Joining “Addiction Talk” is retired professional boxer, five-time world boxing champion, model, and mental health advocate Mia St. John.

St. John is known for her illustrious boxing career that began in 1997. In her first bout, which took place on Valentine’s Day 1997, she knocked out her opponent less than one minute into the first round and earned the nickname “The Knockout,” which followed her until her retirement in 2016.

Though known to be a dangerous sport, boxing turned out to be a healing venture for St. John, who experienced depression and anxiety throughout her life and struggled with addiction in her youth. At age 10, she had her first drink, attended her first AA meeting at age 12 and by the time she was legally able to purchase alcohol, she was already in recovery. In fact, it was boxing that helped her with maintaining her sobriety. But, unfortunately, St. John has had a spate of tragic events over the last decade.