Boxing Beauty Now Inspires Others

When you think of Mia St. John, one thinks instantly of the jaw-dropping vixen in the ring.

The exotic beauty has become known more for her sexy curves, megawatt smile and her stint as a Playboy model than for her contributions inside the ropes.

I first met the likable female fighter a few years ago and I, too, always thought of her as flawless–boxing’s perfect “Golden Girl.”

A Tae Kwon Do champ, college graduate, a three-time world champion boxer, a fitness queen and author who was married to handsome actor Kristoff St. John with two adorable kids, what could be more perfect?

The Mia I know now is far from perfect.

But the Mia the world will now know is so much more of a courageous warrior than anyone has ever given her credit for–until now.

And what she has endured, battled and continues to fight against may surprise you in this revealing article.

She is a recovering alcoholic and former drug abuser who also conquered suicidal tendencies, obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), panic disorders, eating disorders, and generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Mia says as young as three years old, she knew something was wrong. Her father was an alcoholic; she admits to abusing alcohol and drugs and being desperately suicidal after suffering relapses. Mia even overdosed at the age of 13, and constantly fought back against her health and sanity. And in another heartbreaking link to mental illness, her own son with ex-husband Kristoff St. John suffers from Schizophrenia.

Yes, take that all in, folks.

Realize what this woman has been through: overcoming early poverty, brushes with suicide, having no connection to reality, being “loaded,” out of control and feeling completely isolated from the world–and not understanding why she felt the way she did.

Hearing her story choked me up and made such an impact that I contacted her immediately. Her clashes on the canvas pale in comparison to what this former IBA titlist and WBC International Female Lightweight Champion has fought back against. And now she is a role model and an inspiration to others.

I know what you’re thinking. She wasn’t nicknamed “The Knockout” for nothing. The gorgeous St. John (46-11-2, 18 KOs) has built a great fan base all over the world for her moves in the squared circle, her stunning good lucks, and her penchant for hot pink bikinis. But she’s also had her lion’s share of detractors who constantly criticize her for “cashing in” on boxing with her looks and fame attained from the sport and never take her seriously.

But as I learned of her story behind the scenes, I will continue to have nothing but pure respect, complete compassion and total admiration for how she’s turned her life around, time and time again. Haters can go on hating. But to those who read this article, my hope is that we all realize that each of us knows someone who’s battling addictions and mental illness, whether it be yourself, family members, co-workers or friends.

Checking in with St. John just this morning, I asked the raven-haired fighter what she thinks the reaction will be when the boxing community learns of her past demons and mental health issues–and how she overcame it all.

Mia laughs when she gives me her reply. “I think I am already a ‘controversial’ figure in boxing, but I think a lot of fighters will be able to relate because many of us are cut from the same mold,” she says with candor. “We go into fighting for many of the same reasons. I hope that this will help not just other fighters, but all people with mental illness.”

St. John has come forth to inspire others as she bravely puts a face on combatting mental illness. And in using her pretty face, she is become an a powerful spokeswoman for the Los Angeles County Department of Mental Health. In a moving “Profiles of Hope” piece, Mia’s in the spotlight as she relives the pain, fear, isolation and depression she’s lived with since just a little girl. But I see so much hope and love in her eyes as she tells her true tale.

After brushes with death stemming from her addictions, she says medication, therapy, nutrition, fitness and joining Alcoholics Anonymous saved her life. There is no trace of self-pity or bitterness, just a fighting spirit that spurs this tough chica on.

Lacing up and boxing professionally in her late 20s also saved her life. During her career, she squared off against Christy Martin, Holly Holm, Jessica Rakoczy, Rola El Halabi, among others and was even featured on the undercard of an Oscar De La Hoya fight. She fought last October winning a unanimous decision against Tammy Franks in a bout taking place in New Mexico.

Born to fight, her spirit took her places she never dreamed of. And boxing has continued to bring her to where she is now; it is the path that brought the former Mia Rosales to become founder of her own nonprofit charity, El Saber es Poder (“Knowledge is Power”), which educates Latinos in both the U.S. and Mexico. She wants others to hang on to hope, empowering others with the belief that they CAN change their own lives.

After finding sobriety, St. John is also stepping out and continuing to spread the hard-earned gospel she lives by. “I am actually doing talks all month for mental health month and the community is invited to all of them,” the cheerful Mexican-American beauty tells me. El Saber es Poder is also hosting “A Night of Knockouts” on May 20 in Los Angeles. Mia is also speaking at the NAMI conference on May 22 as she addresses “My Long Journey: Panic; OCD: Dysfunction.”

What a life Mia St. John has had. If there are any smart Hollywood producers out there, you need to make a film about this woman’s life ASAP!

She is a role model. She is beautiful both inside and out. I know her story will touch many others, just like it has touched me. And I know this champ will also help countless others along the way. From a suicidal addict to a championship boxer, Mia has won the war.

And she is a winner. No, not a winner in what fellow addict Charlie Sheen thinks of “winning.”

Mia is a real winner, a true champion and an incredible woman I am honored to know through the sport.

For more information on Mia’s nonprofit foundation: MiaStJohnFoundation.org

Photos courtesy of Mia St. John/Shaiquann Davie