Ryan Hoffman
Ryan Hoffman’s sporting journey has many chapters, each shaping the athlete and coach he is today.
He began in basketball at six years old, progressing from local competition to representative level with the Whittlesea Pacers before moving to Diamond Valley. Those years were defined by early mornings, gym sessions before school, and belief he could make it. Ryan toured the US with Diamond Valley and competed at national tournaments, lining up against elite junior talent - including Josh Giddey and Dyson Daniels. The experience was eye-opening and ultimately ended his basketball career, reinforcing a lasting lesson: no matter how good you are, there is always someone working harder.
Football followed, with a few seasons at Montmorency. While different in structure, it taught him grit - playing through discomfort and committing to the team. Eventually, Ryan stepped away from team sport altogether, shifting his focus to strength training and sprinting, laying the foundation for what came next.
HYROX arrived at the right time. The blend of running and strength, the competitive format, and the sense of purpose immediately resonated. Around the same period, Ryan began working with BFT, HYROX’s exclusive training partner at the time, allowing him to immerse himself further in the sport while developing his coaching craft.
Today, Ryan still competes at a high level, but coaching comes first. He is deliberate about protecting the trust of the athletes he works with, ensuring his own training plays a supporting role - offering real-world insight, practical experience, and credibility. Leading by example matters to him, not just when results are good, but especially when things don’t go to plan.
The highest point of his competitive journey came at HYROX Melbourne in December 2025. A PB and strong doubles performance in a deep field made it memorable, but the race carried deeper meaning. Competing with a Race for Impact ticket, Ryan ran for mental health in honour of his friend Charlie - the person who first introduced him to the gym.
The flip side came earlier at the 2024 HYROX World Championships. After qualifying through an open roll-down spot, Ryan went all in - stepping away from uni and work to commit fully to training and coaching. Expectations were high, but reality was humbling. Travel mistakes, unfamiliar pro weights, extreme heat, and an unforgiving course resulted in a performance 13 minutes off his goal.
That experience reshaped not only how Ryan trains, but how he coaches. Early on, he chased optimisation - perfect programs, precise metrics, textbook solutions. Over time, his definition of “optimal” evolved. Now, it’s about sustainability: managing stress, avoiding burnout, and understanding an athlete’s lifestyle alongside physiology. Enjoyment isn’t optional, it’s essential.
That same thinking extends beyond training. Ryan is vocal about the current state of the fitness industry online, where misinformation often spreads faster than results. His advice is simple: control your content. Be selective about who you listen to, align your inputs with your goals, and don’t confuse noise for knowledge. It’s a philosophy that also underpins his partnerships with brands like LSKD, Bulk Nutrients, and Maple Movement - relationships built on trust in how he trains and coaches, not just how he performs.
Away from competition, Ryan is conscious of the difference between being all in and being all consumed. Time with his partner, family, friends, and even his new puppy helps keep him grounded. Looking ahead, Ryan is focused on Ironman Cairns, continued high-level competition, and growing his impact as a coach - building sustainable systems that help athletes progress without burning out.
Asked to describe his journey, Ryan says it plainly: hard work, learnings, and losses. Sport has become his way of building purpose - for himself and for those he coaches.
