If you’ve been following the whirlwind that is Kristin Cavallari’s dating life, you know it's basically a full-time job. One minute she’s with a TikTok star, and the next, she’s "done with athletes" forever. But somewhere in between the headlines and the podcast tours, there was a guy named Nate Thompson.
For months, he was just a "mystery athlete." The internet detectives—who, honestly, are better than the FBI at this point—were working overtime. They pieced together snippets from her podcast and Instagram tags until the truth finally spilled.
It wasn't a long-term marriage or a messy public breakup. It was a fling. A deep one, sure, but a fling nonetheless.
The Mystery Man Revealed
Kristin has a type. She knows it. We know it.
On an April 2025 episode of her podcast, Let’s Be Honest, she finally dropped the name: Nate Thompson. If you aren't a hockey fan, the name might not ring a bell immediately. Nate is a retired NHL forward who spent nearly two decades on the ice, playing for teams like the L.A. Kings and the Montreal Canadiens.
He’s 40, he’s a dad, and according to Kristin, he’s "done a lot of work on himself." That last part seems to be the kicker for her. She wasn't looking for a project; she was looking for someone who already had their life together.
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They met the way everyone meets in 2026: Instagram DMs. He reached out, they swapped numbers, and suddenly he was flying to Nashville.
Why the "Flame" Fizzled
It’s kinda fascinating how Kristin describes their time together. She called it one of the "most honest and pure" relationships she’s ever had. They spent New Year's Eve together. They talked about everything.
But then, the classic Cavallari honesty came out.
She admitted that while the connection was deep, the "flame" just wasn't high enough. You know that feeling? When a guy is perfect on paper—he's kind, he's a great dad, he's hot—but you don't necessarily want to "rip his clothes off" every time he walks in the room? That was the deal breaker.
Kristin has been very vocal about not settling. After a decade-long marriage and some high-profile rebounds, she’s at a place where if it isn't a "hell yes," it's a "no."
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Long Distance and "Mom Life" Realities
Nate lives in Los Angeles. Kristin is firmly planted in Nashville with her three kids.
Geography is a brutal relationship killer. Kristin mentioned on her tour that her time is incredibly limited. She has her kids most of the time, she’s running Uncommon James, and she’s recording a massive podcast.
"It's f—ing complicated," she told her listeners.
Nate actually responded on his own podcast, Energy Line, and he was a total class act about it. He confirmed they had a great time but the dynamic of being single parents in different cities made a real relationship nearly impossible. He didn't even call her his girlfriend. They were just two people who "connected."
The Post-Nate Era
So, where does that leave things now?
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Well, Kristin officially swore off dating pro athletes (again) after this. She’s moved on to dating apps, though she’s reportedly being very selective about who she actually meets in person.
The Nate Thompson chapter was short. It lasted maybe a few months from late 2024 into early 2025. But it served a purpose. It showed a side of Kristin that is looking for more than just a "f— buddy"—even if she still values that chemistry above almost everything else.
Lessons from the Kristin and Nate Saga
If you're navigating the dating world yourself, there are actually some solid takeaways here:
- Trust your gut on chemistry. If the spark isn't there in the beginning, it's rarely going to show up later. Don't try to force a "paper perfect" person into your heart.
- Honesty over everything. Both Kristin and Nate spoke highly of each other after the split because they were upfront about their expectations from day one.
- Logistics matter. You can have the deepest connection in the world, but if you live 2,000 miles apart and have six kids between you, it's going to be an uphill battle.
Keep an eye on Kristin’s social media, but don’t expect a hockey player to pop up in her stories anytime soon. She seems perfectly happy being "very single" and focusing on her tour.
If you're looking to upgrade your own dating profile or just want to channel that "don't settle" energy, take a page out of the Uncommon James handbook. Prioritize your peace and your schedule. The right person—flame and all—will eventually fit into it.