OUR STORY.
Rewriting Narratives, Embracing Hope
We believe in the power of human connection—connecting to oneself, each other, and the earth. Through social-emotional learning, we not only build emotional strength and social intelligence, but also cultivate a deep sense of purpose and belonging.
Tenley and Nadine came together through shared passions for both individual and collective evolution, and co-founded True Connection to inspire a deeper understanding of interconnectedness—to ourselves, each other, and the planet. True Connection has made a global impact through initiatives in Sierra Leone and Honduras, as well as partnerships with the LAPD and schools across the U.S. These programs allowed us to witness firsthand the power of self-awareness and community engagement in driving meaningful change.
Through this work, we saw the need for a tool that could help individuals navigate their own journeys of healing and transformation. This led us to create The Centered Self. We hope it will guide you to new possibilities and perspectives and be your companion as you rewrite your life’s narrative, embracing your true self and the profound impact you can make in the world.
I’m Nadine Nicole, an actor most recognized for my role as Clarissa Mao on Amazon Prime’s The Expanse. My own journey through PTSD and panic disorder has profoundly shaped my understanding of human emotions, behaviors, and relationships—a depth I bring to every character I portray. This experience has also sparked a personal exploration of various healing modalities, including mindfulness meditation, yoga, and advanced studies in neuroscience, trauma-informed care, and somatic experiencing. These practices continue to ground me in my own journey of self-integration and personal growth.
Beyond acting, I’m passionate about fostering empowerment and unity through my ventures, including Yari Designs, my fine jewelry brand celebrating diversity, and Shared Elegance, an upcoming sustainable fashion initiative. I also serve as an Advisor to Space For Humanity, supporting transformative space experiences for purpose-driven leaders to inspire solutions to humanity’s most pressing challenges.
My latest project, Resilient By Design, is a series exploring sustainable living, emotional resilience, and mindful choices. Through articles that share my personal journey and insights on minimalism and empowerment, I hope to inspire others to live with purpose and compassion.
Working with Tenley has been transformative. Her depth of understanding and commitment to emotional growth enriches everything we do together, and her friendship and guidance are invaluable in my life and work.
“The journey of self-discovery reveals our connection to each other, the planet, and the science that shapes our understanding of the universe.”
I’m Tenley Hardin, an Associate Therapist (#130074) with a lifelong passion for understanding and nurturing human potential. My journey began in theater, studying human interactions as a major at the University of Michigan. This curiosity led me through multiple fields—earning advanced degrees in Teaching and English from Belmont University and dedicating 17 years to education, where I created and led a social-emotional learning (SEL) curriculum for high school students, encouraging them to explore their inner worlds and emotional intelligence.
After years of teaching and developing SEL programs, I transitioned into life coaching, where I helped clients across the U.S. tune into their “inner compass.” This path eventually brought me back to academia, earning a Master’s in Clinical Psychology from Pepperdine University. Currently, I’m privileged to work under the mentorship of Dr. Courtnay Meletta, a leading integrative psychotherapist in Los Angeles. Under Dr. Meletta’s guidance, I specialize in holistic therapy, integrating mind, body, and spirit through approaches like Somatic Therapy, Internal Family Systems, and Psychodynamic Therapy. My approach is “bottom-up”—helping clients connect deeply with their bodies and nervous systems to address and release trauma, leading to genuine, lasting change.
Since 2017, Nadine and I have joined forces at True Connection to bring SEL tools to diverse communities, from students to law enforcement officers. Together, we developed and delivered SEL training for LAPD junior cadet officers and recently collaborated with UMASS Global to launch “SEL Foundations,” a professional development series for educators.
Nadine is a trusted colleague and a cherished friend—someone whose compassion, curiosity, and dedication continue to inspire me. It’s this shared mission that drives The Centered Self, guiding readers to explore, heal, and embrace their authentic stories.