ROAR author Michael Clinton and Chip Conley present...

ROAR into Midlife:

Build Your Bold Second Act

Oct 6 - Oct 11, 2025 in Santa Fe, USA

Led by: Michael Clinton, Chip Conley, Darby Rose

Financial aid is available. Apply Here.

From Autopilot to Adventure: Create Your Action Plan for an Extraordinary Next Chapter

Your Reality Now:

You've mastered your roles – parent, partner, professional. You've built the life you thought you wanted. But that restless feeling? Those old dreams tapping at your window? They're telling you there's more.

What If Your Best Memories and Achievements Are Still Ahead Of You?

Stop settling for someday and start living your next great chapter now.

Join renowned author Michael Clinton this August in New Mexico's high desert for a life-changing retreat to unlock the adventures, passions, and possibilities waiting in your second act.

Here's where things get really interesting: Using what he calls Life Layering, Michael will show you how to uncover parts of yourself that have been waiting in the wings. Maybe it's that novel you dreamed up at 20, or the adventure itch you never quite shook.

Bring your curiosity and join our band of life-reimaginers. Through eye-opening exercises, you'll tap into who you really are – beyond the labels.

By week's end, you won't just have dreams – you'll have a practical blueprint for turning them into reality.

In this trajectory-changing week with Michael Clinton, explore what's possible beyond the roles that once defined you and discover what happens when you give yourself permission to dream BIGGER, uncover forgotten passions, and map out rich new dimensions to your life story.

What You’ll Gain

Using Michael's proven Life Layering system and MEA’s signature approach, you'll leave with:

Your Personal Passion Blueprint – Identify what excites you and align your skills and interests into a meaningful next chapter.
A Decision-Making Arsenal – Turn "maybe someday" into "right now" with practical tools to move from dreaming to doing.
Your Life’s Hidden Goldmine – Uncover past experiences and overlooked skills that can open new doors and opportunities.
The 3am Clarity Method – Stop the midnight mind loops with a system that turns anxiety into action.
Your Reinvention Crew – Build lasting connections with peers who’ll keep you accountable, inspired, and moving forward.
The Second Act Roadmap – Create a step-by-step plan to turn your vision into reality—complete with strategies and solutions for tackling obstacles.

Five days with Michael and our MEA crew will give you more than just a notebook full of ideas. You'll walk away with a real plan and a circle of conspirators ready to help you stay bold.

Meet Your Faculty

Michael Clinton

Author of ROAR: Into the Second Half of Your Life (Before It's Too Late)

Michael has mastered the art of turning life's second act into its greatest chapter. From leading Hearst's global media empire to exploring 120 countries and running marathons on 7 continents, he's proof that your boldest adventures can start at any age.

➥ Bestselling Author: ROAR: Into the Second Half of Your Life sparked a movement, showing thousands how to turn "what if" into "what's next."

➥ Publishing Powerhouse: As President of Hearst Magazines, he revolutionized iconic brands like Esquire, Harper's Bazaar, and O, The Oprah Magazine.

➥ Forbes Visionary: Acclaimed as the master of reinvention for his groundbreaking Life Layering method.

➥ Global Explorer: Has turned his adventures across 120 countries into practical wisdom for living boldly at any age.

In this transformative workshop, Michael will share his proven Life Layering system for turning midlife restlessness into your most exciting chapter yet.

Chip Conley

Modern Wisdom Pioneer | Legendary Entrepreneur | MEA Founder

A three-time TED speaker on the big stage, Chip Conley is one of the world's leading experts at the intersection of business innovation, psychology, and spirituality. After selling his $350M boutique hotel company, Chip transformed Airbnb from startup to global giant by mastering one crucial skill – turning life's biggest transitions into breakthrough moments.

His many big wins include:

➥ Built and sold Joie de Vivre Hotels during multiple economic crises

➥ Guided Airbnb's evolution from scrappy startup to $100B company

➥ His book Learning to Love Midlife became an instant bestseller

➥ Created MEA to help thousands navigate life's most challenging transitions

Chip will share his battle-tested strategies for finding opportunity in uncertainty and building unshakeable resilience through any storm.

This workshop is for you if...

You're feeling boxed in by your roles, discover how to expand your life story beyond the labels of parent, partner, and professional.

You're haunted by shelved dreams, learn how to dust off those long-ago visions and transform them into today's adventures.

You're more than your business card, master the art of layering new passions and purposes into your already-accomplished life.

You've built success but crave meaning, develop practical tools to add rich new dimensions without dismantling what you've created.

You're tired of 'maybe someday,' gain a concrete roadmap to turn those midnight "what-if" thoughts into morning action plans.

You're ready to join others who know that midlife isn't about winding down—it's about gearing up for your greatest adventures.

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

Our trailblazing guides share hidden wonders across our 2,600-acre sanctuary, leading you from sunrise mountain hikes to secret Sangre de Cristo overlooks for unforgettable moments.

Darby Rose

Experience Facilitator

Darby Rose is a multidisciplinary artist, arts administrator, cook, actor and animal lover, currently living in Santa Fe, NM. Born into a family of travelers in Austin, TX, she’s lived more places than she can count — all over Texas, Boston, Jackson WY, Baltimore and Los Angeles, to name a few; and outside the US in Peru and Italy. After a long stint in Marfa, TX, the vast, mountainous horizons and monsoons of New Mexico captured her. This travelers life has built in Darby a deep curiosity and compassion for others, and a gratitude for the beautiful complexities of the human condition, with its myriad expressions of love, humor, struggle and strength.

What if life wasn't about finding yourself but creating yourself anew?

Your success is evident—career built, family raised, foundations solid. But that stirring in your soul? It's not restlessness. It's renaissance. Those dreams you tucked away aren't just memories—they're blueprints for your next great becoming.

Join reinvention expert Michael Clinton to master his Life Layering system—a proven approach that's helped thousands transform hidden dreams into vibrant realities. This isn't about starting over – it's about becoming more. More adventurous. More alive. More you.

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?