By Michaela Gordoni
Jenn Todryk Walked Away from HGTV’s No Demo Reno to Prioritize Family
Jenn Todryk says she left the HGTV renovation series No Demo Reno at exactly the right moment for her family. After finishing her last season in 2023, Todryk chose to step back from the show to spend more time at home rather than have her children grow up surrounded by constant filming.
“I do think I chose to walk away at the perfect time,” Todryk shared on social media, reflecting on the decision. “I didn’t want my kids to spend their childhood on a ‘set.’ I didn’t want their home and safe space to feel like a set or for them to be at home while I was away. I see pictures like this and think, what a cool part of my story — but I don’t want it to be my only story, and for that I am so grateful.”
Although No Demo Reno has not been officially canceled, Todryk has announced that she is taking an extended break. On her podcast she explained the choice came down to being fully committed or stepping away entirely: “I basically had to come to the realization that I’m either all-in and I’m over everything or I don’t do it.” With a busy career in television and renovation, she decided the right move for her family and well-being was to slow down.
One of the most meaningful aspects of her work, Todryk says, was the lasting impact she had on the families she helped. Many of the renovated homes will remain in families for generations, a legacy she finds deeply moving. “Being part of someone’s life story is the biggest and most emotional thing to me,” she said. “That’s something that gets passed down to grandkids. They may not remember my name, and that’s fine — I don’t need that — but I was part of that story. That’s a big life story that gets carried.”
Balancing On-Set Demands and Family Time
Todryk has been vocal about the discipline required to maintain a healthy work-life balance while working in television. She described the pressure on set to stay late for additional shots or pickups, but she set firm boundaries for the sake of her family. “If I say I’m going to be home from filming at 4:30, then I need to stick to that. It’s really hard in this industry because they want you to stay till 7 or 8 p.m. They’ll ask you to do that, and every day you’ll be like, ‘Bye!’” she explained. She added that while people on set may be annoyed, keeping promises to her family is nonnegotiable.
That commitment to family time led to Todryk slowing down and reassessing her priorities. “The new phase I’m in right now is about fun-life balance,” she said. “Just slowing down and seeing what I’m doing.” For her, that means making room in her schedule to be physically present for her children and to enjoy everyday family life without the constant demands of production.
Motherhood Lessons from Her Third Child
Todryk has also shared candid reflections on motherhood. She says her third child taught her to lower unrealistic expectations and embrace a different, more flexible version of parenting. She joked that with three kids, her house will never be as spotless as it was with two, and she’s learned to accept that. The third child, whom she affectionately called a “bonus baby,” shifted her perspective and taught her to give other busy parents more grace.
She described some of the real-life anxieties of parenting a toddler — such as worrying when a little one mouths objects — but emphasized that those challenges are part of the journey. Becoming a mother of multiple children, Todryk says, has changed how she sees other parents and has led to greater empathy at busy events like birthday parties.
Ultimately, Todryk’s decision to step back from television reflects a clear choice to prioritize family and personal well-being over ongoing on-screen exposure. Her story underscores the importance of boundaries in demanding careers, the value of being present for children, and the deep satisfaction that comes from influencing families’ lives through renovation projects.
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