I was in a phase in which I was very bored. A little unloadingas they say. I needed tension, a challenge. I recognize that by myself: I often look for situations that pull me out of my comfort zone. That is why I once wanted to go to Nyenrode: to prove myself, to be proud of myself. Robinson became the next step.
Totally unprepared
And there I went: totally unprepared to the Far East. Physically not exactly a powerhouse, but mentally strong. At least, I thought so. Because believe me: physically it cuts it in. The very first test already felt like a hazing. Hang on a cross, in a scorching heat of fifty degrees feeling temperature. I hung on a cross and only thought: as long as I am not the first to fall. Fortunately I became number seven. Small victory.
Radio presenter Yesim Candan (49): ‘Going on holiday with children is not a vacation’
Then came the team layout. I had hoped to end up at Koen because we have known each other for a while and his colleagues at Yoursafe Radio. Koen still whispered against Tobias, the tribal head: “Choose Yesim, choose Yesim.” But no, I ended up in the Lies team. A women’s team. My first thought: No, hey, this will be nothing. Because honestly, women often do not choose each other, I knew that. Fortunately it clicked with Nordin, but otherwise I felt a bit outside the group. I have had a better time with men in a team I have always had.
Claustrophobic
And then came that group test. What a hell. Lifting a gigantic cage into the sea. As if that wasn’t heavy enough, the current attracted you in all directions. And yes: under water we also had to crawl through a door. That was my nightmare, because I am claustrophobic. I completely panicked. Nordin grabbed my hand and said: “We’re going together, Yesim.” Everyone was already gone, but he stayed. I will never forget that moment.
As if that wasn’t enough, it had to be climbed and jumped afterwards. And for those who missed it: my buttocks were pretty much the supporting role of Expedition Robinson. Robinson’s butt show. Oh well, it didn’t matter to me that much. In fact, I think many women recognized themselves in me. I was then fifteen kilos heavier than now. Robinson eventually started my waste race, and now I am back on my old weight.
Natural habitat
Yet I noticed one thing extra: as a woman you are immediately behind. Physical strength counts enormously, and men are often in favor. Just look at the cage test: brutal power. Or that rope test, where I couldn’t even get to the rope. Too small. While Koen gave a show with a run -up as if he was Tarzan himself.
Yesim (49) regrets her divorce: ‘After six years it still feels like my heart is being torn out of my body’
And yet … despite everything I am grateful. Robinson forced me to make radical decisions. It broke patterns that were stuck. That’s why I say: everyone should experience this. Get out of your natural habitat, in a situation where you have to reinvent yourself. There is growth there.
Only one thing: I would have wanted to stay longer.
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