The series That’s Me (also known as the "Bodycheck" ) was a cornerstone of Germany's iconic magazine, specifically within the legendary Dr. Sommer
advice section. It featured young readers (initially aged 14 to 20, later 16 to 20) posing for full-frontal nude photos accompanied by personal interviews. Core Concept: "That's Me" / Bodycheck The primary aim of the feature was sexual education and normalization Realistic Bodies
: Unlike modern social media, the photos depicted "average" bodies to show adolescents what typical development looks like, countering insecurities about penis size, breast shape, or pubic hair. The Interview
: Participants shared their views on love, first sexual experiences, and body confidence under the motto "That’s Me – that is who I am".
: To navigate strict international laws, models often held the camera's shutter button themselves, providing a visual record of their explicit consent to the shoot. The Dr. Sommer Legacy
: The Dr. Sommer column began in 1969 with Dr. Martin Goldstein. The "Bodycheck" Evolution
: While Dr. Sommer initially focused on letters, the visual "Bodycheck" became a regular fixture in the late 20th century. However, due to changing legal and ethical standards, the explicit nudity was scaled back in the early 2010s. Digital Archives & Free Access The "11 free" in your query likely refers to the Bravo Archive Shop , which offers limited free access to historical issues: bravo dr sommer bodycheck thats me 11 free
The Dr. Sommer Bodycheck (previously titled "That's Me!") is a long-standing feature in the German youth magazine Bravo. It serves as a visual sex education column where real readers volunteer to be photographed nude to discuss body image and physical development. Feature Overview
Purpose: The column is designed to show teenagers how diverse human bodies can be. It aims to normalize different body types and answer questions about puberty, relationships, and self-acceptance in a medically grounded, nonjudgmental way.
Evolution of Titles: The section was originally called "That's Me!" but was renamed to "Bodycheck" in the early 2010s. Legal & Age Restrictions:
Historically, models were aged between 14 and 20. This was later increased to 16–20 in the early 2000s and finally to 18–25 years old starting in the early 2010s to comply with modern standards and avoid international legal issues.
To demonstrate explicit consent and control, models often held the camera's shutter button (self-timer) themselves during shoots. Educational Context
The feature is part of the larger Dr. Sommer advice column, which has been a staple of Bravo since 1969. Managed by a team of educators and medical professionals, it addresses sensitive topics like menstruation, masturbation, and consent—often filling a gap for young people who felt unable to ask these questions elsewhere. Free Access and Archives The series That’s Me (also known as the
Bravo-Archiv: Some historical issues and premier annual issues (up to 1994) have been made available as free PDF downloads.
Digitized Collections: Comprehensive digitized archives are maintained on sites like the Bravo-Archiv Shop, which preserves the cultural legacy of these features as historical documents of German pop culture.
From fan forums (Reddit’s r/bravo_de, Gutefrage.net), Episode 11 is rumored to be one of the most-watched because it featured:
If "thats me" refers to that specific line, you are not alone. Dozens of women who watched that episode in 2000 later claimed they recognized their own body type in the educational model.
For a nostalgic adult (30+): This is a 10/10 time capsule. If you grew up with Dr. Sommer, finding a pristine "That’s Me 11 Free" is like finding a diary from your youth. It will make you laugh, cringe, and feel strangely grateful for your own awkward journey.
For a parent of a pre-teen (10-13 years old): 7/10, with a caveat. The core message is wonderful, but the dated aesthetics and lack of modern inclusivity (LGBTQ+, trans health, internet safety) mean it should be a supplement, not a replacement. Use it to start a conversation, then discuss what’s missing. A first-time examination of a taller male athlete
For a teenager today: 5/10. They will likely find it "weird" and "old." They have access to better, more diverse resources online (e.g., YouTube channels like Sexplanations, or sites like Scarleteen). However, the tactile experience of a book—the one thing the internet can't replace—has value. It’s private, requires no Wi-Fi, and can't be tracked by parents.
For the uninitiated: Between 1998 and roughly 2003, the German television show Alles Gute (and later standalone specials) featured a recurring segment called "Dr. Sommer Bodycheck" . A real doctor (often accompanied by the charismatic Dr. Bernd Kleine-Gunk or Dr. Julia Fischer) would physically examine a naked teenager in a clinical setting, explaining anatomy, puberty changes, and sexual health in real-time.
It was radical. It was educational. It was also deeply memorable for anyone who watched it, because the participants were not actors—they were real 14- to 17-year-olds who had answered a casting call.
Keywords associated with the format:
For anyone who grew up in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland in the 90s and 2000s, the name "Dr. Sommer" from Bravo magazine is iconic. For decades, the trusted, often bespectacled, cartoon doctor answered the awkward, burning questions of teenagers about puberty, sex, and relationships. But beyond the advice column, Bravo created a cultural phenomenon: the Bodycheck. The "Bodycheck – That’s Me" issues were the ones you hid under your mattress, passed around in secret at school, and pretended not to be fascinated by.
The specific edition, "That’s Me 11 Free" (often marketed as part of a series where a "free" or "extra" edition was released), holds a unique place in the history of youth media. This review will break down what this product is, who it’s for, its strengths and weaknesses, and why it still resonates today.
The "Dr. Sommer Bodycheck" is a legendary advice column and photo feature that ran in Bravo, a German youth magazine. It became famous for its educational approach to puberty, sexuality, and body image.