Hoda Kotb reveals a simple daily habit that keeps her energized and astonishingly youthful, leaving everyone who hears it stunned .QN

Hoda Kotb, former Today Show host, revealed a small daily habit that keeps her full of energy and unbelievably youthful. The surprising part is that this secret is so simple, it leaves everyone who hears it stunned.

After spending 17 years as a coanchor helping Americans start their mornings with a smile, Hoda Kotb has gracefully transitioned into a new phase of life. At 60, she’s swapped early-morning TV call times for something that feels more aligned with her personal growth and wellbeing—a journey that’s now unfolding through her new happiness app, Joy 101, launched in May. But beyond her digital platform and motivational messaging lies a refreshingly simple habit that, according to Hoda, has been a game-changer for her energy and longevity.

“I’ve always done indoor cycling,” she says casually. “But now I’ve added weight training and I feel like my body’s changing.” It’s not a trendy supplement or a complicated biohacking routine. It’s strength training—something accessible, proven, and remarkably effective. “I joined a gym that’s the kind where you see beefcakes: lots of weights, and sled pushing,” she laughs. “I have more energy than ever before.”

For someone whose daily routine used to start at 3:30 a.m., waking naturally at 4:30 now feels like luxury. “That’s sleeping in for me,” she admits with a smile. The structure and discipline ingrained in her from years of early rising hasn’t gone away. In fact, she credits that routine with helping her build a consistent wellness foundation. “There’s a through line,” she says, recalling her first job at age 12—delivering The Washington Post at dawn. “It was a 4:30 a.m. wake-up.”

But it’s not just about physical fitness. Hoda has woven simple, mindful practices into her life that nourish her emotional and mental health, too. Daily meditation, she says, is just as vital as her workouts. “The clarity that comes after—I’m sharper and have good ideas,” she shares. That pairing of strength training for the body and meditation for the mind is her not-so-secret formula for feeling youthful and centered.

Still, launching a new venture at this stage of life wasn’t without its risks. “Pivots are risks because everybody needs insurance and a paycheck,” Hoda admits. But she received some memorable advice from a friend that helped her navigate the transition with confidence: “When you’re thinking about a new chapter, put 10 percent of your time and 10 percent of your money toward the dream, and keep your job so you can pay your bills. Grow it until you feel like you’re on solid footing and can make that pivot.”

That advice helped her move forward with Joy 101, a platform that combines motivational content with practical tools for everyday happiness. The idea, she says, was sparked by a life-changing breathwork session—a moment that made her realize how much more she wanted to explore wellness, both for herself and others.

And through all of this transformation, she remains grounded in gratitude, family, and perspective. When asked who inspired her early on, Hoda speaks with pride about her mother. “When she turned 60, she ran the Marine Corps Marathon,” she says. “She was drenched in sweat and delirious by the end. But I will always have the memory of her running up that last hill to the Iwo Jima memorial.” That memory drives Hoda whenever she needs a mental boost. “If she could do that, then I can do this.”

Of course, not every moment is about pushing limits. Hoda still makes time for simple joys—like family trips to the beach near Cancún with her daughters, where the agenda is blissfully straightforward: “splashing, eating guacamole, and finding shells.” It’s these little rituals, these slices of everyday joy, that form the backbone of her lifestyle now.

Her favorite mantra? “This, too, shall pass.” It’s a reminder she holds close, especially when life feels overwhelming. “When you’re in the thick of it, you feel like you’re drowning and that’s it, but it’s only for a moment,” she says. “I try to remember that.”

And perhaps that’s the most stunning part of Hoda Kotb’s secret to staying vibrant and youthful—it’s not just one thing. It’s a collection of small, intentional habits: lifting weights, meditating, waking up with purpose, savoring guacamole with loved ones, and embracing change with optimism. Nothing flashy, nothing extreme. Just real, consistent self-care rooted in joy.