*Mike Tyson’s journey from his Bedford-Stuyvesant roots to becoming a boxing legend to rocky relationships has been well-documented over the years.
While the outlets highlighting his professional and personal journey (for better or worse) have been informative, there’s nothing better than getting it from the source, the former heavyweight boxing champion himself.
Chatting recently with Loaded magazine, Tyson reflected on the ups and downs of addiction as well as its impact in molding his outlook on life. According to the athlete, it’s a challenge, but one he is better equipped to handle currently.
“I still have struggles with my mental well-being but thankfully I have better tools,” the Brooklyn native shared with Loaded. “I’ve learned a lot over the years from being a former drug addict. I understand my triggers and why I self-sabotage.”
“When I’m honest with myself and do that self-inventory I feel great,” Tyson continued, giving credit to introspection and self-reflection for contributing to his growth and arc of redemption.
“I think many people want to blame others for their problems without realizing they are a part of their own story and they can redirect their life at any time. But that’s only possible if you’re honest with yourself about how you got to where you are now.”
Tyson’s assessment of himself comes as he returns to the ring for his highly anticipated bout against famed YouTuber Jake Paul. Despite multiple delays and false starts, Vibe notes the event will finally go down tomorrow, Nov. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, and streamed globally on Netflix.
In addition to mental health and addiction, Tyson weighed in on his use of testosterone. In his eyes, a “misconception” exists on those taking the hormone for healthy and wellness purposes.
“I think there is this misconception that if men take testosterone, it’s because physically there is something wrong with them,” the 58-year-old sports icon voiced, adding that an insufficient level of testosterone has been shown to alter a person’s mind-state and emotions.
“But from the age of 30, I don’t care how healthy you are, your testosterone levels drop. This affects more than just your physicality, it also affects your mood,” Tyson explained. “Getting a testosterone plan as you age should be as normal for a man as taking a daily supplement in my opinion, because it does so much to stabilize the body and mind.”
MORE NEWS ON EURWEB: Watch Trailer for Netflix’s Jake Paul vs Mike Tyson Boxing Match, Live Event on Nov. 15
