Hoda Kotb, a beloved co-anchor on The TODAY Show, is embarking on a new chapter in her life after her upcoming departure from NBC. 

After more than two decades at the network, the 60-year-old journalist announced in September 2024 that she would be leaving the iconic morning show in early 2025, 

a decision motivated by her desire to spend more time with her young daughters, Haley Joy (7) and Hope Catherine (5). 

However, Kotb’s journey is far from over, as she now sets her sights on wellness, a field that has deeply resonated with her in recent years.

In an exclusive interview with Good Housekeeping on October 28, 2024, Kotb reflected on her recent wellness weekend in Austin, Texas, which she hosted in late October. 

The three-day event, titled Making Space Wellness Weekend, was centered around personal growth, mindfulness, 

and meditation, and offered participants the opportunity to reflect on their lives and cultivate inner peace. For Kotb, the experience was not only transformative for those in attendance but for herself as well.

“I knew after this weekend beyond any doubt at all that this was the field and this was the path for me,” Kotb shared. “At the end, when it was all said and done, everybody left with this profound change. And I don’t know that I expected that. And it was profound for me too.” The event, which drew around 150 participants, took place from October 25-27, and Kotb admitted that it exceeded her expectations, turning into a life-changing experience for both herself and the women present. “I think women were seeking permission — permission to want more. Permission to say, ‘I do deserve a life outside of my work and my family. I deserve something that’s for me and not to feel guilty about it,’” she explained.

Kotb’s journey into wellness began several years ago when her TODAY co-anchor, Jenna Bush Hager, and NBC News anchor Maria Shriver encouraged her to practice mindfulness. At the time, Kotb was struggling with exhaustion and the demands of her busy career and personal life. “Before I had done it, I think that my life was lacking so many things, and you don’t really know what you’re missing,” she recalled. “Every time I was exhausted, I would try to eat salmon and get on the Peloton again thinking I didn’t have enough nutrition. I didn’t feel right. And then you realize, sometimes it’s more than that.”

It wasn’t until Kotb tried breathwork for the first time that she began to notice a significant shift. “When I started paying attention, I noticed a shift. I was like, ‘Wow, this feels better. I feel more like me.’” Over the course of the last few years, mindfulness has become a cornerstone of Kotb’s life, helping her to reconnect with herself and prepare for the next phase of her life. She views it as part of a holistic approach to well-being, acknowledging that while many people focus on physical beauty and self-care, it’s just as important to nurture the mind and spirit.

The Making Space wellness weekend solidified Kotb’s desire to bring these practices to others, particularly women and mothers, who may be seeking a similar sense of balance and fulfillment. Reflecting on her own experience of spending time away from her daughters, Kotb noted that the wellness weekend allowed her to become a better, more present mother. “Holding her was obviously my favorite moment, but the fact that I had spent those days working on myself, I felt like I was a better mom than I was three days ago because I’m not carrying around stuff and taking it out accidentally on them,” she said. “I felt re-energized. You’re doing it for yourself, but ultimately they’re the benefactors. They get a mom who’s more present, more available, less edgy.”

Looking ahead, Kotb plans to continue her work in the wellness space, hosting more Making Space weekends and developing a wellness brand that can reach an even wider audience. “I feel like it’s important, and I really want to live in that space,” she revealed. Part of her vision includes creating an accessible and affordable wellness app that provides tools for mindfulness and personal growth. “Most of this stuff you can do for free. You just need someone to show you how to do it. Let’s make it accessible so you can get whatever you need and have it all in one place.”

As Kotb transitions out of her role at The TODAY Show, she remains committed to fostering a sense of well-being in others, sharing the lessons she has learned through her own journey of self-discovery. For Kotb, wellness is not just a career pivot—it’s a passion that she hopes will inspire and transform lives for years to come.

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