The Reset You Need: How to Transform Your Life at Any Moment
Timestamps are as accurate as they can be but may be slightly off. We encourage you to listen to the full context.
Podcast Summary
In this powerful episode, Mel Robbins sits down with former Today Show co-anchor Hoda Kotb for an in-depth conversation about life reinvention and the belief that "it's never too late" to change your path. (01:00) Hoda shares her remarkable journey of reinventing herself across multiple decades - from climbing newsroom ranks in her twenties and thirties, surviving breast cancer in her forties, becoming a mother through adoption in her fifties, and launching a tech wellness company at 60 after leaving her dream job.
- Core theme: You can "stop the train" of your life at any moment to evaluate if where you're heading aligns with what you truly want and deserve
Speakers
Hoda Kotb
Hoda Kotb is a four-time Emmy Award winner and former co-anchor of NBC's Today Show, where she made history alongside Savannah Guthrie as the first all-female anchor team for a major network morning show. She's also a nine-time New York Times bestselling author, including her latest book "Jump and Find Joy," and has won three Gracie Awards, a Peabody Award, and the Edward R. Murrow Award. At 60, she walked away from her coveted Today Show position to launch Joy 101, a wellness technology platform, proving that reinvention is possible at any age.
Mel Robbins
Mel Robbins is a bestselling author, podcaster, and motivational speaker known for her practical approach to personal development and her #1 bestselling book "The Let Them Theory."
Key Takeaways
Stop the Train and Evaluate Your Life
Hoda emphasizes that you can "hit the brakes on your life at any time" and step back to examine whether your current path truly serves you. (07:00) She suggests viewing your life from "35,000 feet" and honestly asking yourself if you're living according to what you deserve rather than just accepting "good enough." This isn't about constant dissatisfaction but about recognizing when you're settling for less than you're worth in relationships, jobs, or personal fulfillment.
Say Your Dreams Out Loud to Open Possibility
The transformative power of speaking your desires aloud cannot be understated. (23:00) Hoda shares how simply telling a friend "I kinda always did want kids" at age 51 opened the door that led to adopting both her daughters. When you keep dreams buried because you believe they're impossible, you become the one blocking all possibilities. Speaking them creates an energetic shift that allows the universe to respond.
Use Daily Journaling Prompts for Clarity
Hoda's four daily journal prompts provide a framework for understanding what you truly need: What does my body need? What does my intellect need? What do my emotions need? What does my spirit need? (61:12) This practice helps you identify what's lacking in your life and creates a daily roadmap for addressing those needs, leading to greater self-awareness and purposeful action.
Take the 30-for-30 Approach to Big Changes
Before making major life changes, commit 30 minutes daily for 30 days to researching and exploring your idea. (62:21) Whether it's starting a business, changing careers, or pursuing a passion, this approach gives you 900 minutes of focused exploration to determine if it's truly what you want. This method allows you to gather real data while maintaining your current stability and responsibilities.
Embrace Being a Beginner Again
At 61, Hoda describes herself as being "on the JV basketball team" while learning to run a tech company, and she calls it "one of the finest feelings in the world." (81:28) Being willing to be bad at something new, to ask questions, and to learn alongside others creates vitality and energy that makes life interesting. The fear of not knowing how to do something shouldn't stop you from pursuing what calls to you.
Statistics & Facts
- At age 51, Hoda began the adoption process for her first child, proving that major life changes are possible well into midlife. (21:00)
- Hoda received 27 rejections before getting her first job offer in television, demonstrating that persistence through rejection is often necessary for success. (44:06)
- After implementing a simple daily practice of saying "good things keep happening to me," Hoda experienced a measurable shift in her energy and perspective within just one morning. (51:12)
