Meet the 'Survivor 48' Cast! Surgeon Cedrek McFadden Says the Show Used to Be His 'Therapy'

When Cedrek McFadden was going through the rigors of medical school, Survivor was his therapy. In the time since, he's become a colorectal surgeon, as well as a TV medical consultant for men's health issues. But Cedrik is about to make a very different on-screen appearance on the beaches of Fiji. The 46-year-old believes that his career has prepared him with a scalpel set of quick thinking, bedside manner, and trustworthiness that will make him a cut above the rest. Though he acknowledges his leadership skills could put him in the hot seat, he is confident he can–fittingly–guide from the rear, in the hopes it won't bite him in the butt.

Read on for my interview with Cedrek, and check in with Parade.com daily for interviews with this season's contestants and other tidbits. Survivor 48 premieres on Feb. 26 with a two-hour premiere on CBS.

Related: Meet the Full Cast of Survivor 48

Interview with Cedrek from Survivor 48

To start, give me your name, age, and occupation.
So I'm Cedrek McFadden. I am 46 years old, and I am a colorectal surgeon.

How did you end up getting into that? Were you always intending to go into that part of medicine?
It's very necessary. My initial professional aspirations, obviously, were to go into medicine. And it wasn't until I got into medical school that I started realizing that there was a particular colorectal surgeon that I really just enjoyed being in the operating room with. He had a certain panache. Everyone liked him, and he was just sort of a great guy in the types of procedures he did really attracted me. And so that became sort of that cadence that I then gauged the rest of my choices. And ultimately, the colorectal surgeons, seemingly, in my book, were the happiest docs. They were very laid back, but they also did just phenomenal work taking care of colon cancers. And so I thought, "I want to be like these people." And it just kind of fit.

So do you work at a hospital? Or at your own practice?
I work as a hospital employee. I have professorship as well at the university, the School of Medicine. And so I do a little bit of both. I do some teaching of the residents with a fellowship, but I spend a lot of time taking care of my own private patients.

You're obviously not the immediate boots on the ground, but working in a hospital must be an intense experience.
It can be. Because you take care of patients who come through your door that you prepare for surgery, but you also see patients that come into the emergency room who need emergency procedures. And so that keeps the adrenaline going as well. Plus, every case is unique and different, and everyone has their own sort of deliverables that they bring.

So let's talk about arguably the peak of adrenaline in Survivor. What's your history with the show?
So when I was just starting medical school, that was in 2000, Survivor just started. And so the first episode I think I saw, I just moved to Philly for med school, and Sue Hawk was giving that speech. And it was watching like, "What is this?" And it was so outside of anything I'd ever seen. It was certainly outside of my normal day-to-day life. And so when I saw that particular finale, that was obviously the end of June, by the time it rose back around in the fall, I was like, "I gotta find out the show and kind of connect with it." And it really became therapy. Every Thursday night, when Survivor used to come on, it was like the break in in the day. I mean, med school was tough. And it was that one hour that I gave myself space to say, "Put down the books. Just enjoy the show, get immersed." And it was a really great way to destress and help me get through the med school process. And it's just continued throughout the years. But that was the initial nitus in my interest in Survivor.

And what made you decide to come out here and hopefully be that source of therapy for others?
When anybody watches the show, you sit and say, "Would I do that? Would I say that? How would I respond? Could I do that particular challenge?" And after years and years of doing that, and also the understanding that, as you get older, you're like, "You know what? If I ever want to see if I could, I should probably try." And I'm here.

Give me one winner and one non-winner who you identify with the most.
I've said their names throughout this entire process, but it's really true. Earl Cole, he's definitely a force, and had a certain quiet confidence that was persuasive, but also subtle, but also distinct and precise. And just the way in which he played that game was, I think, integral. It was an amazing thing to see. And on the other end, you hear this name often, Cirie Fields. Non-winner, but I mean, she is definitely the winner in my book. Just grace and social cues and the nuance of understanding individuals. And there's what they need in that moment, just that listening ear, that smile. You don't have to talk, just listening and just taking it in, but also using the way that propels your place in the game.

What's your favorite moment in Survivor history?
I just immediately thought of when, I think it was Erik, she sort of influenced him. "Give [the necklace] to me." [Laughs.] And he gets voted out. You feel bad for the guy. But, I mean, that's just the power of just having that genuine connection that I hope to have in this game. But just to be able to say, "Give me this." "Okay." "Now goodbye." That's just amazing.

🤩 📺 SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter & get the scoop on the latest TV news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox 🤩🎥

What's one life experience you feel has prepared you most for the game?
I mean, I think going through a five-year general surgical residency, the hours along the work is literally life or death. You are dealing with patients who come in after having a gunshot and having to make split-second decisions that can really impact their life. And unfortunately, we were able to help so many of these people, but there are times when you don't. So, delivering news to patients' families about outcomes that may not have been, obviously, anyone's preference. And those moments, that's when it really gets real. And it's not anything obviously that I'll be doing with Survivor, but just the ability to relay bad news or to make that connection with someone. I mean, hopefully, that's going to translate in some way.

When you talk about making those life-or-death decisions, are you someone who goes by more instinct, or the volumes of medical knowledge you have in your head?
Well, I think that the preparation that you do along the way, along the journey. It gets you ready for that moment. So by the time you come to a decision, you've been prepared. You've seen everything that you're going to face. And even if you haven't seen it exactly, you've seen something similar. That's going to help you. So I walk into any space, into any operating room, even into this game, knowing that in anything that I face in life, I've been prepared for it. I've had a conversation with someone. I've had an interaction with an individual that's gotten me ready for the moment that I'm facing right now.

Well, let's talk about what got you to this moment. I would imagine your schedule is pretty packed. So what was your prep process like before coming out here?
A lot of it's been things that I've done along the way. I mean, don't think I'll be a physical beast or challenge beast, but I've always maintained fitness. I make sure I run, I make sure I stay active. And so that part didn't bother me as much, even though I wish I could have obviously done more challenge prep. But I took up more time with swimming. That's something that I had not done a lot of. So I spent more time with the coach and just basic things, tying knots under the water, retrieving a weight from the bottom, things like that, to increase that ability. I've always done puzzles. I mean, I've done jigsaw puzzles throughout my life. And so I did a few extra jigsaw puzzles, bought a few maybe Survivor-related puzzles. And then the sort of social prep, that's every day for me. And not to come across cocky–

This is the place to be cocky!
Well, listen, when you stay ready, you don't have to get ready. And so, this is my life, and there are aspects of this game that I've probably never prepared for. I probably wish I could have done more challenge-specific puzzles, specific things like that. But, you know, the reality of this is Survivor's my life.

Give me your biggest superpower and your biggest piece of kryptonite when it comes to this game.
So I think my biggest superpower is probably just the ability to talk to almost anyone about anything and to create a connection. That's not something that I think I was innately born with. I have great examples in my family. My grandmother was amazing at that. My mother, my brother, my wife, great people that can just have a conversation from the ground up. And that is important in this game. And I know that's a strength. I don't shy away from conversation. I think one of my kryptonites will be [that] I'm in a position where I make decisions. And I have a team, and we collaborate, and we often make decisions together. In a game like Survivor, I don't think you want to make too many of those decisions, or at least not appear to make too many of those decisions. You really want to lead from the rear, lead from the behind.

Well, you're an expert on that. [Laughs.]
[Laughs.] And I mean, that's reality, right? You want to be able to be that leader without announcing I am the leader and having that perhaps negative attention drawn to you.

Let's talk about how you'll be perceived. As you mentioned, you're in this natural leadership position in your day-to-day. Is that something you'll try to steer into out here?
Well, I can be understated. And that's another strategy is to, is to be more unassuming and really start ground level and just build that relationship. I don't intend to shy away from my profession. In some ways, that will be a strength; in some ways, that could be considered a weakness. Because in one aspect, I come along with the skill set, and people tend to think, in most cases, physicians are people [to] trust. We are, because we take that very seriously. And under no circumstance do I want to confuse the two. I mean, I want my patients to always know upfront, but this is a game. And so I want to use that skill set of building trust and to create that connection.

But on the other side, it can be used for strategy. Because by the end of the game, you could sit next to me. And I know we've gone back and forth with how we think of our winners, right? Is it somebody who deserves it? Somebody who needs it more? Just played the game more? But the argument could be made. "Listen, you're sitting next to me. Chances are you're in really good position to take this game. And so let's run."

What was the story you told your job about why you would be gone for a month?
Well, it's an interesting time right now in my household, I have a 17 year old that just graduated from high school. Actually, the day after I left, he started a summer program at school. So it's been a lot of transition in our household. So part of my explanation has been, I"'m just taking some personal time." And so with all the things happening–all the things being some of Survivor–I just need some personal time.

You wrote in your bio that you're a TV medical contributor. Talk to me about that.
So I do a lot of talking about, obviously, colorectal cancer, a lot of men's health discussions, conversations on the news. Really breaking down medical jargon for just the viewer. I spend a couple of days a week on the local local CBS affiliate. And then I spend some time on the national circuit, on one of the big TV programs on a different network. And so I spend regular time discussing whatever's happening in the news. We spent some time this past year talking about King Charles's diagnosis, or talk about colorectal cancer awareness month or men's health issues and kind of whatever's happening. But the real job there is to break down medical information.

If I have a moment here, my grandmother had a lot of illnesses growing up. And so I spent a lot of time with her, taking her to the doctor. And I remember her leaving doctor's appointments not really understanding what they talked to her about. So she'd walk out and she wouldn't really understand what they told her, and she had limited understanding at times. And, in many ways, when I'm talking on television, I feel like I'm talking to like my grandmother. I'm talking to people who get to the doctor didn't understand, or people who would never go to the doctor at all. And maybe the one thing they'll remember is hearing me say, "Get your colonoscopy at 45." And so I think it's a valuable role to help people outside of my everyday practice.

Related: Everything to Know About Survivor 48

Let's talk about your competition. Who are you picking up good vibes from in the preseason?
I mean, listen, first of all, there's not one person here that I'm like, "I can't work with." I'm looking at all these people. I'm like, "Oh, I can definitely do this. We can definitely make a connection. "There are several. There is a taller blonde female that I think was at one of my final casting auditions. We kind of wrote a shuttle together, and I remember her from that. And so even in this week, I pick up good vibes, good energy there. There is a younger Black gentleman that I pick up good vibes and connections, that we could work together. There is sort of a muscular white gentleman with dark hair that is always smiling. I'm like, "Definitely, I think we can work together." But I mean, just in general, I mean, there's been a good vibe that I've gotten from most. And even people that have been very withdrawn and intense. There's a younger Asian female that I'm just interested to kind of peel back and create a conversation and to see where the opportunities are. So, I mean, I think the possibilities are potentially endless here.

I know you said you're not getting any red flags from anybody. But is there anyone you can't read?
No, there are one or two people that I've not even had a smile from. There's one gentleman he's doing his thing. Even just throughout the week, not even had a smile or nod. And I don't understand him. I don't know him. He's probably fairly dark complexion, dark hair, thin guy, probably in his mid-30s, late-30s. But we just haven't made a connection yet. And so that's an opportunity. In my world, I don't see problems. I see opportunities.

On the note of opportunities, how much are you going to incorporate idols and advantages into your gameplay?
I'm gonna take it as it comes. I mean, I think that idols, obviously, we take those. And, God forbid, we'll play those this year and maybe hold them and not share them with the world until it's necessary and use them very strategically. Advantages come with risk. And, as I've reminded myself in my own conversations with myself. I said, "Self, don't play this game safe." And so if you have an advantage, play it or explore it. See what you can get with that.

To your point about the reference you made to playing your idols, what's your main takeaway from Seasons 45 and 46 that you're bringing into your gameplay?
Well, you have to be careful. Because, when you're watching at home, you have the benefit of hearing all sides of the story. You have an understanding of what you, the player, don't see, right? And so when you're living it in real-time, it's a very different experience. You're making decisions often on what people are telling you or what you're seeing, but not on what's happening behind you. And so I don't judge too harshly, because people make decisions based on what they know.

And I believe that, if I have an idol, my goal is every day here, not to plan necessarily for 10 days from now, but to plan here tomorrow. And so if I have an idol in my pocket, is there a way that I can use it, even at this current challenge, or this current Tribal, to benefit me? If I know someone is going home and I want to keep them here, might I just play it for them, even if I'm clear that my name is not in the mix? And so there are a lot of things that you can consider doing with it that get you further in the game. Especially if you if you are certain that someone is on the outs, and you're like, "I need this person here." Without saying it to anybody at the time, without telling anybody, present it at Tribal. And so there are things you can do on a day-to-day basis that may not mean keeping an idol in your pocket. Because at the end of the day, I want to be here tomorrow, and then the next day, and then the next day.

You talk about reserving judgments. But what's your hottest Survivor take?
So just coming off [46], obviously, that was a remarkable season on many fronts. And there was a lot of conversation about Maria and Charlie and the whole thing. And I really believe that Charlie was robbed. But I think that it was maybe a position that he opened the door for. So are you robbed, but you unlock your front door and leave it open for somebody to walk in? Or you robbed because they actually break in your door?

That's a really interesting way to put it. So you believe it's the latter?
I believe he was robbed. I mean, I think given sort of the conversation he had going into this, what Maria would do for him, etc. And it didn't work out that way. But as, Jeff always says, this is a game where you have to trust someone. But you can't trust any of these people. [laughs.] So how much do you open that door for someone to rob you, versus how much do you kind of keep it shut and try to protect yourself?

What celebrity or fictional character would you bring out for a Loves Ones visit?
I've read a bunch of books about social aspects. And if I could bring Oprah Winfrey out to the island. [Laughs.] I don't know how she'd do. She probably would say no. But just sort of that social ability to have her kind of read the room. And especially if she can kind of correspond with me on what can happen, that'd be just an amazing partnership to have in this game.

When in doubt, she could give some cars away to the competition.
Maybe give away more than a million dollars. But I think that her ability to just also connect with people, to have a conversation with people and have them express their hopes and their dreams and their concerns, and find some resolution, or some resolve, I think could be very insightful in this game.

Lastly, how are you going to make your mark on Survivor 48 to make sure you return for Season 50?
I am me. I have no expectation to be anyone else in this game, other than myself. And when you are authentically yourself, you bring something that no one else can bring. A cello should not try to sound like a violin. It will sound horrible. But being a cello, it adds to that richness of the sound. And so I'm gonna bring that sound that only I can bring to the orchestra. And that's what I can bring to that game, and that will be unique enough and won't perhaps be replicated.

Related: Watch 'Survivor 48' Players Reveal Their Most Controversial Hot Takes (Exclusive)