Owning Wisdom with guest faculty Karen Walrond

Join the Radiant Rebellion & Reclaim Aging

Nov 3 - Nov 8, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA
Led by: Karen Walrond, Mary Hofstedt, Monique Montoya, Lee Johnson

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

It’s time to dispel the myths around aging and recognize that getting older is awesome

When you look at how aging is portrayed in our culture, it’s largely presented as a something to dread – a sad but inevitable decline from some mythical “high point” in our youth. 

Yet science shows the opposite is actually true: people’s happiness measurably increases when they reach midlife.

Which shouldn’t be surprising – throughout history, in most cultures, social attitudes toward aging have been largely aspirational. Getting older and wiser is what most people want to do! 

But in the past 100 years, public perception of aging has become increasingly negative. That’s by design – and largely perpetuated by the multibillion-dollar beauty and anti-aging industries.

The good news is, because our negative beliefs around aging were intentionally created and have little actual basis in reality, that means they can be intentionally UN-created.

In this workshop co-facilitated with Karen Walrond, you will free yourself from limiting beliefs around aging – and reclaim the joy, vibrancy, and potency of getting older.

(And possibly unleash your inner rebel in the process.)

What You’ll Gain

Through a combination of our MEA curriculum and Karen’s guided introspection and interactive experiential activities, you will:

  • Unpack your assumptions around aging and free yourself from social conditioning designed to make you feel “less than”
  • Redefine aging on your own terms and reimagine your ideal midlife experience without limitations
  • Reframe challenges as stepping stones that will lead you to your next life-enriching insight or adventure
  • Awaken more fully to your own power and potential to create a happy, thriving, meaningful life at any age
  • Discover how to intentionally curate joy into your daily life and take a proactive role in determining your future 
  • Unleash your “inner rebel” and help dismantle oppressive, anti-ageist systems – simply by being your awesome self 

By the end of your five days with Karen, you will understand how much power you have to create a joyous and light-filled life at any age, and will be excited and energized to make that future a reality! 

Meet Your Faculty

Karen Walrond

Author of The Radiant Rebellion: Reclaim Aging, Practice Joy, and Raise a Little Hell

Award-Winning Author | Leadership Coach | Speaker | Attorney

Karen Walrond is an award-winning author, activist and lightmaker who has helped thousands of people around the world find purpose and meaning in their lives.  

Her work has been featured PBS, Huffington Post, CNN.com, The Oprah Winfrey Show, and on Brené Brown’s Unlocking Us podcast. Karen is a sought-after speaker and the author of The Lightmaker’s Manifesto and The Beauty of Different.

Karen’s accomplishments and passion for empowering others toward self-determination and leadership helped her become one of 2016's 40 over 40 Women to Watch, as well as one of YWCA-Houston's 2016 Outstanding Women of the Year. Her mission is to help you name your gifts, attain your goals, and make light in the world. 

As seen in:
PBS, HuffPo, CNN, Oprah Winfrey Show

This workshop is for you if...

You feel some apprehension or uncertainty around the idea of aging

You’re tired of being told how you “should” look, act, think, and feel at any given age

You’re ready to redefine the experience getting older as a life-enriching adventure

You’re eager to explore the dimensions of healthy aging, in terms of health, beauty, spirituality, connection, and meaning

You’re ready to become a part of the Radiant Rebellion and shed false assumptions that may be holding you back from your full power

You’re excited to embrace a future of joy expanded potential and maybe raise a little hell while you’re at it!

Do this powerful work on our beautiful regenerative ranch in Santa Fe

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.

  • Big-sky desert country
  • Breathtaking nature
  • Interaction with horses and donkeys
  • Evenings around the campfire
  • Star-gazing

Meet Your MEA Facilitators

In addition to the powerful sessions conducted by Karen Walrond, you will be supported on your journey by our seasoned faculty members:

Mary Hofstedt

Content Facilitator

Mary Hofstedt is an experienced non profit leader and educator who strives to advance a more hopeful, caring, and connected world. Her passion for youth and community development led her to work with Challenge Success, spearhead a coalition of youth and adult partners to develop a community arts center, and serve for over a decade within Stanford University’s John W. Gardner Center. She recently wrapped up a mid-career break to reflect on purpose, study Spanish, travel, and volunteer with whale shark research and conservation. She serves as a Senior Associate with Heartwise Learning and is thrilled to be based back in Santa Fe after a 22 year stint in the Bay Area!

Monique Montoya

Experience Facilitator

Monique Montoya, aka Sneaks, is a curious soul, blending her experiences as a Marketing Manager and Cosmetic Formulator into a journey guided by her heart and rooted in a deep connection to the land. With a family that has walked on New Mexican soil for 500 years, her history is woven into everything she does. Whether snowboarding off cliffs or crafting herbal remedies, Monique finds joy in exploration and the beauty of connection. As the Faculty and Calendaring Wizard at MEA, she works behind the scenes, weaving together the details that make the magic happen. Her path is filled with love, courage, and a deep appreciation for life’s wonders. Let’s explore together!

Lee Johnson

Head of Land, Livestock, and Mindfulness in Santa Fe

Lee likes to say that he’s as ordinary as dirt but as complex as soil. 

A former Course Director for the Colorado Outward Bound School and Certified Holistic Management Teacher, he has managed ranches in Nebraska and Tennessee as well as several ranches here in New Mexico. As steward of our four-square mile regenerative ranch, Lee translates nature’s teachings into insights that encourage us to tune into our inner landscapes as much as the outer landscape. His holistic approach to life and spirituality creates a warm invitation for you to step into a deeper relationship with yourself, nature, and each other.

You will appreciate his laidback presence and the opportunity to slow down, listen to nature, and participate in the ancient ritual of gathering around the campfire.

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Growing old with joy, confidence, and enthusiasm is an act of rebellion.

Especially when the world is designed to make us fear and hate the idea of aging!

Pushing back against the false narrative that we need to look and feel “young” for as long as possible requires a rebellious spirit.  

“Young” isn’t inherently good. And “old” isn’t inherently bad. In fact, “old” can be awesome. Old can be radiant.


And during your five days with Karen in Santa Fe, you will have the opportunity to reclaim the potency of aging and enjoy a vibrant and fulfilling life. 

Are you ready to join the Radiant Rebellion and claim your power to create a joyous and light-filled midlife?

People come for the workshops,
but they stay for the community

This is truly MEA’s “secret sauce” and something you can only experience in person: the powerful connections you will make, not only with your fellow participants and the incredible MEA faculty, but also the deeper sense of connection you will feel to your own inner self and the natural world around you.

Research into aging shows that your relationships play a HUGE role in your health and wellbeing later in life. At MEA, you will make deep and lasting connections and become part of a larger community that will make your life richer and more meaningful.

Many of our alumni cohorts have stayed in close touch for years after their workshop and we have a growing number of local alumni chapters all over the world. It’s a joy for us to see them continuing to offer each other community, friendship, and support as they create thriving midlives for themselves. So if you have been feeling at all disconnected or isolated on your journey, we would love to have you join us!

Have we mentioned the food?

The MEA experience is designed in part by Chip Conley, a world-renowned boutique hotelier, which means the food is amazing.

All of the ingredients are locally sourced, organic, and made from scratch in our kitchens by hand-picked chefs. The delicious breakfasts, lunches and dinners will leave you feeling nourished inside and out – not to mention the blended drinks made with fresh fruit and other top-shelf ingredients. 


Each retreat center has multiple kitchens that always have snacks and beverages available. At MEA, we believe that thriving is delicious!

Your Workshop Includes

  • 5 days and nights of lodging at our boutique luxury 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
  • Meditation covering a range of 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.
  • Festive gatherings to cultivate connection and celebrate the joy and beauty of life.

Tuition starts at $4,000

Ready to start your journey?

Join the Radiant Rebellion & Reclaim Aging

Nov 3 - Nov 8, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA
Led by: Karen Walrond, Mary Hofstedt, Monique Montoya, Lee Johnson

Step into your next chapter with confidence and ease, knowing that every detail of your experience is being taken care of by our world-class faculty and hospitality team.

Starting at

$4,000 per person

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

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

Dana Anton

Lucas Erie