WPO Private Retreat

Join us for a life-shifting experience at the world's first midlife wisdom school.


From Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
MEA Baja, El Pescadero Resort, Mexico

Are you managing big life changes right now? Perhaps you have changes in relationships, career, health, empty nesting, caregiving or just wondering what the heck is next. Midlife is full of transitions: physical changes, career shifts, divorce, empty nest syndrome - you name it! It is also a time when you start craving a deeper meaning in life.

And we want to help you navigate this uncertain time – to invigorate your curiosity about what’s next, be it new adventures, richer experiences, or spiritual growth.

Together we will explore the practical tools, strategies, and mindset shifts to help you understand there is a roadmap that can help you feel less overwhelmed, stuck or unsure, and offer community support so that you are not alone.

Facilitators

MEA's team of growth-minded individuals are rooted in our commitment to community and guided by the belief that wisdom is shared, not taught.

Chip Conley

Chip Conley is a hospitality entrepreneur, New York Times best-selling author, and the founder and CEO of MEA. His two most recent books, Wisdom@Work: The Making of a Modern Elder and Learning to Love Midlife: 12 Reasons Why Life Gets Better With Age, are the foundation for MEA’s curriculum.

Barbara Vacarr

For over 30 years, Barbara has developed a vision of success that champions human development alongside organizational transformation, spearheading bold initiatives that inspire individuals and organizations to manifest their highest potential.  A celebrated change-agent in the fields of higher education and mental health, Barbara has served as CEO of Kripalu Center for Yoga & Health, and president and CEO of Goddard College.

What You'll Do

The curriculum is thought-provoking and evidence-backed, while downtime is both vibrant and restorative. In this five-day immersive and all-inclusive workshop, you'll:

  • Reframe your most challenging transitions, letting go of what no longer serves you to embrace the unknown as a pathway to self-awareness and possibility
  • Gain insight into your current transition and discover the empowering process by which you become unstuck
  • Explore the three stages of transition (and the “6 P’s” of Transition) and their profound impact on both your life and the lives of those around you
  • Develop transitional awareness and “Transitional Intelligence” (TQ) skills
  • Build your transition toolbox—cultivate resilience, enhance communication, nurture your spirit, and unleash creativity
  • Transform the uncertainty, doubt, and fear often associated with transitions into valuable lessons that guide you toward the life you’re destined to live
  • Create a practical roadmap for your future that can be immediately implemented in your life

What's Included

  • Luxury accommodations
  • 3 meals each day from Chef Tony Peralta with fresh produce from our organic garden
  • Beer and wine at dinner
  • 3 Pools, 2 Hot Tubs, 2 steam rooms 
  • Movement studio
  • Massage rooms
  • Bocce ball court

Getting Here

To help you plan your trip, book your flights in and out of the Los Cabos International Airport (SJD). Our amazing Hospitality Team will coordinate your ground transportation on your behalf. 

Cost

Cost

Single Occupancy
Space all to yourself

$2600 per person
*Does not include sales and occupancy tax of 7% and service fee of $100 per person.

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F

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WPO Private Retreat

Join us for a life-shifting experience at the world's first midlife wisdom school.

From Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
MEA Baja, El Pescadero Resort, Mexico

About MEA

Heralded by the New York Times as the “world’s first midlife wisdom school,” MEA focuses on empowering individuals in midlife and beyond to live a life as deep as it is long. The MEA program encompasses lifelong learning, revolutionary practices and evidence-based tools, and connection with a like-hearted community.


Guests embark on transformative journeys that provide relaxation and enjoyment while also facilitating personal development and enrichment in new ways.


They cultivate creativity and rediscover play, build the confidence to try a new hobby, or return to an old passion project. They go deep within themselves and collect meaningful outside perspectives. They enjoy new experiences and learn how to live in the present while also defining the legacy they want to leave behind.

What's Included

  • Luxury accommodations
  • 3 meals each day with fresh produce from our organic garden
  • Beer and wine at dinner
  • 3 Pools, 2 Hot Tubs, 2 steam rooms
  • Movement studio
  • Bocce ball court
  • Activities like mindful movement and hiking

Food & Beverage

This area attracts chefs from all over the world to explore “la costa del sabor” (the coast of flavor). The culinary tradition in the Todos Santos/El Pescadero area is well-known as there are few places in the world that have more celebrated restaurants per capita than our location. Most people who move to the area say that the culinary scene is part of the reason they chose to make this home.

Locally sourced ingredients, including fresh produce from our organic garden, to bring the best flavors of Mexico and beyond to our plates each day. Our cuisine leans toward healthy, but that certainly doesn’t preclude a few delicious indulgences. (Plus the occasional margarita if you choose to imbibe.) All meals, beverages and alcohol are included in the cost of the workshop.

Is this for you?

This week is open exclusively to WPO members who want to deepen their relationship with both themselves and the WPO community. Join us if you feel your transition has become protracted and you need greater support and attention to skillfully transition to your next chapter.


WPO Private Retreat

Led by Chip Conley and Barbara Vacarr


From Feb 24, 2025 - Feb 28, 2025
MEA Baja, El Pescadero Resort, Mexico

FAQ's

Can I arrive prior to my workshop or stay over an extra night?

We often have the ability to invite you to campus prior to the start date of your workshop to allow you the space to settle into campus and mentally prepare for your time with us. And there's nothing better than having a day or two of decompression post-workshop to give you the time and space to integrate all you've experienced with your cohort. Because days between our workshops are times for our amazing Hospitality Staff to get some rest, campus will be blissfully quiet and peaceful with limited staff available.

You'll have access to these amenities:
- Three meals per day plus snacks and beverages.
- Access to our movement studio, pools, hot tub, and of course, the natural surroundings to explore.
- Our incredible library of books to get lost in.

The price to stay is $495 per night and includes all taxes. You'll be responsible for your ground transportation fee of $135 for each way that is not a workshop date, payable directly to our transportation partner. Our Hospitality Team will still coordinate this on your behalf. Simply update your Campus Profile with your flight details once confirmed for the additional nights and we'll take care of the rest!

I have dietary restrictions. How is the food?

Amongst our sky-high satisfaction scores, guests consistently grant the highest ratings to the food and kitchen team. We accommodate a wide range of dietary needs - please email [email protected] with special needs.

How do students get to the MEA Baja campus?

Students traveling to MEA from outside of Baja California Sur fly into Los Cabos (SJD) airport. Our round-trip private shuttle picks you up (arrive on the first day of the workshop by 4PM) and brings you back (times on departure day flexible). The shuttle is included in the cost of your workshop on your scheduled arrival and departure days.

What's the weather like in Baja and what should I pack?

Our climate is comfortable during most of the academic year (October-July). But temperatures can range from “quite cool” to “dang, it’s hot” in a single day, so we recommend these three words when packing: layers, sunscreen, hat! We also send a comprehensive packing list upon acceptance. We’ve been doing this for years. No one believes us, and we’ve sent links to the weather! We can have a 30-degree swing from day to night. Pack layers! A light puffer is a lovely thing to have in Baja in the winter.

Is the Baja area safe?

Our number one priority is your safety. The Todos Santos and El Pescadero areas are almost completely free of criminal activity. We provide safe and reliable transportation in our private shuttle from the time you land until you arrive at our rural, beachfront compound—an hour away from the bustling Cabo area. And, we have 24/7 staff on campus and a state-of-the-art surveillance system.

How big is a workshop cohort?

We keep our workshops small, so that everyone has a chance to participate fully. Our cohorts average between 18 and 24 people.