In a heartfelt interview, former ONE Bantamweight MMA World Champion John Lineker revealed his personal connections to suicide and offered a message of hope to those struggling with mental health issues.
Lineker recounted the tragic loss of a training partner who died by suicide, describing the moment he received the news.
"I was at home, and the one who gave me the news was my master because he had heard about it through the boy's parents. At that moment, I had a blank and asked, 'What do you mean, master,'" Lineker said.
The fighter expressed his shock at learning his teammate had taken his own life.
"He was a boy we liked a lot. Besides being a training partner, he was an excellent friend who liked to train happily," Lineker said.
This wasn't Lineker's first experience with suicide. He also spoke about losing his uncle to suicide when he was just a teenager.
"My uncle also committed suicide by hanging himself. At the time, I was about 13 or 14 years old. It was a great shock for me, especially considering my age. I didn't understand the situation. This was something that marked my life," he said.
Lineker reflected on the particular challenge of understanding suicide in the athletic community.
"It certainly affects a lot of people, especially those of us who are athletes. It's hard to understand because sports are like an escape valve for us," Lineker said.
The fighter offered advice to those battling depression and anxiety, emphasizing the importance of faith and community support.
He concluded with a powerful message about the importance of reaching out.
"People need to stop wanting to carry the burden alone. People need to share their burden because we really can't do it alone," Lineker said.
"If you have something inside you that you can't bear anymore, share it with someone, look for someone who can help you. Don't keep all the burden to yourself."
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