A message of hope – that saves lives
The Will to Live
Available May 3, 2026
John Trautwein shares a powerful story of faith, loss, and the fight for teen mental health awareness. This book equips parents, students, schools, and churches with hope, tools, and a reason to keep going.
500+ speeches nationwide • Life Teammates® • Dare To Hope! •
500+ speeches nationwide • Life Teammates® • Dare To Hope! •
Coming May 5, 2026
A powerful true story of loss, love, and purpose that helps parents, educators, and teens recognize the silent struggles of mental illness, reduce stigma, and strengthen the will to live. Rooted in the belief that friends are lifelines, this book equips communities to show up well for young people.
About John Trautwein
John Trautwein is a former professional athlete, business leader, author, and nationally recognized advocate for teen mental health. A native of Barrington, Illinois, he graduated from Northwestern University in 1984 with a degree in Chemistry, where he also captained the university’s baseball team. After college, he spent seven years as a professional pitcher with the Montreal Expos and the Boston Red Sox organizations, including pitching for the 1988 American League East Champion Boston Red Sox.
Following his athletic career, John built a successful leadership path in the technology services industry and currently serves as the Chief Customer Officer of Source Support Services, a global services company headquartered in the Atlanta area, his family’s home since 1997. John and his wife Susie are the proud parents of four children.
In October 2010, John’s life changed forever with the heartbreaking loss of his oldest child, 15-year-old Will, to suicide. In the weeks that followed, John, Susie, and their “Life Teammates®” founded The Will To Live Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to raising awareness of teen suicide while empowering young people to “deliver hope” to each other and strengthen their own will to live.
John’s message has been recognized by organizations such as CNN, USA Today, Fox Sports, and Major League Baseball, and he and Susie were honored with the George W. Bush Presidential Point of Light Award for their work bringing hope to teens and families.
Book + Speaking Inquiries
For book orders, bulk pricing, media, or speaking requests, submit the form below and our team will follow up.
“In my 22 years of broadcasting I have told many stories of triumph over tragedy but the story of Will Trautwein and his family has stayed with me. The loss of such a vibrant young man and the strength of his family to use their heartache to help has had an impact on how I parent my daughter and how I report stories of teenage depression and suicide. This is a must read if you have a teenager in your life.”
— Stephany Fisher: Anchor, CBS News, Atlanta
"Ever wonder what to say to someone who has lost a child to suicide? Ever wonder if a young person in your own home might be at risk? Read this book. John and Susie Trautwein are members of the saddest club on earth: they are parents who have lost a child. In "The Will To Livel" John Trautwein takes the emotions of loss and turns them in a message of awareness and hope.”
— Dan Shaughnessy, The Boston Globeco-author NY Times bestseller, Francona - The Red Sox Years “The Trautwein story is remarkable. Their work commands respect. Read this book, then reach out to someone in need.”
— -Ken Rosenthal, Fox Sports / MLB Network
"If the most powerful transformation known to humanity is taking something negative that happens to you and turning it into something positive for others -- and I fully believe that to be the case -- then John Trautwein is one powerful man. He writes straight from the heart. And his words will save lives. The story Trautwein shares in these pages -- a remarkable journey of passion and purpose -- will literally save lives."
— Jeffrey Marx, Pulitzer Prize winner and author of Season of Life