Phenomenal to receive such vibrant support from Jenna & Hoda on the TODAY show for Chip as a leader, his book and the academy, MEA.
Enrich your midlife journey and connect with people on the same path with an in-person workshop in Baja, Mexico or Santa Fe, USA..
❇️ Discovering Your Own Resilience & Strength with @mark_nepo : Feb 5 - 10
❇️ The Power of Deep Rest with @tracee_stanley : Feb 19 - 24
❇️ Awaken Your Rebel Soul to Reimagine Success with Shelley Paxton of @soulbbatical : Feb 26 - Mar 2
Check out workshop links in bio
Thank you @hodakotb , @jennabhager and @hodaandjenna
What is a modern elder?
We get it. We don’t like to think of ourselves as elderly. Even being an elder, an honorific in many cultures, may feel uneasy.
We are living longer. In the 20th century, U.S. longevity grew by three decades. So, instead of living into our 50s we can hope to live well into our 80s. with this “extra life”, or second adulthood, the idea of what it means to be older or “elder” needs to be radically reimagined.
At MEA we believe our 40s, 50s and beyond are invigorating times of re-imagination, re-creation, reflection, and true growth – on our own terms. Today’s modern elder is always searching – searching for greater meaning, deeper relationships, new experiences to explore and ideas to imagine, and nurturing and unleashing the untapped wisdom, creativity, and joy that sits within us all.
The modern elder is someone as “curious as they are wise.” That means they are saying no to the narratives and the limits of past generations. The modern elder embraces their second adulthood with a dream of adventure, spiritual deepening, joyous learning, exploration, new community, and delight. A modern elder is someone who is saying ”What’s next?” instead of “What’s left?”
If that is what has been missing in your life: welcome. You have found your place.
A couple nights ago, we watched a rocket soar into the starry sky over our Baja campus, and it reminded us of the incredible journeys our MEA family embarks on.
Just like this rocket, our midlife transformations are about reaching new heights and exploring new horizons. 🌟
What dreams are you ready to launch? What heights are you ready to reach?
Join us at MEA and let's take off on this journey together. 🚀
Tag a friend who's ready to rise with you!
#MEAWisdom#RocketLaunch#MidlifeJourney#BajaMagic#ReachNewHeights#DreamBig
🚀 Ready to reframe your midlife journey?
Join Chip Conley and Maria Shriver on July 9th for a powerful LIVE conversation! Learn how to find direction, embrace new possibilities, and unleash your potential.
Start your free Sunday Paper Plus trial to join the LIVE Conversation Above the Noise on July 9th! 🌿
Comment 'LIVE' and we will send you a message with the link to join the LIVE call for free.
I did all the things they said to do. I went to Harvard because it was world-renowned. I studied economics because it promised a well-paying job. I worked at big brands for my resume. I got an MBA from Harvard Business School to climb the corporate ladder.
Go - Go
Push - Push
The long hours, constant fire-drills, and daily microaggressions led to severe burnout, affecting my mental and physical health. I had to push pause.
I asked myself, “Who am I?” and “Who do I want to be?”
Society focuses so much on productivity that we rarely pause to think. The answers are inside us if we get quiet and listen to our hearts.
You are more than your resume. You are more than what you have done. You have the power to determine where you go next.
My life purpose came to me in a moment of quiet, and breath was the key. Through breathwork, I accessed my subconscious mind, my higher self, the voice of my soul.
My book, Black People Breath, and the workshops I teach at companies like Google, Visa, and Procter & Gamble were born from this moment of quiet.
If you got really quiet, what do you think you would hear? Are you curious to find out?
In my August workshop in Santa Fe, “From Conventional to Intentional: Attune to Your Purpose,” we will release notions of what you are “supposed to do.” We will use mindfulness and breathwork practices to open channels to listen to your heart’s desires. What are you meant to be doing next? We will soothe feelings of anxiety and self-doubt through powerful practices used for thousands of years.
Last year, I had a near-death experience. I went white water rafting and after being tossed out of the boat, I was fully conscious in a place where time and space didn’t exist. I saw only white. Panicked, I asked, “Is it over? Did it end? Just like that?”...then my inner voice screamed:
“BUT I’M NOT DONE YET!”
In an instant, I opened my eyes and saw the blue sky.
Life is precious. Our time is limited. You have special gifts that the world needs. Let’s breathe those gifts into life!
- @zeeclarkebreathes Zee Clarke
If you are curious to join my workshop, comment “I’m not done” and I’ll send you the link.
That American pursuit of happiness is a muthafucka!
Just when you thought you’d captured that shiny object on the horizon that you’ve been longing for, it doesn’t feel quite as valuable in the palm of your hand. It’s why we trade in our cars, our spouses, our jobs, and, if we’re not careful, our happiness. In the end, pursuing happiness doesn’t ensure happiness…in fact, quite the opposite.
Whereas happiness may be circumstantial, joy is a state that bubbles up from inside you, regardless of the circumstances around you. Midlife is when we start to realize that happiness often does not consist of the gratification of our wishes, whereas joy is an internal state that isn't dependent on external factors.
Despite the societal perspective of midlife being filled with regret, frustration, and melancholy, it's typically the period when we experience more contentment and joy. This is not because problems evaporate but because we develop resilience, accept life's unexpected twists gracefully, and take pleasure in the pure, simpler aspects of life.
I’ve always loved the premise of joy which is why I called my boutique hotel company Joie de Vivre and why, for our 20th anniversary as a company, we created a Joy Party inviting 10,000 Californians with the name Joy to a party at our Hotel Vitale with the first 50 who RSVPed receiving a complimentary luxury hotel room. We had more than 300 Joys from age 8 to 88.
Writer and poet Khalil Gibran suggested, “Work is love made visible.” Clearly, Khalil wasn’t cleaning bedpans at the nursing home. But, he’s got a point. No matter what our circumstances, we can show our humanity and our love. And, if we do that, joy may emerge in the most challenging of times.
I believe that MEA is joy made visible.
~ @chipconley , MEA CEO & Founder
Meet Bob - Age 63
From Corporate Leadership to Creative Pursuits
After winding down a career in technology that culminated in 25 years as the CIO for a large US law firm, Bob found himself wrestling with that important question: “What’s next for me?”
And what he discovered when he dug into this question surprised him...
After years in the corporate world, he has tapped into his own creativity and is using storytelling to pursue his passion for social justice and to celebrate diversity in communities.
Learn more about his metamorphosis – and discover the “4 Cs” that are propelling his journey forward...
To read his full story, comment ‘Bob’ and we’ll send you the link.
✨✨✨✨✨✨
If you’re currently navigating an unexpected “plot twist” in your life, there’s something you need to know:
You are not alone.
So many people in their midlife years are dealing with big changes, just like you.
Bob has navigated major life transitions in recent years - despite challenges, he charted his path forward to his new reality.
I hope his story will inspire you...
Welcome to Rising Circle Ranch, your sanctuary nestled in the heart of Santa Fe, designed to help you disconnect from the daily grind and reconnect with yourself!
Over the last weeks, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting five amazing groups, each finding joy and transformation in our beautiful new Juniper retreat center. Our guests are among the first to experience the magic here, and their feedback has been nothing short of fantastic.
From our stunning accommodations to the delicious food and warm service, everything has come together wonderfully. Even as we fine-tune the details, the overall experience has been incredibly smooth and rewarding.
Join us at Rising Circle Ranch for a transformative 5-day workshop at our brand new campus. Experience the magic of a desert monsoon, delve into equine-assisted learning, and immerse yourself in the serene landscapes while connecting with our charming horses and donkeys.
Come recharge and realign with us.
📷 thank you @frenchandfrenchinteriors for the styling and photos
From Baja to Santa Fe: The Heartwarming Tails of Chewey and Queenie
If you’ve been to Baja, you know Chewey.
He famously appeared one day and, after exploring his options, adopted us, especially Teddi, our head of Mind + Body. Chewey has a knack for showing up when someone needs a little extra love, often positioning himself perfectly during Circle. He lives a life of leisurely purpose—something we all aspire to. I thought Chewey was living the ultimate MEA dog life.
Enter Rising Circle Ranch: 2500 acres of grass, sky, horse friends, coyote poop, and glorious mud. Please let me come back as a ranch dog (or a hummingbird, but that’s another story).
A few months ago, Queenie arrived at the ranch—specifically at Lee’s house, our Santa Fe mindfulness guy’s. She was hungry, thirsty, skinny, and gorgeous. Despite responsible searches, no one claimed her. The similarities between Teddi and Chewey and Lee and Queenie, from their timing to their black-and-white fuzziness and the mindfulness roles of their humans, felt undeniable. Sarah Bolen, our VP of Operations, officially adopted Queenie.
Queenie is still adjusting to ranch life; she’s integrated with Lee’s pack and, much to the delight of the compadres (but less so for the staff), she enjoys running hot laps from the koi pond, across the landscaping, to the dining room, and back. Her powerful puppy joy is something to behold.
Polyvagal theory, developed by neuroscientist and psychologist Stephen Porges in 1994, explains why being with dogs feels so good—we co-regulate. If you enjoy your pleasure centers with a side of scientific theory, andele! And for your Friday-Feel-Good-Photo-Finale…some of the MEA co-regulators.
P.S. We know not everyone loves dogs. We see you, cat people, fish people, bird people, horse people, people people—it takes all types!
Christine Sperber - MEA Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer
🎉 We made the list!
Huge thanks to @OprahDaily for including us in the "50 Things to Do Before You're 50" list. Turning the big 5-0 just got a whole lot more exciting! 🎈✨
Swipe through Oprah's post and see why MEA is your ticket to an unforgettable second act. Ready to embrace midlife with grace and joy? We are! 🌟💪
#OprahDaily#MidlifeMagic#MEA#Turning50#CelebrateLife
Credit: @officiallyvisbii
✨ When strangers become friends and songs turn into life anthems. ✨
This amazing group came to our workshop with open hearts and left with unbreakable bonds. They arrived looking for more—more connection, more inspiration, and more joy in midlife. And they found it. 🌟
Just listen to the song they created with the incredible Michael Franti:
"Falling down, I turned to turn my no into a yes. So don't give up until the world has seen your very best. The sun will rise again. Walking on this healing land, the sun will rise again."
It's a testament to the transformation that happens here. Come for the growth, stay for the connection. 🧡
Comment "CONNECTION" and we'll send you a link to connect with our compadre concierge to find a workshop that works for you.
Here’s what most people get wrong about purpose.
They think it’s something you have to “find” or “achieve”.
As if it’s a quest, or journey.
They think that if you just work hard enough, go deep enough, get clear enough, and climb high enough, you’ll finally reach the summit and be able to say:
“Yes! I did it! I achieved my purpose!”
But that’s not what purpose is at all.
It’s not something you “find” or “achieve”.
It’s something you LIVE.
Something you feel.
It’s not the flag on the mountaintop.
It’s the joy that fuels your climb.
So, how do you cultivate this kind of purpose?
Especially when you’re nearing the end of one major phase of life – and don’t know what the next phase holds for you?
That’s what you’ll learn when you join us for Cultivating Purpose this summer!
This 8-week online program starts June 13th and will reinvigorate your passion and fulfillment in everything you do.
If you’ve been struggling to feel much enthusiasm for your life lately… or you’re at a crossroads, wondering “what’s next?”...
Be sure to join us for this powerful program!
☀️ Comment “PURPOSE” and we will send you all the details.
