Mia St. John- Beyond the Gloves: A Champion's Journey In & Out of the Ring
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:
Become a BTL Member: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/support
Before the Lights Website: https://www.beforethelightspod.com/
Get Tommy a Glass of Vino: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/beforethelights
RATE & REVIEW THE SHOW! 5 STAR & NICE COMMENTS PLEASE!
Support the showFollow the show on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/beforethelightspodcast/
Follow the show on Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@beforethelightspodcast?lang=en
Follow Tommy on Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/tcanale3
Rate & Review: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/before-the-lights/id1501245041
Email the host: beforethelightspod@gmail.com
