Today host Hoda Kotb, 59, hints at the REAL reason behind her split from fiance Joel Schiffman - as she opens up about dangers of 'romanticizing' part relationships after going on her first date in TWO YEARS

Hoda Kotb appeared to allude to her ex-fiancé Joel Schiffman on Thursday's episode of Today as she spoke candidly about 'going back to your ex' and 'romanticizing' past relationships.

The 59-year-old TV host admitted to her co-host Jenna Bush Hager that 'trying harder' when it comes to giving romantic relationships a second try 'isn't always the solution' because unless somebody has changed, 'it's always the same story'.

Hoda was previously in an eight-year relationship with New York financier Joel Schiffman, but the couple decided to part ways at the beginning of 2022 - and this week the TV host revealed that she recently went on her first date since the split.

Discussing Camila Cabello's comments about her second split with Shawn Mendes, Hoda said live on air: 'The whole over-arching theme of going back to your ex, which we have all done time and time again... I think the funny thing is, unless somebody has changed, it's the same story - you've just forgotten whatever the thing was that didn't work.'

Hoda Kotb spoke candidly about 'going back to your ex' and 'romanticizing' past relationships' during Thursday's episode of Today

The 59-year-old TV host pictured in 2018 with her former fiancé and partner of eight years Joel Schiffman

Hoda and Joel got engaged in November 2019 but sadly they had decided to part ways by the beginning of 2022

Hoda continued: 'It's like you are with your boyfriend, he is [getting] on your nerves, you are going to break up, and then he leaves for a month or two to go to college or somewhere and all of a sudden, all you can remember are the good things.

'You've romanticized the whole relationship so when he comes back, you're like "it's different", but it's the same, it's always the same.'

Jenna, 42, has been married to her husband Henry Chase Hager since 2008, replied: 'Breaking up the second time is easier. I haven't broken up with someone in a long time but the older you get, the easier it is to make decisions, like "hey this isn't working, so why are we gonna force it because we like each other?"'

Hoda, who was previously married to tennis coach Burzis Kanga for three years, went on to share some insight into why her relationship with Joel may have broken down, saying: 'I think as you get older, you know more and more what fills your cup and if it doesn't, you don't want to put a circle in a square and say, "Well, if we'd just tried harder".

'Optimists need to realize that trying harder isn't always the solution. Sometimes it doesn't fit so stop trying so hard. And sometimes it is, like we say, riding the wave and sometimes you think, "this is too easy", but riding the wave is what it should feel like.'

Jenna agreed and responded: 'Yes, riding the wave is what it should feel like but that doesn't mean it isn't work. Like you're riding the wave, you've still got to swim out for the wave, you've still got to ignore all the icks and just move on with it. But yes, you're right, if you are not happy, you're not happy.' 

Hoda was discussing 'going back to an ex' with her co-host Jenna Bush Hager during Thursday's episode of Today

When she announced her split from Joel in January 2022, Hoda insisted that there was 'no bad blood' between them

During a recent appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Hoda revealed that she went on her first date in two years

Hoda first started her relationship with Joel, 65, in 2013 and in November 2019, she announced live on Today that they were engaged.

But on January 31, 2022, Hoda revealed on Today with Hoda & Jenna that she and Joel had decided to end their engagement and would focus on co-parenting as friends. 

Hoda shares two adopted daughters with Joel, Haley Joy, seven, and Hope Catherine, who turns five next month, and when she announced their split, she insisted there was no bad blood between them, saying they were 'better as friends and parents.'

'Joel and I have had a lot of prayer and meaningful conversations over the holidays and we decided that we are better as friends and parents than we are as an engaged couple,' the talk show host said. 

'So we decided we are going to start this new year on our new path as loving parents to our adorably delightful children and as friends.

'Its not like something happened. They say sometimes relationships are meant to be there for a reason, a season or a lifetime, this was for a season.'