On Becoming A F*cking man

A bold, no-nonsense guide for men seeking strength, peace, and purpose—without the labels of religion.

Michael J. Ulrich

Michael J. Ulrich was born in 1949 in Yakima, Washington. As the eldest of four siblings, he had a typical childhood and an average academic record. After high school, he chose college to avoid the Vietnam War draft. Although he was told he was not college material, he completed his degree in four years.

In the early 1970s, he worked at Kenworth Motor Trucks and later for the State of Washington. He married in 1972, and in 1978, a Catholic marriage retreat reignited his faith and strengthened his marriage. He eventually transitioned into life and health insurance sales.

Years later, his marriage ended in divorce. He rediscovered his passion for ballroom dancing and attempted a career shift to teaching, but it didn’t work out, leading him to substitute teaching for several years.

Michael’s father, a functional alcoholic, later became severely disabled due to alcoholism. In 2015, a friend recommended the book Addiction and Grace by Dr. Gerald May.

After reading it, Michael realized he was a sex addict, which prompted him to join Sex Addicts Anonymous. He has remained active in the program for over 20 years.

In 1998, after his father’s death, he took a sabbatical along the West Coast, dancing and staying at monasteries. During this trip, he met Cynthia, who became his second wife in 2000. Cynthia, a type 1 diabetic, converted to Catholicism but tragically passed away from a heart attack in 2019.

After relocating to Portland in 2020, Michael felt inspired to write a book titled On Becoming a Fucking Man, which is based on a men’s spiritual program developed by his therapist, Lory Misel, and Father Bob Camuso. The book explores themes of male spirituality, addiction, and personal growth. Despite slow book sales, he remains committed to sharing his message and helping others.

On Becoming a F*cking Man

On Becoming a F*cking Man is spiritual book for men who do not go to church on Sunday but believe there is a God, but they do not give God much emphasis in their lives. This book discusses problems men have and gives them a spiritual perspective to deal with it. It does not use the terms “God,” “Jesus Christ,” or “Holy Spirit.” It only uses “Higher Power.” There is no discussion of religious principles or beliefs.

If a man has an active spiritual life he will forgive, love his fellow man, be a sensitive man, stand up for what is right, and be at peace with himself. Join Michael J. Ulrich on this journey and find the peace within yourself.

AMAZON

BARNES & NOBLE

Recent Blogs

CBS Radio Interview with Benji cole

When it comes to providing information to the public or introducing a brand, a radio interview is one of the best mediums to use. That is why, in cooperation with CBS Radio’s host, Benji Cole, and Citi of Books Publishing, the inspiring and amazing stories behind every author’s work will be heard.

The US Review of Books

Book reviews provide a summary of the book’s content, evaluate its value, and recommend it to other readers. It increases the chances of gaining readers as well as increasing the visibility of the book. The more the book has a positive review, the more it gathers attention. The US Review of Books is one of the US-based

Book to Movie Treatment

A movie treatment presents the idea of the film before writing the entire script. It highlights the most important information about the film that came from the book; it includes the title, logline, story summary (that may be presented as three-act movie plot summaries), and character description. Treatments also give authors

Los Angeles Times Festival of Books 2025

As the pages of history turn, we find ourselves reflecting on a remarkable milestone—the 30th Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the largest book festival in the United States, held on April 26-27, 2025. Set against the stunning backdrop of the University of Southern California campus, this annual celebration of literature

Testimonials



- H.Taylor -

The following book by Michael Julrich is a different take on spirituality. The book is aimed at men that don’t believe in God but gives a spiritual perspective to deal with those troubles in life. The author although a practicing Catholic, isn’t thrown into the mix when teaching the reader. The way the author has written this book causes the reader to pay attention, there’s a mix of humour as well as him being blunt with you, when talking about tough questions and challenges many men face. Topics covered vary from vulnerability to social expectations. The book causes the reader to truly have to look at themselves and be thought provoking. Whether the reader is in need of self help or just interested in self help books. I think a male reader whatever age would find this enjoyable whether they are religious or not, certainly interesting.

- Laura -

This is a book definitely written for a certain audience. The title, the cover photo, the brusque and curt writing style all seem to be designed to appeal to masculine leaning people. That being said, there are some great nuggets to be found within this book. There are good anecdotes and traditional stories, advice about mindful thinking and exercise and much more, and good tips and advice about living a good life all throughout the book. I liked that even though the author is clearly religious (or spiritual), the book isn’t heavy with religion. I wouldn’t recommend this book for everyone, but this is a good book for the right reader.

- SA_ostrich -

This guidebook by Michael J. Ulrich is a spiritual book for men whose toes curl at the thought or sound of anything “churchy”. Ulrich avoids any specifically Christian-coded terminology and, instead, uses “higher power”. This book focuses on practical, concrete ways to be a decent person. The author has plenty of incredibly valuable advice and encouragement to impart and deals with everything from getting a grip on addiction to healthy relationships, dealing with childhood trauma and much more. Best of all, the author doesn’t stuff around but gets straight to the point. In addition, he doesn’t shy away from revealing his own problems and struggles in a relatable (but not over-sharing) way. My only complaint was that some parts of the book could do with another round of proofreading (prostetilize instead of proselytize?). However, this doesn’t affect the valuable and actionable advice the author has to impart.

- GM Reads -

This book by Michael J. Ulrich offers a refreshing and practical approach to personal growth and spirituality for men seeking guidance beyond traditional religious frameworks. Ulrich’s candid writing style, devoid of religious jargon, makes the book accessible to a wide audience, addressing topics like addiction, healthy relationships, and overcoming childhood trauma with honesty and relatability.

While some parts may benefit from additional proofreading, the valuable and actionable advice provided by the author shines through, encouraging readers to embrace forgiveness, love, and moral integrity on their journey towards inner peace and self-discovery.

Ulrich’s book serves as a valuable roadmap for men navigating the complexities of modern life, offering a compelling alternative for those seeking spiritual fulfillment outside organized religion. With its emphasis on practical wisdom and personal development, the book inspires readers to cultivate deeper connections with themselves and others while embracing a path of authenticity and growth.

- Evelyn -

This is a truly thought-provoking book addressed to men who believe that exist a higher power but they don’t know how to name it. It offers a spiritual perspective that is easy to understand and follow.
What is extremely interesting is that the author does not mention any existing religion, making this book a practical guide for any male who wishes to be a more sensitive person, stand up for what is right and be at peace with his own decisions.
I think this is a transformative journey in which the reader will be able to explore their inner experiences and personal beliefs. Michael Ulrich did a great job by creating such a delightful piece of work.

- Piaras -

For men looking for a spiritual path outside of organized religion, Michael J. Ulrich offers a very honest and instructive road map. Designed for those who believe in a higher power but do not follow conventional religion, this book offers useful spiritual direction on how to handle daily events. Ulrich’s method is simple and pertinent; the book is more approachable to a larger audience by having “Higher Power” replace “God” and “Jesus Christ.” He talks about the need for forgiveness, love, compassion, and standing up for what is right while seeking inner peace. The author’s own life events give his lessons a true and intimate character. This book is a great tool for men looking for a deeper, more meaningful relationship with others and themselves. Many individuals will be inspired and motivated by this plain, pragmatic method of spiritual and personal development. Highly recommended.

- Mogul -

This book by Michael J. Ulrich offers a unique spiritual guide for men who seek personal growth without traditional religious frameworks.

Ulrich’s writing is straightforward and engaging, providing practical advice grounded in a belief in a Higher Power rather than specific religious doctrines. The themes focus on forgiveness, love, sensitivity, and moral integrity, encouraging men to find inner peace and strength.

This book is particularly well-suited for men who are spiritually curious but disenchanted with organized religion, offering valuable insights for personal development and a deeper understanding of masculinity.

- Phil Bolos -

On Becoming a F*cking Man by Michael J. Ulrich is a great book for any man who is looking for ways to become a better person and lead a better life. Many men struggle with religion and struggle with knowing how to be a “man” while also being the kind and compassionate person they want to be. What this book does is offer advice and guidance through a spiritual lens so that you don’t have to think about God, and also gives tips on how to be kind while also being strong. I really like how the book shows that strength does not mean that you never shed a tear, and being a man does not mean that you have no weaknesses but rather that you know how to adapt to those weaknesses. This is also worth a read if you are going through a difficult time in your life and want some guidance.

Get in Touch

Get in touch with Michael J. Ulrich for book inquiries, interviews, or to share your thoughts—he welcomes hearing from readers and fellow book lovers.