Owning Wisdom with guest faculty Maria Bello

Midlife Midwives Circle

Mar 24 - Mar 29, 2025 in Baja, Mexico
Led by: Maria Bello, Christine Sperber, Carla Rae Prober, Donna Karan, Caitlin Allen

Join actor Maria Bello in a wise women's circle that empowers you to rock the second half of life.

In today’s persistently male-centric world – where the word “menopause” is seldom spoken above a whisper in mixed company – the journey into midlife can be incredibly lonely.

Your body is changing… your desires are shifting… your identity is evolving – and who is there to guide you through these changes and help you understand and make the most of them?

When actor, producer, and writer Maria Bello found herself going through the transition, she was lucky to have cherished older friends who were there to mentor her through the process and model the idea that the second half of life is full of wonder, hotness and adventure.

This made her journey easier and more joyful – and emphasized the need for women to join together in community and share the wisdom and support that eases our journey into midlife and helps us thrive in our new chapter. 

In this workshop co-facilitated with Maria Bello, MEA's Chief Experience Officer Christine Sperber and Maria's friends and mentors, Donna Karan and Carla Rae Prober, you'll gain valuable insight and mentorship to help you thrive in your next chapter and become a midwife of midlife for others.

What you’ll gain

Through powerful experiential activities and circle discussions, you will:

  • Embrace the pause between stages and appreciate everything that gets better with age (which is more than you might imagine)
  • Accept and alchemize your extremes so that they serve your intentions rather than stand in your way
  • Shift your mindset to embrace possibility and release old stories so you can show up as your fully empowered self
  • Cultivate connection and community with other women who are committed to creating joyous, fulfilling lives
  • Own your power as a wise woman with decades of lived experience and the knowledge you need to adapt and thrive
  • Develop your unique sense of fashion and style that makes you feel confident and attractive in your second half of life
  • Share your knowledge with a younger generation and model how amazing getting older can be

You will leave feeling energized and inspired to pursue your dreams and embrace all the joy, adventure, and fulfillment this next stage of life has to offer.

Meet your faculty

Maria Bello

Actor | Producer | Writer | Midlife Activist

Maria Bello is an internationally acclaimed actor, author and activist. As an actor Maria has appeared in countless films and tv series, including A History of Violence, Coyote Ugly, ER, NCIS and the Netflix series Beef for which she was nominated for an Emmy and won the Critics Choice Award in 2023.

Her writing has appeared in The New York Times and in her book “Whatever Love is Love – Questioning the Labels We Give Ourselves”. She wrote the story for and also produced the Sony feature film The Woman King starring Viola Davis.

As an activist Maria was named one of Variety’s most powerful women in Hollywood for her work with Save Darfur. She has worked in disaster relief around the world and started the NGO, We Advance, in Haiti after the devastating earthquake there in 2010. She has also advocated for equal pay and opportunity for women in the entertainment industry for 30 years.

Maria became a “Midlife Midwife” in the midst of crossing over to her second half of life. She left Hollywood and all social media in 2021 and moved to Paris to consciously walk through the Pause in menopause, which lead her to become an outspoken midlife advocate. 

Christine Sperber

MEA Co-Founder and Chief Experience Officer

Christine Sperber is a former professional snowboarder and seasoned entrepreneur who has launched and operated hotels, managed pro athletes, and worn the hats of writer, restauranteur, and more.

She has been with MEA since the beginning and is a devoted team builder whose authenticity, values-based leadership skills, and empathetic engagement create community wherever she focuses her attention.

Christine is an ardent activist and igniter of new ideas. You’re going to love her boundless energy and dedication to creating transformative experiences that change people’s lives.

“I had the sheer pleasure of working with Christine in a number of capacities over 10 years. I have met very few people as passionate, open, personable, and dedicated as she is in any line of work she was engaged in. I look forward to any opportunity I might have to work with her in the future.”
– Scott Owen, Executive Sales Management & Strategy

Plus, Maria's two incredible "Midlife Midwives" will be joining us:

Donna Karan

World-famous fashion designer | activist | philanthropist

Donna Karan is an American fashion designer and the creator of the Donna Karan New York and DKNY clothing labels.

She started her career working for Anne Klein and rose through the ranks to become head of the Anne Klein design team. She was inducted into Coty’s Fashion Hall of Fame in 1984 and launched her own Donna Karan label the following year.

She went on to launch popular clothing lines Donna Karan Essentials and DKNY and won CFDA Womenswear Designer of the Year in 1985, 1990, and 1996 and CFDA Menswear Designer of the Year in 1992, as well as the CFDA Lifetime Achievement Award in 2004. 

Beyond her contributions to fashion, Donna is a dedicated philanthropist and activist, focusing on issues such as education, women's empowerment, and health awareness. She established the Urban Zen Foundation in 2007 to promote holistic health and support local artisans. Her influential work continues to inspire and transform the fashion industry while advocating for social change.

Carla-Rae Prober

Interior designer | fashion icon

Carla Rae Prober is one of Donna Karan’s closest friends. She is a distinguished designer whose work is deeply influenced by her travels, especially her experiences in Italy. Her aspiration to design luxurious cashmere sweaters culminated in the establishment of Carlarae Designs, a brand that embodies elegance and sophistication.

Prober's vision for her brand is to create pieces that make both women and men feel special and chic. The luxury cashmere sweaters produced by Carlarae Designs are crafted in Italy and reflect her commitment to quality and beauty.

Her creations reflect her commitment to quality and are not only fashion statements but also a celebration of living beautifully, capturing the essence of Italian sophistication and her belief in design as a spiritual duty. 

Plus you will get a beauty & style session with one of Hollywood’s top hairstylists:

Philip Carreon

Philip Carreon is one of the most skilled and widely respected hairstylists in the fashion and entertainment industries. His clientele includes Anne Hathaway, Annette Bening, Maria Bello, Milla Jovovich, Demi Moore, Christina Hendricks, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Candice Bergen, Winona Ryder, Britney Spears, and Miguel. His work has been featured in Vogue, Harper’s Bazaar, In Style, People, Rolling Stone, and more.

Philip is well known for creating Prince’s iconic looks throughout the legendary musician’s career. He appeared as a Celebrity Stylist in seasons nine and ten of the Emmy-winning show, Project Runway, alongside Tim Gunn and host Heidi Klum.

In 1991, Philip opened the legendary Estilo Salon, now Ramos Carreon Salon. He is credited with fostering the careers of many celebrated top stylists in Los Angeles. Working with a wide range of clients at both Ramos Carreon Salon and on-set, Philip developed his signature stylized haircutting, combining form with energetic texture and movement. His style of hair color is famous for artistic placement, balance and hue.

His creative roots came from industry trail blazer Sebastian Professional, where he served as Artistic Director for 18 years. Philip Carreon’s creative vision established Eufora Professional as a top image trend-setting brand in the professional world of hair. He also gave his master touch to mass brand Garnier. 

This workshop is for you if...

You’re feeling lost or unsupported as you navigate the changes that come with midlife

You’re ready to change the stories you have about aging and the second half of life

You’re prepared to release old habits and behaviors that no longer serve you 

You’re looking for a community of supportive women who are going through the experience and committed to thriving in midlife

You’re excited to discover all of the wonder, hotness and adventure that can be found in the second half of life

You’re ready to embrace your next chapter and learn how to share your own wisdom and experiences with others

Do this powerful work on our awe-inspiring beachside campus in Baja

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”.

  • Beach walks
  • Poolside lounging
  • Warm ocean waves
  • Fire pits
  • Magical sunsets

Meet your MEA facilitators

In addition to the powerful sessions conducted by Maria, you will be guided through the core MEA Owning Wisdom curriculum by our faculty members:

Caitlin Allen

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 transformative experiences as an MEA Experience Facilitator.

 

 

 

We have midwives for bringing us into and out of the world – so why not for our midlife transition?

Going through menopause and entering into our second half of life is a time when so many of us feel alone and in the dark. But when you come together in community with other wise-hearted individuals and share your knowledge and experience with each other, the transition becomes joyful and empowering – and full of possibility.

Are you ready to join our circle to ease your journey and explore how you can become a midwife of midlife for others?

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 $5,000

Ready to start your journey?

Midlife Midwives Circle

Mar 24 - Mar 29, 2025 in Baja, Mexico
Led by: Maria Bello, Christine Sperber, Carla Rae Prober, Donna Karan, Caitlin Allen

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

$5,000 per person

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