Live a Little Better by John Beyer
Moving and music weave twin threads of hope and self-discovery in John Beyer’s poignant and uplifting memoir of addiction and recovery, Live a Little Better.
There’s something deeply courageous about laying bare the pain and trauma of your life’s mistakes, and Beyer doesn’t flinch from describing the fissures in his immediate family as they descended from a golden, upper-middle-class life into the hell of addiction and neglect that drove both of his older sisters out of the home and set him down the path of binge drinking, emotional instability and criminal activity.
The Path to Healing and Recovery
It’s a long road from his early trauma to recovery and success with Men on the Move Moving and Storage, and the metaphor of moving and storage is apt. The painful process of evaluation, rejecting what doesn’t suit, packing and unpacking, and building a new life fits seamlessly into this story of self-renewal.
As a young Beyer gives in to the excesses that hide his pain, he discovers a passion for music. “I loved it because this was one way I was getting attention from my mother,” he writes.
From his early years when his mother would demand he memorize the lyrics from her Frank Sinatra and Andy Williams albums to adolescent dreams of making his own music, to the adult realization of those dreams, music gave him the power to express powerful emotions.
None of his later success would have been possible if Beyer hadn’t walked into an AA meeting in 1986 after many months of being on a bender. He was spiraling downward after years of self-destruction, a near-fatal car crash, and the deaths of close friends and family. Something had to change.
A Family’s Love — and Struggles
One of the driving factors in his recovery was his love for the woman who would become his wife. A longtime classmate and friend, Amy wouldn’t take a chance with him romantically if he didn’t clean up his act. Bolstered by her support, he began his journey to sobriety.
During the process of recovery, John continued to work for moving companies and decided to start his own business. Success wasn’t overnight but built slowly as Beyer’s new life took shape as an entrepreneur, husband and eventually, a father.
First came Lauren, and John and Amy settled into parenting. Gregory’s arrival was equally joyful, until he stopped making eye contact and responding to his name. A search for an answer brought a new challenge — Gregory was on the autism spectrum.
A World Where Everyone Can Live a Little Better
Life with an autistic child uncovered the dire lack of services needed by families of children on the spectrum on Long Island. Inspired to make a difference, John and Amy became active in their community, looking for resources for Gregory and children like him, and eventually founding Spectrum Designs Foundation to help autistic people gain employment.
Fate wasn’t done with presenting John with unexpected challenges, but today he counts himself content with his beloved family, successful businesses, charities and the opportunity to finally indulge in his passion for music.
As he composes his dream musical, he has come to understand that anything can be overcome with heart, hope and determination.
About John Beyer:
John Beyer is the founder and president of Men on the Move, a top moving and self-storage company on the East Coast, and a dedicated advocate for autism awareness and support. Starting his career with a single ad in 1985, Beyer grew Men on the Move into an industry leader. Alongside his professional success, John has been deeply committed to autism-related causes, serving as Chairman of the Long Island Chapter of Autism Speaks, Founding board member of Spectrum Designs Foundation, and a founding member of the David Center. He has championed autism awareness through various efforts, even using his company vehicles to spread vital information and donating services to various autism organizations. As the father of a child with special needs, John brings a personal dedication to his advocacy work. His story of resilience and transformation, from childhood trauma and neglect to his struggles with addiction to his recovery and success in business, inspires countless others to live a better life.
