Linda de Mol's coach also teaches you to present

Simone, being a coach for presenters seems to me one of the most enjoyable jobs that exist, and at the same time not one that you think of as a little girl: ‘That's what I want to be when I grow up.’ How did it all come about?

My father worked in television and also created theater shows. He set up *Jeans*, where many young artists started. Although my brothers went in a completely different direction, my sister and I both also started working in TV. Astrid is a commissioning editor at RTL and I work in various areas, but all within the TV world. After 10 years as head of art, culture, and drama at Avrotros, I became independent again. In recent years, I have worked as the editor-in-chief of drama, together with Jasper van der Schalie, on the series *Swanenburg*, I coach and provide media training to people, and I sit on various boards, the latter I do voluntarily. I just said goodbye after 8 years as Chair of the Amsterdam Fund for the Arts, which gives money to all cultural institutions in Amsterdam. As an Amsterdammer, I find it nice to be able to give something back to the city in this way. I feel that I am in a transition phase. I am also on the board of *Women in Image*, about the position of women in the audiovisual business. You should take a look at their site, because it is quite shocking how women still face inequality in every area. Camera women, screenwriters, and also female actresses are paid less, have less dialogue, and receive fewer leading roles, and we are trying to bring about change in that.

And then also time to write a book…

I do have a lot of balls in the air, indeed. I find that very enjoyable and I can do it. It took me a long time to take the step to make this book, I postponed it and didn't quite know where to start. But once I was in that writing tunnel, I couldn't stop. Talking about your own profession and presenting it well was so fantastic to do. For each chapter, I chose two film scenes (drama is my background after all) that illustrate the chapter. By scanning a QR code, you can view those specific scenes. I didn't want to create a dry book. There are also many assignments and short interviews with all the people I have coached.

To clear up a misunderstanding right away: your book is not just for presenters. Who can all benefit from it?

It is actually for everyone who wants to get to know themselves in their own way in presentation. You present yourself all day long. Whether you are going to a party or want to be heard in a meeting. It is for people who want to take a step further in their presentation. I talk about breathing and voice exercises and also how to build or convey a story. The best thing about presenting yourself is showing your authenticity, so there is no general rule that you can apply to every person to give a good presentation. Each situation also calls for a different presentation. There are occasions where humor can be very helpful, but at other times being too funny may be inappropriate. You have to learn to deal with that.

What are three common mistakes, or let's say more kindly: points for improvement?

Prepare yourself. Make sure it is correct. Have a beginning, a middle, and an end. That prevents you from getting tangled up in your own story. Preparation is everything. Furthermore, it is important that you are aware of how you come across. Are you mobile or do you speak softly? If you are a mobile person, you can use that. If that doesn't suit you, it can feel very forced. So you have to look at what you feel comfortable with. Clothing is also important. Wear something that makes you feel strong. A suit gives many people strength, but not me at all. I am not a suit person, I feel trapped in it. So you shouldn't wear high heels if you can't walk in them. Keep it close to yourself.

Which presenter gets a picture from the teacher?

I think Noa Vahle does very well. She is very modest, calm, and skilled. People may say that she got this job because of her parents (her mother is Linda de Mol and her father is director Sander Vahle, MM), but Noa's specialty is really sports and she does that all by herself. I find the phenomenon of nepo-baby difficult anyway, because it is hard work in TV. You make long days and even if you may have an entry point, you really have to do it yourself afterwards. The TV world is tough, and if you don't deliver and function, you will be thrown out. Even if you have a famous father or mother. By the way, I am not the daughter of Joop van den Ende, you don't want to know how often I have been asked that.

Can you take me through a typical Simone van den Ende day?

I always start in the morning with yoga and meditation, that carries me through everything. I have also done a yoga training, by the way. I do that around eight o'clock. My first appointment is often around 10:00 AM. That can be a coaching session or a media training, or I might be brainstorming with an art fund. After the series *Swanenburg* ended, I have been constantly coming up with new series with producers and co-writers, writing scripts, and pitching. After that, I took on the biggest project of my life, the book. In between, I did coach occasionally, but the book had my full focus.

With so many different projects, how do you keep your mind fresh?

I often go for walks, spend a lot of time outside, and try to exercise and be social. Recently, I have a grandchild. That gives a huge perspective in your life. My son lives on my street, so I am often asked to help out and I find that a joy. I used to go to a lot of performances, but I notice that I do that less now. Because my schedule is often so full, I have done that a little less.

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The book is finished, so there is some space in the agenda again. Do you have any wishes?

I would like to come to more conferences as a sort of break act to talk about how to present best. Conveying all those years of experience and all the different fields I have worked in. That is the most fun thing there is, right?