Tonight’s the night for the premiere of The Rock and TNT’s reality-competition show The Hero. If you’ve been watching the NBA playoffs on the network you know they’ve been promoting this one big time. Via the official website, The Hero is billed as:
“An epic competition testing the strength, courage, and integrity of a diverse group of nine individuals. Each week, the contestants will be tested, physically, mentally, and morally, as they try to prove that they truly deserve the title of “The Hero” and the life-changing grand prize that goes with it. With temptations around every corner, America watches to see what the contestants are willing to overcome, undergo, and sacrifice on behalf of themselves and others. In the end, it’s America’s call on who will be ‘The Hero.'”
Man, that teaser is so supercharged someone better call a doctor! Well it turns out they did just that in the form of “Dr. Dave” David Parkus, a 50-year-old trauma critical care surgeon from Beaumont, Texas. Check out Dave’s bio and introductory video and Q&A as well as Twitter and Facebook links below.
“DR. DAVE” DAVID PARKUS
Dr. Dave is a 50-year-old trauma surgeon living in Beaumont, Texas. Although one wouldn’t guess it, he has suffered through many hardships in his life, including Osgood-Schlatter disease in both his knees. He has never let these obstacles get him down, however. In high school, his dream was to play football, so he worked out every day to get his strength back (after being in full leg casts for two years) and finally made the team. He was not the most gifted athlete, but he figured that if he worked harder than anyone else, he had a shot at being the best. He went on to be the captain of the football team, was all-league and played college football. This has been a theme of Dave’s life — he has been able to do anything he wants to if he just works hard enough at it.
What do you think it means to be a hero? People often describe a hero as courageous. I think a hero is more someone who is self-sacrificing, cares about people, and puts other people before themselves.
What’s the most important quality that a hero must possess? Compassion for other people.
When did you first realize you have what it takes to be a hero? I don’t know if I’m a hero but I think what I do is heroic. I have dedicated my life to taking care of the most critically injured people.
What’s your biggest strength? My drive and determination. I never quit.
You vs. The Rock: What would be the outcome? Well the Rock is bigger and stronger but I’m fast, agile and smart so it would be good competition.
If your life were an action movie, what would it be called? “Trauma Drama.”
What are three things you couldn’t live without? Women (I love the ladies lol), coffee I can’t get going with out it, good friends – my friends are like my family.
What’s your biggest fear? Being average- I always want to excel in whatever it is that I do.
Describe your most hero-like moment. 0n July 4, 2002 I tackled a gunman that was shooting people at LAX airport then I helped take care of the victims.
What’s your guilty pleasure? Popcorn and chocolate chip ice cream.
What accomplishment in life are you the most proud of? Building the St. Elizabeth Trauma Center from the ground up. This trauma center has saved thousands of lives.
What’s your biggest motivator? My biggest motivator is myself. I put more pressure on myself than anybody. I NEVER want to fail at anything.
Who’s your hero? Anyone in the military is my hero. They put their lives on the line everyday so we can be free; they are the true heroes.
What would be your theme song? “Right Where I Need to Be” by Gary Allen.
Why did you want to be on this show? First of all being on a show with The Rock is cool enough but at age 50 and after four surgeries over the last year-and-a-half I wanted to see if I still had it. I wanted to challenge my body and my mind – see if I could still kick some ass.
What gets your adrenaline pumping? My job being a trauma surgeon there is nothing that gets your adrenaline pumping more than when a critically injured patient comes in and you take over and pull that patient from the grips of death and save their life.
Dr. Dave’s social media links:
Twitter – @davidparkus
Facebook – DrDaveParkus
Best of luck to the doctor in the house as he takes on the challenge as the only rep from the great state of Texas. The Hero premieres tonight on TNT at 8/7c.
