Archive 2008 - 2019

Breaking the Stigma: Recovery Advocacy & Addiction Awareness

by Anne Buckley
4/24/2019

Mindshare, Holliston PTO's Parent Education Program, presents Tony Hoffman, former BMX Pro, at Adams Middle School, Tuesday April 30, 2019 at 7:00 pm

Mindshare is proud to introduce a free seminar with Tony Hoffman, former addict of alcohol, marijuana, and prescription painkillers such as Vicodin and Oxycontin.  His substance abuse led him to commit a crime that resulted in a prison sentence. Tony is a former BMX Elite Pro and is currently ranked #2 in the Master’s Pro class.  Hi is a 2016 Rio Olympics Games Coach, with Women’s MBX PRO, Brooke Crain, in his line-up. His story is full of redemption as he has seen some of the highest highs, and the lowest lows.

In 2004, Tony committed a home invasion armed robbery and was ultimately sent to prison for two years.  He understands the depths of addiction and the despair that addicts experience.  Tony violated his probation and, even with the threat of a ten-year prison sentence ahead of him, he could not stop himself from using during his probation.  Tony began rebuilding his life’s purpose while he spent those two years in prison.

After being paroled from prison on December 13, 2008, Tony Hoffman started living his dream with his addiction behind him.  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.  In 2016, he also began writing his first book, “Coming Clean.”

Tony has been sober since May 17, 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. By his senior year he had started drinking alcohol, smoking marijuana, and using prescription painkillers.  His life took a turn for the worse as he became addicted at such a young age, losing everything.

Today, Tony is a changed man and inspires so many to live their life with purpose.  He 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.