Foundations for Gay Men

Shamelessly Gay.

A 6-week live men's group to unlearn shame, heal your relationship with yourself, and build a life of authentic pride.

6 weeks

Duration

15 max

Group size

Live on Zoom

Format

Request access View curriculum

Small cohort

Capped on purpose — intimate group, real conversations.

Growing up gay in a straight world shaped the way we see ourselves and the way we relate to others. In Foundations, we unpack those patterns and rebuild the confidence, connection, and belonging most of us never got.

Where we start

The weight we carry

For most gay men, the world taught us to hide before it taught us to love. Decades of perfectionism, over-achievement, and quiet isolation become armor we don't know how to take off.

Feeling like you're "too much" or "not enough" for the community.
The exhaustion of constant code-switching and performance.
Chasing likes, hookups, or status to fill an internal void of self-worth.

Where we go

The shameless solution

This isn't about "coming out" again. It's about coming home to yourself — a structured, evidence-based roadmap to dismantle the shame cycle and rebuild a foundation of radical self-acceptance.

Tools to identify and neutralize shame triggers in real time.
A small circle of men who actually understand the territory.
A personal blueprint for authentic living and deep connection.

What's inside

This isn't just a course. It's a blueprint.

Authentic confidence

Confidence that doesn't rely on over-performing or people-pleasing.

Emotional intimacy

Deepen emotional and sexual intimacy — because yes, you get to have both.

Stop chasing

Drop the chase for likes, hookups, or status and finally feel good in your own skin.

Real connection

Circle of men willing to talk about what most gay guys rarely say out loud.

The Roadmap

Six chapters to your own foundation

Welcome to Foundations

Group agreements, best practices for discussion, and the welcome package.

The Shame Detox

5 lessons

What shame is, where it comes from (gay edition), how it shows up in adulthood, the shame cycle — and how to break it.

The "Not Enough" Monster

Internalized shame, self-worth, and the voice that keeps telling you you're not quite there yet.

From self-doubt to self-trust

Learning to trust yourself even when the world has taught you to shrink.

The need for external validation

Why hot, rich, and successful still isn't enough — and what is.

Walls down, hearts open

Emotional intimacy for gay men — how to let yourself be known, and how to receive it.

Belonging & becoming

Writing your own story. Integrating everything you've built into daily life.

The transformation

What you'll walk away with

Not another course you binge and forget. This one sticks because you apply it weekly, with other men in real time.

Relentless self-trust

No more second-guessing every move. You operate from a core of internal certainty.

Deeper relationships

Move past surface-level interactions and build the intimate connections you've craved.

Emotional resilience

The tools to handle rejection, judgment, and life's setbacks without losing your worth.

Belonging without performing

Freedom from acting straight at work, toning it down with family, or pretending you're "fine."

Check the fit

Who this is for

Gay, bi, and queer men ready to live more boldly, confidently, and unapologetically themselves.

You've done therapy, listened to podcasts, and reflected — now it's time to actually apply it.
You're craving deeper conversations most guys aren't having about modern gay life.
You want to understand how growing up gay in a straight world shaped your identity, worth, and ability to connect.
You're not broken. You just need to drop what's been weighing you down so you can finally feel free to be you.

The details

Everything you need to know.

When & where

July 8 – August 12, 2026
Wednesdays, 1:00 – 2:30 PM Eastern
90 minutes per session
Live on Zoom (link after registration)

How it works

Virtual, live, interactive men's group
Capped at 15 participants
Sessions are not recorded — honest space for open sharing
Live attendance encouraged, not mandatory

What you get

6 live sessions with guided discussion
Weekly PDF reflection guides
Expert facilitation, safe & structured
Peer connection between sessions
Optional 1-on-1 with Michael

Voices of growth

Real stories from past cohorts.

Men who decided to stop hiding and start living.

I'm still amazed at how much we had in common with our body image stuff and the stories we carry around that hold us back. It is really great to know that there is such a nice and supportive group of gay men out there.

Mark·Nashville, TN

I really enjoyed working with Michael. He has a great ability to probe and challenge your assumptions, helping you reframe situations in a new light.

Ken·Toronto, ON

I could never have been so confident in this dating experiment had it not been for Michael and each one of you who poured your hearts out during the workshop. You guys are my rock.

Timothy·Sacramento, CA

As a gay man there are certain nuances that are very specific to our culture. Michael understands this fully and offers a safe space to share your experiences and unpack the emotional cargo we carry.

James·Brighton, UK

Your
coach

Meet your coach

Michael DiIorio

Certified Life & Wellness Coach · Founder, Wellismo

Michael DiIorio is a certified life and wellness coach, founder of Wellismo Coaching, and co-host of the Gay Men Going Deeper podcast. He's spent years creating spaces where gay men can drop the masks, have real conversations, and finally feel at home in who they are.

As a community leader in the Gay Men's Brotherhood, Michael has helped thousands of men build confidence, connection, and belonging. He's known for a candid, empowering, action-oriented approach that gets results — without the fluff.

Ready when you are

Invest in the most important relationship you'll ever have.

Enrollment is handled on the Wellismo Academy — secure checkout opens in a new tab.

Featured

Join the waitlist

6 × 90-minute live group sessions
Weekly reflection guides & prompts
1-on-1 session with Michael (optional)
Community of 15 men max

Request access

Next cohort: July 8 – August 12, 2026. Private enrollment — please reach out for the waitlist.

Questions? Book through Wellismo and we'll talk it through.

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The sex education you always wanted, but never got. A 7-week men's group workshop for honest, shame-free conversations about sex, desire, and intimacy.

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