Jamel Herring, who saw combat action as a United States Marine but went on to become a 130-pound champion, talked about the challenges he still faces even after a successful comeback in win late last year: "2023 has been quite a journey. My [U.S. Veterans' Administration] disability rating for PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] increased, and a week before Christmas, I was diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder. This isn't a plea for sympathy, you all know I'm resilient. When you see me in public, by all means, I'm not hiding behind a smile; that's the real me. I just may deal with battles behind the scenes from time to time. I share this story to raise awareness overall, after all the recent news with mental health. Boxing has been my salvation; it helps me clear my mind from a lot of things. My family has had my back 100%, so I’m grateful. As I step into 2024, I'll still be me, perhaps even stronger. Let's all be mindful of our loved ones; we never truly know their struggles. My aim is to continue advocating for mental health awareness, hoping that my story might make a difference in someone else's life. I'm still pursuing another world title run, no matter what any doubter has to stay, I’ve beat the odds once, and I’ll do it again! Returning to the ring has been part of my coping mechanism, and it's been instrumental in my journey. Semper Fi, salute!"