Vital Signs: Cultivating a Flourishing Life
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.
Lori Schwanbeck
Faculty In Residence
In 4 days, reignite your energy, purpose, and joy for the year ahead.
You’ve kept going.
You’ve delivered.
You’ve held it all together.
But somewhere along the way, the spark dimmed. The wins don’t thrill you. The pace leaves you drained. And the joy that once fueled you feels far away.
You’re not burned out, but you’re running on autopilot. The calendar stays full, yet your heart and body say it’s time for something more.
If you’re a high achiever who’s lost touch with what makes you feel alive, this is your reset.
Step away from the grind and into four days of intentional restoration – designed to reconnect you with the energy, purpose, and joy that make life worth living.
With Hakomi-certified psychotherapist and mindfulness teacher Lori Schwanbeck, you'll:
Return home energized, focused, and ready to create a life that feels like yours again.
Meet
Lori Schwanbeck
Vitality Expert | Mindfulness Teacher | Leadership Coach
Lori helps individuals and organizations create lives of authentic flourishing. Her work weaves together neuroscience-backed emotional intelligence, positive psychology, and mindfulness – all infused with the wisdom of nature.
As senior faculty at Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute (born at Google), she's taught thousands globally and is known for fostering genuine connection through warmth and authenticity.
“Listen, are you living a little and calling it a life?” – Mary Oliver
Supported By the MEA Team
Mary Hofstedt
MEA's 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 ...
View BioLee 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 ...
View BioThis Workshop Is For You If…
What You'll Gain
Reconnect With Your Energy Sources
Identify what truly nourishes you physically, emotionally, and spiritually, and how to access it daily.
Design Your Vitality Blueprint
Create personalized practices that restore your aliveness and sustain it through the seasons ahead.
Rediscover Joy in Your Body
Move from managing your physical self to celebrating it through play, movement, and embodied wisdom.
Cultivate Emotional Resilience
Learn to process life's transitions with grace while building practices that generate wonder, gratitude, and authentic connection.
Our Agenda at a Glance
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.
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:
Reclaim the energy and joy you’ve been missing.
You’ve handled the responsibilities, hit the milestones, and kept moving.
Now it’s time to fuel the years ahead with energy, purpose, and joy.
In four focused days at MEA’s Santa Fe campus, you’ll restore your vitality, build a plan to sustain it, and return home with clear, practical tools you can use right away – alongside a small group equally committed to living fully.
Reignite your aliveness with Lori Schwanbeck:
Your energy drives everything – your work, your relationships, your joy. This is your chance to reclaim it.
Book Your Spot Today
Vital Signs: Cultivating a Flourishing Life
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
What makes this different from other wellness or vitality programs?
This isn’t about biohacking or productivity optimization. It’s about reconnecting with what makes you feel alive. Lori combines neuroscience-backed emotional intelligence with nature-based wisdom and embodied practices. You’ll experience a holistic approach that addresses your body, heart, relationships, mindset, and spirit – not just surface-level energy management.
Do I need to be dealing with burnout or major life issues to benefit?
Not at all. While this workshop supports those feeling depleted, it’s equally valuable for anyone wanting to deepen their vitality and joy. Whether you’re surviving or thriving, you’ll discover practices to access more aliveness, wonder, and authentic energy in your daily life.
Can I attend if I’m already practicing mindfulness or have wellness routines?
Absolutely. Even experienced practitioners find fresh insights in Lori’s integrated approach. This workshop goes beyond individual techniques to create a comprehensive framework for vitality that includes emotional resilience, relationship connection, and alignment with natural rhythms – elements often missing from traditional wellness programs.
What’s included in the investment?
Everything: all immersive sessions with Lori, all materials, luxury accommodations at MEA’s Santa Fe retreat, chef-prepared meals, and intimate group experiences. Your only additional costs are travel to Santa Fe and personal expenses.
What is the “wheel of aliveness” concept and how will I use it?
The wheel of aliveness is Lori’s framework covering six vital areas: body, heart, relationships, mindset, meaning/spirit, and nature connection. You’ll assess your current vitality in each area, identify what truly energizes you, and create personalized practices to restore and maintain your aliveness across all dimensions of life.
How is Lori’s approach different from other mindfulness teachers?
Lori uniquely combines her psychology background with nature-based wisdom and global teaching experience. As senior faculty at Search Inside Yourself (born at Google) and current work in Bhutan’s Gross National Happiness initiative, she bridges ancient practices with modern neuroscience. Unlike teachers focused solely on stress reduction, Lori’s approach helps you actively cultivate joy, wonder, and embodied vitality.
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