Ex-Gawker editor AJ Daulerio finds new purpose in sobriety and helping others

AJ Daulerio, once known as the media world's

AJ Daulerio, once known as the media world's bad boy, now starts his Tuesdays before sunrise. At 5:30 a.m., he meditates for up to 20 minutes, then works through a detailed journaling routine. He reads poetry, consults his well-worn copy of Leo Tolstoy's A Calendar of Wisdom, and writes down his fears and things he's grateful for. He also sends a spiritual note to his three children.

After a simple breakfast of banana and coffee, Daulerio practices Brazilian jiu-jitsu, then heads to Besant Lodge, a community center near the Hollywood sign that once hosted mid-century mystics. There, he meditates again and leads a recovery meeting over Zoom.

This disciplined schedule marks a stark contrast to the chaos that defined his earlier career. As editor of Gawker, Daulerio was a central figure in some of the site's most controversial moments, including the publication of a sex tape involving Hulk Hogan, which eventually led to the site's demise after a lawsuit funded by Peter Thiel.

Daulerio's fall from grace was steep, and his

Daulerio's fall from grace was steep, and his struggles with addiction became public. Now sober, he has channeled his experience into The Small Bow, a newsletter and podcast focused on addiction recovery. The project has become a lifeline for him and a resource for others navigating similar challenges.

In a recent conversation, Daulerio acknowledged the ego that once drove him, saying it still needs to be kept in check. His recovery work, he explained, is as much about his own growth as it is about supporting others. The routine, the reflection, and the community are all part of rebuilding a life that once seemed beyond repair.