MEA Foundations
Human Connections for Life: Find Your People
Reconnect with what matters most – and design the life that calls you forward
As seen in:
Loneliness isn’t just emotionally painful – research shows it can shorten your lifespan.
According to Harvard researchers, chronic social isolation increases the risk of early death by more than 25%.
And midlife is a time when many of us become increasingly more vulnerable to that risk.
4-Day Intensive in Santa Fe
Tuition starting at $2,500-$3,000
5-Day Immersion In Baja
World-class accommodations
Intimate group of 28 people max
Financial aid available. Apply here
You’re being called to something deeper.
As old friends move away and life circumstances shift, we find ourselves with fewer close friendships, fewer invitations to gather, and a lingering sense that something’s missing.
We know we need deeper, more meaningful relationships — but building them in the second half of life takes more than hope. It takes intention, skill, and practice.
And that kind of work – the kind that opens us up, shifts old patterns, and fosters real trust – happens most powerfully in person.
… Because some connections simply can’t be forged through a screen.
That’s why beloved MEA co-founder Jeff Hamaoui invites you to join him in Santa Fe for a five-day workshop on how to cultivate deeply human connections that enrich your life, shield you from loneliness and isolation, and sustain your health and happiness for years to come.”
This life-changing 5-day retreat will transform how you relate to others and to yourself. You’ll gain practical tools for cultivating friendships that support your wellbeing far more than wealth, diet, or even exercise. These are the bonds that help you live longer — and feel more alive while you do.
What you'll gain
A deeper understanding of your personal friending style
so you can connect with others in ways that feel natural and aligned with who you are.
Tools to deepen existing relationships
and the confidence to initiate new ones that are rooted in authenticity and reciprocity.
A snapshot of your current social ecosystem
and a personalized plan to strengthen and expand it with intention.
Real-time practice in courageous relationship-building
from making the first move to navigating vulnerability and trust.
The clarity to recognize who belongs in your inner circle
so you can invest your time and energy in the relationships that feel mutually life-enriching.
A framework you can return to long after the retreat ends
to help you nurture the relationships that will sustain your health and happiness for years to come
After 20+ years as a CEO I was burnt out and had no vision or energy for my next chapter. One week in Baja reenergized me and I emerged with an inspired vision for my 50s, 60s and beyond.
Aaron Hurst
Seattle, USA
Two powerful ways to experience this transformational workshop
We now offer our Cultivating Purpose workshops in two formats to meet you where you are. Stretch out, go deep, and reflect in Baja or enjoy a more focused, immersive experience over fewer days in Santa Fe.
Which format is right for you?
| Setting |
| Pace |
| Length |
| Vide |
| Offered in |
| Time | 5-day (Baja) |
|---|---|
| Setting | Beachfront, relaxed, spacious |
| Pace | Slower rhythm, downtime built in |
| Length | 5 days: Monday–Friday (depart Saturday) |
| Vibe | Reflective, restful, connective |
| Offered in | Baja (ongoing) |
| Time | 4-Day (Santa Fe) |
|---|---|
| Setting | High desert, focused, intimate |
| Pace | Condensed, immersive, time-efficient |
| Length | 4 days: Monday–Thursday (depart Friday) |
| Vibe | Energizing, immersive, action-oriented |
| Offered in | Santa Fe (starting 2026) |
The MEA Method is backed by social science, proven by years of research & implementation
Our Cultivating Purpose workshops are built around our proven MEA Method, which has been designed in collaboration with academics from Stanford, Harvard, UC Berkeley, and Yale, who have dedicated themselves to understanding modern midlife.
Together we’ve developed and refined experiential processes that combine the social science of longevity and the art of intentional living to help people in midlife curate a second adulthood that’s as joyful, deep, and meaningful as it is long.
Guided by world-class faculty who’ve walked this path themselves
Our handpicked facilitators are highly trained professionals who are all midlifers themselves and have been extensively trained in the MEA Method. They have all navigated their own periods of reinvention and bring a wealth of experience in helping others create their fulfilling next chapter.
This Workshop Is For You If…
Here’s what our time together will look like:
5
5-Day Immersion
Available in Baja & Santa Fe in 2025, Baja only from January 2026
Monday:
4:00 PM: Arrival/Check-in
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
Tuesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Wednesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Thursday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Friday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Graduation
6:00 PM: Celebration Dinner
Saturday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout/Departure
Sunday:
*Please note that not all “classroom time” activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
4
4-Day Intensives
Available in Santa Fe only from January 2026
Sunday:
4:00 PM: Arrival/Check-in
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
Monday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Free Time
Tuesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Free Time
6:30 PM: Dinner
8:00 PM: Free Time
Wednesday:
7:00 AM: Mind + Body
8:30 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Classroom Time
1:15 PM: Lunch
2:00 PM: Free Time
3:00 PM: Classroom Time
5:30 PM: Graduation
6:30 PM: Celebration Dinner
Thursday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout/Departure
Friday:
Saturday:
*Please note that not all “classroom time” activities take place in the actual classroom.
*Please note all times are estimates as some activities go longer or shorter depending on the group. This agenda is meant to give you an idea of the general flow of activities.
Two Luxury Campuses to Choose From
Baja, Mexico
El Pescadero Resort
A stunning oceanfront property offering all of the amenities of a luxury hotel with beautiful beaches perfect for swimming or surfing. Located on the southern tip of the Baja Peninsula, just a short drive from Todo Santos, the “Pueblo Magico”.
Santa Fe, USA
Rising Circle Ranch
An upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and spanning nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, with ancient petroglyphs, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
Gourmet meals and snacks made from scratch
At MEA, we believe that thriving is delicious. Our delicious, made-from-scratch meals are locally sourced, organic, and prepared by our hand-picked chefs. You’ll love the abundance of incredible options to choose from each meal – not to mention the fresh fruit smoothies.
Santa Fe only
Explore the Ranch
on Horseback
Our Rising Circle Ranch spans 2,600 acres of New Mexico high desert, offering guided horseback riding for all experience levels through diverse terrains under the vast Southwest sky
You’ll experience highlights like:
Horseback riding is an optional add-on activity you can book once you arrive on the ranch. Whether you’re seasoned or brand new to horseback adventures, this guided experience lets you discover the ranch’s natural wonders alongside our gentle horses.
7,000+ people from 60 countries and all walks of life have experienced the magic of MEA.
Our alumni include CEOs, artists, professional athletes, homemakers, activists and everyone in between. They’re using what they’ve discovered to create a more fulfilling and vibrant next chapter for themselves. Now it’s your turn.
Your All-Inclusive Luxury Retreat Includes:
4 or 5 days and nights of lodging at our world-class retreat center in Baja or Santa Fe with all of your meals, snacks, drinks and other amenities included
Daily sessions and experiential activities to help you connect with your inner self, envision your desired experience, and release what no longer serves you
Mindfulness practices to soothe your nervous system and help you cultivate greater mindfulness and presence in the moment
Movement to get the energy flowing and build your strength and agility as you chart your course forward to the life you want to live
Incredible bonding experiences with the most amazing humans you’ll ever meet
Three delicious, chef-prepared meals plus snacks throughout the day prepared from scratch with the freshest local ingredients.
Intimate gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life
Tuition starts at
$2,500 / $3,000
Plus tax & service fees
*Depending on room choice & workshop format