Episode 101 Notes and Links to Mia St. John’s Work
On Episode 101 of The Chills at Will Podcast, Pete welcomes Mia St. John, and the two talk about her upbringing, being a victim of racism, her private battles as a youth and her moving around a lot as a youth, her resolve in becoming a world-champion boxer, how her childhood shaped her boxing prowess, the highs and lows of high-level boxing, and the grief and love she has experienced, especially in recent years, which she has channeled into in becoming an advocate for mental health. The two discuss these topics and more through the prism of her recently-published memoir, Fighting for my Life: A Memoir about A Mother’s Loss and Grief.
Mia St. John was born in San Francisco, California. Her fighting career started soon after, at the age of six, competing in Tae Kwon Do. Mia earned a black belt and received a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from California State University of Northridge in June of '94.
In 1996, Mia decided to pursue her true passion full-time, the sport of combat. Valentines Day, 1997, Mia made her pro-debut in boxing, knocking out her opponent in fifty-four seconds into the first round. Mia signed with Don King and stayed with him for a year and a half before she left King for his rival Bob Arum of Top Rank. At Top Rank, Mia spent four years opening for all of Oscar De La Hoya's major fights.
Mia has fought all over the world, including Beijing, China, where she won her IBA Championship. After accumulating an unheard of boxing record of nearly 60 pro fights, on June 14th, 2008, Mia fulfilled her dream of fighting in her mother's home country of Mexico. She fought one of the toughest fights of her career and became the WBC International Boxing Champion of the World at the age of 40.
In November of 2010, Rep. Grace F. Napolitano joined Mia and LA Laker Ron Artest for an official mental health and suicide prevention training at Napolitano’s district office in Santa Fe Springs. Artest and St. John have joined Napolitano to promote the Mental Health in Schools Act, legislation she authored which would increase federal funding for mental health therapists in schools.
She also spoke at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, where President Barack Obama made a riveting speech at the CHCI's annual Gala.
As well as Congress, Mia speaks in schools and juvenile halls on the importance of education and overcoming hardship. She speaks of her own battles with mental illness, addiction, poverty and overcoming it all, to become a three time international boxing champion.
On August 14th, 2012, Mia fought Christy Martin in a long awaited rematch. Her dream of sixteen years finally materialized and at the age of 45, she captured the WBC Super Welter Weight Championship of the World.
Buy Mia St. John's Fighting for My Life
Mia St. John's Personal Webpage
Mia with Jim Hill on CBS LA
Support The Mia St. John Foundation
People Magazine Synopsis of Mia’s Memoir
At about 4:20, Mia talks about her mission in publishing her memoir
At about 4:55, Pete wonders and asks Mia a boxing question: How does someone train to get punched in the face?
At about 6:40, Mia references a synopsis of her memoir in People Magazine from Dec. 21, 2021
At about 7:20, Mia talks about her reasons and timing for her new book
At about 8:20, Pete asks Mia about the positive feedback-she cites so many notes from mothers-she has received for her memoir
At about 9:15, Mia talks about “seeds” for the book, explaining that its origins go back to childhood
At about 10:50, Pete refers to the opening of Mia’s book, and how a daily affirmation by Francisco “Panchito” Bojado affected and affects Mia
At about 11:50, Pete asks Mia about perspective and how years away from boxing have informed her book
At about 13:25, Mia talks about the “dark part of the soul” that was experienced in boxing and boxing in response to her tough upbringing
At about 14:55, Mia talks about
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