Season 42 of The Challenge has returned.

The long-running reality show has joined the ranks of Survivor and The Amazing Race as competition shows with a devoted fan base. Paramount+ just released the first two episodes of the new season, The Challenge: Cutthroat, and there is plenty to discuss.

This season features cast members including Survivor stars Cassidy Clark, Michele Fitzgerald, Nelson Thomas, and Chris Underwood. Joining them are familiar faces, including previous winners Cara Maria Sorbello and Chris “CT” Tamburello. One of the most exiting factor of the series is the return of cast member Nelson Thomas.

Thomas has been a long-time recurring cast member of the show. However, Thomas was forced to leave the show for several years after his tragic accident after the 2022 season, The Challenge: Ride or Dies.

In the season premiere, Thomas opens up about his painful experience that has led him on his own healing journey.

What happened to Nelson from The Challenge?

In the first episode of Season 42, Thomas gets candid about not thinking there would ever be an opportunity to come back on the show.

According to Parade on March 5, 2023, Thomas was involved in a fatal car crash while driving drunk. Thomas was able to be saved from the damage, but after having many surgeries for the injuries caused to his right foot, ultimately forced to be amputated.

In his confessional, he reflects on his rough last few years, “Thank God I didn’t hurt anyone else but myself. Six months, 32 screws, two plates, eight surgeries. Man, it was, it was a lot.”

“But I realized I’m still here,” he added. “I have the opportunity to be living proof of showing that it’s okay to make a mistake. It’s okay to make a bad choice, but own it. And what I mean by that, it’s like, I’ll be damned if I ever, ever drink and drive a car again.”

What was Nelson from The Challenge arrested for?

Thomas was arrested for Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) on the night of the car accident. A blood sample was taken before he was released from custody to treat his injuries. In June 2023, a warrant for Thomas’ arrest was put out based on the blood sample, per In Touch.

You may also remember the time when Thomas was previously arrested and briefly served jail time for theft. In 2018, the reality star served for time for a misdemeanor charge for stolen property between $100 and $750.

At the time, Thomas tweeted that he decided to turn himself in, “Everyone has a past. No one’s hands are clean but God. I was not arrested. I turned myself in to clear my name on a charge from 5 years ago. This was an alternative to probation. I’ve been in full cooperation with all law enforcement. If you do the crime, do the time like a man.”

How many season of The Challenge has Nelson been on?

Thomas has been featured on 11 seasons of The Challenge. He has been a finalist on three seasons.

Where to watch The Challenge: Cutthroat:

You can watch seasons 10-41 of The Challenge can be streamed on Paramount+! New episodes of season 42 drop every Wednesday at 3:01 ET/PT on the streamer and air Wednesday at 8 p.m. ET/PT on MTV.

Paramount+ offers two subscription plans, Essential and Premium. Right now, you can get started with a seven-day free trial on the Premium plan.

The ad-supported Essential plan typically costs $8.99/month, while the ad-free Premium plan (which comes with Showtime titles and live CBS) costs $13.99/month.