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Years After Losing Her Son to Suicide in Rehab Center, Now-Sober Boxing Legend Mia St. John Spreads Awareness About Alcohol Addiction and Mental Health

Published 10/05/2023, 8:28 PM EDT

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In a world that often glorifies triumphs inside the boxing ring, the story of  Mia St. John stands as a powerful reminder of the battles fought beyond it. Mia, a former boxing legend, bravely opens up about her daunting struggle with chronic anxiety and crippling panic attacks. Following the tragic loss of her son Julian and her ex-husband Kristoff St. John, Mia found solace at the bottom of the bottle.

 For years, her fiercest adversary wasn’t a formidable opponent in the ring, but an insidious companion that wore the guise of solace: alcohol. In a candid revelation, she shares how she once considered alcohol her soothing friend until it turned its back on her, pushing her to the edge. 

Mia St. John: A Journey of Sobriety and Resilience

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Mia experienced a turning point when she realized that eliminating alcohol from her life was not a surrender but a courageous stride toward victory. Sobriety, she asserts, became her most significant triumph, a decision that she regards as the best she ever made. This pivotal moment marked not just her triumph over addiction but also her resilience against the relentless onslaught of anxiety and panic attacks.“For a time I thought it was my soothing friend, till it turned its back on me Eliminating it from my life was the best decision I ever made.

Mia’s journey into sobriety was not without its challenges. In 2014, St. John lost her son to suicide following a battle with depression and schizophrenia in a tragic incident. This devastating experience broke her. Later, Mia St. John lost her ex-husband, Kristoff St. John, to a heart condition possibly related to alcoholism.

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Following this devastating second loss, St. John, who had remained sober for 30 years, turned back to alcohol. According to MSNBC,  upon learning about his passing, she ended up hospitalized in a psychiatric ward not once, but twice. During this period, she abandoned her sobriety, attempting to follow the same destructive path as her late son, drowning her sorrows in alcohol. Fortunately, her boyfriend and family intervened, admitting her to a hospital and ultimately saving her life.

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In a society that often views vulnerability as a sign of weakness, Mia St. John’s story stands out as a beacon of strength and resilience.

Through her struggles, she exemplifies the power of confronting one’s demons and emerging victorious. Her journey is a testament to the indomitable spirit of the human soul. It reminds us all that even in the face of the darkest storms, there is a path to light.

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Mia’s story serves as a poignant reminder that the battles we fight within ourselves can be as challenging. If not more so, than any external adversary. Her courage in sharing her journey not only breaks the stigma surrounding mental health and addiction but also inspires countless others to seek help and embark on their path to recovery.

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Written by:

Simona Pereira

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Simona Pereira is a Boxing writer at Essentially Sports and loves the sport in its entirety. Boxing keeps her on the edge of her seat and the drama that surrounds the sport is something that she remains interested in. She loves exploring the different angles that are there so that the readers know what's really brewing.
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Edited by:

Arijit Saha