Nick Schuyler is living his dream, five years after being rescued from the Gulf of Mexico.
Schuyler opened his own 24 hour gym in Lutz. The gym is called Sky Athletix.
"I wanted to create something where it's laid back but it's fun," Schuyler said. "A good vibe."
The gym is a milestone for Schuyler.
In 2009, he made headlines after being rescued from the Gulf of Mexico. Schuyler made it through two days stranded at sea.
Schuyler was the lone survivor of a fishing trip with three friends. He still thinks about it every day.
"For a while there, I was trying to figure out things," Schuyler said. "Why me? Why this? And how did this happen? And I came to terms with it and understanding it was just an unfortunate circumstance and you know I'm only going to live once and I'm going to make the best of it. And that's what I'm trying to do."
Schuyler has written a book about what happened at sea.
By 2016 that book, Not Without Hope, will be a movie. Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson will play Schuyler. Schuyler said he hopes the movie will inspire and motivate people.
And although the road hasn't been easy, Schuyler said he's making the effort to move on.
"I only get one chance and most people don't get a second chance and I did," Schuyler said. "It's a blessing. I'm enjoying it."
Schuyler said he doesn't take any day for granted. And at his gym, he's teaching others to do the same.