FAQS

Short Answer:
We are not a substance abuse recovery program. However, we often work with high-functioning men who struggle with behavioral or dopamine-based addictions.
 

Long Answer:

Man-UP! Life Coaching (MULC) is not the right fit for men currently battling active substance abuse, such as alcohol or hard drug dependency. Those situations require licensed professionals or rehab programs. That said, many of the men who enter our coaching environment discover they are battling hidden addictions—just not the kind society typically flags.
 

These addictions often stem from a deeper need for validation and relief from emotional overload:

• Porn
• Video games
• Compulsive fitness
• Dating apps
• Food
• Weed
• Gambling
• Even workaholism or “competency addiction” (the constant need to prove oneself)

Our founder, Dennis Procopio, is 13 years sober himself. He understands firsthand how addiction often begins with unmet emotional needs—especially the need for validation. That’s why one of the foundational components of our coaching system is self-validation. We help men stop chasing external dopamine hits and start building internal fulfillment.

Through structured mentorship, behavior redirection, and accountability, clients begin replacing compulsive habits with purpose-driven action. Small wins build into life-changing transformation.
 

Our clients don’t just break addictions—they outgrow them.

Most men come to MULC stuck in Survival Mode—they’re functional but unfulfilled. It doesn’t always look like crisis. Sometimes it’s just burnout, irritability, numbness, or the quiet frustration of feeling like you’re doing everything “right,” but it still doesn’t feel good.

Survival Mode is where motivation feels dead, everything feels heavier than it should, and you’re reacting to life instead of creating it. Often, men in this state are unknowingly running on what we call the Failure Script—a mental loop built on self-judgment, hidden anger, and people-pleasing patterns that slowly erode confidence and clarity.

Once we help you rewrite that script and install better daily structure and emotional habits, you move into Maintenance Mode—where the new habits take hold and the pressure starts to lift. It’s not flashy, but it’s essential. This is the “grind” season that builds consistency, momentum, and strength.

And then something incredible happens…

When the clutter clears, your natural drive returns. You start moving with purpose. You stop chasing validation and start becoming the source. This is Creative Mode—where you’re not just surviving, you’re building. Goals click. Ideas spark. You become magnetic.

Our job is to help you get there.
Not with therapy. Not with judgment.
But with structure, strategy, and brotherhood that actually works.

Yes—while most men come to us to fix a relationship, rediscover purpose, or level up in life, health and fitness often become part of the journey. At Man-UP! Life Coaching, we believe how you treat your body reflects how you show up in every other area of life.
 

Whether you:
 

• Want to drop weight and build strength
   

• Feel like you’ve lost your edge and want it back
   

• Are tired of feeling tired and need structured accountability
   

• Used to train but life (or family) got in the way
   

We’ll help you create a simple, sustainable plan that fits your goals—and your reality.
 

Dennis doesn’t sell himself as a personal trainer, but as a 50-year-old gym rat who walks the talk and holds a deep understanding of functional strength, longevity, and discipline, you’ll get more than hype. You’ll get results.
 

You’ll also tap into our private Discord community, where many of our guys are professional trainers, nutritionists, or fitness enthusiasts. Got a question about macros, muscle-building, or motivation? Someone’s always there with a solid answer.
 

This isn’t about six-pack selfies. It’s about getting strong—mentally and physically—and creating a body that supports the life you want.

One of the most common challenges our clients face—especially those in long-term relationships or marriages—is miscommunication with their partner. At Man-UP! Life Coaching, we teach high-performing men how to shift from being reactive problem-solvers to present, validating partners.

Men often approach conversations with linear thinking, looking to fix a problem. But many women communicate to unpack emotions, not to be “solved.” She wants presence—not defense. That means putting down the phone, holding space, and learning to validate instead of correct.

What does that look like?
 

• Saying, “I hear you” instead of “I already took out the trash”
   

• Letting her speak without interrupting, defending, or explaining
   

• Asking, “What are you hoping for from me right now?”
   

• Mirroring her facial expressions to build emotional resonance
   

• Removing distractions and listening with your full attention

When men follow this coaching, they’re shocked by how much better their communication becomes—not because they fixed her emotions, but because they finally made her feel heard.

This is just one of many real-world relationship skills we build inside the Man-UP! program. You don’t need to guess how to “communicate better.” We give you the exact blueprint—and coach you through it.
 

Man-UP! Life Coaching is built for men who are doing “okay” financially but know they’re capable of more—and for high earners feeling the pressure of a lopsided work-life equation.

This isn’t a budget service. It’s an elite mentorship culture tailored for ambitious professionals—men near or north of six figures—who want more out of life than money alone can buy.

Some clients want to grow their income and impact. Others already have the income, but crave time, freedom, and deeper connection. Whether you’re chasing financial growth or seeking to rebalance a life consumed by work, we help you carve a path forward with precision and purpose.

At Man-UP! Life Coaching, we’ll help you:
 

• Clarify your vision for success beyond your job title
   

• Build wealth without sacrificing your relationships or health
   

• Shift from golden handcuffs to meaningful freedom
   

• Trade burnout for balance—without losing your edge
   

Success stories range from six-figure earners scaling to nearly $1M, to overworked execs realigning their careers and reclaiming their lives.
Time is the new currency. We help you spend it wisely—on what matters.

In this video, Dennis breaks down the core difference between Man-UP! Life Coaching (MULC) and traditional therapy. He shares why high-performing men often feel unseen or frustrated in conventional therapy settings—and how MULC flips the script with a solution-focused, masculine mentorship model.
 

Instead of diagnosis or passive listening, MULC offers a structured system built for men who want clarity, accountability, and results. It’s not therapy—it’s tactical emotional coaching for men who want to break out of survival mode and start thriving.

Learn how the "BroCoach" approach creates a peer-to-peer coaching experience with a clear playbook that helps men regain confidence, connection, and control.

What’s the difference between Survival Mode, Maintenance Mode, and Creative Mode?

At Man-UP! Life Coaching, we work with men at every stage of their relationship journey—from single guys struggling to meet quality women to married fathers trying to reignite intimacy and connection.

Whether you're:
 

• Feeling invisible or unconfident on dating apps
   

• Unsure how to build real connection beyond attraction
   

• In a relationship but stuck in a cycle of disconnection, shutdowns, or silence
   

• Divorcing or recovering from a relationship that feels beyond saving
   

We meet you where you are.

Our coaching isn’t about pick-up tactics or emotional venting. It’s structured mentorship designed to help you communicate clearly, lead with strength, and build emotional connection without losing your edge.

We teach men how to:
 

• Understand what women really mean—without guessing
   

• Communicate hard truths with confidence and compassion
   

• Address intimacy and emotional needs without shame or shutdown
   

• Stop overthinking and start taking action that earns respect

If your relationship is worth saving, we’ll give you the tools to do it. If it’s time to move on, we’ll help you do that with honor.
Either way—you walk out stronger, clearer, and more grounded in your masculine leadership.

We get this question a lot—and here’s the simple truth:

Man-UP! Life Coaching is not a religious organization, but we do honor the spiritual dimension of personal growth.
Our clients come from every background:
Practicing Christians (Catholic, Protestant, LDS, Baptist, etc.)

Muslims, Jews (Orthodox to secular), Buddhists, Hindus, and Zoroastrians

Spiritual-but-not-religious

Agnostics

Occasionally atheists (though they often find the culture here less aligned)

What unites everyone isn’t dogma—it’s a shared desire to grow into stronger, more present, more grounded men.
We talk about physicality, but also about presence, meditation, and emotional healing. You don’t need to believe in a higher power to feel the impact of breathwork, self-reflection, and sitting still with your thoughts. But if you do, we welcome that too.

We don’t push beliefs. We guide you toward self-exploration, and if that leads to deeper spiritual insight—great. If it leads to being more peaceful and present in your life—also great.
So whether you're devout, curious, or just want to stop feeling lost—there’s space for you here.
 

Great question. And it comes up a lot.
 

At Man-UP! Life Coaching, we believe coaching isn’t a luxury—it’s a necessity for men who refuse to settle.
 

Most of our clients are high-functioning men who feel like something’s still off. They're not living at their full potential, and they know it. That’s where we come in—not just as motivators, but as real-world mentors who help you bridge the gap between “fine” and firing on all cylinders.
 

We use principles like the Japanese concept of Ikigai—the sweet spot where your passion, skills, purpose, and income all overlap. It’s not fluff. It’s clarity.

Think of us like a plumber for your life. If something’s broken, you either waste time guessing—or hire someone who knows how to fix it.

Men pay for coaching because:
 

• They want results, not more “advice”
   

• They’re done trying to figure it out alone
   

• They value progress more than ego
   

• They’re ready to level up—on purpose
   

If you have the means and you know you’re not where you want to be, there’s no better investment than getting a coach who’s done this before.
 

We’ll help you stop guessing and start living—fully aligned and unapologetically powerful.

If you’ve been searching for life coaching for men as a powerful alternative to traditional therapy, you’re in the right place.
Dennis Procopio, founder of Man-UP! Life Coaching, is not your typical life coach. He’s a 54-year-old trauma survivor turned high-performance mentor who’s helped hundreds of men—from their 20s to 60s—reclaim their strength, purpose, and presence.

Men come to Dennis because:
 

• Therapy didn’t work—or never felt like the right fit
   

• They want real, raw guidance from someone who’s walked the path
   

• They need a coach who balances street-tested wisdom with academic depth

Dennis brings more than credentials. He brings scars—and the earned insight that comes from surviving childhood abuse, rebuilding his life, and building a thriving family and business.

Now based in San Diego, Dennis helps men nationwide rise above their pain, step into clarity, and build a life they’re proud of—using the same mindset tools he used to transform his own.

Still wondering if he’s the right coach for you? Book a free 30-minute clarity call. You’ll know within minutes if this is the man you want in your corner.