Hey Dad, Remember Me?: Breaking Patterns of Generational Dysfunction

Alone in his parent’s room, eleven-year-old James “Bubba” Beck finds his father’s .357 revolver, loads a bullet into the chamber, and slides the gun into his mouth. He doesn’t feel like anyone wants him around and has lost the will to live. Fortunately a visiting neighbor interrupts him before he pulls the trigger.

Months later, Bubba tells his dad, Jimmy, of his suicide attempt, a horrible moment that breaks through to his father. A child of abusive parents himself, Jimmy realizes he has no idea how to be a good dad and commits to spending the rest of his life to becoming the type of father that every son deserves; a good one.

Hey Dad, Remember Me? is the true story of how a father and son embark on a decade-long adventure to break the cycle of generational dysfunction and abuse. By exposing the raw truth of how life unfolded, they reveal how families can have fun transforming relationships from one of anger and rage to a healthy, lasting friendship.

James Beck’s remarkable memoir reveals how his father reinvented their relationship by dedicating himself to learning and serving his son’s needs. The road was long, and not without setbacks, but the reward is more than either could have anticipated. It reveals how that simple, powerful motivation saved them both.

Born in Bremerton, Washington, on April 1, 1975, James Andrew Beck's childhood was defined by an abusive relationship with his father-a relationship the elder Beck eventually chose to confront to break the cycle of generational dysfunction.

Beck graduated college with a degree in Religion in 1997, returning home to minister in his childhood church. The need to tell his story prompted him to seek out writing groups and seminars, leading to a move to Los Angeles.

In Los Angeles, Beck worked as a massage therapist. His abilities led to him performing bodywork for the NBC hit shows American Gladiator and The Biggest Loser.

On April 1, 2011, Beck gave his possessions away and traveled America to serve one family in every state. In return, he only asked that they pay it forward. His goal was to serve others in the same way his father served him, an epic adventure he dubbed SerfBliss (captured at www.givebeck.com).

Beck now hosts the Learn Dad podcast and speaks to schools, charities, universities, military groups, and businesses with a focus on re-patterning the mind and empowering the future thru service.

Now living in Southern California, Beck is married to Christina, a former Air Force fighter pilot.