Amy Hoppy

1. What’s your biggest achievement / Something you’re proud of yourself for?

“Physically, running Two Oceans Marathon (56km), surviving my 70.3 ocean swim in Durban (a big fear of mine = swimming in open-water) and completing Attakwas Extreme (a long, gruelling 10 hours) after less than a year of mountain biking, all feel like achievements, because they make me feel strong, bad-ass and determined. That I can get through things that are hard and challenging, even when I’m scared, and come out okay on the other side, all make me feel like I can tackle what the world throws at me. In a career sense, I’m proud of having a published cookbook, of being asked to host and present events of starting my own business and last year I came runner up for the best food writer in SA. But I feel like I still have so much more to do! It’s just the start!“

2. What’s your biggest fear / something that holds you back?

“Imposter Syndrome and self doubt”

3. What’s your biggest contribution / Something you like to share?

“As a yoga teacher, with a degree in psychology, I try to create awareness about mental health and share helpful tools and techniques that can create calm, alleviate stress and lead to greater contentment. I’m very passionate about this as I’ve struggled with anxiety for most of my adult life, being diagnosed with Panic Attack Disorder towards the end 2015. I share and teach breathwork and restorative practices and use my social-media platforms to talk about mental health to help stop the taboo of talking about depression, anxiety, suicide etc.”