"I got hit by a 40 pound IED in Afghanistan... it took both of my legs and my left arm," Nicholson explained.
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July 6 will forever be Nicholson's "Alive Day." It's a bittersweet time for reflection.
"Summertime is generally a little rougher because that was the time we were deployed over in Afghanistan and we lost a guy and a lot of guys got hit," he said.
And in those first few years following:
"A lot of drinking, a lot of going out and anger and depression," Nicholson recalled.
But then Nicholson met his wife, who he says convinced him to go back to the gym.
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Now, he dives into any sport he can.
"I'll try anything once. I'll give it a shot....you just adapt to it. You find out what you can do," Nicholson said.
Nicholson can do a lot. He's gearing up for the swimming and wheelchair basketball competitions at the DoD Warrior Games.
And he already won three gold medals and a silver in track events.
As a father of two, Nicholson wants to set an example for his children. But he also has a message for fellow veterans trying to find their way: work up a sweat, get active.
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"You'll find out that you're going to be a lot happier in life," Nicholson said.
He is reminding everyone on his alive day to truly live.
To see a list of the DoD Warrior Games, take a look at their schedule.
For more information about the 2017 DoD Warrior Games, visit their website.
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