Tony Hoffman

Former BMX Pro, U.S. Olympic Coach & Recovering Addict

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Biography

After paroling prison on December 13, 2008, Tony Hoffman started living out his dream, with his addiction behind him. Tony is a Former BMX Elite Pro and is currently ranked #2 in Masters Pro class. He is a 2016 Rio Olympic Games Coach, with Women’s BMX PRO, Brooke Crain, in his lineup. His story is full of redemption as he has seen some of the highest highs, and the lowest lows. Tony is the Founder and Director of The Freewheel Project, a non-profit organization that mentors thousands of youth through action sports: BMX, skateboarding and after-school programs. The Freewheel Project focuses on teaching kids leadership skills, and making healthy life choices, including substance abuse prevention, each year. In 2016 he also began writing his first book, titled, Coming Clean. Read More >

Tony has been sober since May 17th, 2007. His BMX career started in high school, as he was a top-ranked BMX amateur with multiple endorsements. As a native of Clovis, Ca, where he attended Clovis High School, Tony started drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and using prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin by his senior year. His life took a turn for the worse as he became addicted at such a young age, losing everything.

In 2004 Tony committed a home invasion armed robbery, and was ultimately sent to prison for two years in 2007. Tony had violated his probation and knows the depths of addiction, and understands the despair addicts go through as even a ten-year prison sentence threat, could not stop him from using during his probation. Tony began rebuilding his life’s purpose while he spent two years in prison. As soon as he was released, he used the positive and negatives of his life to get to where he is, today.

Tony is a changed man, and inspires so many to live their life with purpose. Tony has dedicated his life, to bringing awareness around the country, describing how dangerous prescription pill and heroin abuse are, as well as advocating a shift in thinking towards current addiction-recovery processes. Read Less ^

Speaker Videos

TEDx: The Stigma of Addiction

Healthcare Promo

Student Testimony

Sports Teams

Corporate Promo

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Speech Topics

The Choice (Tony Hoffman Story)

In this speech, Tony reflects strongly on a specific “choice” that changed his life forever. Often times, individuals may think that small, and insignificant choices have no impact on their lives. Tony walks audiences through a candid set of choices, attitudes, and thought processes that lead him to his first drug. He tells his audience about how dangerous the use of drugs really is. He recalls picking up marijuana for the first time, the small choice he made that opened up the door for prescription painkiller and heroin abuse. It was that choice, the small, and at that time insignificant decision that changed his life forever. As Tony reaches the climax of his life experiences, audiences learn how that choice ultimately left him hopeless, homeless, and in a state of despair, while he suffered with substance-abuse addiction. With all the twist and turns in Tony’s life, he is able to leave his audience with a new sense of hope and empowerment. Tony speaks of overcoming, and how his new way of thinking and choice-making allowed him to become a professional athlete, Olympic coach at the Rio Olympic Games, and a successful business owner who is dedicated to bettering his community. This speech is great for substance-abuse talks and can be tailored for many different discussions.

Breaking The Stigma (Recovery Advocacy & Addiction Awareness)

In this keynote, Tony advocates strongly that communities must shift their thinking on addiction. He focuses on how we can all work together to improve addiction rates across the country. From his own personal experience as a successful young athlete, to losing everything from substance abuse, Tony describes the darkest moments of his life that was lead by addiction, and how surviving the storms inspired him to take action through his recovery. Tony details his recovery process, and highlights where it all started - in a prison cell. He also shares how his non-profit organization, and organization that utilizes action sports, is a staple in his sobriety. Audiences are left inspired as Tony maps out his life experiences with substance abuse, and individuals of all ages can see how his recovery took him from homeless in 2006, to the 2016 Olympic games. This keynote is ideal for community organizations, governments, and treatment facilities.

Testimonials

"Tony came to share his story with our high school students. But it isn’t just his story that touched our kids. It is the connection he makes with them on every level. His message is powerful, there is no doubt about that, but it’s also how he relates to kids and how much he cares deeply about them. It’s the caring that shines through as he answers questions and speaks individually with them in the lobby after his talk. It’s his interaction with them on social media. It is rare to see someone give so much of themselves. It is a gift that Tony Hoffman is sharing to help others. Thank you, Tony. You are making a difference in the lives of those fortunate enough to hear your message."

- Ottawa County Ohio High School

"Tony’s message is one of hope with a challenge to others. His powerful story-telling ability and incredible authenticity in sharing his experience and insight left an auditorium full of high school students, who were silent throughout his presentation, cheering for more when it was over. Tony is, hands down, the best speaker that OCADA Coalition has sponsored."

- OCADA Coalition

"Tony captivated the students’ attention with his transparent and authentic story. His message instills hope, motivates, and inspires all to be the best version of themselves. We hope to have him back!"

- ACDC Coalition

"His presentation was very open and honest and hit some points that I have not heard from other speakers. His candidness about his descent into drugs was something that I think the youth need to hear. I believe that Tony was one of the best speakers that I have heard in the school system."

- Regional Prevention Coordinator

"I wanted to personally thank you for coming to Biddeford High School. I can't even tell you how many emails and Facebook messages I have received telling me how powerful and inspirational you were. Our kids specifically talked about how you were "real" and didn't preach at them. To quote one student, 'This was the best speaker we have ever had.'"

- Biddeford High School

"Tony’s speaking engagement was awesome, he is fantastic, so humble and engaging. It was truly an honor to meet him and hear his story; many people came away with something that they didn’t know before and a few even stated that their perspective on individuals with addiction issues was changed. I wish him the best of luck on his continued journey!!"

- Clinical Director, Huron Behavioral Health

"Tony’s engaging presentation truly impacted the middle and high school students’ perception about drug use and abuse. He grabbed and held on to their attention as he educated more than 2,000 students about the stark reality of how addiction completely took over and almost destroyed his life."

- Westmoreland Drug and Alcohol Commission, Inc. (WeDAC)

"Our keynote, Tony Hoffman, was extremely professional, took extra time to be briefed about the event beforehand and really structured his speech around our objective while humbly sharing his story. Our audience consisted of a very wide variety of people, from MD’s to middle school kids, and the feedback we received was AMAZING!"

- Camden County

“Tony’s dynamic presentation style and engaging story kept all of our students on the edge of their seats. Our students have responded very positively to Tony’s message and I would absolutely recommend his presentation to anyone looking to educate, inspire, and motivate their students to make healthy choices.”

- Iowa State University

“I would travel the country to see you speak again. I attend conferences (a lot) and have never been so moved and impacted by a keynote speaker. As a public defender I don’t always get to hear the depths of people’s journeys – thank you so much for your courage and willingness to share. Your talk alone made the conference worth it. I will be sharing the webcast with my judges, prosecutors, and community partners as soon as I get back! #breakthestigma”

- The Department of Health Services for the State of WI