Owning Wisdom with guest faculty Maria Bello
Midlife Midwives Circle
Mar 24 - Mar 29, 2025 in Baja, Mexico Led by: Maria Bello, 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 with Maria Bello and her 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:
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.
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.
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
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”.
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.
