Hoda Kotb is stepping back into the dating world with humor, confidence, and an attitude that’s as real as it gets. Two years after her split from longtime partner Joel Schiffman, the Today show anchor is embracing this new chapter of her life — and she’s doing it her way. In an exclusive interview with PEOPLE, Hoda opened up about dating again, revealing the mindset, music, and even menu choices that are helping her stay true to herself.

“I just decide before every date — I’m gonna be exactly who I am,” she said. “I’m not gonna pretend. I’m gonna eat what I would normally eat and not get a salad. That’s not for me. I want to be myself, so he knows this is me.”

The 59-year-old mom of two explained that authenticity is her non-negotiable rule, especially after years of balancing career, motherhood, and heartbreak. When asked if she had a pre-date ritual, she laughed and admitted she doesn’t have a “hype-up routine,” but confessed to enjoying a small cocktail and blasting her go-to song, “Lil Boo Thang,” to get in the right mood. “It puts me in a good place,” she said.

And it seems her approach is paying off — Hoda revealed she has a third date coming up with a man her Today cohost, Jenna Bush Hager, set her up with. “A setup is my favorite way to meet someone,” she explained. “It means somebody kind of knows you and kind of knows them. I like that a little better than just a random person number three.”

The veteran journalist also shared her refreshing advice for anyone hesitant to return to the dating pool: just go for it. “If you sit in your house and order Domino’s Pizza, you’re not meeting anybody,” she said with a laugh. “You’ve got to just go out — who cares if it’s a good date or a bad date? Go out, learn something, have fun, be open. You get one ride around the sun. You might as well go out and eat with someone. They’re paying — who cares? Go do it!”

Since her split from Schiffman in 2022, Hoda has been candid about navigating life as a single mother to daughters Haley, 7, and Hope, 4. Her openness has struck a chord with fans who admire her honesty about love, loss, and rediscovery. Schiffman, whom she was engaged to in 2019 after eight years together, remains part of her life as they co-parent their two children.

Her renewed outlook on love reflects the same warmth and optimism that have made her a fan favorite on Today. Rather than chasing perfection, Hoda is embracing imperfection — from her song choice to her unfiltered personality. “I’m not trying to be anyone else anymore,” she shared. “If it works, it works. If it doesn’t, at least I showed up as me.”

In true Hoda fashion, she’s proving that it’s never too late to start again — and that the best relationships begin when you stop pretending and finally show the world who you really are.