Stefanie Suren | In Good Shape

“The In Good Shape team wants to provide DW viewers from around the world with the knowledge they need to stay healthy, in shape and stress-free.”

As team leader and host of DW’s weekly health show, Stefanie Suren has a lot of creative leeway. “My team and I decide what the focus of the show will be, which guests we should invite and how we can convey the most important information in such a short period of time. It’s a challenge we face each week.”

In Good Shape covers new therapies and conventional medical treatment, as well as alternative medicine, nutrition, fitness and healthy living. The half-hour show is broadcast weekly in English, German, Spanish and Arabic. Each week features an interview with a medical expert to examine a current issue. “I think it’s fantastic that we have been able to create a platform to inform viewers around the world about health issues – and that we are able to do that in four different languages.”

Before coming to In Good Shape, Suren was a reporter and managing editor for television, print and radio and has seen a lot of the world. She studied in Australia, worked in China and Taiwan and travelled throughout Asia. “That hopefully brought me closer to DW viewers.”

Daily interaction and seeing things from the perspective of international viewers is also part of the job at In Good Shape. “It’s important for me to discuss topics with colleagues because they have a different view on health issues and fresh ideas on how to package that information.”

Along with In Good Shape, Suren’s department produces shows like the daily lifestyle magazine Euromaxx, the music magazine PopXport and Shift – Living in the Digital Age.

“Working on In Good Shape has changed my life. When you concentrate on health issues every day, you naturally become more aware of how to personally live a healthier life. Thankfully I'm not a hypochondriac.”

Up close and personal: Stefanie Suren in the spotlight.

Text: Elena Isayenko
Edited by: Adelheid Lucas
Translated by: Wesley Rahn