Andreas Elsholz: What attracted him to “Destination X”.

Actor Andreas Elsholz (52) can be seen as a participant in the adventure reality show “Destination X” from November 7th (8:15 p.m. on ProSieben). Together with seven other celebrities, he goes on a special trip to Europe in an opaque bus. The stars have to find out where they are using clues and details. If their guess is too far from the actual location, they risk leaving the show, which offers 50,000 euros in prize money.

In an interview with the news agency spot on news, Andreas Elsholz explains why he celebrated his reality show premiere for the format, how he prepared for the blind road trip and how he experienced living together in a confined space. He also reveals how he now looks back on his time at the daily “Gute Zeiten, bad Zeiten” (1992 to 1996) and whether he could imagine a “GZSZ” comeback – as his colleague Mariella Ahrens (55) recently celebrated .

Andreas Elsholz: I have consciously decided against taking part in reality shows because I was looking for formats that not only offer entertainment, but also broaden my horizons and enable new experiences. The concept of “Destination X” was particularly fascinating for me: the combination of adventure, puzzle fun and the opportunity to immerse myself in unknown places inspired me. It’s a format that focuses on exploration and personal challenge, and that’s exactly what appeals to me. This combination of unpredictability and the chance to experience yourself in a whole new light convinced me.

Elsholz: For a trip like “Destination X,” which offers so much unpredictability and elements of surprise, I tried to focus less on a fixed strategy and rather stay flexible and open. Instead of focusing on details, I mentally prepared myself to quickly get involved in new situations and make decisions with a clear head. I also tried to educate myself geographically to better interpret clues, and practiced concentration and mindfulness exercises to stay calm and focused in stressful moments. In the end, my strategy was to be flexible, adaptable and curious – all to get the most out of each leg of the journey.

Elsholz: It’s definitely a challenge being away from home and my family for so long. However, I also see it as a valuable opportunity to explore my own limits. The experience of being on your own and asserting yourself in a completely new environment is both exciting and rewarding. It’s a balancing act, but I know that experiences like these ultimately make me stronger.

Elsholz: I used to do canoeing intensively at a competitive level, which shaped me physically and mentally. Sport not only taught me discipline and endurance, but also how important it is to continually motivate yourself and push yourself beyond your limits. Today I keep myself fit by regularly completing a sports program. For me it is no longer just about performance, but also about my well-being and a healthy balance. The ambition remains, but I also enjoy using sport as a balance and having fun with it.

Elsholz: Before the trip, I considered my sense of direction to be quite reliable. I’ve always been good at reading maps and interpreting geographical clues, which has often helped me find my way around quickly in the past. However, I was aware that Destination

During the trip I discovered that it’s not just a sense of direction in the classic sense that matters, but also how well you can make decisions under pressure and how flexibly you react to unexpected situations. It was a real learning curve and I learned a lot about the importance of both trusting your own instincts and communicating effectively with team members to find the right path together.

Elsholz: The time on the bus in a small space with the other competitors was definitely an intense experience. It’s challenging when so many different personalities, habits and energy levels come together, especially under constant conditions of adventure and competition. But that’s exactly what makes it exciting: you quickly learn to develop patience, be considerate and adapt to the dynamics of the group.

Of course, there were occasional disagreements, which is completely normal in such a situation. The tension and stress sometimes lead to small frictions. But most of the time we were able to resolve these conflicts quickly and they even helped us grow closer together as a team. It was a valuable lesson in teamwork and interpersonal communication – something I wouldn’t want to miss.

Elsholz: I consider it a compliment when people remember my time at “GZSZ” and my role as “Heiko”. It shows that this character and the stories we told have remained in the memory for a long time, and that’s a nice feeling for me as an actor. “GZSZ” was an important milestone in my career and opened many doors for me. Of course, I have evolved since then and taken on different roles, but I see it as part of my story that has made me who I am today. The fact that people associate me with it means that my work had an impact back then – and that’s something I’m proud of.

Elsholz: Yes, I actually still have a connection to the series, at least in the form of occasional contact with former colleagues. Friendships often develop on set over the years, and even though you may not see each other regularly in everyday life, a bond remains. It’s always nice when our paths cross at events or industry gatherings and we talk about our current projects. This time was formative for many of us, and it always feels like we are meeting a kind of “GZSZ family” again.

Elsholz: I’m happy to hear that Mariella Ahrens has celebrated a comeback on “GZSZ”! The series is an important station for many actors and offers exciting opportunities to further develop characters or give them new facets. Would I consider a comeback myself? That depends entirely on the situation and the story. If an interesting storyline presents itself that is creatively appealing and reintroduces my character in an exciting way, I could certainly consider it. It would certainly be an exciting challenge to immerse yourself in this world again after all these years.

Elsholz: Acting and photography are two passions that complement each other wonderfully, even if they place different creative demands on me. Of course it requires good time management, but I really appreciate the variety. When I’m working on a film/TV or theater project, I give my full attention to acting. After that, I’m looking forward to focusing on photography again, which gives me a completely different creative freedom.

For the future, I hope to be able to continue to live out both passions. I dream of growing as an actor in demanding and diverse roles and at the same time deepening my photography projects – with further exhibitions of my own or perhaps my own book. For me it’s about being creatively fulfilled in both areas and constantly developing myself.