“Surviving” Life’s Challenges, Practice Demands, and Reality Television: One Podiatrist’s Perspective

Joshua Wilder, DPM, AACFAS, is a podiatrist practicing with Ankle and Foot Centers of Georgia. However, beginning March 1, television audiences will also know him as a contestant on the newest season of Survivor, which airs Wednesdays at 8 PM ET/PT on CBS and is available to stream on Paramount+. Podiatry Today had the opportunity to speak with him about his practice, his journey through casting and filming, and the impact on his professional outlook.

Dr. Wilder shared that he joined his current large group practice after completing a fellowship in pediatric and adult foot and ankle surgery in 2019. He currently practices in three offices across the Atlanta area, focusing on sports medicine, pediatrics, and foot reconstruction at three different hospitals, in addition to holding part ownership in a surgery center. He also works with residents regularly.

What gave you the idea to participate in Survivor?

Being a part of Survivor has been a dream for Dr. Wilder ever since the show debuted in May 2000. However, there was a significant potential roadblock to that dream becoming a reality.

“Because of my medical condition, I never thought I could,” he said. “I was always in and out of the hospital … I didn't think I could survive being out there.”

Dr. Wilder was born with prune-belly syndrome, from which he experienced significant urinary system and renal issues in his childhood. In 1997, at age 9, he received a kidney transplant from a 15-year-old donor who had died in a motor vehicle accident. The procedure was successful, but during his first year at Kent State University School of Podiatric Medicine, he was diagnosed with stomach cancer, likely in part due to years of necessary immunosuppressant therapy. After examining multiple options, doctors recommended a total gastrectomy.

“I had that in my first year of medical school and my friends helped me through that,” he shared. “I stayed in school, still graduated at the top of my class. That was a big accomplishment for me.”

Dr. Wilder went on to complete his residency training and fellowship and had settled into a practice that he enjoyed. He was healthy, and his doctors supported him when he decided to apply as a contestant.

“One night … I got the courage to just start recording,” he explained. “And that's the first part of starting your application, a 3-minute recording, talking about yourself and why you would be a good player and tying it in with Survivor. And after I did that, things just started falling into place.”

What was your experience professionally during the application process?

Multiple meetings with producers and time zone differences posed challenges in the early stages of the process, which required a lot of his time and attention. He often had to extend his lunch break, rearrange his schedule and/or work late to accommodate the application process when needed.

“And I always told myself, if I'm doing this, I don't want to compromise patient care,” said Dr. Wilder. “Patients always come first, so I'm not going to compromise them.”

How did your colleagues react? What type of arrangements did you need to make during filming?

Dr. Wilder told took a leave of absence from his practice, characterizing it as a “personal” leave of absence since he was unable to share his participation on the show at that time.

“Being in a group, it was a little bit easier because I had other physicians who could cover my patients,” he explained. “I had to stop doing surgery a couple months in advance just because I didn't want any complications or want my fellow colleagues to have to deal with anything.”

He also took a step back from his hospital call schedule. These changes inspired a multitude of questions that he had to carefully field.

“I just had to be very broad, saying, ‘I'm going on leave of absence, I'll be back,’” said Dr. Wilder.

Did you feel supported professionally during that time?

He said he expected resistance and pushback, but that this never materialized. Instead, he received understanding and outreach with focus on his well-being and how help could be provided to him and his patients if needed. Dr. Wilder does acknowledge a bit of a rumor mill began, though, when some began speculating as to the reason for his departure. However, he stressed how supportive his colleagues and peers were throughout the whole process.

Once your appearance on the show became public, what type of reactions did you get then? What have you heard from patients, specifically?

At the time of this interview, Dr. Wilder said he’s heard some feedback from patients who have seen the commercials and put the puzzle pieces together with his leave of absence. Overall, they’ve expressed support and excitement.

“Some people have never watched Survivor in their lives … and they get even more excited when I explain to them what it is,” he shared.

Introducing the podiatric patient and professional community to Survivor is of particular importance to Dr. Wilder, as he feels there are important lessons to impart from the experience.

“I think being physicians, we are very much tied to our patients,” he related. “We get very attached and … we're taking care of them. They're trusting us to get them somewhere. And I think it's important to realize that (doctors) are people, too.”

He says the COVID-19 pandemic helped him realize that it can be easy for one to get lost in their profession, but that following a dream is important.

“We have to live a little bit more for ourselves, and not just patients … we’re important, too,” he opined.

Do you feel like your experience on Survivor impacted you in a way that's relevant to your practice specifically?

He said that personal fulfillment was a key outcome from his experience.

“It made me even more adventurous … being out there without my phone, being away from technology, smelling the clean, fresh air, it just made me realize that there is more out there that I want to experience,” he shared.

Upon his return to his practice, Dr. Wilder said he felt like a different person, having experienced positive emotional and mental changes.

“It gave me a different perspective on how to look at different situations. And of course, being a physician, you need those different perspectives and to think outside the box in order to treat certain illnesses, ailments, and conditions. (I learned to) talk and communicate and listen more.”

Physician burnout and physician wellness are very important topics across all specialties in medicine. As someone who pursued a unique experience as you did, do you have advice for fellow physicians who want to take a leap personally or professionally?

Fully researching the options, the ramifications thereof, and alternatives are paramount, according to Dr. Wilder. He says he made sure he had the base to be able to come back to work. He feels that his practice structure was able to support this journey, but that those in different medical practice structures solo, private practice may have face different challenges.

“I still had a career … coming back. And I know some people quit their jobs before they (filmed the show), and I couldn't fathom that,” he said. “But if you prepare yourself and prepare your patients and have everything set up, I'd say go for it because you only have one life to live. And if it's your dream or if you have a desire to do something, you should definitely do it. Just be smart about it. Be knowledgeable.”

In order to prevent burnout, Dr. Wilder finds that physicians need to not lose themselves in their careers.

“It's very, very easy to get locked in … this whirlwind of seeing patients, being on call, doing surgery, finishing notes, seeing patients, call again, finishing notes, another add-on surgery, etc.” he explained.

He said another thing he took from this experience is that he plans to take more regular vacations to reset and refresh to be able to bring his best self to his work. He feels this will allow for further self-reflection on what will bring happiness and fulfillment personally and professionally.

Is there anything else you’d like to share with the Podiatry Today audience?

Dr. Wilder acknowledged that his perspective is influenced by his health journey throughout his life. However, he feels that this point of view potentially holds value for fellow DPMs as well.

“I live every day to the fullest because I wasn't supposed to live past age 5, 9, or 25. I've had these life events that have maybe made me think a little bit differently. I need to live my life … because my kidney donor didn't get to do that. But that's how I live every day, live it like it's your last, just fulfill it, live it, be it, and enjoy it—have fun.”