Thriving in Your 20s, 30s & 40s: Building a Life That Matters
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
Brian Dubow
Founder of Hit of Happiness
The "What Am I Doing With My Life?" Crisis Is Real
You did everything “right”: Got the degree. Landed the job. Hit the milestones.
If you’re in your 20s, 30s, or 40s, you may be asking: Is this really it? The path that once looked clear now feels like someone else’s definition of success.
That’s not failure. It’s a signal you’re ready to design a life that actually fits.
Get Unstuck in 3 Days
This intensive workshop is your chance to pause, reset, and get clear on what matters most. You’ll leave with practical tools, fresh perspective, and a renewed sense of direction.
What You’ll Get:
- 3 focused days in Santa Fe with a small group
- Practical tools from happiness science to reframe success
- Coaching and support to identify your next steps
- Guidance from happiness expert Brian Dubow and MEA’s Caitlin Allen
Meet
Brian Dubow
Founder of Hit of Happiness | UCLA MBA Co-Facilitator | Certified Happiness Trainer | Ironman Athlete
Brian gets the specific challenges of being in your 20s, 30s, and early 40s right now because he’s living through his own version of it. After walking away from the fast track at PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) during a quarter-life crisis, he didn't just pivot, he went deep into understanding what actually works for people navigating modern young adulthood.
He trained under Harvard's happiness researchers, earned his MBA, and started teaching at UCLA while building a practice specifically for people tired of generic self-help advice.
Working with experts like Harvard's Tal Ben-Shahar and UCLA’s Cassie Holmes, Brian developed the MAGIC framework, a practical system for building genuine happiness that works with your real life, not some idealized version of it.
Reality-Based Approach: No toxic positivity or "just think positive" BS – actual tools for actual problems
Cultural Fluency: Understands social media pressure, financial stress, and quarter-life confusion aren't character flaws
Practical Focus: Bridges the gap between research and real life – student loans, gig work, and all
“Be extremely intentional about your happiness. Happiness is a choice, directly linked to our actions.” – Brian Dubow
Supported by the MEA Team
Caitlin Allen
MEA Experience Facilitator
Caitlin Allen, based in Baja California Sur, works in wellness, environment, and community sectors as Social Impact Manager for MEA Baja. She co-founded Alianza Cero Basura, championing waste management improvement. Passionate about regenerative living, she also curates transform ...
View BioDaniel 'DL' Landes
Experience Facilitator
Before joining MEA, Daniel “DL” Landes spent decades as a restauranteur, author, and publisher. As the owner of multiple restaurants in Denver, CO – and then a hostel in Mexico – he dedicated himself to creating environments where people could work out their humanity whil ...
View BioThis Workshop Is For You If…
What You'll Gain
A life design that's authentically yours, not a copy-paste from social media or family pressure
The M.A.G.I.C. approach to happiness that doesn't require toxic positivity or expensive retreats
Tools that actually work when you're juggling bills, side hustles, and existential questions
The guts to make moves while keeping the good parts of what you've built
Our Agenda at a Glance
Monday:
Tuesday:
Wednesday:
Thursday:
4:00 PM: Arrival / Check-In
5:30 PM: Welcome Reception & Dinner
7:00 PM: Orientation Session
9:00 PM: Free Time
Friday:
7:30 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
6:30 PM: Dinner
Saturday:
7:30 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
6:30 PM: Dinner, Dessert & Graduation
8:00 PM: Evening Gathering
Sunday:
7:00 AM: Breakfast
10:00 AM: Checkout / Departure
*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.
Step into transformation in the high desert
Rising Circle Ranch | Santa Fe, USA.
Our spectacular Santa Fe campus is located on an upscale regenerative ranch featuring traditional Pueblo architecture and nearly 2,600 acres of wildlife, hiking trails in the arroyo, and awe-inspiring beauty. Close to historic Santa Fe, an artisan’s mecca.
PLUS: Gourmet from-scratch meals, snacks, and drinks featuring locally sourced ingredients, made by our in-house chefs
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.
Your Workshop Also Includes:
Here's Why This Workshop Matters
Most people don’t get the chance to stop, step back, and rethink the script until much later in life. This is your opportunity to do it now—before burnout, golden handcuffs, or “someday” thinking lock you in deeper.
By the end of three days, you’ll walk away with:
This isn’t about "fixing you." It’s about equipping you with the mindset, practices, and support to design a life that feels real—and the confidence to start living it now.
Book Your Spot Today
Thriving in Your 20s, 30s & 40s: Building a Life That Matters
Is financial aid for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to all, which is why we offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
We aim to support individuals facing financial challenges, including but not limited to members of under-represented communities. Our goal is to empower those who may face barriers in pursuing their educational and professional goals. If you're experiencing financial stress that might prevent you from attending our workshops, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
The program was spectacular. It really surpassed my expectations. I was really surprised about how the course was curated. There was such a warm intensity and personal touch to it.
I experienced MEA as a newly diagnosed multiple myeloma cancer patient, and as a result of the things I’ve learned - I’ve banished the anxiety of being a cancer victim, am in remission, and living with a newfound energy and purpose.
Just know how grateful I am for the joy fuel you all put in my rocket ship. When I want to feel loved or just need a good smile I can think of my time at MEA, which came at the perfect time to encourage me on my journey. Thank you!
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to be under 45 to attend?
Yep, this experience was created specifically for people in their 20s, 30s, and early 40s. If you’re older, consider gifting this to someone you care about who’s still figuring out what their version of “a good life” really looks like.
Who is this really for?
Anyone under 45 who’s feeling stuck, out of sync, or low-key spiraling about what comes next. Whether you’re switching careers, navigating a breakup, or just craving something deeper, this workshop helps you reconnect with what matters and chart your next move.
Is this workshop only for people making a career change?
Nope. While some people come at a professional pivot, others are navigating identity shifts, life transitions, or personal growth. This experience is about designing a life that feels right, not just checking boxes.
What’s included in the cost?
Once you get to Santa Fe, everything’s covered – 3 nights of beautiful lodging, all meals and snacks, workshops, equine-assisted learning, and the kind of community that really gets you. The only expense you’re responsible for is your travel to Santa Fe.
Do I need to know what I want out of this before I come?
You don’t need a plan – you just need to be curious. This workshop helps you figure it out through reflection, movement, and meaningful conversation.
Will I have time to chill, or is it non-stop programming?
There’s a rhythm to the experience. We balance structured sessions with spaciousness – time for nature walks, journaling, deep convos, or just sitting under the stars.
What if I can’t afford it?
We get it – money can be a barrier. That’s why we offer financial aid and payment plans. If this feels like the right next step for you, apply. We’ll do our best to help you make it happen. Contact our advisors for further information!
Still deciding or have questions?
Connect with our helpful team of Advisors
Our Advisors are all MEA alumni who can offer genuine insights into our programs. They’re passionate about helping you finding the right fit to make your next chapter the best one.
Daniel Booz
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett