Exclusive Interview with Dr. Cali Estes: Coach of the Year 2025
Best Holistic Life Magazine: You’ve been a trailblazer in addiction recovery, mental health, and life coaching. What leadership qualities do you believe have contributed most to your success?
Dr. Christy “Cali” Estes: Honestly? I think it’s a mix of stubbornness, heart, and a dash of “I’m not taking no for an answer.” I’ve never been one to follow the crowd, and that’s served me well in this space. I’m fiercely empathetic—I genuinely care about the people I work with—but I’m also a straight shooter. I’m not afraid to tell my clients the hard truths they need to hear. Plus, I’m a lifelong learner. I’m constantly biohacking my own life, testing new methods, and thinking, “Okay, how can I make this even better?” It’s that relentless curiosity and willingness to think outside the box that have kept me ahead of the game.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Being named Leader of the Year is an incredible honor. Looking back, what was a defining moment in your career that shaped you into the leader you are today?
Dr. Cali: Without a doubt, launching Sober on Demand and The Addictions Academy was that defining moment. I remember sitting there thinking, “Why are we still trying to fit high-performing people into outdated, one-size-fits-all rehab models that don’t work for their lives?” I realized these CEOs, athletes, and celebrities couldn’t just vanish for 30 days—they needed a solution that met them where they were. That’s when I decided to completely rethink the system. I built a concierge-level program that brings treatment to the client, offering privacy, flexibility, and cutting-edge techniques. Taking that leap to create something that actually works for high achievers changed everything. Seeing how it’s transformed so many lives? That’s when I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Many leaders struggle with burnout, stress, and even hidden addictions. As an expert in high-performance mindset coaching, what advice would you give leaders trying to balance success and well-being?
Dr. Cali: First off—stop thinking balance means doing everything perfectly. It’s not about adding more to your plate; it’s about getting rid of the junk that doesn’t serve you. I tell my clients, “Your body is a Ferrari, not a beat-up minivan—start treating it like one.” That means high-quality fuel (nutrition), regular tune-ups (sleep, mindfulness), and a pit crew (support system). And if you’re completely running on fumes? That’s where the 5-Day Executive Reset comes in. It’s a powerful, immersive experience that combines trauma work, memory reconstructive therapy, performance coaching, cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), and life coaching. It’s designed to help high achievers clear emotional blocks, reprogram limiting beliefs, and reset their mindset—so they can get back to performing at their peak without sacrificing their well-being.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Your work challenges traditional rehab and mental health approaches. What is the biggest myth about addiction and recovery that you wish people understood?
Dr. Cali: The biggest myth? That addiction is just about willpower. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone said, “Why don’t they just stop?” Addiction is not a character flaw—it’s a brain chemistry issue. It’s trauma, it’s pain, it’s unmet emotional needs. And here’s the real kicker—addiction isn’t the problem. Addiction is the solution to the problem. People use drugs, alcohol, or other vices to numb out or escape from what’s really going on, whether that’s trauma, boredom, stress, avoidance, or a feeling of being completely disconnected. The substance or behavior is just a way to cope, but it’s a temporary band-aid that eventually makes things worse. The real work happens when we dig beneath the surface and address what’s driving the addiction in the first place. And the best part? Once you heal the root cause, the need for the “solution” disappears.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: You talk about ‘biohacking your lifestyle.’ How can people in leadership positions optimize their mental and physical health for peak performance?
Dr. Cali: Biohacking sounds all fancy, but it’s really about making small tweaks that create massive results. For my high-level clients, I always say, “You’re optimizing your business, why not optimize your brain and body?” Start with the basics—sleep like your career depends on it (because it does), eat to fuel your focus, and move like your life depends on it (again, it does). Then, sprinkle in the cool stuff—red light therapy, neurofeedback, nootropics… It’s like upgrading your operating system so you can run faster, longer, and with fewer crashes.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: The ‘Sober on Demand’ program is groundbreaking. How does it differ from traditional recovery models, and why do you think it’s more effective for high achievers?
Dr. Cali: Think of Sober on Demand like rehab, but with a VIP, first-class upgrade. Instead of asking high-level clients to put their lives on hold, we bring the treatment to them. We create a fully customized, private experience where they get 24/7 support and cutting-edge tools—right in the comfort of their own space. And for those who need a hard reset but don’t have time for months of treatment? That’s where the 5-Day Executive Reset comes in. It’s an intensive, results-driven program that blends trauma processing, memory reconstructive therapy, performance coaching, CBT, and life coaching to tackle the root causes of stress, burnout, and destructive habits. It’s not just about getting back on track—it’s about upgrading your mindset and emotional resilience so you can perform at your highest level.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: You’ve trained over 40,000 addiction professionals worldwide through The Addictions Academy and have seen remarkable transformations through Sober on Demand. What’s the most important lesson you teach those looking to make a real impact in this field?
Dr. Cali: I always tell my students, “You’ve got to meet clients where they are.” People aren’t cookie-cutter, so why should their recovery be? I teach them to throw out the one-size-fits-all playbook and get laser-focused on customizing the approach. And I always emphasize compassion, because without that, you’re just going through the motions. Also, I remind them to stay ahead of the game—this field is evolving fast, and if you’re not learning and adapting, you’re falling behind.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Dr. Cali your journey, including personal experiences shared in I Married a Junkie, has shaped the way you approach addiction and mindset coaching. What personal lesson has had the most significant influence on your work?
Dr. Cali: My own journey taught me that addiction isn’t just about substances—it’s about trying to escape pain, numb emotions, and regain a sense of control. I battled my own addiction to sugar, food, and diet pills for years, using them to cope with stress, poor body image, and unresolved childhood trauma. But the most profound lesson came from watching my husband’s heartbreaking battle with heroin and fentanyl. For eight years, I stood by his side, doing everything I could to help him. We had access to the best doctors, therapists, and resources money could buy—but none of that mattered until he was ready. I learned the hard way that I couldn’t save him. No amount of love, support, or expertise can force someone to choose recovery. He fought so hard, but ultimately, he lost his battle just 29 days after getting sober, for the tenth time. That loss shattered me, but it also ignited a fire within me. I realized that true healing doesn’t come from just treating the addiction—it comes from addressing the pain and trauma underneath. That’s why I’m so passionate about helping others get to the root of their struggles and rebuild their lives from the inside out. I couldn’t save my husband, but I’m determined to help others find a way out before it’s too late.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Many clients are top-tier CEOs, celebrities, and athletes. What is the most significant misconception people have about success and mental health?
Dr. Cali: The biggest misconception? That success equals happiness. I can’t tell you how many CEOs and celebrities I’ve worked with who seem to have it all, but behind closed doors, they’re battling anxiety, depression, and addiction. Success can be a lonely place if you’re not aligned with your values. I always tell my clients, “You’ve built an empire—now let’s make sure you actually enjoy living in it.”
Best Holistic Life Magazine: You’ve worked with some of the world’s most recognized names. What is one of the most memorable transformations you’ve witnessed, and what made it so powerful?
Dr. Cali: One that sticks with me is a high-profile CEO who was juggling a billion-dollar empire while secretly battling addiction and emotional exhaustion. He was on the verge of losing everything—his business, his family, his sanity. We did a 5-Day Executive Reset with Sober on Demand, where we combined trauma work, memory reconstructive therapy, and performance coaching with CBT and life coaching. Within days, he was a different person. But the real transformation happened when he reconnected with his purpose. He didn’t just get back on track—he rewired his mindset and built a life he was genuinely excited to live. To this day, he still calls me every Christmas to tell me he’s sober and how much his life has changed. Those calls are a reminder that the hard work, the long hours, and the dedication are all worth it.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: Your work has been featured on CNN, NBC, Forbes, and HBO. What does it take for a leader to create a message that resonates on such a large scale?
Dr. Cali: It takes two things: authenticity and consistency. People can smell BS a mile away, so if you’re not speaking from real experience, they’re not going to connect. I’ve built my platform by being real, telling my story, and offering solutions that actually work. And you have to be consistent—keep showing up, keep delivering value, and keep pushing the message that matters to you. When people see that passion and integrity, they listen.
Best Holistic Life Magazine: As the Leader of the Year 2025, what legacy do you hope to leave behind, and what’s next for you in your mission to transform lives?
Dr. Cali: I want my legacy to be about showing people that transformation is possible, no matter how far gone they think they are. I’m on a mission to change the way we approach addiction, mental health, and performance. What’s next? Well, aside from continuing to expand Sober on Demand and the 5-Day Executive Reset to help even more people globally, I’m also writing a book—one that’s a bit more on the lighter side. Since I practically live on a plane and in my car, I’ve had a front-row seat to some of the craziest, funniest, and most bizarre antics at airports. I’ve seen it all—everything from passengers trying to sneak questionable “souvenirs” through security to full-on meltdowns at the gate. This book is my way of sharing those stories and bringing a little humor to the chaos of travel. After all, if you can’t laugh at life, what’s the point? So, stay tuned because it’s going to be a wild ride!
Get Dr. Cali Estes’s Book
Well, you know it ends. The question is, how did we get here? The saying goes, ‘There are only three ways out of addiction: death, institutions, and jail.’ Tim managed all of them in one lifetime.
This book is the raw, uncut truth behind what happened that led to his death. Multiple overdoses, car crashes, hit-and-runs, police arrests, and even SWAT were no match for his addiction. If that doesn’t shock you, what happened AFTER he died will.
Authors Note:
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