Meet Tyler Wasson | Psychologist & Mindfulness Coach

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tyler Wasson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tyler, how do you define success?
I think my definition of success could be summed up as simply as this: success is being true to yourself no matter what.

It sounds simple, right? But in practice, it can be surprisingly difficult. Many of us, at one point or another, have felt the pull to compromise our integrity in pursuit of a goal—whether it’s landing the role, getting the promotion, or closing the deal. And while external rewards like wealth and status can be markers of achievement, they don’t necessarily indicate true success. If we set aside those external measures and instead evaluate success by how closely our actions align with our true values, we might find that success is not always where we expected it to be.

So I guess for me success is also that feeling of being at peace with myself and how I’m living my life.

It took me a while to realize this, but thankfully I think I’m getting closer to this ideal. I’ve had to sacrifice many comforts and opportunities in order to begin feeling truly successful.

It sounds like such a paradox, right? But I’ve grown to love paradox—as many Zen Buddhist teachers have noted across the centuries, paradox often reveals the deepest, most profound truth.

In the case of defining success, the paradox is that rather than being something we can evaluate externally, it’s actually an invisible, internal experience.

What should our readers know about your business?
I was trained and have been practicing for the past decade and a half in the mental health field as a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. In more recent years, I’ve been pivoting into the life coaching sphere, with my work rooted in mindfulness practice and philosophy. I have a special passion for working with other gay/queer self-identified men.

This shift can be confusing to many since being a psychologist requires so much schooling, training hours, and licensure requirements and ongoing maintenance. But for me, the transition has been necessary to align with my core value of Freedom—freedom from state line restrictions, documentation requirements, managed care, and the many other limitations of being a licensed mental health provider. While this shift has been challenging, it’s also been incredibly rewarding. Coaching is an entirely different experience from therapy, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Right now, I’m a bit obsessed with the topic of Loneliness, inspired by both my own lived experience and the skyrocketing rates we’ve seen in recent years. The U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy even declared loneliness an “epidemic” in May 2023, affecting 1 in 2 people (50% y’all!), with LGBTQ folks disproportionately impacted.

What sets my work apart from others addressing loneliness is my unique take on the true source of this painful experience, born out of my own personal experience. Yes, work-from-home culture, shifts in dating trends, and social media overuse may play a role, but I believe the causes of loneliness run a bit deeper (which is why my coaching doesn’t even focus on dating tips or social skills, surprising as that may seem). I believe that the issue is not merely the number or nature of interpersonal relationships we have. Rather, it’s a deeply ingrained mental construct or ‘story’ that feels true and real: ‘I’m fundamentally separate and disconnected’ (and therefore rejected/overlooked/unimportant/worthless/etc.). Our thoughts, beliefs, and perceptions literally shape our emotional reality, making it possible to feel something that contradicts ultimate reality, and this story of disconnection is the REAL foundation on which the experience of loneliness is built.

My work helps people recognize how this misguided perception not only creates but fuels loneliness—and then shifts them toward a more accurate worldview recognizing our inherent intra-connection to other people and the natural world. And my secret sauce? Mindfulness and nature-based practices that help clients experience this shift on a visceral level, not just cognitively.

Through my coaching program, The N.A.T.U.R.E. Formula™, I guide queer men through a structured process to break free from loneliness and cultivate deep, lasting connection—without relying on dating apps, social perfectionism, or desperation-fueled, maxed-out social calendars. I currently offer 1:1 coaching, with group programs and online courses in the works.

It’s incredible to witness clients realize that the deep connection they’re seeking has been within reach all along—not something to chase, but something to uncover.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
As I’ve grown more content with simplicity, my itinerary would lean more toward relaxing and the inspiring hidden (and not-so-hidden) gems, especially in Long Beach, where I live.

Brunch/Lunch: The Butcher’s Daughter on Melrose is a favorite, but in Long Beach, it’s all about Wild Chive and Ubuntu.

Daytime: I love a good cemetery stroll, so Hollywood Forever might be on the list. I still have a nostalgic soft spot for the Venice Boardwalk, no matter what people say about it these days. Closer to home we’d hike in San Pedro, and in Long Beach we’d browse the Fourth Street Corridor’s boutiques and thrift shops, and stroll 2nd Street in Belmont Shore (with a ceremonial-grade matcha from Stereoscope and fresh donuts from Holey Grail). If we’re up for a drive, I’d take them to Laguna’s beaches or even Catalina Island’s Two Harbors for a more natural retreat.

Dinner: Keep it tasty, keep it simple. Give me some pad see yew with tofu from Spicy Sugar Thai, some palak paneer from Flamin’ Curry, or some chilaquiles from El Patio.

Drinks: Sue from Mezcalero in Long Beach can craft a cocktail to match any mood, and Buvons Wine has an amazing natural wine selection and a super cute back patio. Since Long Beach’s non-alcoholic spots keep closing down, I’d likely just mix up something at home with my new favorite NA spirit “The Pathfinder”—IYKYK.

Nighttime: I’m not much of a night owl, but I love a High Vibe Collective party or any event hosted by DJ Victor Rodriguez and his alt crew. The patio at Silver Fox (Long Beach) is a great place for an evening drink and some people-watching. Then, ideally we’d be home by 10pm, light a few candles in my super-tiny-but-super-cute backyard, and just chill.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would not be where I am in my understanding of myself and the universe without the influence of books and the teachers behind them. Early influences were “Meditation for Fidgety Skeptics” by Dan Harris and Jeff Warren, and “Why Buddhism Is True” by Robert Wright. In more recent years I’ve been inspired by Marc Coleman’s nature-based work, the late Wes Nisker’s book “Being Nature,” and the teachings of “interbeing” by the late great Vietnamese Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh (especially in “The Other Shore”), and countless other great Zen teachers. I would be remiss if I didn’t mention Ram Dass as a significant influence in my spiritual development.

Website: https://tylerwasson.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.tylerwasson/

Other: “Overcoming Loneliness” eBook: https://resources.tylerwasson.com/overcomingloneliness

Image Credits
Alex Lazo
Tyler Wasson