Hoda Kotb has long been a trusted voice in broadcast journalism, but in recent years, she has embarked on a deeply personal journey of self-discovery and well-being. 

Now, she is using what she has learned to help others. From October 25-27, Kotb hosted the first-ever Making Space: 

A Wellness Weekend at Miraval Austin, an event inspired by her podcast, Making Space. 

The retreat focused on self-improvement, mindfulness, and personal growth—core values that have played a crucial role in Kotb’s own transformation.

The event brought together an impressive lineup of speakers, 

including journalist and philanthropist Maria Shriver and business mogul Jamie Kern Lima, both of whom Kotb credits with influencing her path to a more balanced life. 

Throughout the weekend, attendees participated in discussions, self-improvement workshops, and mindfulness exercises, all aimed at fostering personal well-being.

Rethinking Happiness

For Kotb, the road to wellness began with an important realization: happiness wasn’t just about fleeting moments of fun. “I used to think happiness was about going to a concert or having drinks with friends. And while those things were fun, nothing lasted,” she admitted.

Through her conversations with Making Space guest speaker Arthur Brooks, Kotb came to understand that true happiness comes from something deeper. “Happiness isn’t the event at the end, the club, or sitting at a bar laughing for a few hours. Because after that, you’re right back to yourself,” she explained.

One of the biggest turning points in her journey came through her friendship with Maria Shriver, who helped her reassess how she was spending her time. Shriver suggested an exercise: write down the most important aspects of her life, cut them into pieces, and size them according to how much time and energy each received.

“I wanted family to be bigger than work, but when I looked at the pieces, work was actually bigger,” Kotb recalled. “Maria asked, ‘Well, there’s your life. Do you like it or not?’ And I realized, I don’t think so. That was a big wake-up call.”

Embracing Change and Telling the Truth

Kotb knew she had to make changes—not just to her schedule, but to how she approached life overall. “Sometimes, you need to step back, look at things from 35,000 feet, and sort them out,” she said.

A key part of her transformation was learning to be honest with herself and others. “Every time I told the truth, I felt my body relax,” she shared. “If you’re constantly pleasing people, you’re not telling the truth. But when you express the truth with kindness, your body feels at ease.”

This shift in mindset also helped her understand how stress manifests physically. “When you do things that go against your own needs, your body tightens up. That stress builds up, and you wonder why you keep getting sick or feeling off. Learning to be honest with myself was a huge part of my healing.”

A New Approach to Wellness

Kotb’s self-exploration deepened in her 50s when she realized that despite maintaining a seemingly healthy lifestyle, something was still missing. “I thought I had everything figured out. I had a great job, was exercising, eating well—but something wasn’t clicking.”

A friend encouraged her to try breathwork, a practice she initially dismissed. “I was like, ‘Look, I’ve been breathing for 50 years, I don’t need someone to teach me how to do it,’” she laughed. But after giving it a chance, the experience caught her off guard. “I did the breathing exercises repeatedly, and suddenly, I just exploded into tears.”

She later learned that this emotional release was due to built-up stress. “They told me, ‘It’s just stress leaving your body,’ and that made sense. That experience opened the door for me. I became curious—I started trying meditation, visiting healing spaces, and incorporating different wellness practices into my routine.”

Over time, she noticed significant changes. “I felt emotionally, physically, and spiritually stronger. My mind was clearer, and even at work, I processed things more easily. I wasn’t reading things seven times to understand them anymore—it all just registered. That’s when I knew something had shifted.”

Bringing Her Journey to Others

Kotb’s personal growth led her to create Making Space: A Wellness Weekend, giving others the opportunity to explore different wellness techniques in a peaceful, supportive environment. The event included workshops on breathwork, meditation, and yoga—all practices that had a profound impact on Kotb’s own journey.

Miraval Austin, a luxury wellness resort, provided the ideal setting. “I’ve been to some of their other retreats, and right when you arrive, you feel your shoulders drop. It’s such a calm, beautiful place,” she said.

Susan Santiago, President of U.S. & Canada for Hyatt Hotels Corporation, which owns Miraval, echoed Kotb’s sentiment. “For 30 years, Miraval has been a leader in well-being. Our mission is about fostering connections, inspiring transformations, and creating a safe space for guests to explore their wellness journey.”

Kotb knew the collaboration was a perfect match. “When I spoke with the Miraval team, we realized our goals aligned perfectly. I thought, Since I’ve had the benefit of these incredible teachers, why not bring others in to learn, too? I wanted to create a space where people could try different wellness techniques and see what works for them.”

A New Chapter, A New Purpose

Hosting Making Space: A Wellness Weekend is just the beginning for Kotb, who is passionate about continuing to share what she has learned. Though she is stepping away from her role on Today, she is stepping into a new phase of life—one centered around balance, healing, and personal fulfillment.

As she moves forward, Kotb envisions a future where happiness isn’t just about the big moments, but about living with intention every day. “Once I started prioritizing my well-being, everything changed,” she said. “I just want to help others find that same sense of peace.”

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