Two months after stepping away from her role on the Today show, Hoda Kotb made a
return—albeit briefly—via a video message on Monday, March 10. Her appearance coincided with the official announcement of her new book, Jump and Find Joy, which is set to be released on September 23. The book, centered around the theme of taking leaps of
faith in life, reflects Kotb’s own experiences and the wisdom she has gained over the years.
During her video message, Kotb shared insights into the inspiration behind the book and the personal significance of the title. “Everybody in their life, at one point, stands on the edge of something and says, ‘Should I jump? Should I try? Should I go for it?’” she explained. The sentiment resonates deeply with her own journey, particularly when it came to her decision to join Today. Despite her success in the industry, Kotb admitted that she initially struggled with fear and uncertainty about taking on such a high-profile role. “And I felt that way about the Today show, and I was terrified to even think about jumping,” she confessed.
It wasn’t until she had a candid conversation with her longtime friend Maria Shriver that she found the courage to take the leap. Shriver reminded her of the many risks she had already taken in life and encouraged her to embrace change once again. “She was like, ‘You’ve jumped your whole life. You were in small markets in television [and] you jumped from city to city. You jumped into relationships and out of them. You jumped into motherhood. You have a history of jumping, so don’t tell me that you can’t jump,’” Kotb recalled. The conversation served as a pivotal moment for her, reinforcing the idea that personal and professional growth often requires bold action.
The book is not solely focused on Kotb’s own experiences but also highlights stories of individuals who have overcome their fears and taken transformative leaps in their own lives. Kotb revealed that she features a range of inspiring figures she admires, including actress Viola Davis. “Viola Davis, this woman went from on her knees to this incredible spot, and it was an image that caused her to jump,” she shared, emphasizing Davis’s journey from hardship to success. Another notable figure in the book is Sarah Jakes, daughter of renowned pastor T.D. Jakes. Kotb recounted Jakes’ perspective on taking leaps of faith, quoting her as saying, “When you jump, you have to imagine yourself on the other side.”
For Kotb, the message of Jump and Find Joy is simple yet powerful—life is short, and taking risks is essential to fully embracing it. “Here’s my thing. You get one life. That’s all. That’s it. It’s ready for the taking. It only takes a jump,” she said, reinforcing the idea that fear should never hold someone back from pursuing their dreams.
In addition to working on her book, Kotb is also developing a wellness app, a project she has been focusing on since stepping away from her daily hosting duties. While she has not yet revealed the official name or release date for the app, she previously stated in January that she hoped it would be available by spring. The app is expected to align with her passion for personal growth, positivity, and well-being, further extending her impact beyond television.
Although Kotb’s exit from Today left a noticeable void, her return—if only through video—was a reminder of the strong connection she shares with her audience. While she may have stepped away from the morning talk show, her influence continues to grow through new endeavors, including her book and forthcoming app. With Jump and Find Joy, she hopes to inspire others to push past their fears and take the leaps necessary to create a fulfilling and meaningful life.
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