David Marshall Hollis, better known as Dave Hollis, was a motivational author, speaker, podcast host, and former executive for Disney. He was the ex-husband of Rachel Hollis, a celebrated self-help author and influencer. He died on February 11, 2023, at the age of 47, leaving behind four children and a legacy of inspiring others to live their best lives.
Contents
What Happened to Dave Hollis?
According to the autopsy report from the Travis County Medical Examiner’s Office in Austin, Texas, obtained by NBC News, Dave Hollis died of an accidental overdose. He had lethal amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, and alcohol in his system when he was found unresponsive at his home outside Austin.
The autopsy also revealed that Hollis had a history of drug and alcohol abuse, depression, high blood pressure, and hypertensive and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. The latter is a condition that causes the narrowing and hardening of vessels that supply blood to the heart. The medical examiner said that Hollis also had moderate to severe atherosclerosis in his heart, which could have predisposed him to developing an abnormal rhythm, especially in the presence of a stimulant drug such as cocaine.
How Did His Family and Friends React?
Dave Hollis’ death shocked and saddened his family, friends, fans, and colleagues. His ex-wife Rachel Hollis, who announced their separation in June 2020 after 16 years of marriage shared a statement on her social media page expressing her grief and asking for prayers for their four children: Jackson, Sawyer, Ford, and Noah.
“We are devastated,” she wrote. “I have no words and my heart is too broken to find them. Please wrap the kids up in prayers as we try to navigate through the unthinkable.” She added that they remained close friends and would continue to co-parent and run their company as partners.
Dave Hollis’ girlfriend Heidi Powell, a fitness trainer and TV personality, also spoke out about his cause of death on Instagram. She said that she was with him the night before he died and that he seemed happy and healthy. She said that she was unaware of his drug use and that she wished she could have done something to prevent his death.
“I wish I could have saved him. I wish I could have seen it coming,” she wrote. “I wish I could have done something different. I wish I could have loved him harder.” She also urged anyone who is struggling with addiction or mental health issues to seek help and support.
Many other celebrities and influencers who knew or worked with Dave Hollis also paid tribute to him on social media. They praised him for his positive impact, his generosity, his humor, his leadership, and his passion for life.
What Was Dave Hollis’ Legacy?
Dave Hollis was a successful and influential figure in the entertainment and personal development industries. He spent 17 years at Disney, where he rose to become the head of distribution for The Walt Disney Studios. He oversaw the releases of blockbuster films such as Black Panther, Star Wars, Frozen, Avengers, and more.
He left Disney in 2018 to join his wife’s business, The Hollis Company, which produces books, podcasts, events, courses, and merchandise aimed at helping people achieve their goals and dreams. He also wrote his own book, Get Out of Your Own Way: A Skeptic’s Guide to Growth and Fulfillment, which became a New York Times bestseller in 2020.
He also hosted a popular podcast called Rise Together with Rachel Hollis, where they discussed topics such as marriage, parenting, career, health, spirituality, and more. He was known for his honesty, vulnerability, authenticity, and humor in sharing his personal stories and struggles.
Dave Hollis was an avid runner who completed several marathons and half-marathons. He was also a devoted father who loved spending time with his children. He often posted photos and videos of them on his Instagram account @mrdavehollis, where he had over 600k followers.
Dave Hollis’ cause of death was a tragic loss for many people who admired him and learned from him. He will be remembered as a man who lived with purpose, passion, and positivity. He will be missed by many who loved him.
