This project explores how university-trained conference interpreters manage their positionality in simulated challenging interactions through a two-stage qualitative study informed by the Demand Control Schema (Dean & Pollard, 2001, 2011). In the first stage, semi-structured interviews with subject matter experts identified macrodemands in challenging interpreting contexts. The second stage, featuring qualitative simulations, saw conference-trained interpreters perform these scenarios, before participating in a post-task interview examining decision-making and role conception. Analysis consisted of a triangulated consideration of performance transcripts, post-task interviews and researcher observations. Findings reveal that participants employed diverse controls based on varying motivations. Controls were influenced by the interpreters’ choice of modality and the simulated conditions. Findings also revealed differing conceptions of the interpreter's role among participants. The project additionally features a diagrammatic tool for the visualisation of interpreter positionality and associated demands. Overall, this research proposes a robust and innovative methodology for examining interpreter positionality management and contributes to ongoing discussions on positionality, training, and challenging interpreted interactions.