She emerged as a five-time World Boxing Champion and graced the pages of Playboy, all while staunchly advocating for mental health awareness. Returning to her mother’s homeland for a championship bout, she delved into Tae Kwon Do and took up fighting in grade school to combat bullying. Her struggle with alcohol began at a tender age of 11, prompting her journey to sobriety, which now entails a daily structure to maintain her wellbeing amidst various disorders.
The decision to pursue a professional boxing career came full circle when she faced a particular opponent twice, ultimately leading to her retirement. Reflecting on the perception of women's boxing as a novelty, she once embodied the sport's forefront before baring herself in Playboy in 1999, driven not only by financial reasons but also by a personal rationale.
Her life journey is marked by triumph over adversity, including a near-tragic skiing accident threatening her limb, the devastating loss of her son to suicide stemming from paranoid schizophrenia, and a prolonged legal battle with California over the ban of plastic bags in mental health facilities.
She speaks passionately about the need for a nationwide campaign to destigmatize mental illness and enforce treatment protocols akin to other medical conditions. Amidst her reflections lie regrets and a deeper sense of purpose, emphasizing the imperative for families to receive comprehensive information about available care facilities.
Top of Form
Mia St. John Links:
Website: http://www.miastjohn.com/
Mia St. John Foundation: http://www.miastjohnfoundation.org/
Book, “The Knockout Workout”: https://www.amazon.com/Knockout-Workout-Winning-Steps-Improve/dp/047026750X
Book. “Fighting For My Life: A Memoir About A Mother’s Loss & Grief: https://bit.ly/3SwyN8z
Before the Lights Podcast Links:
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