Hoda Kotb makes me laugh every single morning. I never know what crazy topic she’s going to bring up (or what cocktail she’s going to sip) when she hosts the fourth hour of the Today show opposite Kathie Lee Gifford. But, I do know that my mornings are a lot better when Hoda is a part of them.

I recently had the chance to speak with my morning buddy at the Grand Ballroom in New York City, where she participated in a Zumba Fitness Party Hearty “Zumbathon” to benefit the American Heart Association’s Go Red Por Tu Corazón. The program raises awareness about the dangers of heart disease among Latina women – a cause that Hoda cares deeply about.

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Now, if you’ve never heard of Zumba before, it’s the latest dance craze that’s sweeping the nation. It involves a lot of high-energy booty shakin’, pumping music, and fun, neon workout gear. If you know Hoda, you know exactly why it’s right up her alley.

Here, the morning talk show host shares exactly what it is she loves about the innovative workout, as well as what’s playing on her iPod, and what she wants you to know about heart disease:

Party Hearty "Zumbathon"

How did you discover Zumba fitness and what do you like about it?
“It was one of those things – anything that involves dancing, music and sweating and all that. I like to exercise; I just don’t like the ‘exercising’ part. I like the fun feeling of it, and there’s something about Zumba that’s unique. When you’re dancing and you don’t realize that a half hour or even an hour has gone by, it’s shocking! I think anything that makes it go by quickly is good. Plus, it’s infectious. You meet people who’ve done Zumba, and it’s like they’re all drinking the Kool-Aid! They say, ‘You haven’t done it? Why aren’t you doing it?’

There was one woman here who said she lost 300 pounds from Zumba! Another one told me she dropped 50 pounds. It seems to be the only thing that’s working for people, and I enjoy it.”