PATIENT CHAMPION

He chased quarterbacks for a living, then he switched careers and started protecting patients instead.  Herb Coleman joins us in Nashville to talk about the real work of an operating room tech, what it means to be a “patient champion,” and how an OR runs on trust, preparation, and tight teamwork long before the surgeon makes the first cut.  If you’re curious about behind-the-scenes healthcare jobs, patient safety, or how surgical teams stay coordinated under pressure, you’ll get a clear, honest look at the machine that makes surgery possible. We also hang with comedian, actress, and writer Marianna Barksdale, who’s adding stunt work to her already fearless comedy life. That sparks a fun and surprisingly thoughtful comparison between performing on stage and taking hits on set, plus a reminder that bodies have limits and orthopedic reality always shows up eventually. Along the way, we swap stories about injuries, surgeries, and the kinds of medical moments that make even tough people go pale. Herb shares how the NFL affected his body, what he misses, and what helped him after retirement, including the simplest advice that’s also the hardest to follow: keep moving. We get into football film study, life “in the trenches,” and why his favorite OR cases feel like being a mechanic with power tools. We even hit diet and the shock of going from 7,000 to 8,000 calories a day to learning “pushbacks” from the table. If you laugh, learn, or both, subscribe to Dr. Ben and Friends, share it with a healthcare hero or sports fan in your life, and leave a review so more people can find the show. THANKS TO OUR GUESTS: Marianna Barksdale (Comedian, Actor, Writer, Stuntwoman) Instagram: @itsmariannabarksdale https://linktr.ee/mariannabarksdale Herb Coleman (operating room tech, former NFL defensive lineman) DR BEN AND FRIENDS PODCAST: This episode was produced by Angie Debelak with post-production editing by Ben Hill Sound. Thanks for listening to Dr Ben and Friends.  Laughter is the best medicine...unless you're treating bowel or bladder incontinence.  See you next time! Team Dr Ben SUPPORT THE SHOW: Share a message with Dr Ben and Friends! Support the show Follow and listen for free on Dr Ben and Friends website, YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon Music, and iHeart Radio! Fan of the show? Record yourself! on Dr Ben's website and YOU could be featured on the next episode! DISCLAIMER: Dr Ben and Friends Podcast Quick heads-up folks: Dr Ben and Friends is your weekly dose of laughs and stories.  We celebrate healthcare heroes and pro comics.   This is infotainment-- think popcorn, not prescriptions or medical advice. If you're feeling funky, see your medical professional.  Your health?  That's on you.  We'll stick to the punchlines.