Search Here

In the ongoing fight against the stigma surrounding mental health, Mia St. John, a five-time World Boxing Champion and prominent advocate, continues to make significant strides through her foundation's initiatives.

The Mia St. John Foundation, established by the athlete, aims to empower individuals facing mental illness, homelessness, addiction, and poverty with educational and health programs.

St. John's dedication stems from personal tragedy, including her late ex-husband Kristoff's substance use disorder, her son's battle with schizophrenia, and the recent mental health challenges of her daughter, Paris.

"I was like a freight train," St. John recounted in a recent phone interview with Forbes. "Nothing could stop me. I was just on a mission. I went to all the mental health offices. I went to the Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Health, and I went everywhere, advocating for free programs for individuals suffering as I had."

"I knew that to save my life, I had to reach out and help someone else. That was the only way to save my life."

Starting her athletic career in Taekwondo at age six and transitioning to professional boxing, St. John found solace in the ring, channeling inner aggression into competitive success.

Her personal experiences navigating mental health challenges inspired her to launch the Foundation in 2010, initially in Mexico before expanding to the United States.

Paris, now actively leading educational initiatives at the Foundation, connects with individuals on a personal level, drawing from her own experiences to guide others through difficult times.

An upcoming documentary titled "The Knockout" explores St. John's life both inside and outside the ring, shedding light on her struggles with mental health and the profound losses of her son and ex-husband.

St. John and her daughter advocate for increased awareness and support for mental health issues, encouraging individuals to seek help and share their experiences rather than suffer in silence.

They emphasized the importance of organizations like NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness) in providing comprehensive support and resources.

"I was always very determined," St. John reflected. "I have a very strong will to live. And after my son died, I didn't feel that. But now, helping others has given me my will to live back in this very strong way. Even a two-by-four couldn't take me down. That's how I always felt in the ring. And that's how I feel now; nothing can take me down."