How Hoda Kotb Transformed From 'Today Show' Anchor to Wellness Innovator

Elle

a day ago

In ELLE's monthly series Office Hours, we ask people in powerful positions to take us through their first jobs, worst jobs, and everything in between. This month, we're catching up with Hoda Kotb—a name synonymous with morning television, heartfelt interviews, and that unmistakable warmth millions have woken up to for years. Now, the former Today Show anchor is channeling that energy into a new chapter: With her newly launched platform, Joy 101, she's inviting us all to rethink what it means to live well. Part course, part community, the app includes a 21-day guide led by Kotb herself, featuring expert advice, life lessons, and even a live Zoom session with her close friends, and her previous co-hosts, Jenna Bush Hager and Savannah Guthrie. The genesis? A breathwork session recommended by Bush Hager that left her in tears—and, ultimately, transformed. 'I thought, What was that?' Kotb recalls. From there, a retreat at the Hoffman Institute (at Maria Shriver's urging) deepened the journey. And true to form, Kotb turned insight into action—and action into a space for others. Below, she opens up about stepping away from the anchor desk, what motherhood has taught her, and why her wellness era is the most powerful one yet.
A paper route—I delivered The Washington Post in Northern Virginia. My brother, a kid up the street, and I all did it together. My mom was so cool—especially on Sundays, when the papers were real heavy; she'd drop them on corners so we wouldn't have to lug 20 of the Sunday papers that were really huge. That job was really when I started my early wake-ups, because you had to get up at the crack of dawn and get the papers in the doors. Even with all the hard work, I only made a buck a month. I remember thinking, Wow. I learned that hard work isn't always rewarded, but you can still love it. Also, I had a crush on the other boy on the route, which definitely helped make those early mornings a little more exciting.
I worked in the accounts payable department at USAir one summer—the last place I ever should've been. Math was absolutely not my strength, but somehow it was the only job I could get. And I was terrible at it—honestly, the worst. There I was, trying to add up numbers and balance accounts, and people would come up to me and say, 'Hoda, this is off by $10,000.' And I'd just sit there thinking, What am I doing here? In a way, it was one of the most valuable jobs I've had, because it showed me exactly what I should never, ever, ever be doing.
When I look at my life, none of it makes sense. But I've learned that when something feels right deep inside—do it. There's this quiet voice within, the one that whispers. I heard it when I realized I wanted to have children. I spoke the words out loud, and the moment I did, I knew. It was like a warm hand guiding me.
Meredith Vieira has always been a mentor to me. I've admired—and still admire to this day—the way she moves through life and conducts herself on set. She is kind to everyone who approaches her, no matter who they are. She always did her homework. She was sensitive, vulnerable, incredibly smart, and so savvy. Maria Shriver is another one. Watching her work was inspiring. She steps into a room with confidence, she does her homework, she knows what's going on.
I went to Burma to interview Aung San Suu Kyi, the democratically elected leader who was under house arrest. To be honest, I didn't know much about her story beforehand, and I'd never been to Burma—there were a million reasons why [the story] seemed impossible. But I went anyway. I remember we had to be in disguise just to get there, because interviewing her was illegal. If you got caught, you could be thrown in jail. It was incredibly difficult to reach her. Finally, we sat together in a dark, secret room for the interview. I asked her about her two children and said, 'Wow, this must be quite a sacrifice in your life.' And she looked at me and said, 'This is not a sacrifice, this is a privilege.' That moment completely shifted my perspective. She saw her work not as a sacrifice, but as a duty. It transformed the way I see the world.
I don't really see it as an interview. When the subject is heavy or deeply emotional, it's one of the most difficult things in the world. As a journalist, you're supposed to keep some distance and be a little removed—but I was never good at that. I don't have a thick skin or a coat of armor. When I sit with someone, I don't come with a long list of questions. What I really want is to understand what they want to share. I'm always listening. They're trusting me with their story, and they don't even know me. So I try to approach it like I would a conversation with a friend.
I was doing all the usual things—exercising, eating right, taking care of myself—but I still felt like something was missing. I kept wondering, What else can I do? Then Jenna Bush Hager said to me, 'Hey girl, try this breathwork thing.' I gave it a shot, and after about eight minutes, I suddenly burst into tears. I jumped up and thought, What was that? That moment opened something up for me. That very night, I came home and felt a new sense of clarity like never before. Then Maria Shriver told me about a retreat she attended at the Hoffman Institute and said it was life-changing. I went, came out transformed, and it sparked an idea: Why not turn this into a business? I imagined it as a membership—a place where you could get retreats, courses, personalized support, and quick practices you could fit into your day, just 10 minutes here, 10 minutes there. I wanted to create a retreat you could carry in your pocket, a little community you could access anytime.
Early in my career, I was in a courtroom where cameras were allowed. But the moment the verdict was read, I couldn't hear a thing. We went live on-air, and I'm pretty sure I started babbling in tongues. Nothing was clear. Then, suddenly, the courtroom door burst open. Half the people were in tears, the other half were cheering. And there I was, completely confused, not knowing what had just happened. I turned to someone nearby and asked, 'What are you thinking?'
For a long time, my career rode shotgun; I think to be really good at something, you need a bit of imbalance. I worked seven days a week, even reading the news on weekends, just waiting for my chance. I showed up early every single time. That kind of dedication can take you far. But if your goal is to feel peace—a warm hand on your heart and a life well-lived—you have to recognize when you're out of balance. For me, that realization came late. Everything in life happens right on time. My advice? Let it happen. Don't force it like you're swimming upstream. If you're banging on the same door, and it won't open, it's not your door. You don't need to bang harder until your knuckles bleed. If it's not meant for you, move on. Take a different path, and then trust yourself once you choose it.
I believe the world needs people who are in it for all the right reasons. Journalism is about bearing witness. We all come to every story carrying our own baggage—you can't help that. I've felt that throughout my entire career. Check yourself, and take stock of the situation.
I think my 60s are going to feel like being a beginner all over again—like learning to ride a bike or learning new things for the first time. I'm excited to see what this decade will teach me. It's going to be so much fun.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.