For the ‘TODAY’ show co-anchor, turning 60 changed her perspective of what was possible personally and professionally.
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InExit Interview,Marie Clairehas a candid conversation with someone who has left their job.
But after turning 60, she knew it was time for the next wave."
How long had you been thinking about leaving theTODAYshow?
It doesn’t make any sense to do that.
I wanted to see what kind of possibilities were available to me beyond this incredible job.
I was imagining myself on the other side.
After working at NBC for 26 years, it really hit me clearly on my 60th birthday.
It was like a rocket ship.
I looked outside, I looked out at the plaza, and I just knew.This is the mountaintop.
This is the top of the wave.
Ive reached the pinnacle.And I just knew.
I thought to myself,It’s time for the next wave, whatever it is.
What made you think there’s another chapter for you?
HK:My run at theTODAYshow has never been better than it is right now.
I kept meeting people who had left jobs and I was asking them questions on the show.
Trevor Noah was one.
He said, You have to go before you kick off resenting the job.
I didn’t feel that, but I don’t ever want to feel that.
And I said,So Coldplays over?He said, Yeah.
And then we’re done.
As painful as it is, you’re able to hold two things.
As painful as it is, you’ve got the option to hold two things.
Who else did you turn to for advice when you decided you were ready to leave?
HK:Maria Shriver is kind of my north star and she had a piece of advice for me.
She said, Plan your day the Monday after.
You need a mini plan.
So here is my mini plan: I’m getting up for a SoulCycle class at 5:45.
I’m going to do that until 6:30.
I’m going to come home because my kids get up around then.
I’m going to make the most delicious cup of coffee.
Ill enjoy breakfast with my kids.
I’m going to bring my kids home.
I’m going to put some steaks on the barbecue.
I’m going to pour a glass of wine and I’m just going to have a day.
I don’t want that.
So Ive got my plan.
What can you share about that?
It started off with a woman who taught me breath work, which I thought was breathing.
I thought,Thank you very much.
I’ve been doing that pretty well my whole life.
And I said, What was that?
It’s a release of things.
My company’s not going to be product-driven.
You’re going to try things.
But at the end of the day, you really have to find your thing.
HK:I remember some good advice, weirdly, from Bethenny Frankel.
you could’t leave your job because you need your insurance.
You have to pay your bills.
But it reminds you of your other goal.
But at the end of the day, you really have to find your thing.
You get one ride around the sun.
What are you looking forward to in your next chapter?
HK:Little things, like a road trip with my kids in my minivan.
I never had any spontaneity becausehow could you take the whole winter break?
Also, the idea of not having to go to bed at eight o’clock every night.
When can we get home?Seeing my family in D.C. without it being athing.And summers!
Holy mackerel, summers!
So I’m excited about that.
Does anything scare you about this next step?
HK:It’s out of my comfort zone.
It’s hoping that this wellness idea succeeds.
It’s doing something I’ve never done, although it feels like it fits me.
After 26 years at NBC, what are you going to look back on and remember most?
HK:The friendships.
The lyrics were, May you find the light to guide you.
Those tender, poignant friendships.
The other thing I’ll really miss is I actually love the plaza.
I’ve always felt like I was actually more suited to be out there than inside.
It was my happy place.
And she goes, You know how I know that?
I was your dad’s secretary.
I’m in tears looking at this lady.
Months before that, this woman goes, Do you recognize me?
And of course I was like, No.
She goes, Mrs. Spork.
Mrs. Spork was my third grade teacher.
you’re able to’t beat it.
It’s literally like the heartbeat of Manhattan.
No matter who’s on the show or who warms the seats, it’s going to rock.
It’s always been that way.
And I’m just glad that I got to be there for a minute.
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