Leon McKenzie has revealed that he had to reinvent himself after experiencing depression.
The 38-year-old spent time with Norwich City, Coventry City and Peterborough United during a two-decade long senior career, before turning his attention to boxing in 2013.
McKenzie, who originally opened up about his mental health problems in 2015, found that an endless list of injuries towards the end of his career was a trigger for his life to spiral out of control.
"Everyone has a trigger and I always try to explain this to people, because when things do happen - whether you lose someone or lose your job or you're going through a divorce or you miss your kids - we all have a trigger," McKenzie told Sky Sports News.
"There were a few things that affected me too much. I didn't want to be here and I had three kids at the time - to feel like that is a massive deal. They are my life. People stop believing in you, they stop being around you, friends disappear, then your life spirals out of control.
"I had to start all over again now what that does your character, having had so much and having to start again at that age 35. I don't think many people would have wanted to start again at 35 years old. I had to reinvent myself. I had to reinvent Leon McKenzie."
McKenzie, who retired from boxing last month, is also a mental health ambassador.
