Al Roker Breaks Silence On Dad's Influence On His Health And Wellness Journey

Al Roker found the right inspiration to fuel his healthy lifestyle and has gladly shared it with the world!

The talk show host emerged as the face of Today's new fitness platform and has seized the opportunity to discuss living healthily through various lifestyle adjustments.

Al Roker battled a series of health crises in recent times, including getting hospitalized for internal bleeding and blood clots in 2022 and a prostate cancer diagnosis in 2020.

Al Roker Urged Viewers To Change Their Views And Mindset On Wellness Choices

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The TV veteran jumped on the microphone to give his opinion on Monday, January 6, when the show launched its Start Today fitness app.

Roker, who has earned the title of Start Today's Chief Motivation Officer, continued that staying healthy is all "about the smaller choices that you make every day that add up to the big things."

He noted that one of the areas of concern for those who "struggle with weight or with any issue is that something happens and you go 'well, I've blown that,' and then you're off the reservation."

Roker continued that the doubts and second guesses are all part of the process, and "it's not the end of the world. Now, okay, let's start today and start again."

The veteran disclosed that he struggled with his weight for the better part of his adult life, and change only happened when his ill dad made him commit to working on his physical well-being.

"And he said, point-blank, 'Look, we both know I'm not going to be here to help you raise your kids. You've got to be here for your children.' And that really stuck with me, and that led me to do a gastric bypass," he stated to PEOPLE.

The 70-Year-Old Gives A Glimpse Into His Wellness Routine On The Show

Roker has truly walked through the valley of death and came out unscathed. The TV personality fought through a life-threatening blood clot and internal bleeding episode in 2022. It was preceded by a prostate cancer battle in 2020. Before this, he also went in for a gastric bypass surgery in 2002.

Since the gastric bypass, the icon has kept his weight on a relatively balanced threshold, but he understands that "everybody comes to their moment in their way and in their time."

Roker recognized that getting well is a "means to an end, but it's not the end. It's not the final thing. Every day I work at this. You're never quite done, and that's okay because anything (good) in life is worthwhile."

He confessed that his fitness routine depends on his mood for the day. But his typical routine involves waking up early in the morning before Today and taking a 20-25-minute walk on the treadmill. He also gets about 10 minutes of load-bearing exercise.

On other days, the host noted that he just takes a lovely, brisk walk home from work because that fits into his schedule. He claimed to have learned to listen to his body from his beautiful wife, Deborah Roberts.

Roker's Wife Shared What It Was Like Looking After Him During His Blood Clot Complications

Roberts not only gave him a valuable life and fitness tip, she was also his rock during one of the lowest points of his life.

In a report by The Blast in 2023, at the red-carpet premiere of the documentary Pretty Baby: Brooke Shields, she shared what she went through caring for her husband in the hospital after the blood clots in his legs affected his lungs.

The author opened up that being a caregiver was "taxing, exhausting, and frightening" and that she only realized the difficulties of being a caregiver when she experienced it herself. She hoped she would never have to endure such a tumultuous period anymore. In her words:

The 64-year-old shared that her faith in God directed her actions during the rough period. She noted that her spirituality and her support from family, friends, and colleagues at work strengthened her. This support reminded her she was not alone, and she remained thankful for her little community.

The Television Powerhouse Couple Became First-Time Grandparents In 2023

Roker was grateful for his wife's support, noting that he would not be alive without her selfless act of kindness and maturity in handling his complicated illness, which contributed to his recovery process.

His joy soon doubled as his oldest daughter, Courtney, announced she was expecting her first child with her husband, Wesley Laga.

Courtney made the announcement on her Instagram on March 14, 2023, and shared a clip of her dressed in different outfits and striking poses for the camera. The short video rolled out with a sonogram image of their unborn baby in black and white.

She captioned the video, "A new adventure is about to begin," as Roker commented, "Here we go!!! So very, very happy!!!!! You guys." He declared his preferred nickname under the same post, "Going for Pop-Pop."

Roberts, Courtney's stepmother, was also found lurking in the comment section, joyful as ever and writing, "This is so very exciting!!!."

Al Roker Eulogized His Granddaughter On His 69th Birthday Celebration

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The proud grandpa took advantage of his 69th birthday to reminisce about his health journey and praise his newest family member.

"This is my 69th anniversary of orbiting the sun, and after everything I went through at the end of last year, I am more than grateful to be celebrating this birthday," Roker shared, as reported by The Blast.

He thanked everyone for their well wishes, including the Start TODAY community members and his family for "getting him out of the hospital." The father of three then made a separate post of his adorable granddaughter, Sky, with a special caption.

His post featured two images of him holding the infant on his lap and staring at her. Sky looked fabulous in a red onesie, white socks, and matching hairband. An elated Roker wrote "Best #birthdaypresent." under the post, earning nods of approval from his friends and fans in the comment section.

Al Roker has turned his life around and is determined to help others along the way! Good for him!