The Nichols and Dimez Show
"The Nichols and Dimez Show" is your go-to resource for navigating life's pivotal transitions. Hosted by Chris Nichols, this podcast features honest conversations with athletes, entrepreneurs, military veterans, and other high performers who have faced major turning points — and reinvented themselves. Whether you’re shifting from sports to business, corporate to entrepreneurship, or searching for your next chapter, this show delivers stories, strategies, and inspiration to help you move forward with purpose.
The Nichols and Dimez Show
Chris Leben | UFC Legend’s Path to Resilience, Recovery, and Triumph
Chris Leben is a former UFC Fighter and Bare Knuckle Boxer. He currently referees and judges professional MMA contests while also overseeing and coaching at his MMA gym, The Training Center San Diego. In this conversation, we discuss Chris’s experience on the first season of The Ultimate Fighter, his dynamic family background, struggles with substance abuse, and his fighting career. We also talk about his resilience through significant challenges - including getting sober and overcoming various health and legal issues, what motivates him, and current aspirations with his MMA gym and refereeing career in the UFC.
Partners:
JNGL ATHLETICO: https://jnglathletico.com?sca_ref=5391573.ojJfvDfSXJ Use code NICHOLSANDDIMEZ for 25% off
HOSTAGE TAPE: https://www.hostagetape.com/CHRIS28059
PURE HIMALAYAN SHILAJIT: https://www.purehimalayanshilajit.com/?ref=4021 Use code DIMEZ for 40% off
TROOV: https://drinktroov.com/discount/nicholsanddimez Use code NICHOLSANDDIMEZ for 50% off your first order
GUY FOX: https://guyfox.com/ Use Code DIMEZ for 10% off at checkout
SURFDURT: https://www.surfdurt.com/ Use code NICHOLSANDDIMEZ for 20% off at checkout
Chapters:
00:00 - Intro & Background
03:00 - The Ultimate Fighter
10:00 - Family Background and Motivation
15:30 - Getting into Fighting
19:52 - Dealing With Broken Family & Meeting Your Father
24:46 - UFC Career
31:43 - Post UFC, Getting Sober, Resilience, & Faith
41:32 - Return to Fighting, Bare Knuckle FC, Healing the body
43:49 - Physical Impact from Fight Career
50:08 - The Training Center MMA Gym
52:55 - Next Big Goal
Follow Chris Leben:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chrislebenmma/
The Training Center San Diego website: https://trainingcentersd.com
Follow Chris Nichols:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsanddimez
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nicholsanddimezshow
Website: https://thenicholsanddimezshow.buzzsprout.com
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-nichols-dimez-show/id1667715105
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4MAr6sSCwiyU9G1JZgeZxq
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nicholsanddimezshow
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/nicholsanddimezshow/100090067950005/
Contact: chris@nicholsanddimez.com
