[6][7][8] Mezler stated that he knew there was "something special" about himself at 3 years of age, but lacked information to classify this as childhood gender dysphoria.

[4] After watching a documentary film about transgender actor Chaz Bono when Melzer was 18, he realized he had been experiencing gender dysphoria.

[4] Five years later, at age 23,[9] he decided to begin his medical transition, which included masculinizing hormone therapy and 11 surgeries.

[4] His entire family was supportive, including his 89-year-old grandmother,[4] and his mother, who came to the clinic every day to bring him food as he recovered.

[4] He has criticized the way trans people are portrayed on German TV, describing their appearances as "a little freaky, over the top or completely depressed".