by Gina Scarpa

As Tyson Apostol tells us himself, his Survivor win was a long time coming. The three time player was determined to make it to the end, especially after girlfriend Rachel Foulger was eliminted on Redemption Island. A tight alliance with Gervase Peterson and Monica Culpepper, a hidden immunity idol, and a few crucial wins all propelled him to last night's finale, when he was deemed the winner in a 7-1 vote. We chatted with Tyson about his well-deserved win and this chapter of his life in an exclusive interview.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: As Jeff pointed out, we saw a different side of you this season, a more emotional side. Was that all because of Rachel at Redemption Island o rwere there other things going on?
A. Tyson: You know, there was more to it. The parts about Rachel were there, but it was also about playing twice before and falling flat on my face and getting a third chance when I never thought I'd be called back again. I know how fast and quickly the game can change directions. The thought of falling on my face again...

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: You've been labeled a villian throughout your Survivor career but I don't really see it. Why do you think people latch onto that label?
A. Tyson: Well, I think that one aspect is that I'm sarcastic and snarky. I feel like I do a good job for the most part of towing the line between hurting someone's feelings and saying something that comes off a little smart. I always say what I'm thinking but... I don't know. The other part is that for the most part, I've been one of the ringleaders of the majority alliance and everybody likes to root for the underdog. I think Ciera and Hayden causing Monica to cry, bringing her kids into it, was a more villanous move.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Did we really get the full picture of how difficult it was for you to deal with the injury you sustained early on in the game?
A. Tyson: I don't think so because I think I dealt with it really well. That first couple of weeks, I couldn't move my shoulder at all. It hurt really bad and it took a long time. The day after the challenge, I thought I was going to get pulled from the game. If I moved it away from my body, it would send piercing pain through my body.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: When you won that final elimination challenge, it seemed you had locked down the game. Did you feel you had?
A. Tyson: No, not at that point. The jury seemed like they really didn't like me and I'd use that to my advantage back at camp for people to take me to the end. I thought they were upset with all of the moves I had made. I said, "It's Day 39, you did everything you could." I was just excited to be guaranteed Day 39.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: So you're sitting at the live reunion show last night and Jeff says, "The winner of Survivor: Blood Vs. Water: Tyson." What goes through your mind?
A. Tyson: It's just such a long time coming for me, five years! There are days that go by where you don't think about it but there's always something that reminds you of Survivor. I try not to have regrets about the way I played last time but really, the only people who don't have regrets are the winners. I think it was just a relief.

Q. Gina, RealityWanted: Now that this chapter of your life has come to a close, what does the next chapter hold for you?
A. Tyson: You know.. I don't think that far ahead. Ask me tomorrow and I'll let you know.

(Image courtesy of CBS)

Follow Gina @ginascarpa