always been dancing on air. He reveals what nearly ruined his love of the game and how learning to dance is nothing like footy.
Fiona Byrne
Don't miss out on the headlines from Fiona Byrne. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Former Collingwood favourite Travis Cloke is urging people to look up from their phone and not let their mental health and self worth be dictated by social media.
“That was almost my downfall, the social anxiety, all these type of things we talk about now, that is what really broke footy down for me,” the Magpie star said.
“I did not enjoy it because of that aspect.”
Cloke, who will make his dance floor debut on the new season of Dancing With The Stars which launches on Channel 10 on Sunday night, works at the Collingwood Football Club on its next generation academy program.
“I am not going to tell these kids don’t get on social media because it is the way the world is and it is the way we operate, but moderation is important,” Cloke said.
“What you share online stays there forever, understand that is the footprint you have left.
“Social media can’t consume your life. There is so much to do, so much to learn, sometimes just put your phone down and look up and you will see the world from a different perspective.
“But I am realistic that it is a lot easier to say than do.
“It is important to remember that when you look on social media you only see the good parts of everyone’s lives. Realistically what you see on social media is not reality. You can’t compare yourself to what you see online.”
Cloke said he hoped by challenging himself with Dancing he was showing it was OK to step out of your comfort zone. He said he was also motivated to take part because his daughter, Scarlett, 2, loved to dance.
“Taking on Dancing is really unusual for me,” he said.
“Football, I could do it with my eyes closed, I knew how to do it, I was something I did as a young kid. I still struggled with it, but I could do it.
“Dancing, this is totally different for me. It is very challenging. I am very nervous.”
Cloke, who retired at the end of the 2017 season, said he had adapted well to life after footy, thanks in no small part to the support of his wife Beccy and their daughter.
“When you play footy you represent the football club and you are portrayed as what they need you to be,” he said.
“I guess that was my biggest battle with footy, I was trying to be someone that they wanted me to be and it was really hard.
“Some of the things I even said in the media wasn’t how I really felt, so to be on the other side now where this is my own identity as a father and as a husband, I can be a bit more true to myself.”
In preparation for the show, Cloke said: “The idea of putting myself out of my comfort zone is what I’m here for”.
“I’m pretty easygoing, I never have a temper ... so you;’ll never see me get angry.”
But the patience of his dance partner, Violeta, has been tested over the past few weeks, as she tried to correct Cloke’s posture.
As they practised moves and technique, Violeta said: “Travis is really tall which means we’ll be able to do some lifts and tricks, which is exciting”.
Later, as Cloke struggled to find form for a Viennese Waltz, Violeta said: “In ballroom the most important thing is the man’s posture”.
Cloke replied: “Technique is always spoken about in footy, but never posture”.
“We still have a lot to improve with the posture,” Violeta shot back. “You’ve got a duck’s bum and a tyrannosaurus rex head.”
Cloke will hit the dancefloor to compete against celebrities including actor Claudia Karvan, singers Dami Im and Chloe Lattanzi, and comedians Ed Kavalee and Celia Pacquola.
The 2020 season of Dancing With The Stars premieres on Channel 10 on Sunday night.