Meeting Bo Nickal: Faith, Fighting, and the Heart of a Champion

By Mark Odland, MA, LMFT, MDIV | Founder of Lion Counseling

Originally inspired by a personal post on LinkedIn

A Chance Meeting with Bo Nickal

Friday night, I had the unexpected honor of meeting Bo Nickal—an elite UFC middleweight contender and 3-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion. For those unfamiliar, Bo is more than a phenom in the cage. He’s a man of deep faith, unwavering discipline, and an example of the kind of masculinity that inspires greatness both in and out of the arena.

As a therapist who specializes in working with high-achieving Christian men—including professional athletes, executives, and entrepreneurs—this meeting felt like a divine appointment. Bo took time to connect with us on the eve of one of the biggest fights of his career. Despite the pressure, he remained grounded, gracious, and focused. That speaks volumes.

Faith + Discipline = Purposeful Success

Bo’s success is no accident. With an elite wrestling pedigree from Penn State and a stellar MMA record, he’s widely seen as a future UFC champion. But what struck me most wasn’t his credentials—it was his character.

Bo lives out his faith with intentionality. He values family. He embraces discipline. He doesn’t chase fame; he honors the journey. His mindset aligns with what we teach at Lion Counseling: true success is forged through quiet consistency, humble confidence, and unwavering focus on who God calls you to be. Our motto at Lion Counseling is the “escape the cage.” Ironically, in the UFC, Bo enters a literal cage to put his life on the line. As Joe Rogan often points out on his podcast, MMA is different from every other sport, because the stakes are so much higher. Very few in the world can do what Bo does.

Serendipity or Something Greater?

The details surrounding our meeting made it feel divinely orchestrated. Quite a while back, I had messaged Bo, telling him about my buddy, who was a big fan, and like Bo was a wrestler from Pennsylvania! I messaged Bo because the holidays (and birthdays shortly after) are a tough time for my friend due to a tragic loss in his life. Bo texted a video response back to my friend expressing genuine compassion, encouragement, and deep faith. In the video we discovered that Bo even shared a birthday with my friend, and said he would be praying for him and his family.

To think that this elite athlete on the cusp of fame was praying for my buddy was humbling and gratifying.

Now back to Friday night. The night before his big fight… My friend had a premonition. If Bo were to eat anywhere on this night, with all the restaurants, where would he go? After a couple reservation changes, we found ourselves at the best steakhouse in Des Moines. And as we were wrapping up our meal and contemplating desert, his eyes got big… there he was. Bo and his entourage walked through the steakhouse, passed by us, and were escorted to a private room with curtains separating them from the main room. In disbelief, we couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed by God’s goodness. How cool was this?

What happened next was far from a foregone conclusion. I thought about the situation. I prayed. The wheels were turning. I felt moved to write a note to Bo, reminding him of the previous connection, and asked him if he’d be willing to meet. Then, I asked the waiter if he’d be willing to deliver the message to Bo in the back room. Apparently, the waiter had no idea who he was (well, we were in Des Moines, a place with a small percentage of rabid fight fans, and a large percentage of people who were completely oblivious).

After a minute or so of waiting, Bo emerged. I waved him down, and he walked over. We remember our connection, and we had a brief, but meaningful conversation. We could have talked with the man all night, but he had a fight to prepare for.

Just a few hours earlier he had been at death’s door, having had to make weight for his big fight. This entailed dropping between 30-40 pounds in one week (depending on who you ask! – Bo gave us the actual answer). But with all he was feeling and thinking, in a city of thousands of fans and many distractions, he took time to talk with us, reflect, and encourage.

It reminded me of Isaiah 55:8-9 — “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord.” Sometimes God opens doors you didn’t know existed. Sometimes He sends the right message at the right time… through a steakhouse meeting before a UFC fight.

Bo already has a team of supporters. Many coaches and friends, and thousands of fans. My buddy and I are just a couple of guys, but guys who in our own way are also striving for greatness. The cages we face look different, but we strive for excellence in our careers and in our home lives. We often talk about striving to become the lions God created us to be.

What High-Achieving Christian Men Can Learn from Bo Nickal

  • Faith anchors your identity – Bo doesn’t lose himself in the spotlight. He stays true to his beliefs, even under pressure.
  • Success is about discipline, not hype – True champions train in the dark long before the spotlight shines.
  • Community matters – Bo surrounds himself with mentors, teammates, and brothers in Christ. We’re not meant to walk alone.
  • Masculinity can be fierce and humble – You can be a lion and a servant. A fighter and a man of peace. That’s the mark of biblical manhood.

The Fight Recap: Bo Nickal’s First Loss

On Saturday night, we watched the fights in-person, with eager anticipation. No, we’re not best friends with Bo. But we had enough of a connection to feel emotionally invested. My buddy and I looked at each other, knowing that if Bo lost, we’d be emotionally toppled from the mountaintop at the steakhouse, to the valley of depression. Yes, I know that sounds dramatic. But for you sports fans out there, I know you get it. In any case, that night Bo was dealt his first loss in the UFC. As a man who almost never loses, he was no doubt deeply disappointed. But after going dark for a while, he finally emerged days later with a brief but poignant post on his instagram page… “I’ll be back.”

Bo Nickal isn’t just fighting opponents. He’s fighting to redefine what success and masculinity look like—not only in the cage, but in life. Whether he’s conscious of this or not, I’m not sure. But he’s an inspiration for us, and for many other men who have followed his journey.

Feeling Stuck? You Don’t Have to Be a UFC Fighter to Fight Back

Whether you’re a business owner, athlete, or father trying to lead well, your life is a battlefield. Maybe you feel like you’re losing ground emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. You might feel a little beat up by life. That’s where we come in.

At Lion Counseling, we specialize in helping men like you break through burnout, overcome shame, conquer anxiety, and heal from the past—using tools like EMDR Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, and faith-integrated coaching. We help lions escape their cages.

4 Ways to Step Into Your Purpose

  1. Define Your Mission – What’s your calling? What core values guide you?
  2. Challenge the Lies – What’s holding you back? Shame? Fear? All-or-nothing thinking?
  3. Train Daily – As Bo does in the gym, train your mind and soul daily through truth, prayer, and community.
  4. Get Support – You’re not weak for asking for help. You’re wise.

Schedule a free consult here if you’re ready to train like a champion and build a life worthy of your calling.

Final Encouragement

Bo Nickal’s life reminds us that faith, humility, and discipline go hand in hand. His fight isn’t just for titles—it’s for purpose. And yours can be too.

To my fellow lions: stay strong, stay humble, and stay grounded in the truth. Whether in the cage, the boardroom, or the living room—your life matters. Don’t waste it.

➡️ Want more? Check out the Lion Counseling Podcast where we talk about mental health, masculinity, marriage, and motivation—through the lens of faith.

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