Vin Baker: Every Morning, New Mercies
What if the road to your purpose runs straight through your deepest pain? Host Aaron Lazar welcomes four-time NBA All-Star Vin Baker for a POWERFUL conversation about faith, addiction, and finding purpose on the other side of rock bottom. Vin opens up about growing up as a preacher's son in Old Saybrook, Connecticut, the meteoric rise from late basketball bloomer to Olympic Gold Medalist, and the private battle with alcoholism that played out in public and cost him nearly everything.
Now 15 years sober and serving as an ordained minister, Vin shares the moment in his childhood bathroom when he looked in the mirror and surrendered completely—not to save his career or reputation, but simply to live. His story is a testament to the scripture he lives by: "Every morning, new mercies I see."
Guest Bio:
Vin Baker is a four-time NBA All-Star, Olympic Gold Medalist (2000 Sydney Games), and ordained minister. Selected 8th overall by the Milwaukee Bucks in 1993, Vin played 13 seasons in the NBA with Milwaukee, Seattle, Boston, Houston, and New York. He was an original Team Jordan member and one of the most dominant power forwards of his era. After a public battle with alcoholism that nearly took his life, Vin found sobriety in 2010 and has since dedicated himself to helping others through their recovery. He is the founder of Struggle, a medication-assisted treatment and recovery center in Milwaukee. Vin previously served as an assistant coach with the Milwaukee Bucks, contributing to their 2021 NBA Championship run. His book, God and Starbucks, chronicles his journey from NBA stardom through addiction to redemption.
Learn more about Vin Baker:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vinbaker42
Struggle Recovery Center: https://www.strugglellc.com
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Episode Navigation:
1. 01:19 - Welcome and opening
2. 02:35 - Growing up in Old Saybrook as a preacher's son
3. 05:01 - Early dreams: The NBA and the ministry
4. 08:18 - From fear of God to walking in faith
5. 11:16 - "You never realize God is all you need until God is all you have"
6. 16:21 - When drinking began: Junior year of college
7. 20:37 - The hidden life of a functional alcoholic
8. 22:53 - Five attempts at sobriety and the mirror moment
9. 34:19 - Building Struggle: A recovery center born from experience
10. 37:34 - Lamentations 3:22-23: "Every morning, new mercies I see"
