Hoda Kotb's Joy 101: A New Wellness Venture Born From Personal Changes And Big Life Decisions

Four months after stepping away from her main spot on the Today show, Hoda Kotb made a surprise return to the NBC morning series. She was there as a guest to tell everyone about her new wellness brand, Joy 101. But before she even stepped into the studio, she popped up outside. She surprised Savannah Guthrie and Craig Melvin through the window as they were greeting fans. It was a sweet moment that probably made everyone watching smile.

Once inside, Hoda talked about her own wellness journey. It all started after Jenna Bush Hager suggested she try a breathwork class. Hoda recalled, "In the middle of this breathing class, I exploded into tears." She admitted she was freaked out by it but also felt a real sense of clarity and calm. She felt clear and energized. This experience really changed things for her. It showed her a new path.

Hoda said she became a "seeker" after that. She wanted to learn all she could about different wellness practices. This curiosity led her to where she is now, building this new business. She explained, "The wave I’m riding right now is magical for me. I’m starting a new business." She is putting all her time and effort into something she hopes will make people feel better. She says that has always been her favorite part of her work anyway. But she also shared that her "main focus" for the near future is "watching my kids run around on the beach this summer." Hoda has two daughters, Haley who is eight and Hope who is six. It sounds like she is truly ready for this new chapter.

Hoda Kotb Unpacks The Inspiration And Offerings Behind Her New Wellness App Joy 101

From Unexpected Cries To Curated Content, How A Personal Journey Became A Public Offering

Back in the studio, Hoda told Savannah and Craig that she is "over the moon" to be able to "bare witness" to her kids’ lives after leaving Today. She then went into more detail about her Joy 101 app which launched recently. She said, "You hit a button and automatically curated for you is a special program." It sounds really simple to use. If you want a prayer, it is on the app. If you want meditation, it is on the app. If you want help going to sleep, it is all there. She also mentioned that they will have courses and other cool things. They even plan to have retreats. It is all the stuff she and her team love and find value in.

Hoda described Joy 101 as a "community" and a "retreat in your pocket." She explained that it is for anyone who wants a bit of change in their lives. "This is for people who are tired of good enough, you want something more, something better." She said Joy 101 is for everybody, no matter your age. She wants to help people find routes and paths to their own joy. The app offers daily wisdom from Hoda herself along with expert-led courses on topics like brain health and breathwork. There are over 500 sessions on many wellness subjects and guided meditations. They even plan twice-monthly live chats with Hoda and friends. The first live chat is set for June 11 with Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie. It sounds like a great way to stay connected.

The Joy 101 app is available for pre-order in the Apple Store and is expected to be available more widely soon. You can get a monthly membership for $16.99 or a yearly subscription for $79. It is clear Hoda wants to build a deep community around this new venture. She stated she would rather have 15,000 people who are truly invested in the app and its offerings than 50,000 who just pop in now and then. She believes the people who really want this will need and use it. This focus on committed users shows her passion for truly helping people.

Hoda's Honest Reflections On Leaving Today And Embracing A New Path

Why Stepping Away From A Dream Job Was The Right Choice For Her Life

During her talk on Today, Hoda said it felt like "not a minute's passed" since she was a full-time host. This shows how close she still feels to her colleagues. She even addressed the recent death of Sheinelle Jones' husband, Uche Ojeh. Hoda stressed that her Today colleagues are a "family." She also put rumors to rest that she was replacing Kelly Clarkson on The Kelly Clarkson Show. She told Savannah and Craig, "Do you think if I ever came back to TV, do you know where the only place I would ever come back to is? Right here." This speaks volumes about her loyalty to the show and her team.

Hoda left Today on January 10 after 17 years on the show and nearly 30 years at NBC. Craig Melvin took over her role as Savannah Guthrie's co-anchor. On her final episode, Hoda wished Craig well saying, "Craig, I’m so happy for you. You’ve earned this, you own this, and come Monday at 7 o’clock a.m., I am gonna be dead asleep. But you’re gonna be fantastic." Her last day was a big surprise celebration. The cast and crew brought out Kermit the Frog, Gayle King, Jimmy Fallon, Kathie Lee Gifford, and more. There were also video messages and a performance by Walker Hayes. The episode ended with Hoda driving away from the studio in a minivan with her daughters. It was a touching goodbye that symbolized her shift in priorities.

Less than a week before her official exit, Hoda had already hinted at her plans. She mentioned on The Kelly Clarkson Show that she was building her own wellness app and company. She said it was set to launch in the spring. Over the months since, she has announced more projects, like a new season of her "Making Space" podcast and her upcoming book, Jump and Find Joy. She even teased a collaboration with Joanna Gaines on Instagram. This shows she has been busy creating new things outside of her TV role.

Hoda stated she has "no FOMO" about leaving Today. She shared, "It doesn’t mean I didn’t love it. At the end when my heart broke, I was like, ‘That’s love.’" But she feels her "gaze is set forward." She said she "never had a second thought" about her choice. "I think if anyone’s ever gone through any kind of an ending and a beginning, sometimes it’s really difficult, but also 100 percent right." She knew it in her heart. She compared it to life whispering to you and those whispers turning into screams. She heard the whisper and did not ignore it. She knew it was the right decision.

Hoda's Journey From Cancer Survivor To Mother And Wellness Advocate

How Personal Experiences Shaped Her Priorities And Led To A New Life Direction

Hoda's journey is truly inspiring. At 43, in 2007, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She had a mastectomy. She says it scared her to death and made her life clear very quickly. "If someone told you your life might be over in a couple of years, maybe sooner, it’s like, What would I change?" She decided to change a lot. She ended her marriage and asked her boss at NBC for a promotion. She became the first anchor for the fourth hour of Today. Hoda said she was a hard worker who never asked for credit or another chance. She thought people would notice her work and give her a shot. But she realized that is not always how it worked.

Her illness also brought difficult parts. Her treatment meant she would not be able to carry her own children. Hoda admits she does not like the "cancer gave me all of these gifts" saying. But she does credit it with giving her a completely new way of looking at things. She talked about her 40s being a mess with a breakup, cancer, and a job she felt was not quite right. She wondered what it all meant. "It just shows you how different your life can be from your 40s to your 50s."

Her 50s brought her daughters Haley and Hope. She said cancer took away her ability to have kids but it gave her the courage to say aloud that she still wanted them anyway. She recalled calling Robin Roberts and asking, "Can you believe I’m 52 and I have a baby?" Robin replied, "You know what that baby is? That baby is right on time." This personal story makes her new venture even more meaningful. She will talk more about turning bad into good in her next book, Jump and Find Joy, coming out in September. It is clear that joy is a big part of her story.

What's Next For Hoda Kotb As She Embraces Her New Beginning?

Suburban Life, New Projects, And A Continued Focus On Helping Others Find Their Joy

Hoda is now 60. She recently left the city for life as a suburban mom. She walks her daughters to school in the morning. She is setting up an office for Joy 101 in the center of town. It is across the street from a sandwich shop. She shared with a grin that Joanna Gaines is helping decorate it. Her sister and other close friends are helping her build the wellness platform. They are putting together programs and bringing in experts from all over the world. "It’s just fun," Hoda said. "For me, success is we’re making people feel better."

Hoda's path has been one of constant growth and change. From her early days in broadcast journalism to her decades on Today, and now to her new life building Joy 101, she has always followed her heart. Her journey shows that it is possible to change directions in life, even when it is scary. It seems Hoda truly did jump and find joy in this new chapter. Her focus on bringing that feeling to others through her app and community is a testament to her strength and spirit.