Beth Moyes is a Jersey girl with Australian roots, and is known around town as one of the most energetic ladies on the island. Actually, “energetic” is a huge understatement when describing Beth – just ask her dad.
Today, she is a race director, event manager, “personal everything girl” to five very important local people she is unable to name, dogsitter, babysitter, clinical supervisor, stage crew at Tennessee Williams (she can’t wait for “The Sound of Music”), usher at Waterfront Playhouse, and costume consultant. The usually tutu’d Wonder Woman was going through a divorce and Key West seemed like a good place to start fresh. With a master’s degree in social work and a “Jill of all trades,” she was a therapist for children and adults, domestic and international adoption worker, foster care agency supervisor, foster parent trainer.
Phew, Beth, when do you sleep?
Because of her company, Theme Runs, she is involved with more than 20 local nonprofits on a regular basis and has hosted more than 100 runs in the Keys since 2013. She assists them in raising money for their organization through the 5K races. “I often do pro-bono race management with my company and volunteer,” she said, citing Anchor’s Aweigh, AH of Monroe County, Wesley House Family Services, and Key West Business Guild.
Her local family is huge: she’s never met someone who hasn’t turned into a friend.
“Beth is a person who doesn’t know how to say no, but everything she says yes to is to help the community, she is always looking for another way to give back,” said unpaid Theme Runs intern and friend Becki Balcer. “I wouldn’t wake up at 4 a.m. in the heat and sometimes in the rain for anyone else. She is truly appreciative of people who give back as well.”
With running season coming up in full swing, upcoming Theme Runs races include One Human Race Color Run on Sept. 22 at 6 p.m., Red Shirt Run on Sept. 29 at 8 a.m. and Heroes and Villains 5K on Oct. 22 at 6 p.m.
“Whatever she takes on, she takes on 110 percent.” — Becki Balcer, friend and unpaid intern.
Nickname?
BAM (my initials), Moyesee
One fun fact about you? I hate chewing, I’d prefer only liquid food. I also have an insane number of selfies with local cool dude Ben Hennington.
What’s the most rewarding project you’ve worked on? I facilitated a group for children who were adopted as infants and were between 9-12 years old at the time they participated in the group. We wrote a children’s book together. It was a life-changing experience.
What’s been the most memorable race for you? The Buddy Pass was the first race I ever hosted. I started trying to get sponsors for Anchors Aweigh Clubhouse in the evenings and on weekends – it is a nonprofit 12-step recovery clubhouse in Key West that was struggling at the time. I was so excited to be a part of such a happy way of helping others. It was different than what I had been doing for the previous 14 years, yet still suited my morals and values.
What does success look like? Success looks like waking up and looking forward to whatever the day may bring and putting your head on your pillow at night knowing you did your best to be good to others and to be the best version of yourself.
What’s the weirdest animal you’ve pet-sat? Someone’s rat.
Perks of a “personal everything girl?” Well, let’s just say I get front row concert tickets to some pretty awesome shows.
Proudest achievement? Being someone people can rely on.
What was your first job? Answering phones and peeling garlic at a pizza shop in New Jersey.
Favorite Keysy thing to do? Go on a boat with my dog, Mako, and a dog I have been pet-sitting for four months, Bluto.
Which TV or movie character is your alter ego? Wonder Woman, since I was 4 and ran around in Underoos. (She kinda still runs around in Underoos…)
Best piece of advice you ever received? “Strive for the best. You’ll at least end up with very good.” My dad. Followed closely by “It’s called work for a reason. Otherwise it would be called fun, and you’d be paying them.” – Also my dad.
What is your nerdiest passion? Karaoke with sick dance moves.
If you could take one item on a deserted island, what? Why? A Kindle with unlimited books, because I would get lonely and the story characters would have to become my social life.
What was your first thought this morning? This bed is so comfy.
Favorite guilty pleasure? Spooning.
If you won the lottery, what’s the first thing you do/buy? I’d pay back my debt from Theme Runs, go visit my dad, and then fly to Australia to visit my family.
What’s on your bucket list? Flying lessons, performing in a circus, going on an African safari, walking through the Colosseum, and eating gelato in Italy.
If you could change the world, what would you do? I would re-wire everyone’s brains to be kind to each other.
Favorite place you’ve traveled to? Macchu Picchu (She’s lived in seven states: New Jersey, Arizona, Texas, New York, California, Colorado and Florida.)
What did you want to be when you grew up? That’s a trick question.
Finish these sentences…
My dad would describe me as … a “fart in a bottle.” He said that my whole life. I think he means energetic … but WHAT?!?!
My autobiography would be titled … “Seriously, Not Serious.”
Key West is like … a foreign country within the US.
I live by the motto … “Life is short, don’t wait.”
