Theater Show special<\/h1>\nInspiration shot July 2025<\/h3>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/header-photo-copy-scaled.jpeg\" "\\"header")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>A legacy, a celebration, a transition!<\/h2>\n
On June 28th, exactly on my 55th birthday, I stood on the stage of Theater Amsterdam<\/em>with a dream come true: my very own No Excuses Theater Show<\/em>. A vibrant event full of stories, music, dance, life lessons, and a good dose of courage.<\/p>\nAt first, I called it \u2018retiring\u2019 but it was really a transition to a new phase. Not an end but a fresh start. From productivity to creativity. From doing to being. From control to surrender. I will keep doing what I\u2019m good at and what makes me happy: helping others share their story with the world and live freer. I will just take it easy and work less.<\/p>\n
While I\u2019m still floating on cloud nine, this Inspiration Shot takes you behind the scenes. You\u2019ll find the best moments, the bloopers, the lessons, the people who helped me, the music, the images, and a shop link for the show recording in case you missed it, or want to experience it again.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Lessons from the theater show<\/h2>\n<\/div>How do you survive a show without a script and what does it teach you about letting go, collaboration, and truly being present? My theater show was an adventure full of improvisation, vulnerability, and unexpected magic. It showed me how important it is to dare to fail and above all to stay true to yourself even on stage.<\/p>\n
Want to read more? I wrote a blog about it:\u00a0No Excuses: my life as a theater show<\/a>.<\/em>
\nAlso, check out two social media posts: \u2018It\u2019s a (w)rap<\/a>\u2019 and \u2018Life writes along with my show<\/a>\u2019. The many comments and reactions are heartwarming and give a glimpse of how people in the audience experienced the show.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/06\/lessen-theatershow-copy-scaled.jpeg\" "\\"lessen")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Audience reactions<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n- \u201cAwesome show, what energy!\u201d<\/em> – Ingeborg<\/li>\n
- \u201cIt was a blast being there\u2026\u201d<\/em> – Cindy<\/li>\n
- \u201cThanks for sharing your life and business lessons in your amazing show. Thanks for being you and sharing your journey balancing masculine and feminine energy.\u201d<\/em> – Mariella<\/li>\n
- \u201cEverything was so well put together, with your key life lessons, honest stories, beautiful visuals, singing, dancing, and perfectly timed scenes.\u201d<\/em> – Laura<\/li>\n
- \u201cFantastic! The hero\u2019s journey \u2014 or heroine\u2019s \u2014 just like every great Hollywood production.\u201d<\/em> – Pauline<\/li>\n
- \u201cWe really enjoyed the way you shared your life story. Beautiful, special, impressive, and inspiring.\u201d<\/em> – Meik<\/li>\n
- \u201cWhat a celebration. A room filled with and connected to your life story. You\u2019ve taken many steps toward growth and fulfilling changing life wishes. It\u2019s beautiful to see how softness and letting go make someone even more radiant. You are pure and you seize the day!\u201d<\/strong><\/em> – Anke<\/li>\n
- \u201cWe heard you, felt you, and experienced you. And we enjoyed every minute!\u201d<\/em> – Angelique<\/li>\n
- \u201cBeautiful to see you so strong and vulnerable on stage. You give others permission to show more of themselves too.\u201d<\/em> – Karin<\/li>\n
- \u201cIt was amazing that you danced anyway even though it scared you.\u201d – Ria<\/em><\/li>\n
- \u201cAfter this inspiring evening, I realized that more \u2018being\u2019 shouldn\u2019t be on your to-do list. So this morning, I made my \u2018to-be list\u2019.\u201d<\/em> – Huub<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/reacties-publiek-copy-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>In the spotlight: the heroes behind the scenes<\/h2>\n<\/div>Without this amazing team the show would never have been so magical:<\/p>\n
\n- \ud83c\udfac Jan Wienowiecki<\/a>, my director, who gently but firmly guided me when I lost track of scenes in my own show.<\/li>\n
- \ud83c\udfad Michael R. Jacobs<\/a>, my multi-talented brother, who played every role from yoga teacher and tantra guru to minister and security guard.<\/li>\n
- \ud83d\udc83 Adrian Luna<\/a>, my tango teacher from Buenos Aires, who danced with me and brought the magic of tango to life.<\/li>\n
- \ud83c\udfb6 Quique<\/a>, entrepreneur and musician, who led the audience in Kirtan to open our hearts together.<\/li>\n
- \ud83e\udded Marnix from Expeditie Robinson<\/a> (the Dutch\/Belgian Survivor show), my special guest, with whom I spent two weeks in a cave, sharing memories of stealing food and the impact of our participation.<\/li>\n
- \ud83c\udfa5 Daan van Bergen<\/a>, who helped me with the many videos and visuals and produced the professional livestream<\/a>.<\/li>\n
- And of course my assistant Jelena, who handled everything behind the scenes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
You all made this show unforgettable. Thank you! \ud83d\udc9b<\/p>\n
Here\u2019s the whole team the day after the show on a boat trip through Amsterdam with bitterballen, of course! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/team-boat-copy-768x1024.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Missed the show or want to watch again?<\/h2>\n<\/div>The full recording of the theater show is ready, including an e-book of your choice. I am currently working on English subtitles, so that internationals friends can also enjoy the show.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Watch the replay and order easily here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/show-gemist-1-400x601.jpeg\" "\\"show")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/show-gemist-2-400x601.jpeg\" "\\"show")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Your birthday wishes (so sweet!)<\/h2>\n<\/div>Hundreds of people surprised me with loving and original birthday wishes for my 55th.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udcd6 Flip through the booklet with all the wishes<\/a>.
\n\ud83d\udcfa Be surprised by the funny and touching videos in this YouTube playlist<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>SPOTIFY PLAYLIST<\/strong>
\nAll the music from the show<\/h3>\nLots of eighties fun, from my final dance on Wham Rap! to the emotional moments with Damien Rice and other favorites.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 Listen to the theater show playlist<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/muziek-scaled.jpeg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>SHOW HIGHLIGHTS<\/strong><\/h3>\nStunning photos from the event<\/h3>\n
A selection of the most beautiful images, behind-the-scenes moments, and audience highlights.<\/p>\n
\ud83d\udc49 See the stunning photos<\/a> taken by photographer Thomas Maas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/inspiration-bites-sfeer-impressie-scaled.jpeg\" "\\"inspiration")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>FUNNIEST SCENE<\/strong><\/h3>\nFrom the show<\/h3>\n
Everyone agreed that the scene with the yoga teacher (played by my brother Michael) was hilarious. The security guard who kept coming back also caused a lot of laughter.<\/p>\n<\/div>
![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/yoga-juf.jpeg\" "\\"yoga")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>REPORTAGE<\/b><\/h3>\nSaar Magazine<\/h3>\n
In early June I was on Mallorca for the writing week when a team from Saar Magazine came to shoot photos for a ten-page article including the cover! So proud! The magazine is available now.<\/p>\n<\/div>
<\/div><\/div><\/div>![](\"https:\/\/estherjacobs.info\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/07\/Saar-Magazine-scaled.png\" "\\"Saar-Magazine\\"")
<\/span><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>Did you know...?<\/h2>\nHere are some beautiful moments and bloopers from the theater show. Did you know:<\/p>\n
\u2026that I cried when I welcomed my father with Alzheimer\u2019s via livestream at the start of the show?<\/b> Dad watched from Miami and from my first sentences I was unexpectedly emotional. That moment, totally unplanned, set the tone for an evening full of authenticity, presence, and connection.<\/p>\n
\u2026that the audience applauded my father\u2019s caregivers, of whom at least eight were in the audience?<\/b> Thanks to their help and commitment, my father has been able to live in his own apartment for ten years.<\/p>\n
\u2026that I lost my stick-on bra during the tango dance?<\/b> And then I decided to take off the other pad and throw it on stage? Those things are supposed to attract less attention to your nipples but the whole audience got to see them instead, haha.<\/p>\n
\u2026that things got really funny when I later stood on the same stick-on bra during the final dance and couldn\u2019t get it off my foot?<\/b> No further explanation needed here.<\/p>\n
\u2026that I never rehearsed what I was going to say on stage?<\/b> Everything was planned except my own text. I let it happen in the moment, as I prefer.<\/p>\n
\u2026that I completely lost my way a few times during my own show?<\/b> There were 40 scenes and sometimes I couldn\u2019t remember the order. My director Jan had to correct me or I had to ask him where to go next. Funny enough, this became a running joke and part of the show.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/div>A legacy, a celebration, a transition!<\/h2>\n
On June 28th, exactly on my 55th birthday, I stood on the stage of Theater Amsterdam<\/em>with a dream come true: my very own No Excuses Theater Show<\/em>. A vibrant event full of stories, music, dance, life lessons, and a good dose of courage.<\/p>\n At first, I called it \u2018retiring\u2019 but it was really a transition to a new phase. Not an end but a fresh start. From productivity to creativity. From doing to being. From control to surrender. I will keep doing what I\u2019m good at and what makes me happy: helping others share their story with the world and live freer. I will just take it easy and work less.<\/p>\n While I\u2019m still floating on cloud nine, this Inspiration Shot takes you behind the scenes. You\u2019ll find the best moments, the bloopers, the lessons, the people who helped me, the music, the images, and a shop link for the show recording in case you missed it, or want to experience it again.<\/p>\n<\/div> How do you survive a show without a script and what does it teach you about letting go, collaboration, and truly being present? My theater show was an adventure full of improvisation, vulnerability, and unexpected magic. It showed me how important it is to dare to fail and above all to stay true to yourself even on stage.<\/p>\n Want to read more? I wrote a blog about it:\u00a0No Excuses: my life as a theater show<\/a>.<\/em> Without this amazing team the show would never have been so magical:<\/p>\n You all made this show unforgettable. Thank you! \ud83d\udc9b<\/p>\n Here\u2019s the whole team the day after the show on a boat trip through Amsterdam with bitterballen, of course! \ud83d\ude09<\/p>\n<\/div> The full recording of the theater show is ready, including an e-book of your choice. I am currently working on English subtitles, so that internationals friends can also enjoy the show.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Watch the replay and order easily here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div> Hundreds of people surprised me with loving and original birthday wishes for my 55th.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcd6 Flip through the booklet with all the wishes<\/a>. Lots of eighties fun, from my final dance on Wham Rap! to the emotional moments with Damien Rice and other favorites.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 Listen to the theater show playlist<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div> A selection of the most beautiful images, behind-the-scenes moments, and audience highlights.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc49 See the stunning photos<\/a> taken by photographer Thomas Maas<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div> Everyone agreed that the scene with the yoga teacher (played by my brother Michael) was hilarious. The security guard who kept coming back also caused a lot of laughter.<\/p>\n<\/div> In early June I was on Mallorca for the writing week when a team from Saar Magazine came to shoot photos for a ten-page article including the cover! So proud! The magazine is available now.<\/p>\n<\/div> Here are some beautiful moments and bloopers from the theater show. Did you know:<\/p>\n \u2026that I cried when I welcomed my father with Alzheimer\u2019s via livestream at the start of the show?<\/b> Dad watched from Miami and from my first sentences I was unexpectedly emotional. That moment, totally unplanned, set the tone for an evening full of authenticity, presence, and connection.<\/p>\n \u2026that the audience applauded my father\u2019s caregivers, of whom at least eight were in the audience?<\/b> Thanks to their help and commitment, my father has been able to live in his own apartment for ten years.<\/p>\n \u2026that I lost my stick-on bra during the tango dance?<\/b> And then I decided to take off the other pad and throw it on stage? Those things are supposed to attract less attention to your nipples but the whole audience got to see them instead, haha.<\/p>\n \u2026that things got really funny when I later stood on the same stick-on bra during the final dance and couldn\u2019t get it off my foot?<\/b> No further explanation needed here.<\/p>\n \u2026that I never rehearsed what I was going to say on stage?<\/b> Everything was planned except my own text. I let it happen in the moment, as I prefer.<\/p>\n \u2026that I completely lost my way a few times during my own show?<\/b> There were 40 scenes and sometimes I couldn\u2019t remember the order. My director Jan had to correct me or I had to ask him where to go next. Funny enough, this became a running joke and part of the show.<\/p>\n<\/div>Lessons from the theater show<\/h2>\n<\/div>
\nAlso, check out two social media posts: \u2018It\u2019s a (w)rap<\/a>\u2019 and \u2018Life writes along with my show<\/a>\u2019. The many comments and reactions are heartwarming and give a glimpse of how people in the audience experienced the show.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/span><\/div>Audience reactions<\/h2>\n<\/div>
\n
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>In the spotlight: the heroes behind the scenes<\/h2>\n<\/div>
\n
<\/a><\/span><\/div><\/div>Missed the show or want to watch again?<\/h2>\n<\/div>
<\/span><\/div><\/span><\/div>Your birthday wishes (so sweet!)<\/h2>\n<\/div>
\n\ud83d\udcfa Be surprised by the funny and touching videos in this YouTube playlist<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>Inspiration bites<\/h2>\n<\/div>
SPOTIFY PLAYLIST<\/strong>
\nAll the music from the show<\/h3>\n<\/a><\/span><\/div>SHOW HIGHLIGHTS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Stunning photos from the event<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>FUNNIEST SCENE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
From the show<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>REPORTAGE<\/b><\/h3>\n
Saar Magazine<\/h3>\n
<\/span><\/div>Did you know...?<\/h2>