After nearly 20 years of waking America up, Hoda Kotb is bidding adieu to the 'Today' show, to pursue her newfound love for wellness – which she once deemed 'woo-woo' – with an app and retreats launching this spring.

As Hoda Kotb prepares to hang up her morning-coffee-sipping hat, she’s trading in the daily grind for a more spiritually fulfilling path, launching a wellness app and retreats after years of initially dismissing the 'woo-woo' world of self-care. With her final appearance on January 10, the era of Hoda on the 'Today' show will close, making way for Craig Melvin, possibly disappointed to learn he can't replace Hoda’s sage advice with kale smoothies.

While many viewers may find it hard to imagine breakfast without Kotb’s vibrant presence, she believes this pivot is more than a career change. "I've realized that wellness isn't just a fad; it's a way of life," Kotb said, her perspective on wellness evidently having shifted since she first encountered the term. For someone who once viewed yoga and meditation as simply misallocated time slots, that’s quite the leap. Who knew the aversion to yoga pants could dissolve into an avocation for holistic retreats?

Her new wellness project promises to be quite the multifaceted initiative, complete with an app—presumably not as messy as the app store options available—and thoughtfully curated retreats aimed at those looking to escape the stress of life with overpriced juice cleanses and sun salutations. Observers speculate that the retreats could soon become the trendy destination for those who want to rejuvenate their spirits while posting flawless pictures of their plant-based meals online.

In her announcement, Hoda also subtly acknowledged the emotional weight of her upcoming departure. "It’s harder than I thought to say goodbye, but I’ve felt the need for change brewing quietly like the perfect cup of herbal tea," she remarked, indicating that she hasn't quite shed her morning television nostalgia. After nearly two decades in front of the camera, trading out a live audience for a gathering of mindful souls is bound to come with its own set of challenges, particularly the absence of lighting gaffes.

Kotb's pivot towards wellness comes at a critical moment—April is indeed a fabulous time for self-improvement, assuming one could benefit from endless scrolls through motivational quotes on Instagram, coupled with the occasional retreat to the mountains where cell signal heightens the existential dread. Nevertheless, her leap into this world leaves many wondering about the long-term viability of the venture. Kotb expressed that she initially thought wellness practices were 'woo-woo' but found them beneficial, and she plans to integrate her passion for wellness into her new venture.

Craig Melvin, who will step into Hoda’s shoes, has his work cut out for him. The audience’s expectations might include some of Hoda’s patented warmth and humor, which tend to go hand in hand with tales of wellness transformations. Will Melvin be able to substitute his years of news reporting for smoothie recipes that promise a sense of zen? Transition won't be easy, yet he'll likely impress viewers by imploring them with advice and a sincere smile—no meditation cushions required.

As Hoda blazes a path towards her wellness empire, there’s a touch of bittersweetness in the shift. After nearly two decades, she leaves her familiar studio atmosphere filled with hangovers from the previous night’s imbibing (that’s what it feels like, after all, when it’s 8 AM). In her new journey, Hoda aims to integrate not only the practices she's grown to appreciate, but also her inherent positivity in helping others chart their own wellness course. We can only hope her app comes with a sense of humor, lest we imagine it guiding us through a series of “calming” breathing exercises akin to listening to a self-help guru explain away all our bad habits in a soothing tone.

So here’s to Hoda – may your transition from the morning show to the serene life of wellness lead you, and those who follow your journey, to a path filled with light, laughter, and perhaps an Instagram-friendly tofu salad. After all, the only thing better than a well-rested soul is a well-rested soul with a successful app to show for it.