By MELISSA MEEHAN
WHEN Julie “Hoffy” Hoffman first heard she had been nominated for Australian of the Year, she was taking an uncharacteristic break in Europe, sipping on a glass of champers.
The Emerald-based fitness fanatic, better known for her Burpee Challenges, said she felt both honoured and “totally” out of her league about the nomination.
“I’ve been named as a finalist for the Victorian Local Hero category,” she said.
“It was such a surprise, and then I got on the website and have read about the amazing things the other three in my category did, and I just feel so inspired by them.”
After losing her dad, her 13-year-old niece and a close friend in close succession, Hoffy was suffering from depression.
She was morbidly obese and, in her own words, her life “consisted of smoking, drinking and talking on the phone”.
Just a few years later, the mother of three has lost 50 kilograms and has become a motivating and inspiring force for women across Victoria.
Julie is now a personal trainer and raises money for HeartKids, the charity that supported her niece Stacey while she waited for a heart transplant.
Setting her sights on a gruelling physical test known as the ‘burpee’, Julie has used world record attempts to bring in cash for HeartKids, raising more than $130,000 in just three years.
In 2013, Julie completed 7684 burpees in a 24-hour period, raising $80,000 for HeartKids and inspiring many to embrace a fit and healthy lifestyle.
She is expected to enter the Guinness World Records for her achievements.
The Victorian finals will be held at the Arts Centre on Friday night and while she doesn’t believe she’ll win – Hoffy says she is looking forward to the event.
“I haven’t even organised what I’ll wear – I’m a trackies and runners kind of girl,” she said.
“I’m going to enjoy the night and take it all in – these things are a great place to meet inspirational people and hear about great things people are doing. “
