WBC International boxing champion Mia St John didn't just earn the nickname ‘The Knockout' because of her ‘knockout' looks, she earned it due to her tremendous success in the boxing ring. I mean in her pro debut fight she knocked out her opponent in 54 seconds in the very first round! This performance grabbed the 
attention of top boxing promoter, Don King, who immediately signed Mia up to his stable of fighters.
Mia remained with King for 1 ½ years after which time she moved to Bob Arum of Top Rank. At Top Rank, Mia spent 4 years opening for all of Oscar De LaHoya's major fights.
However, there is so much more to Mia than her boxing career. In 1994 she earned her Bachelor's Degree in Psychology from California State University of Northridge and in November 2008 she was presented with an outstanding achievement award by the Governor of Zacatecas, Mexico for her role in sports and humanitarianism.
Oh, and did I forget to mention that she appeared in the November 1999 edition of ‘Playboy' magazine where she appeared on the front cover and in an 11 page celebrity pictorial!
Now, with her future in the sport under consideration, Mia has just released her first book, ‘The Knock-Out Workout' - 3 Winning Steps to Improving Your Body and Life' and, in the midst of a very busy schedule, managed to take a ‘time-out' to discuss her remarkable list of achievements with RX Muscle.
After doing my research I discovered that your fighting career started at the age of 6 when you began competing in Tae Kwon Do. I have to ask you what motivates a 6 year old (especially a female) to become involved in martial arts?
"My dad introduced me to the sport because he loved it so much, but I didn't really enjoy it until I was in my 20's."
An interesting choice for a father to make for his daughter!
"Bruce Lee was very popular at the time and he was really into the whole martial arts thing. At the time he didn't have any boys...so he decided to put his girls into it."
So how did the switch to boxing come about?
"That happened when I was about 28 because I wanted to turn pro and Tae Kwon Do didn't present a lot of options in that respect. I switched to boxing because I thought it was realistic that I could become a world champion. Coming from a Mexican family, I was taught that we could make anything happen and that anything was possible. My mom always taught me that I could do anything I wanted to do...and it happened...I became a world champion!"
Smart mom!
Now changing subjects...throughout your life you have admitted to having battles with alcoholism and an eating disorder. Do you think that getting involved in boxing with all the discipline and training involved played a major part in your recovery?
"I actually recovered long before I turned pro in boxing (I have now been sober for 20 years) so, in my case, I would have to say that AA (Alcoholics Anonymous) played key part in my recovery...as well as my kids and family."
Back to boxing...It has to be said that female boxers (like female bodybuilders) are not considered ‘the norm' when it comes to mainstream society. How do you find the general public responds when they find out that you are a professional boxer?
"They find it hard to believe because I am so feminine and even harder to believe when they find I have a BA. I guess I don't fit the ‘stereotype' of boxer!"
You certainly don't carry any visible scars from your time in the ring. Do you have any fear of sustaining an injury that may damage your appearance?
"I actually have many injuries - both internal and external - and I do have some fear about sustaining a disfiguring injury. However, what I worry about the most is the long- term damage I may incur down the road through boxing."
What kind of training regime and diet do you follow?
"I do cardio in the morning, weights in the afternoon and boxing at night for five to six days a week. I use a lot of supplements and I follow a low calorie, low fat organic diet. However, I will alter this on special occasions!"
In 1999 you appeared in ‘Playboy' magazine...what prompted the decision and did you get a lot of flak for it from within the sport?
"I got a lot of flak from the other females in the sport. The decision itself was prompted by the fact that I wanted to be the first boxer (and the first Mexican!) on the cover. Of course the money was a huge incentive as well...lol!"
Have you ever been to a bodybuilding show and what are your thoughts on bodybuilders and physique athletes?
"Yes, I have been to a bodybuilding show. I feel that bodybuilding is a sport just like any other and it requires the same amount of dedication and hard work."
Like bodybuilding, boxing has just as big an impact on the mind as on the body. How do you feel boxing has changed your views on life?
"Well, during my boxing career I was with two of the biggest promoters in the world, Don King and Bob Arum, so naturally I became very jaded towards the business. I saw a lot of corruption in boxing that I will have to live with for the rest of my life because I was also a part of it. We can always claim ignorance but deep down inside we know it's really just denial. I am much more of a recluse now because of my chosen profession."
Having put your career on hold for the time being...how do you see your future evolving?
"Well, I am sure I will fight once or twice more and after that I will continue with fitness and TV. I will also continue with my foundation ‘El Saber Es Poder' (Knowledge is Power). Our aim is to help schools, primarily Mexican-American with educational equipment and supplies."
You have just released your first book ‘The Knock Out Workout: 3 Winning Steps To Improve Your Body And Your Life' The overriding message in the book being, in your own words, " You have to come to a point that you love yourself, who you are and exactly how you are, before you can help yourself and others."
You are obviously at that point but how would you advise others who are just embarking on that journey?
"Begin with how you talk to yourself. For example, every time you look in the mirror tell yourself how beautiful you are and how much you love yourself. Tell yourself everything you want to become and what you tell yourself will eventually be. I am living proof!"
Finally Mia, how can readers contact you and find out more about your book?
"They can go to my website at www.miastjohn.com
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