Your Zone of Genius: From Excellence to Aliveness
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Diana Chapman
Co-Founder, The Conscious Leadership Group | Leadership Coach to Senior Executives and Teams | Co-Author, The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
Chip Conley
MEA Founder, Hotelier + Hospitality Entrepreneur, Bestselling Author
You've spent decades achieving excellence in something that's slowly draining the life out of you.
You climbed, achieved, proved you could deliver. You built real expertise – the kind that looks impressive on paper, pays well, earns respect. And somewhere along the way, "really good at it" became your identity. The thing everyone knows you for. The work you can do in your sleep.
But being excellent at something and being made for it are two completely different things.
Your zone of excellence is what you learned. You went to school for it, worked hard, built competence. You do it because it brings something in return – money, recognition, approval. You wouldn't keep doing it without that payoff.
In contrast, your zone of genius is what you were born to do. You've been doing it instinctively since childhood. It moves with you wherever you go, and you'd do it even without external rewards.
Maybe you're brilliant at coaching people but the logistics you’re stuck dealing with every day are bleeding all the energy and enthusiasm from you. Maybe you've built a lucrative career while what actually lights you up lives somewhere entirely different.
Maybe you sold your company and now find yourself thinking, "I'm free to do anything... so why do I feel so lost?"
Or maybe your hard-won expertise has become replaceable – by technology, by younger talent, by AI – and you're left wondering: if my credentials don't define me anymore, what does?
On the outside, you're succeeding. On the inside, you're running on fumes.
Maybe you're aware of the pull you feel toward living in your zone of genius. But it feels too risky, too indulgent, too good to be true. So you resist the urge to follow your heart and tell yourself you're just "being practical". After all, how could anything that feels so good be the responsible choice for your life or career?
And so you tolerate work that drains you. You don't let yourself feel what you're actually feeling. You conceal instead of reveal. You say yes when your whole body is screaming no – all while pretending this is simply what being a responsible adult looks like.
Excellence without flow becomes an expensive form of competence. And you're paying the price.
Listen to Chip and Diana Chapman on the Midlife Chrysalis podcast:
Why You Keep Repeating the Same Conflict Patterns | Diana Chapman
Imagine a life where work feels like play.
What if most of your days were spent doing work that feels fulifilling and alive – work that fills you up instead of draining you, where you finally stop performing and start creating?
This is what Diana Chapman calls your zone of genius, and it's not some distant dream. It's available to you now, if you're willing to claim it.
When you're living in your zone of genius:
Discover your zone of genius with two guides who live this work every day.
Diana Chapman has coached thousands of CEOs, household names, founders, and senior teams, helping high performers move from burnt-out excellence into sustainable genius. She's known for seeing the patterns you can't see in yourself and for pairing deep compassion with the kind of directness that creates change.
With her is Chip Conley, who founded MEA after finding his own zone of genius in midlife, transforming the hospitality industry and serving as a "modern elder" to Airbnb's young founders. He's spent the second half of his life helping people turn midlife disruption into purpose, wisdom, and renewed aliveness.
Together, Diana and Chip will guide you to recognize and claim your zone of genius.
Through proven exercises and small-group reflection, you'll identify the gift you've been giving since childhood – and finally understand why it's been invisible to you. Like telling a fish it's a great swimmer, it’s difficult to see your zone of genius yourself. But others can, and they'll reflect it back.
What emerges in that reflection isn't just insight – it's the kind of breakthrough that reorients everything that comes next.
During your four days with Diana and Chip, you’ll:
Clarify your zone of genius.
Use Diana’s powerful "seven favorite memories" exercise – moments where you did high-quality work and felt truly alive – then share them as others reflect back the design you've been living since childhood but couldn't see on your own.
Release the beliefs that keep you small.
Understand the unconscious stories that say "it can't be this good," explore the upper-limits patterns that cap your aliveness, and work with the fear that choosing genius means you might outgrow certain roles or relationships.
Trust your whole-body yes and no.
Learn whole-body decision-making, moving beyond your exhausted mind to access the wisdom in your heart, gut, and intuition so you can finally feel the difference between a true yes and a self-betraying yes.
Seal your energy leaks.
Spot where you're concealing instead of revealing, avoiding your feelings, or not taking responsibility – and learn practices to reclaim that energy so your genius has the fuel it needs.
Restructure your days around flow.
Leave with a clear path to spending 50-70% of your day in your zone of genius, with practical tools to make it your new baseline, not some distant aspiration.
Experience MEA's intimate magic.
In an intimate group and stunning setting with extraordinary hospitality and time to connect deeply, you'll feel seen, supported, and celebrated by kindred spirits who can help you name and claim your genius. You'll leave in awe of each other's unique designs!
This Workshop
Is For You If…
How alive do you want to be in this next chapter of your life? That's really what this work is about.
~ Diana Chapman ~
Meet
Diana Chapman
Co-Founder, The Conscious Leadership Group | Leadership Coach to Senior Executives and Teams | Co-Author, The 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership
Diana is a sought-after, deeply trusted advisor known for delivering swift, meaningful results while creating sustainable change. She's guided CEOs and hundreds of executive teams, and her clients, from Genentech to Asana, praise her rare blend of clarity, compassion, boldness, and playfulness.
As a longtime facilitator for Young Presidents' Organization (YPO), Diana works with forums and chapters around the world. She co-founded The Conscious Leadership Group and co-authored the widely acclaimed 15 Commitments of Conscious Leadership, helping ignite a movement that's redefining leadership rooted in awareness, integrity, and presence.
She teaches at Stanford, where she explores consciousness itself as a form of capital, and works with the Kauffman Fellows. She's spoken on stages like TEDx, Wisdom 2.0, and Conscious Company Media. Diana was moved to work with corporate leaders after learning that 70% of people are disengaged at work – she believes they hold the real power to create cultures where people and the planet thrive.
Chip Conley
MEA Co-Founder | NYT Bestselling Author | Former Head of Global Hospitality & Strategy at Airbnb | Host of the Midlife Chrysalis Podcast
Chip Conley is redefining what it means to age in the modern world. A three‑time TED speaker, he’s recognized as a leading voice at the intersection of business innovation, psychology, and spirituality. As a creator of the boutique hotel movement and a “modern elder” to Airbnb’s young founders, his intergenerational mentoring played a pivotal role in the company’s extraordinary rise.
That experience inspired him to found MEA and devote his midlife years to helping others navigate this stage with more purpose, play, and possibility.
Supported By the MEA Team
Mary Hofstedt
MEA Lead Facilitator in Santa Fe
As our Santa Fe Program Director & Facilitator Lead, Mary’s an experienced leader of mission-driven organizations and initiatives that benefit individuals and communities and strive to advance a more hopeful, caring, and connected world. As a facilitator and strategic advis ...
View BioLee Johnson
MEA’s 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 BioWhat you'll gain
A renewed sense of agency and self-trust
Understanding and owning your story gives you confidence in who you are – not just when introducing yourself, but in how you move through the world.
A flexible core narrative you can adapt anywhere
A story that's authentically yours and works in any setting – from casual conversations to formal presentations to the moments that simply ask you to speak from the heart.
Emotional clarity and release
Sharing your story in a safe, supportive space provides an emotional breakthrough that many participants describe as transformative – like years of therapy condensed into a moment of genuine connection.
Lifelong communication skills
Practical techniques you'll use for the rest of your life – in job interviews, presentations, difficult conversations, and every moment that asks you to speak from the heart.
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 all times are estimates and not all “classroom activities” take place in the actual classroom. 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:
How alive do you want to feel in this next chapter?
You've proven you can live in your zone of excellence – you've worked hard, built credibility, achieved success. But the cost is mounting: more evenings where you feel flat or wired-and-tired, more weekends just to recover, more quiet moments asking, "Is this it?"
This four-day immersion with Diana and Chip is an invitation to stop organizing your life around what you're merely excellent at and start building it around what you're actually designed for – your zone of genius, the gift you've been giving since childhood, often without even realizing it.
Diana and Chip will guide you to:
You'll leave with clear language for your zone of genius, a felt sense of what flow actually feels like in your body, and the courage to make that aliveness your new normal.
Book your spot today
Your Zone of Genius: From Excellence to Aliveness
Is a partial scholarship for you?
We believe in making personal growth and education accessible to everyone, which is why we offer partial scholarships on a needs-aware basis for many of our programs.
These scholarships support individuals facing financial challenges, including — but not limited to — members of underrepresented communities. If financial stress might prevent you from attending a workshop, we encourage you to apply.
Partial scholarships, provided through the Association for Growth and Education, are limited to 2–3 seats per workshop and reviewed in the order received. We recommend applying as soon as possible, as scholarship decisions are typically confirmed 90–120 days before the workshop date.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I'm ready for this work?
If you’re asking this question, you’re probably ready. The real question is: “What are you willing to risk for your full aliveness?” This isn’t light work – it may ask you to make uncomfortable choices about your career, relationships, or identity. But if you’re exhausted from performing and hungry for something real, that discomfort is exactly what creates the breakthrough.
Will I really be able to identify my zone of genius in four days?
Yes – and the key is other people. Through a powerful exercise where you share seven favorite memories with a small group, others reflect back patterns you’ve never been able to see in yourself. Remember: your zone of genius is like telling a fish it’s a great swimmer – you can’t see what’s most natural to you. The intimate group size and Diana’s facilitation create the conditions for breakthrough, not just insight.
What will a typical day look like?
Days will include experiential exercises to surface your zone of genius, small-group work where others reflect back what they see in you, and honest dialogue about what’s been standing in your way. You’ll have time for reflection, walks on the Santa Fe ranch, and unstructured space to let insights settle. The rhythm balances rigor with ease – Diana and Chip know how to hold depth without heaviness.
What should I prepare or read in advance?
You’ll receive a pre-work assignment: identifying your seven favorite memories where you did high-quality work and had fun. This exercise takes 30-40 minutes and is essential for the workshop. There’s also an optional “genius email campaign” to gather feedback from people in your life. Both will deepen your experience, but the required pre-work is just the seven memories.
How is this different from career coaching or other leadership workshops?
This isn’t about developing a five-year plan or optimizing your current role. Diana and Chip aren’t here to help you “figure out your next step.” This is experiential, embodied work designed to liberate your energy and reconnect you with what you were made to do. It’s about aliveness, not career strategy.
What will I take home from this experience?
You’ll leave knowing your zone of genius, understanding the unconscious patterns keeping you from it, and equipped with tools like whole-body decision-making to guide your choices. You’ll have clarity on where your genius wants to go (what breaks your heart or lights up your vision) and a roadmap for restructuring your days around flow. You’ll also carry the connections made in MEA’s intimate setting and the grounding experience of four days at our world-class Santa Fe ranch.
How do I know if I qualify for financial aid?
We offer financial assistance on a needs-aware basis. Our goal is to make MEA accessible to those who may face financial barriers to attending. If you’re experiencing financial stress that could prevent your participation, we encourage you to apply for assistance.
What if I’m not sure if this workshop is right for me?
We’re happy to help. Book a free call with our advisor team, and we can help you decide based on your current life situation, goals, and timing. Book a call 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
Lucas Erie
Leslie Bartlett