Modern Elder Academy Thoughts - Part 1
I’m back from the Modern Elder Academy (MEA), and I’m thrilled to share that I am now officially a Modern Elder. The class ran from Sunday night to Thursday afternoon; it was more than a discussion about the second half of adulthood—it was an immersive, life-changing journey. I know. That's a little much. But read on, and I think you will agree.
It's hard to capture the course content. Mostly because it wasn't about the course content. The magic wasn’t in the syllabus. The presenter could have read the Declaration of Independence, and it still would have been incredible because of the strength shared by everyone. I know (or at least hope) I made lifelong friends.
I’ve usually advocated for taking care of myself, but MEA elevated this to a new level. I’m ready to prioritize rest, hydration, nourishing food, meaningful friendships, and everything that makes life fulfilling. I am prepared to kill it in adulthood! I felt so excited to return to life and start to set and achieve goals. Embracing the whole enchilada.
Speaking of enchiladas, I must rave about the chef-prepared meals crafted with fresh, locally sourced ingredients. At the beginning of the week, I was so tired. I dragged myself in; I couldn't muster up any energy. It's not surprising. I had a sucky summer dealing with breast cancer. It was Tuesday or Wednesday. I can't remember. I realized I felt... light! A spring in every step. The food gave me energy and lightness, leaving me refreshed and alive in a way I hadn’t experienced in years—YEARS! Every dish was delicious, and I could feel the difference.
And the hotel! Holy shit! The design highlighted connection at every turn. The dude who started the place came from the hospitality industry. I immediately noticed the beautiful use of textiles. Every detail was considered, and there were snacks and fancy coffee available all the time. From cozy nooks perfect for quiet moments to expansive views that inspired awe, every aspect of MEA was a true sanctuary for learning, healing, and self-discovery. There were really nice outdoor spaces, but unfortunately, it was usually too cold to hang out.
Every person working there seemed to love their job—to understand the purpose of MEA and the importance of creating a space where we could feel completely cared for. Their warmth and authenticity made every meal feel like connection and joy. After our graduation ceremony, they lined the sidewalks with luminaries and clapped for us before serving dinner and champagne.
(There was one dude, Lee, The Ranch Guy (probably not his title), who is so cool that he needs his own post, so we'll get back to him later.)
From the website.
Midlife isn’t a crisis. It’s a calling. That’s certainly the case for the three co-founders of MEA—Chip Conley, Christine Sperber, and Jeff Hamaoui—who saw an opportunity to reframe aging and help people make the most of midlife, an era lasting decades longer than it did a century ago.
We get it. We don’t like to think of ourselves as elderly. Even being an elder, an honorific in many cultures, may feel uneasy.
But we are living longer. In the 20th century, U.S. longevity grew by three decades. So, instead of living into our 50s we can hope to live well into our 80s. with this “extra life”, or second adulthood, the idea of what it means to be older or “elder” needs to be radically reimagined.
At MEA we believe our 40s, 50s and beyond are invigorating times of re-imagination, re-creation, reflection, and true growth – on our own terms.
Today’s modern elder is always searching – searching for greater meaning, deeper relationships, new experiences to explore and ideas to imagine, and nurturing and unleashing the untapped wisdom, creativity, and joy that sits within us all.
The modern elder is someone as “curious as they are wise.”
That means they are saying no to the narratives and the limits of past generations. The modern elder embraces their second adulthood with a dream of adventure, spiritual deepening, joyous learning, exploration, new community, and delight.
A modern elder is someone who is saying ”What’s next?” instead of “What’s left?”