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Parents & Addicts in Need’s Founder Flindt Andersen and Jason LaChance sat down with Tony Hoffman. In part 1 of our 2 part conversation with Tony, we discuss how Tony is greatly concerned for the mental health of our youth in this country following the Covid lockdowns.  Tony speaks at high schools and directly sees the state of struggle that so many young individuals are going through. Experiencing different levels of trauma and the lack of coping skills is leading many down a dark path.  We talk about how these issues directly relates to a rise in substance abuse and what Tony thinks can be done to prevent loosing any more lives.  
On December 13th, 2008, Tony Hoffman was paroled by the California Department of Corrections after serving a two-year sentence for a drug-related robbery. While incarcerated, Tony set four goals: Race BMX professionally, go to the Olympics, start a non-profit called the Freewheel Project, and become a professional mental health and substance abuse speaker.
During his senior year at Clovis High School he was featured on the cover of BMXer Magazine, and was sponsored by Fox Racing, Spy Sunglasses and Airwalk Shoes. On the surface, Tony's path seemed destined for stardom. However, in reality, Tony experienced crippling anxiety, depression and suicidal ideations. Tony's substance use began during his senior year, leading to the deterioration of his mental health and opioid addiction soon followed. Due to his misuse of Oxycontin, & other drugs a life of addiction, crime, homelessness and incarceration became his reality.
Since paroling prison, Tony has tirelessly worked towards achieving his goals and the dreams he’d set out for while incarcerated. He raced BMX professionally for several years and continued on to coach Brooke Crain to a 4th place finish at the Rio Olympic Games, accomplishing his dream of going to the Olympics. The Freewheel Project was very successful for many years helping thousands of youth through action sports before moving on to pursuing a very demanding national speaking career. Today Tony is an author, an owner of pH Wellness drug and alcohol treatment facility, and one of the world's most requested mental health and substance use speakers.
For more on Tony Hoffman please visit https://www.tonyhoffmanspeaking.com/
Social Media https://www.instagram.com/tonymhoffman/