Meet March’s Fort Worthian, Neen Williams

Pro skater, fitness influencer, and entrepreneur

March 6, 2025

10:24 AM

Richard W. Rodriguez

Neen Williams isn’t just another transplant from California — he’s a professional skater, fitness enthusiast, and co-founder of Not a Damn Chance Burgers, which recently opened its seventh location at 604 Main Street. Partnering with Michelin Star chef Philip Franklin Lee, the duo serves up a curated menu of high-quality burgers crafted from premium ingredients.

So, how did a pro skateboarder known for grinding rails end up flipping burgers in Fort Worth? It all comes down to family — specifically, his wife Jess’s family, who live in the DFW area. After moving from Chicago to California for his skating career, Neen and Jess decided to settle in Fort Worth, drawn to its laid-back vibes.

But as most can imagine, Neen’s journey to where he is now has been full of falls and scrapes.

Neen’s story began in his hometown of Chicago, where he first picked up a skateboard at 13. "I borrowed a friend's board," he recalls. "I was hooked from the first ollie." That passion carried him to California, where he honed his craft, enduring years of couch-surfing and relentless practice before earning sponsorships and recognition in the skateboarding world.

His achievements include competing in one X Games Real Street contest, earning a bronze medal in 2013’s Skateboard Street competition. His video parts in "The Deathwish Video" (2013) and "Baker Has a Death Wish 2" (2014) showcased his smooth style and technical prowess, securing sponsorships from brands like Death Wish Skateboards, Stance, Thunder, and SF Footwear. He even landed on the cover of TransWorld SKATEboarding magazine, cementing his status in the skateboarding world.

Over time, the high-energy pace of California lost its appeal, leading Neen to Fort Worth. But before settling down, he took on a new challenge: the restaurant industry.

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Enter: Not a Damn Chance Burgers.

The concept began as a passion project between Neen and Lee, who first met over sushi at one of Lee’s Austin restaurants. Their mutual love for burgers led them to experiment, starting with just 50 burgers at events. What began as a fun side gig quickly gained traction.

The restaurant’s name, "Not a Damn Chance," originated from Neen’s signature catchphrase. On social media, he’d post videos of himself finishing massive meals, tossing his napkin, and declaring, “Not a damn chance!” Fans caught on, and soon the phrase became part of his brand.

The duo’s burgers are crafted with the same attention to detail Neen applies to skateboarding. They use Texas-raised Japanese Wagyu, seasoned with Neen’s custom spice blend and topped with classic fixings — American cheese, special sauce, pickles, and jalapeños. It took two years of perfecting the recipe before they felt it was ready.

"It’s like landing a trick," he explains. "The feeling when someone takes their first bite — it’s the same rush."

Beyond burgers, Neen is passionate about fitness. Choosing sobriety in 2016 after realizing the toll partying had taken on his body and career, he turned to exercise for adrenaline. Now a fitness instructor for 2,000 online students, he’s spent the past four years helping others build strength and resilience.

Balancing burgers and fitness might seem contradictory, but Neen sees it differently. "Most food can be a good thing if you don’t abuse it. It’s all about balance — eating clean 70-80% of the time and treating yourself the other 20-30%. Moderation is key, not just for health, but for sanity."