Hoffman discusses addiction battles for Somerset Rains Purple

PRINCESS ANNE, Md. – Thursday night was the highlight of Somerset Rains Purple, as motivational speaker Tony Hoffman was brought in to share his story of achievement, addiction, and redemption.

Hoffman said he wanted to convey his message that one choice can change the rest of your life with the crowd at the Somerset Civic Center.

Tony was named a top amateur BMXer, or Bicycle Motorcross racer, with endorsements from a slew of companies back in the early 2000s.

But his drug use, including opioids, brought him down.

“My addiction within four years had led me to the streets,” said Hoffman.  “Most people would’ve said this doesn’t happen to that kind of person, but I’ve found out through my experiences and what I’ve learned with addiction is I didn’t get to choose.  I didn’t know that when I started using drugs my mind would get completely taken over by what these drugs would do.”

He explained he made a decision to refocus and reach the pinnacle of his profession, the Olympics, but this time as a coach, while sill helping others facing the same struggles he faced.

“I basically started dreaming again of what I could do with myself and started that rebuilding process when I was in a prison cell,” said Hoffman.

The hope is with Tony’s compelling story, along with vendors who were at the event to help out anyone in need, that this can help put a dent in the overdose and fatality numbers that Somerset County has been seeing.

“Those stigmas are stopping us from moving forward as communities, developing the programs that are needed for the addict to get help.  Because of those stigmas it’s hard for them to get employment, because of those stigmas we find them in jails and not in rehabs,” said Hoffman.

It’s a message that those Somerset hope will resonate, and make a difference.

“If the community and the youth actually listen to his story, they will know not to cross that line,” said director of emergency services Yvette Cross.

Tony adds that his had four main goals while getting his life back in order – racing professionally, go to the Olympics, become a public speaker and start a non-profit.

That non-profit is called the Freewill Project, that helps kids using action sports.

To hear more from Tony and his story, you can visit his website.