13 May 1991, at 11:19, in Haugesund, a small coastal town on Norway’s west coast. It hosts Norway’s national film awards every year and has a statue of Marilyn Monroe, whose father is said to have come from here.

Grades one to three in Stavanger, then back to the Haugesund area for fourth grade at Førre school in Tysvær.

GK becomes a father.

Muay Thai, MMA and Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) as a beginner. In August he trains with Dutch Muay Thai legend Ramon Dekkers.

From 2010 to 2013 he fights in Muay Thai, grappling and BJJ. His fourth bout, in Oslo in November 2011, is a loss to a Nordic kickboxing champion.

Ten contestants, six episodes on NRK3, a channel of Norway’s national broadcaster NRK. Among the trials: ice-cold water in the mountains of Meråker.

• ArticleNRK RogalandHaugalendinger i Norges tøffeste
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisTre av ti er lokale i NRK-innspilling
• TVNRK TVNorges tøffeste, sesong 1
• VideoNRKGeir Kåre slår hodet under vann
• ArticleNRK Rogaland– Det var som å få ein knockout
• ArticleTysvær BygdebladNorges tøffeste?
• ArticleNRKEin av dei er Norges tøffeste

Five matches at −76 kg (168 lb), 37 fighters in the bracket.

Spars with Chechen fighters on their way to the UFC.

Denmark. Wins on points. Three weeks later he wins UCL 23.

UCL 23. Wins by submission (kimura) in the second round.

• ResultsSherdogKamprekord
• ResultsMMA VikingLive Results: UCL XXIII

Herjer MMA AS is founded: Haugesund’s first functional fitness and martial arts centre, with MMA, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling and kids’ classes.

• Websiteherjer.noHerjer MMA, Haugesund
• Websiteherjer.noOm oss
• InstagramInstagram@herjer_athletic
• WebsiteFacebookHerjer MMA
• ArticleKarmøynyttÅpnet nytt kampsportsenter
• ArticleKarmøynyttHerjere fra Haugalandet knuste farlige fightere
• ResultsSmoothcompHerjer BJJ Open 2018
• RegistryPurehelpHerjer MMA AS, org.nr. 915 541 593
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisHer skal det herjes
• ArticleKarmøynyttVil lære Haugalandet kampsport
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisHerjer-Geir satser i tøffe tider – vinn eller forsvinn

“I made the national team! The Europeans and Worlds in sight!” First team camp on 25 October.

First radio interview about the gym on local Radio 102. Classes start in Raglamyr, Haugesund. A year later around 120 people train there.

TV Haugaland, the regional TV station, covers the European silver.

British Challenge MMA 14. Loses on points after three rounds.

• ResultsSherdogKamprekord
• VideoYouTubeBCMMA 14: Nyland mot Harding
• ResultsTapologyJoe Harding vs. Geir Kåre Nyland, BCMMA 14

Jake Shields holds a seminar at Herjer MMA. The first time a UFC fighter visits the town.

Official: he will represent Norway in Las Vegas.

NAGA Frankfurt, an international grappling tournament: gold in gi, silver in no-gi grappling.

Trains in Stockton ahead of the World Championships. “This is only the beginning of the road to the top.”

• ArticleMMA-NorwayGeir Kåre «Herjer» Nyland: – Dette er bare begynnelsen

During UFC International Fight Week. Wins his first bout by submission, loses a split decision in the quarter-final.

• ResultsIMMAFUtøverprofil
• ResultsSherdogKamprekord
• WebsiteWikipediaList of IMMAF championships
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisNyland går for gull i Las Vegas
• ResultsIMMAFResultater, VM 2016
• ArticleMMA VikingVM 2016, dag 3

The book “Fremmedkrigerne” (The Foreign Fighters) is published on 29 September. The next day GK tells VG, Norway’s largest newspaper, about his childhood friend Abo. “I tried to get him home. Right to the end.”

• ArticleVG HelgNår din beste venn blir IS-kriger
• BookKaggeFremmedkrigerne, Erlend Ofte Arntsen
• ArticleBok365Fra Lisleby til Raqqah
• ArticleKarmøynyttBestekompisen ble IS-kriger
• ArticleKarmøynyttBestekompisen ble IS-kriger: – Jeg savner han

IMMAF calls him a “team veteran” and European silver medallist. He leads the team alongside the coaches.

• ArticleIMMAFTeam Norway ready to take over

Moves to Oslo on 1 December 2018. Hands day-to-day running of Herjer to others and trains in Oslo with UFC fighter Emil Meek and the Frontline Academy crew. “I know I can be one of the best.”

• ArticleLaastad-magasinet– Vet jeg kan bli en av de beste
• ArticleLaastad-magasinetLaastad & Co har inngått sponsoravtale med Geir Kåre Nyland

Wolf Fight Promotion 2 in Sweden. Next step: pro.

• ResultsWolf MMAUtøverprofil
• VideoYouTubeWFP 2: Samuel Bark mot Geir Kåre Nyland
• ResultsMMA VikingWolf Fight Promotion 2

His opponent in Düsseldorf pulls out days before. The debut comes a month later.

First session at Allstars Gym in Stockholm, the home of UFC star Khamzat Chimaev. He keeps coming back through early 2021: “I want to move there now!”

• InstagramInstagram@allstarsgymsweden

FCR 8. A first-round loss. Pro record: one win, one loss.

• VideoYouTubeFCR 8: intervju etter innveiing
• ResultsSherdogKamprekord
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisGeir Kåres (29) kamp mot klokken
• ResultsMMA VikingResults: Fight Club Rush 8
• ArticleMMA VikingCageside Photos: Nyland vs. Stromanis

His friend, UFC fighter Emil Meek, starts a crowdfunding campaign. A month later it has raised 1.65 million kroner, roughly $150,000.

• ArticleVGMeeks venn lam etter ulykke
• ArticleSunnmørspostenMeeks venn lam etter ulykke
• FundraiserSpleisInnsamlingen
• ArticleNettavisenBrakk ryggen etter stup – Meek starter innsamlingsaksjon
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisGeir Kåre (29) lam etter ulykke – nå strømmer pengene inn
• VideoYouTubeAlt for å gå igjen!
• FundraiserAskilfondetArmbånd «Alt for å gå igjen»

One of his Herjer students takes a bare-knuckle fight in the US in GK’s honour. GK was interviewed as his coach five days before the accident.

• ArticleNRK RogalandHans Petter Pettersen skal slåst for kompisen sin

During rehab at Sunnaas, Norway’s largest rehabilitation hospital, he demands proper warning signs at the spot so no one else does the same.

• ArticleVGBle lam etter stupeulykke, krever bedre skilting
• ArticleDagbladetReagerer kraftig mot Oslo kommune
• ArticleDagbladetEt ekstremt tillitsbrudd
• ArticleNRKKritiske til dårlig skilting på Sørenga
• ArticleNRKNå skal Oslo kommune ta grep

Travels abroad for a disputed treatment. “I will do whatever it takes to walk again.”

• ArticleNRK RogalandSatsar på at stamceller skal hjelpe
• ArticleNettavisenNå prøver han en omstridt behandling
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisReiser til utlandet for å få stamcellebehandling
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisGode nyheter etter behandling i utlandet
• VideoVGTVKjemper for å gå igjen
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisHer får Geir Kåre stamcellebehandling
• Op-edBROR Mental HelseDa livet stupte (GKs egen tekst)

After almost five months at Sunnaas rehabilitation hospital.

Just under a year after the accident. The first long conversations about what happened.

• PodcastGympoddenNår livet blir snudd på hodet
• ArticleKKGeir Kåre ble lam: – Jeg forsto på en måte at jeg var død

On the anniversary he retells 30 May 2021 in his stories, from the morning workout to the operating table.

Hours in a pressure chamber every week, and meditation where he walks back into the cage in his mind.

• VideoVGTVDenne oksygentanken ligger han i mange timer i uken
• VideoVGTVGeir Kåre mediterer seg tilbake i MMA-buret

He shares what he did on 30 May every year from 2015 to 2021, then the day itself again. The week before, he is in the district court.

His videos about everyday life in a wheelchair spread far beyond Norway.

• ArticleAftenpostenGeir Kåre deler om livet i rullestol: – Det har satt fyr på internett
• TVTV 2 God morgen NorgeOm «heller død enn lam»-utspillet

The anniversary video becomes one of his most watched, reaching over 82,000 accounts.

Five years since the dive. He looks back on Instagram.

• InstagramInstagram30. mai 2021 – 30. mai 2026

The question: did the city secure and sign the bathing spot well enough?

• ArticleVGMMA-utøver saksøker Oslo kommune
• ArticleDagsavisenTidligere MMA-utøver stevner Oslo kommune
• ArticleDagbladetGår rettens vei mot Oslo kommune

Main hearing in Oslo District Court. The judge and lawyers visit the spot.

Oslo appeals. Four days later GK answers in an op-ed in Aftenposten, Norway’s leading broadsheet: “Where is my rose, Oslo?”

• Op-edAftenpostenHvor er rosen min, Oslo kommune?
• ArticleAftenpostenNyland mener kommunen presser ham inn i et økonomisk uføre
• ArticleRadio HaugesundOslo kommune anker stupedom

A new round in Borgarting Court of Appeal, the appellate court for the Oslo region.

Borgarting Court of Appeal also finds the city liable.

• Court documentLovdataHR-2025-1055-A (viser lagmannsrettens dom 24.06.2024)
• ArticleVGStupeulykken i Bjørvika: Geir Kåre vant i lagmannsretten
• ArticleRadio HaugesundGeir Kåre Nyland vant i lagmannsretten
• ArticleNRKGeir Kåre Nyland vant igjen
• ArticleDagsavisenOslo kommune tapte ankesak etter stupeulykke
• ArticleKKVant i retten etter den tragiske stupeulykken
• ArticleABC NyheterOslo kommune tapte ankesak etter stupeulykke

The city appeals on the last day of the deadline. In November the Supreme Court agrees to hear it.

• ArticleVGKommunen anker til Høyesterett
• ArticleDagbladetBurde vært skånet
• ArticleNettavisenTil frontalangrep på Oslo kommune: – De ruinerer folk
• ArticleRett24Høyesterett skal behandle saken
• ArticleDagbladetSkuffet
• ArticleVGVaraordfører ut mot Oslo kommune
• ArticleAftenpostenHøyesterett tar inn kommunens anke

The case is heard by the Supreme Court of Norway. Anonymous donors cover the legal bill.

• ArticleNRKHøyesterett behandler stupeulykken i Bjørvika
• ArticleVGUkjente tar advokatregningen: – Det er fantastisk
• ArticleAftenpostenKommunen truer med badeforbud
• ArticleStavanger AftenbladUkjente tar advokatregningen

Takes the case to the European Court of Human Rights. “If I don’t try, I will regret it for the rest of my life.”

• ArticleVGTar saken videre til menneskerettighetsdomstolen
• InstagramInstagramOm saken i VG
• ArticleTV 2Tar saken videre til EMD
• ArticleNRKVil ta stupesaken til EMD
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisNyland klager til menneskerettighetsdomstolen

The complaint to the European Court of Human Rights is filed.

A5 Film has been shooting since the summer. The project is picked for an international workshop.

The Norwegian Film Institute backs the documentary, then titled “Fotspor” (Footprints).

• Press releaseNFITi millionar kroner til sju nye dokumentarfilmar
• WebsiteNFIFighter
• ArticleKlassekampenLager dokumentar om Geir Kåre Nyland
• ArticleRadio HaugesundLager film om stupeulykke

TrustNordisk, the Copenhagen-based international sales agent, takes the film. In November TV 2 announces the series.

• ArticleScreen DailyTrustNordisk boards Fighter
• Press releaseTV 2 / NTBTV 2 kunngjør «Fighter»
• ArticleRadio HaugesundFighter: en dokuserie om Geir Kåre Nyland
• ArticleRadio HaugesundTV 2 slipper trailer for dokuserien

International premiere at CPH:DOX in Copenhagen, one of the world’s leading documentary festivals. The series screens at Series Mania in Lille, Europe’s largest TV series festival. A standing ovation.

• FestivalCPH:DOXFighter
• FestivalSeries ManiaFighter
• Press releaseTrustNordiskFighter selected for CPH:DOX and Series Mania
• ArticleScreen DailyFighter directors on making it in two formats
• ArticleNFINorwegian drama at Series Mania
• ArticleNordisk Film & TV FondNordic shows at Series Mania
• ArticleHaugesunds AvisHøstet trampeklapp på Europas største TV-festival

Three episodes on TV 2, Norway’s largest commercial broadcaster. In VG, Norway’s largest newspaper, he confronts his own upbringing.

• TVTV 2 PlayFighter
• ArticleVG– Det har vært tøft
• PodcastGanske aktueltBonus: Geir Kåre Nyland, «Fighter»
• ArticleKlikk– Jeg sa allerede som liten at jeg heller ville dø enn å bli lam
• ArticleAvisa OsloGeir Kåre Nyland forteller om stupeulykken
• VideoTikTokAvisa Oslo
• ArticleTV 2Lam etter stupeulykke: – Jeg har fått mye hat
• VideoVGTVEmosjonelt møte tilbake på trening
• VideoVGTVHer ser Geir Kåre egen dokumentarfilm for første gang

Long conversations about the dive, identity, spirituality and the goal of walking again.

• PodcastHanna & de heldigeStupet som endret alt
• PodcastBak Fasaden #233Ble lam etter en stupeulykke
• PodcastChapters med LaminoflyBare et kapittel
• PodcastRåning med ToneStupet på Sørenga, et endret liv og nye drømmer
• PodcastMann i krise #59Livet etter dokumentaren

TrustNordisk screens Fighter for international buyers at the Marché du Film.

• ArticleCineuropaTrustNordisk’s Cannes Marché du Film slate

Fighter opens Nordic/Docs, a documentary festival in Fredrikstad, and receives a Special Honorary Mention. GK meets young people: “Never take hope away from anyone.”

• ReviewModern Times ReviewFighter
• ArticleModern TimesNordic/Docs 2025
• ArticleFredriksstad Blad– Ta aldri håpet fra noen
• FestivalNordic/DocsAward winners 2025: Special Honorary Mention

The film competes in the documentary section in Zurich.

• WebsiteTrustNordiskFighter
• WebsiteLetterboxdZFF Documentary Competition
• WebsiteOutNowFighter (2025)
• ReviewZurich Film FestivalFestivalens omtale på Letterboxd
• ReviewOutNow.chThe Brawler’s Bitter Blow

98% of viewers who started the series on TV 2 Play watched all three episodes. TV 2’s second best performing new documentary of 2025.

Founded as Pop Up Training AS. Today Element Lab AS, a hyperbaric oxygen and recovery clinic in Oslo.

• RegistryPurehelpElement Lab AS, org.nr. 926 396 994
• InstagramInstagram@elementlab.no

Helps set up Mash Studios in Oslo and becomes a co-owner.

• Websitemashstudios.noMash Studios
• InstagramInstagram@mash___studios

Herjer runs its own fight nights in Haugesund, free entry. Fight Night 2.0 follows in March 2023 and 3.0 is streamed live that August.

• InstagramInstagram@herjer_athletic
• WebsiteFacebookHerjer MMA

Nordic Creative AS, the company for courses, talks and PR in training and health.

• RegistryPurehelpNordic Creative AS, org.nr. 932 762 587

At Nordfolk, in Arctic Norway.

A talk after Fighter. Full house.

At the Cato Centre, a rehabilitation centre south of Oslo.

Quality Hotel Maritim, Haugesund. Ten years after he opened Herjer MMA in the same town.

A full house.

GK starts working with a manager in the US. More soon.

“My journey” for Norwegians living in Switzerland.

A high-end gym and spa in Oslo, now open.

• InstagramInstagram@hrbitz.no