Eric’s story: Taking the mental health fight beyond the ring

View from the top

In 2013, Eric Martel-Bahoeli stood at the peak of his boxing career. With three knockouts and the Canadian Heavyweight title under his belt, he was riding high—winning matches, securing major sponsorships, and building a reputation as one of Canada’s top fighters.

But just five years later, the gloves were off for good. Eric was retired, and the sport that had once defined him was no longer a part of his life.

Confronting a loss of identity post-retirement

The abrupt end of his boxing career left Eric reeling, with his self-image being so closely tied to that persona. For years, being a boxer wasn’t just what he did—it was who he was. Losing that identity sent him into a spiral. “Suddenly, in my eyes, I was nothing anymore,” he says.

Eric, now 43 and living in Quebec, describes those post-retirement years as some of the darkest of his life. Depression took hold, bringing with it isolating thoughts and even suicidal ideation. “You realize you need help when the thoughts are that dark,” he says.

A lifeline through Movember

That help came in an unexpected form: a friend inviting him to join a Movember team. The invitation wasn’t random—Eric had spoken publicly about his mental health struggles, and his friend knew the cause would resonate.

While the public saw a former boxing champion—tough, resilient, unshakeable—Eric was quietly fighting a much bigger battle. “Even if he gets knocked down, he gets back up,” he says, referring to the image he once projected. “But now, it’s not just a boxing match. It’s my life.”

Learning to 'win the day'

Eric found himself stuck in a cycle of isolation and despair, unable to see a way out. But he started small. He clung to a simple mantra: Win the day. Each day he managed to get out of bed, go for a run, or simply talk to someone about how he felt, it counted as a victory.

A shift in purpose

Running became his new outlet. What began as a small step toward healing soon turned into a passion. That forward momentum carried into other areas of his life. He met a woman, started a family, bought a house, and became a father to a healthy, beautiful daughter.

Today, Eric has a new goal: to live to be 100—with his mental clarity intact and his passions burning strong. Happiness and well-being—not titles or trophies—are what matter most now.

Giving back, moving forward

Eric lives by the words of Muhammad Ali: Help others to help yourself. Whether it’s through sharing his story or supporting Movember, he finds healing in service. “The more I help others,” he says, “the more I help myself too.”

Victories look a little different for Eric now, outside of the ring. It isn’t about landing punches—it’s about showing up, speaking out, and choosing to keep going. One day at a time.