The Secret to Success That we Don't Talk About.

Behind every success story, there is help.

As I was studying this morning, I found a story that I had never heard before. Perhaps it's more popular now, but I didn't ever take a class on art history not have I read any books about painters and how they became successful.

During my music career, I knew that at some point there would need to be capital... support through financial means. (Perhaps that's why my songs are all about "pocket change"... HA!) There were going to need to be people who could help with social capital - support through emotional means. I got as many people around me who would argue with my brain farts and help me work to believe in myself before I did.

I still do.

Enter Theo van Gogh...

The Unsung Hero Behind Vincent van Gogh's Legacy: A Tribute to Theo van Gogh

Behind every success story, there is often an unsung hero—a person who, despite the odds, dedicates their time, energy, and resources to helping someone else realize their dreams.

When I think of Vincent van Gogh, I picture his brilliant but turbulent life as an artist who revolutionized the world of art. (Truthfully... I just think Starry Night looks super cool...) But, there's another name that deserves equal recognition for his role in shaping history - Theo van Gogh.

Theo van Gogh is a name not often mentioned in history books. (This is what we call a "legacy" - affecting others without them knowing you affected them.) When we admire Vincent's works like Starry Night or Sunflowers. Yet, without Theo's unwavering support, those masterpieces may have never come into existence.

Theo didn't have much, he wasn't some rich aristocrat. He had his own concerns, means, and challenges and yet, he consistently sent money, supplies, and encouragement to his tortured brother—often in the face of his own family’s criticism.

His acts of kindness kept Vincent alive, quite literally, when the world around him seemed indifferent to his genius.

In Letters to My Brother, a collection of Vincent's heart-wrenching communication with Theo, we glimpse into the soul of a man battling madness, rejection, and poverty. Through it all, Vincent knew that his art mattered, even if it wasn’t appreciated. Theo’s financial and emotional support gave Vincent the courage to keep going, to keep painting when everything else seemed lost.

Vincent once wrote, “I cannot help it that my pictures do not sell. Nevertheless, the time will come when people will see that they are worth more than the price of the paint.” He was right, but tragically, neither he nor Theo lived long enough to witness the global impact of his work.

Vincent's Story Isn’t Just About Perseverance

It's also about help.

Without that support, we probably would have lost one of the greatest painters of all time, far before we ever had the opportunity to recognize his work.

Theo, the brother who stood by him, is a reminder that sometimes our greatest contribution is not our own success, but the success of those we lift up. Without Theo’s belief in Vincent’s vision, the world might never have experienced one of the most transformative artists in history.

In the world of ambition and dreams, we often focus on the individuals who achieve greatness, but just as important are those who stand quietly in the background, offering their unwavering support, even when the path ahead seems impossible.

Who's a Theo in your lives— are you surrounded by friends, partners, and mentors who lift you up, even when we can't see the light. They are the true heroes, and their quiet acts of sacrifice and belief change the course of history, one brushstroke at a time.

Behind every success story, there is help.