Tragedy to Triumph with Aaron Laine

03/27/2026

Man, I’m just really grateful for this space.

This office/studio is one of those “pinch me” things… Part work headquarters, part creative lab, part therapy session with a microphone.

It’s cool as hell, but more than that, it’s where a lot of purpose gets built.

From DeCoach projects and community outreach, to podcast episodes and big ideas that start as scribbles… I get a ridiculous amount done in this room. It’s a reminder of how far life can shift when you stay consistent, keep showing up, and keep building.

If you’re in a season where you’re trying to create something then keep going. One day you’ll look up and realize you’re standing in the room you used to only picture in your head.

02/06/2026

9 years ago something special happened.

Though December 20th 2016 is my sobriety date. The profound spiritual experience I had was 3 years ago today.

I had destroyed everything in 2016. My life was falling apart, I didn’t have a job, my 3 girls didn’t have the dad they deserve, I was using iv he**in everyday, my wife didn’t want anything to do with me, I was hopeless...

Going in front of a judge with 4 prior felonies, I thought I was screwed. I couldn’t even look her in the eyes without crying. She looked at me and said “Mr Laine, I remember you and I can tell you feel hopeless, but I have hope for you... Are you willing to give treatment one last shot?”

I couldn’t believe what I was hearing, inside I was full of doubt but also realized I’m not built for jail, so I graciously said “Yes, your honor, I’m willing to do whatever it takes.”

On 12-21-2016, I started my journey in a court ordered treatment center... The first few days were rough, I knew what Recovery looked like but I couldn’t stop thinking of all the damage I had done.

Christmas Day 2016. My mom brings my kids to see me. They’re within arms reach, but I can’t hug them. I’m not allowed to... This is what my life is. I said to myself “I’ll never be in a situation where I can’t hug my kids again.”

New Year’s Eve 2016. My wedding anniversary... My wife is out with another man, I’m in this treatment center. Still bothered by everything... It sucks. I call my moms house and one of my daughters picks up the phone. “Dad, I’m so happy to hear your voice! I can’t believe we get to ring in the new year together!”

All I can think about is the fact my daughter is just happy with hearing my voice. How she still loves me even with everything that’s happened. She’s also grasping at straws because this is what she’s gotten used to... Her dad being away.

I hang up the phone. This time all I can think is “This is BIGGER than me.”

New Year’s Day. My mom brings me a radio and some candy to make my time easier. I’m trying to find something to listen to, but nothing sounds right. No Rock, no Rap, no top 40. I can’t relate to any of it... Then I come across a Christian station STAR 93.3, the music is positive and uplifting... Songs about being redeemed and “the chains are broken”... It’s literally making me feel better, and at that point it’s all I got.

I start listening to this same station everyday. In the morning and before bed.

30 days go by and it’s time to see the judge. It gets to be my turn to talk and I’m smiling from ear to ear. “Mr. Laine... You look a lot better than last time I saw you. What’s different?”asks the judge.

“Well, your honor... I’ve been listening to Christian music.” I reply.

“Well whatever it is... Keep doing what you’re doing.”

I hadn’t heard anyone say this to me in such a long time, usually it was “You need to do something different.” Her words touched my heart and for days to come I held onto them.

So I continue... for almost two weeks the same thing. I’m really feeling better about my sobriety.

February 5, 2017... lining up for breakfast. “Mr Laine, you have a phone call in the office.”

This is unusual, must be my lawyer or something.

I pick up the phone and it’s my wife... “Hey! I’m bringing down divorce papers today and did you hear about your brother?” She says

“No... Why?” I reply

“Oh, I’m sorry he took his own life... I thought someone told you already.”

I drop the phone and sink to the ground. My wife wants a divorce and my brother committed su***de. This is how I found out about both...

For the entire day all I can think about is how I messed everything up. How my life is in shambles. My brother is gone... I can’t be there for anyone. How my marriage is over. How worthless of a dad I am. Worthless, worthless, worthless... And I can’t stop feeling this way.

I just want to get high. That’s how I can get this feeling to stop... But I’m stuck in this treatment center, and I’m stuck with my feelings...

The day drags on... Every negative thought just swirling around my head. I don’t want to talk to anyone, I’m combative, just trying to find a reason to get kicked out. But it’s not working... I’m stuck here.

Now it’s 2 in the morning. I’m in the bathroom mirror crying. Looking at myself and saying out loud “You’re a piece of s**t. You’re worthless. Just give up.”

A security guard tells me it’ll be alright, to just go to bed. I’m trying to argue with him, but he looks me in the eyes and says it again. “Mr. Laine just goto bed...”

I climb into my bed, and lay there. Same thoughts of being worthless and that God doesn’t answer prayers. I just want the pain to stop, I just want the pain to go away...

I reach over and grab my little radio, put the headphones on turn it on.

Immediately a song starts playing.

🎶 Mirror, mirror, mirror on the wall
Tellin' those lies, pointing out your flaws
That isn't who you are
That isn't who you are
It might be hard to hear
But let me tell you, dear
If you could see what I can see, I know you would believe
That isn't who you are
There's more to who you are
So when it's late
You're wide awake
Too much to take
Don't you dare forget that in the pain
You can be brave
Hear me say
I see you dressed in white
Every wrong made right
I see a rose in bloom
At the sight of you
Oh, so priceless...”🎶

Something is happening to me... Everything about this song related to this exact moment of my life. Being in the mirror, in the middle of the night, dressed in a white T-shirt, thinking of all my wrongs, feeling worthless.

Yet this song is saying I’m priceless. That I have value... That I always have. Even a voice comes over me and says “Aaron, I answer prayers, but they’re in my own time.” This understanding that everything I went through to that point was so I could share it with other people and bring them out of the trenches.

In my whole life, no drug has ever made me feel better than this moment and I refuse to let it go. That’s what I’ve done everyday since.

While I could list all the things that have happened from that day, let me just say this:

We do Recover... You have value... You are worth it... You are priceless. 🙏🏼

Tragedy to Triumph is about sharing amazing stories from people in Recovery and it will always be that way. If you need help, just reach out.

12/19/2025

When this journey began 9 years ago, all I wanted was to be a good dad.

To be fully present for my daughters and lead by example. To be sober and available anytime of the day.

From spending time with my daughters while I was in sober living, then getting an apartment where they could lay their heads. As time moved forward, I kept attending 12 step meetings, worked my ass off to provide a better life for them, and before you know it we got a house.

Recovery did that… God did that.

A home that was filled with tons of love and laughter instead of fear and sadness. We made so many cool memories there

Then a few months later, recovery gave me 50/50 custody of my daughters and I got to see them all the time. Driving them to school while listening to our favorite songs and picking them up blasting the most embarrassing music possible.

The reality is I hit my goal of being a good dad my first year sober and everything else I’ve received since is just a bonus.

That’s what recovery can do for you in 9 years and that’s just one example of the amazing blessings that come with it.

Do BIG things.

11/27/2025

And that I don’t have to lie and say “I’m just really tired...”

11/23/2025

30-Year-Old Influencer Brandon Buckingham Hospitalized for Organ Failure: 'Things Are Not Looking Good, My Friends' 🥺

Buckingham shared the health update on X on Friday, Nov. 21. "In the ICU, my heart is failing, my lungs are failing, my liver and kidneys are failing," he wrote. "Things are not looking good my friends. I love you guys."

The influencer did not elaborate on the cause of his organ failure, but did share a post on Wednesday, Nov. 19, in which he provided a photo of himself wearing a hospital gown and nasal cannula. "doctor believes i have tuberculosis, septic pneumonia, and/or liver failure. pray for me guys," he wrote on X.

The influencer is known for interviewing strangers on the street in different cities and documenting these experiences on YouTube, where he has amassed 1.21 million followers. In September, Buckingham opened up about his mental health after the loss of his grandmother.

“I haven’t been in a good place for a bit. I know I haven’t answered anyone’s texts or calls in a while … I know everyone has been worried about me … I’m sorry for that, it is not my intention to worry everyone,” he wrote in an Instagram post.

“I am struggling with my mental health. I just got the call my grandma passed away this morning. I feel I have more people waiting for me in heaven than here on earth," Buckingham continued. "I think God has a plan for me that I don’t understand. I love you grandma, say hi to Kyle for me. I wish I could die with you 💔.”

11/10/2025

11/07/2025

The profound spiritual experience I had in 2017 with this exact Sony Walkman made one thing very clear.

Everything that happened upto that point was so that I could help others know that God is real and that recovery is available for everyone.

You are priceless. 💎🌹