MASTERS MAGAZINE

He is regarded as one of the greatest swimmers of all time. A global citizen, yet at the same time strongly connected to Brabant, where he can indulge his love for innovation and collaboration. Meanwhile, Pieter van den Hoogenband continues to seek inspiration. Not only to excel himself, but above all to enable others to do so. Jaap de Groot in conversation with an as-yet-driven idealist.

She has a name, a face, an Instagram following, and a convincing acting debut. Except: Tilly Norwood does not exist. The very first fully original AI actress is the brainchild of Eline van der Velden, founder of Particle6, and sharpens fundamental questions about art, acting, and creativity. Is this a technological experiment, a new genre… or the beginning of a creative revolution?

2026 is the Year of the Horse. You can feel it in this edition. An ode to progress, innovation, and the unstoppable power of movement. In a world reshaping itself at lightning speed, MASTERS explores not only where the economy is heading, but above all who is already determining the course of tomorrow.

These will be her tenth Olympic Games. First as a speed skater, then as a celebrity, and from February 6th to 22nd in Milan as team manager of the Dutch speed skating team. Yet, Yvonne van Gennip is still considered by many to be the Queen of Calgary, where she won three gold medals in 1988. She is now working on all fronts to help the new generation secure a golden future. She speaks extensively about this and much more with Jaap de Groot.

In conversation with Aicha Abdoun, an image-maker with a keen eye for meaning unfolds. She describes her work as "curated obsessions": photographs that are seemingly calm, yet beneath the surface, challenge and surprise. In a world full of visual clutter, she focuses her lens on what she values, thus compelling us to look again.

In Amsterdam, beer isn't just beer: it's history in a glass, a liquid archive of rebellion and craft, of crisis and creativity. What began as a necessity—a safe alternative to murky canal water—grew into a proud tradition. From the pioneers who placed their kettles on the canals to the industrial giants, to the unconventional craft brewers of today: beer is the lifeblood of Amsterdam.

His sporting career was a golden one. He won the Champions League twice with Ajax and Manchester United, won the Club World Cup twice, and earned 130 caps. At 40, he retired with another Champions League final, only to take over as director of Ajax a year later. During that period, he led the club to unprecedented heights, only to drop out when the team around him fell apart. Less than three months later, he suffered a brain hemorrhage. Jaap de Groot discusses this and much more in depth with the now fully healthy Edwin van der Sar.

Over the past 750 years, Amsterdam has evolved into a cultural metropolis brimming with stories, images, and voices. Nowhere is this more tangible than in its museums—gateways to the past and mirrors of the present. At the helm of the Stedelijk Museum is Rein Wolfs (Hoorn, 1960), who has been setting the course since 2019. MASTERS spoke with him about the anniversary year, the evolution of art, and why rebellion remains essential in a world of rules.

In Amsterdam, beer isn't just beer: it's history in a glass, a liquid archive of rebellion and craft, of crisis and creativity. What began as a necessity—a safe alternative to murky canal water—grew into a proud tradition. From the pioneers who placed their kettles on the canals to the industrial giants, to the unconventional craft brewers of today: beer is the lifeblood of Amsterdam.

With 55 years of experience, Cor van Zadelhoff (Nieuwer-Amstel, 1938) is considered the undisputed grandmaster of the Dutch real estate world. For several years now, his focus has been on Amsterdam. How does he see the future of the capital? MASTERS spoke with him at his office in the Zuidas district.

Like a white beacon, the Eye Film Museum shines from across the IJ River, directly opposite Amsterdam Central Station. It's hard to miss. This is the Netherlands' national film museum. Museum director Suzanne Swarts explores the world of film, where imagery is paramount and style plays a leading role.

In the Business Lunch series, Floris Kappelle and his partner Rijk de Gooijer sit down with a renowned entrepreneur. Anecdotes and success stories interspersed with the clinking of glasses and the skewering of forks. In this episode, Frits Barend puts the napkin on his lap. "We need to cherish what we have. We need to allow each other to thrive and be more tolerant."

In the renovated Flore, nature, design and gastronomy merge into a seasonal experience. Executive Chef Bas van Kranen serves a menu with vegetables in the lead role, sustainably caught fish and flavours that let Dutch nature speak. Flore is not just a restaurant, but a rhythm, an experience and a manifesto of conscious luxury. “At Flore, everything revolves around honest flavours, thoughtful cooking and moving with nature.”

Thinking of Red Bull is thinking of Max Verstappen. Figurehead of the Formula 1 team that has started the new racing season with a bang. Yet the brand name of an energy drink is not only linked to the fastest cars in the world: it is much, much more. Part beverage brand, part media company, part event organization, part owner of sports teams, part marketing concern, part rights distributor and part much more. Jaap de Groot takes you along in the seemingly endless Red Bull Imperium.

She is still the figurehead of disabled sports in the Netherlands. As a wheelchair tennis player, Esther Vergeer remained undefeated for 2003 matches in a row from 2012 to 470, won gold seven times during the Paralympic Games and was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. She is still active at the highest level in the sport at the age of 43. Jaap de Groot spoke extensively with Esther Vergeer about her current activities and ambitions.

He used to drive a Twingo. A whole series of cars later, five McLarens, a Koenigsegg CCX and the very first Praga Bohema are on display in a transparent garage behind his villa in Ommeren, Gelderland, where he lives with childhood sweetheart Ineke and their two daughters Mandy and Melissa. Self-made entrepreneur Herman van de Pavert on his passion for fast cars.

Frank Lammers is an actor, director and voice-over. He built a varied career with notable roles in films such as De Dominee, De Bende van Oss and Nachtrit, for which he was awarded a Golden Calf. He achieved his greatest fame with his role in the Dutch-Belgian series Undercover and the subsequent spin-off Ferry. MASTERS spoke to the Brabander about stereotyping, success and the secret of a good marriage.

125 candles on the cake, white and red confetti all around and a world-class football institute celebrating a rare anniversary: ​​Ajax is 125 years old today. But whoever says Ajax, of course also says: Sjaak Swart. MASTERS visited Mister Ajax earlier.

Innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity and craftsmanship are those qualities that have provided us, throughout the centuries, with a wealth of knowledge. Knowledge that has brought us luxury and prosperity. But now we must look beyond our own comfort. Drum roll… LXRY List 2025, the annual wow magazine with innovative items and surprising addresses, a list that inspires and points to the future is out now!

Chic surrounded by excitement and sensation. The place too, where you are welcomed with bubbles. It has become an indispensable part of the top-level sports industry. With the common man in the stands, but also luxury lounges for politicians, CEOs and celebrities to lobby, negotiate and relax. Jaap de Groot visits the locations where the BV Nederland enjoys top sporting and culinary performances. This time he joins us in the Legends Lounge, a pearl within the Philips Stadium in Eindhoven.

This extra thick winter edition focuses on Dubai, where dreams reach as high as the skyscrapers. Closer by, a visit is made to Maastricht, the cradle of Dutch industry. In Eindhoven, sports journalist Jaap de Groot is a guest in the PSV Legends Lounge. Followed by an interview with PSV coach Peter Bosz. The new edition was therefore presented by editor-in-chief Bart-Jan Brouwer to none other than…