Joy 101: A Return to Joy (and to Where It All Begins)

Joy 101: A Return to Joy (and to Where It All Begins)
There are moments in life when something quietly calls to you.

Not loudly. Not forcefully.
Just a gentle knowing.

That’s how Joy 101 first came into my life.

When Hoda Kotb launched her Joy 101 platform, I kept seeing it; small reminders to pause, reflect, and reconnect. I began with a simple 30-day experience, and over time, it became a meaningful part of my mornings.

So when she announced her very first in-person retreat in Scottsdale, Arizona… I felt that same quiet pull.

And I listened.


A Trip That Meant More Than One Thing

This wasn’t just a retreat.

It became something much deeper.

When I was accepted, I knew immediately I didn’t want to go alone. I wanted to share it with someone who has been part of my story from the very beginning.

My mom.

We had never taken a trip together, just the two of us. And even more meaningful… this was Phoenix, her birthplace. A place she hadn’t returned to since she was a baby.

When I told her we were going, she cried.

And in that moment, I knew this trip was already something special.


Coming Full Circle

Before the retreat even began, we made a stop.

We went to the hospital where she was born.

We stood there together, took a picture, and let the moment land. Then we drove through Phoenix and Scottsdale, taking in the beauty of the desert.

It felt like a return.

Like something had come full circle.


A Space Designed for Joy

The retreat was held at the JW Marriott Camelback Inn Resort & Spa, an absolutely breathtaking property.

But what stood out most wasn’t just the beauty.

It was the people.

Every interaction.  From the golf cart attendants to the front desk to the restaurant staff.  It felt warm, kind, and genuinely joyful.

You could feel it.


Stories, Music, and the Power of Not Giving Up

We began with intention grounded through meditation and reflection.

And then came an unforgettable evening with Walker Hayes.

He shared his journey.  Years of showing up without recognition, struggles with addiction, deep love for his family, and the moment everything changed.

What stayed with me wasn’t the success.

It was the humility.

The reminder that even when life expands… we can stay rooted in who we are.


Healing, Breath, and Letting Go

The next morning began with a sunrise walk and strangers quickly becoming connections.

And then… breathwork.

It was powerful. Emotional. Transformational.

A reminder that healing doesn’t always come from thinking, it comes from allowing ourselves to feel.


Visualizing What’s Possible

Through guided visualization, we were asked to imagine our lives as we truly desire them.

Not someday.

But as if they were already unfolding.

To feel it. To believe it. To begin creating it.


Unexpected Connections

A sound bath with a hand pan musician created one of those magical, unexpected moments.

Afterward, we discovered he knew someone from our own neighborhood.

Proof that the world is smaller and more connected than we think.


Well-Being, Wisdom, and Owning Your Life

We heard from inspiring voices who shared their journeys of health, well-being, and living with intention.

And later that evening, during a powerful conversation, something deeply resonated.

A message about women and money.

That money isn’t just about security—it’s about choice.

The ability to stay or to go.
In a relationship. In a job. In life.

And perhaps most importantly…

We often believe it’s okay—or even “cool”—not to be good with money.

But it’s not.

We are meant to move toward our money.
To understand it.
To care for it.
To honor what it can make possible in our lives.

That message stayed with me.


Joy, Music, and Celebration


That night ended with something pure and joyful—a dance party under the stars.

Music, laughter, movement, connection.

The kind of joy you don’t think about, you just feel.


A Morning I’ll Never Forget

The final morning brought one of the most emotional experiences of the weekend.

A sunrise breathwork session.

At one point, music played “Why are there so many songs about rainbows…”

And in that moment, I was instantly transported.

My daughter Audrey had performed that very song not long ago.

And standing there, breathing, feeling, remembering…

I was filled with overwhelming pride, love, and joy.

It was one of those full-circle moments you can’t plan.

Only receive.


Closing the Circle

We ended with a beautiful closing grounded in gratitude.

But what made it even more special was what happened after.

No one rushed off.

We stayed.

We talked. We connected. We exchanged information. We reflected on how to carry this experience into our lives.

A community had formed and no one was quite ready to let it go.


What I Took With Me

This experience filled my cup in a way that’s hard to fully put into words.

It was my first retreat.
Shared with my mom.
In the place where her life began.

Surrounded by beauty, connection, healing, and joy.

A true 10 out of 10.


And Maybe… This Is Just the Beginning

As I left Scottsdale, one thought stayed with me:

This is something I want to create.

Spaces where people can reconnect with themselves, with each other, and with what truly matters.

Because joy isn’t something we chase.

It’s something we allow.

And sometimes, all it takes… is saying yes to the call.