The Will to Live: How One Family Turned Tragedy Into Healing, Hope, and Purpose - Paperback

by John Trautwein (Author)

An unforgettable memoir about love, loss, resilience, the power of community and most importantly, hope. This inspirational work is something that anyone concerned about the mental health of a friend, loved one, or family member should read and share.

John Trautwein's life seemed perfect. An ex-Boston Red Sox player turned corporate executive, he had a loving marriage with four beautiful children. This all changed in October 2010 when his 15-year-old son Will died by suicide. John thought his life had ended, too. What he eventually discovered instead was that even in the midst of unimaginable grief, there is a way forward--through faith, family, friendship, and the healing power of helping others. With raw honesty and unwavering compassion, John shares how his darkest days revealed a new calling: to spread awareness about mental health, to break the silence around depression, and to deliver hope to those who need it most.

Drawing on his personal and professional experience, and as co-founder, with his wife Susie, of the nonprofit The Will to Live Foundation, John turns a tragedy into a positive and successful source of hope through his "Life Teammates" concept and programs. Through inspirational stories, he demonstrates our ability to improve our own will to live by delivering hope to one another. He reveals to us how to recognize the subtle and not-so-subtle signs of mental illness. His story emphasizes that love, not time, is what truly mends the heart. The Will to Live offers both inspiration and practical insight into how we can be there for each other in times of need. It is a story about courage. About community. About choosing to speak up, to reach out, to listen, and to remind each other that it's always okay to not be okay.

Author Biography

John Trautwein was a professional baseball player for seven years, including time with the Boston Red Sox, and is chief customer officer at Source Support Services, a global company based in Atlanta. When John's 15-year-old son Will took his life in 2010, John thought his own life was over. He soon learned he was wrong thanks to the love and support of family, friends, teammates, the compassion of strangers, and his faith. Along with his wife, Susie, John co-founded The Will to Live Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness of teen suicide, and to date has raised over $3 million, funding suicide prevention programs in more than 3,000 schools. He has given more than 500 talks, presentations, and keynote speeches to students, teachers, coaches, teams, universities, communities, corporations, and churches throughout the United States. The foundation has been featured in media outlets such as USA Today, CNN, Fox Sports, and Major League Baseball, as well as news and radio outlets and podcasts across the country. John and Susie have been awarded the "George W. Bush Presidential Point of Light Award" for their efforts to raise mental health awareness. In November 2024, John, a graduate of Northwestern University, was named the recipient of the university's prestigious "One Life Touched, One Generation Changed Award."