Becoming UnDone - podcast cover

Becoming UnDone

Toby Brookswww.undonepodcast.com

Hosted by professor, speaker, and performance & comeback scientist Dr. Toby Brooks (@tobybrooksphd), Becoming UnDone is where high-achievers come to reckon with rock bottom—and rise again. Every week, we explore what happens when life doesn’t go according to plan. Through raw stories, vulnerable insights, and powerful conversations, we dive into the pain of identity loss, the paralysis of burnout, and the transformative power of coming apart.


This isn’t just about failure. It’s about what you do next.


Whether you’re an executive questioning your purpose, an athlete facing the end, or a leader secretly unraveling, this show is your reminder: the coming apart isn’t the end of the story—it’s the beginning of something greater. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “What in the hell next?”—you’re in the right place.




https://linktr.ee/tobybrooksphd

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Episodes

066 | THE BRAND with Vocalist Brynnan Brooks

About The Guest Brynnan Brooks is a performer and artist who is passionate about using her talents to connect with people and show her authentic self. She believes in the power of deep conversations and wants to be known for who she truly is, rather than presenting a sanitized image to the world. Brynnan is currently studying vocal performance and is focused on personal growth and using her art as a way to make meaningful connections with others. Summary Brynnan Brooks discusses the importance o...

Dec 15, 202336 minSeason 2Ep. 66

065 | ALL IN with Paul Fenner, Founder of TAMMA Capital, Father of Triplets Plus One, and Host of The Emotional Balance Sheet Podcast

About The Guest Paul Fenner is the founder of TAMMA Capital and the host of the Emotional Balance Sheet podcast. He has a background in finance and accounting and has built a successful career as a financial planner. Paul is passionate about helping families navigate the emotional and financial challenges of life transitions. Summary Paul Fenner, founder of TAMMA Capital and host of the Emotional Balance Sheet podcast, shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He discusses t...

Dec 13, 202345 minSeason 2Ep. 65

064 | BRILLIANCE in the BASICS with John Ballenger, Former Marine-One Pilot and Current Co-Host of The Second Act with Michael + John

About The Guest John Ballenger is a former Marine Corps pilot who served as the pilot of Marine One, the helicopter that transports the President of the United States. He has a background in aviation and has overcome personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter and multiple family suicides. John is now involved in various pursuits, including coaching and real estate development. Summary John Ballenger shares his journey from childhood dreams of becoming a pilot to serving in the Marine...

Dec 11, 202355 minSeason 2Ep. 64

063 | RISE of the READER with Nick Hutchison, Founder of BookThinkers, and Author of Rise of the Reader

About The Guest Nick Hutchison is the founder of BookThinkers, a digital marketing agency that helps authors promote and market their books. He is also the author of Rise of the Reader: Strategies for Mastering Your Reading Habits and Applying What You Learn . Nick is passionate about personal development and helping others overcome challenges through reading and learning. Summary Nick Hutchison shares his journey from being a competitive athlete to becoming a successful entrepreneur and author....

Dec 09, 202342 minSeason 2Ep. 63

062 | GRATITUDE with Jacob Slichter, Drummer of Semisonic, Author, and Professor

Summary Jacob Slichter, drummer for Semisonic, shares his journey in the music industry and the lessons he has learned along the way. He discusses the band's rise to success, the challenges they faced, and the importance of gratitude and perseverance. Jacob also talks about the process of writing his book and the recent release of Semisonic's new album. About The Guest Jacob Slichter is the drummer for Semisonic, an American rock band known for their hit song "Closing Time." He is also an author...

Dec 07, 202355 minSeason 2Ep. 62

061 | LEADERSHIP Roundtable with Dr. Michael Galyean, Dr. Erin Justyna, Magie Lacambra, and John Okerson

About The Guests Dr. Mike Galyean is a Professor and the Former Provost and Chief Academic Officer at Texas Tech University. Dr. Erin Justyna is the Associate Provost for Student Affairs at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Magie Lacambra was the Head Football Athletic Trainer at the University of Arizona and is now the Team Sports Manager for the Western United States for Gatorade Sports Marketing. John Okerson is a retired First Sergeant from the 82nd Airborne Division in the U...

Nov 22, 202344 minSeason 2Ep. 61

060 | FIND A WAY with Phil Millan, Pro Baseball Athletic Trainer

About The Guest Phil Millan served as the Assistant Minor League Baseball Athletic Training Coordinator and Latin American Medical Coordinator with the Boston Red Sox organization. He has a background in athletic training and has worked with various professional sports teams, including the Kansas City Chiefs, Oakland Raiders, and in a variety of other athletic training practice settings. Summary Phil Millan shares his journey from being a pre-nursing major in college to working in professional s...

Nov 07, 20231 hr 4 minSeason 2Ep. 60

059 | KINTSUGI with Ian Westmoreland, Non-Profit Founder and Podcaster

About The Guest Ian Westmoreland is the founder of Mentoring Men and Kintsugi Heroes, two nonprofit organizations based in Australia. He is passionate about helping men overcome challenges and find purpose in their lives. Summary Ian Westmoreland shares his journey of self-discovery and the founding of Mentoring Men and Kintsugi Heroes. He discusses the importance of resilience and finding value in our lived experiences. Ian emphasizes the need for men to have mentors and support systems to navi...

Nov 05, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 2Ep. 59

058 | LETTERS with Emma Middleton Morris, 2-Time NCAA National Champion, HS & College All-American, and Former D1 Women's Basketball Player

About The Guest Emma Middleton Morris is a former college basketball player who had a successful career at Lubbock Christian University and Abilene Christian University. She overcame challenges and setbacks throughout her athletic journey and has learned valuable lessons about resilience and personal growth. Summary Emma Middleton Morris shares her journey as a college basketball player, from struggling with confidence and self-esteem to finding success and redemption. She discusses the highs an...

Oct 31, 202356 minSeason 2Ep. 58

057 | CROSSROADS with Gio Marin, Minister, Fitness Advocate, and Cohost of BUILT by FitBod

Summary: Gio Marin grew up in a Christian home but went through a period of rebellion before finding his way back to his calling in the ministry. He emphasizes the importance of pursuing truth and being honest with oneself. After hitting rock bottom, he made the decision to change his life and pursue a healthier lifestyle. He started tracking his nutrition and began weightlifting, which led to significant changes in his body composition. He believes that discipline is key to achieving one's goal...

Oct 28, 20231 hr 6 minSeason 2Ep. 57

056 | EXAMPLE with Tony Wagner, State Champ Head Basketball Coach, Lubbock Estacado High School

About The Guest Tony Wagner is the head basketball coach at Estacado High School in Lubbock, Texas. He has built a powerhouse program at Estacado, with numerous district championships, regional appearances, and a state championship title. Wagner is known for his dedication to his players and his commitment to their success both on and off the court. Summary Tony Wagner, head basketball coach at Estacado High School, shares his journey from being a late bloomer in basketball to becoming a success...

Oct 12, 202345 minSeason 2Ep. 56

055 | RESPOND: Fletcher Cleaves, Motivational and TEDx Speaker, "The Wheelchair Nomad," and former Collegiate Football Player

About The Guest Fletcher Cleaves is a motivational speaker and the founder of The Wheelchair Nomad. After a car accident left him paralyzed, Fletcher chose to respond to adversity in a positive manner and has since become an inspiration to many. He has traveled the world, sharing his story and motivating others to overcome their own challenges. Summary Fletcher Cleaves, also known as the Wheelchair Nomad, shares his inspiring story of resilience and determination. After a car accident left him p...

Oct 10, 202349 minSeason 2Ep. 55

054 | LEGACY with Norense Odiase, Host of the Mind Bully Podcast, TTU Basketball Legend and Pro Basketball Player

About The Guest: Norense Odiase is a former basketball player for Texas Tech University and currently plays in the NBA G League. He is also the host of the Mind Bully podcast. Summary: Norense Odiase shares his journey from growing up in a Nigerian immigrant family to becoming a successful basketball player at Texas Tech University. He discusses the challenges he faced, the importance of relationships and legacy, and the impact of his faith on his life and career. Norense also talks about his ex...

Oct 01, 20231 hr 7 minSeason 2Ep. 54

053 | CLARITY with Shelby Perry, Entrepreneur and Founder of EYEHESIVE

About The Guest Shelby Perry is a Utah native who struggled with addiction from a young age. After seeking help and entering recovery, she founded EYEHESIVE, a community and coaching program for individuals dealing with eye and vision loss. Shelby is also a yoga instructor and uses her platform to inspire and support others on their journey to recovery and self-acceptance. Summary Shelby Perry shares her journey of addiction, recovery, and overcoming a life-altering accident that left her blind ...

Sep 28, 202351 minSeason 2Ep. 53

052 | BLUEPRINT with Pat Rigsby, 7-Figure Business Expert, Author, and Former Collegiate Baseball Coach and Pro Baseball Player

About The Guest: Pat Rigsby is a highly successful entrepreneur and business coach in the fitness industry. He has owned and operated multiple businesses, including fitness training centers and franchise organizations. Pat is known for his expertise in building successful businesses and helping others achieve their goals. Summary: Pat Rigsby is a former college baseball coach turned entrepreneur and business coach. He shares his journey from being a young baseball player with dreams of making it...

Sep 27, 202358 minSeason 2Ep. 52

051 | HARMONY with Dr. Garfield Bright, Multi-Platinum Recording Artist and Co-Founder of Shai

Summary Dr. Garfield Bright, a founding member of the R&B group Shai, shares his journey from being a college student at Howard University to becoming a successful musician. He discusses the challenges and triumphs of his music career, emphasizes the importance of being business-savvy in the industry, and reveals his passion for continuous learning, which led him to pursue a PhD in African American Studies. About The Guest Dr. Garfield Bright is a founding member of the R&B group Shai. H...

Sep 18, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 2Ep. 51

050 | UNINHIBITED with Dr. Phil Anton, Exercise Scientist and Strong Survivors Cancer Rehabilitation Program Founder

Summary Dr. Phil Anton shares his journey from growing up in a small town in Michigan to becoming a renowned cancer rehabilitation researcher. He talks about his early career aspirations, the influence of his parents, and his transition from computer science to physical education. He discusses how he found his purpose in cancer rehabilitation and the impact of his cousin's battle with cancer on his career path. Dr. Anton also highlights the importance of listening to others and the power of exer...

Sep 11, 20231 hr 15 minSeason 2Ep. 50

049 | HERO with Deron "Malibu" McBee, Original American Gladiator

About The Guest: Deron McBee is a former American Gladiator and actor known for his role as Malibu on the hit TV show American Gladiators. He has also worked as a stuntman and has appeared in movies and TV shows such as Mortal Kombat Annihilation and Walker, Texas Ranger. Deron is now focused on ministry and helping others overcome addiction and find faith. Summary: Deron McBee, also known as "Malibu" from American Gladiators, shares his journey of faith, resilience, and overcoming addiction. Fr...

Sep 04, 202338 minSeason 1Ep. 49

048 | -ABLERS (W3W) The Three People We Meet on the Path to Success with Toby Brooks

Toby Brooks reflects on the concept of enablers, disablers, and unablers in our journey to success. He shares his thoughts on how some people are in our corner, cheering us on no matter what, while others secretly or openly want to see us fail. Toby emphasizes the importance of not assuming that everyone is either for us or against us, as there are also people who are neutral and indifferent. He shares a personal story from his childhood to illustrate this point. Toby concludes by encouraging li...

Sep 02, 202313 minEp. 48

047 | EARNED with Ron McKeefery, Head Strength Coach, University of Washington

Summary: Ron McKeefery shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a broken family to becoming a successful strength coach. He recounts how a chance encounter with a football coach as a child changed his life and set him on a path towards his dreams. Ron discusses the importance of overcoming setbacks and embracing failure as a means for growth. He also emphasizes the value of building strong relationships with athletes and the impact that coaches can have on their lives beyond the sports fi...

Aug 28, 202349 minSeason 1Ep. 47

046 | HURDLES with Tim Kight, Speaker, Author, and Founder of Focus3

About The Guest Tim Kight is the founder and CEO of Focus 3, a company that teaches individuals and organizations how to develop a winning mindset and achieve their goals. He is a former track athlete and has worked with elite high performers in various fields, including sports and business. Tim is known for his expertise in observing and documenting the behavior patterns of high achievers. ​ Summary Tim emphasizes the importance of developing a winning mindset and competing against the things t...

Aug 26, 20231 hr 5 minSeason 1Ep. 46

045 | GEAR (W3W) with Toby Brooks

Toby Brooks shares his journey of discovering his purpose and aligning it with his podcast, "Becoming Undone." He reflects on the impact of Viktor Frankl's book, "Man's Search for Meaning," and how it led him to redefine his mission, vision, and core values. Toby introduces his new program, GEAR UP, which aims to help aspiring high achievers define and achieve their goals through encouragement, accountability, and connection with like-minded individuals. Key Takeaways: Toby Brooks revised his mi...

Aug 07, 202314 minSeason 1Ep. 45

044 | ELEVATE, PART 2 with Chris Carr, NBA Veteran, SIU Saluki Basketball Legend, and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Drury University

In episode 43, we got to meet the fantastic Chris Carr, a seasoned NBA veteran who overcame humble beginnings in small town Missouri all the way to the NBA stage and beyond. In part 1, we got to hear Chris’s story of stolen skateboards, carried shoes, and incredible growth spurts on his way to a D1 scholarship at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, where he helped the team to three straight NCAA appearances before declaring for the NBA draft. W heard Chris tell his tale of draft night, of m...

Aug 05, 202335 minSeason 1Ep. 44

043 | ELEVATE, PART 1 with Chris Carr, NBA Veteran, SIU Saluki Basketball Legend, and Assistant Men's Basketball Coach, Drury University

Growing up in a rural southeast Missouri town as the only African American family in the community, Chris Carr’s earliest dreams formed thanks to the example of Blair Underwood and the TV show LA Law, where he expected to become a lawyer and live the good life after college. However, the appeal of the game of basketball loomed large, with several family members before him paving the way to scholarships and championships. By middle school, Chris had decided to become a pro skateboarder, however, ...

Jul 31, 20231 hr 13 minSeason 1Ep. 43

042 | INCHES ALL AROUND US (W3W) with Toby Brooks

In this episode of Word to the 3rd on Becoming UnDone, I reflect on the challenges I've faced this summer and share a personal story about my son's journey in baseball. Taye is a talented baseball player who had to make a tough decision about his future in the sport. Despite facing setbacks and injuries, Taye has shown resilience, determination, and a team-first attitude. I also discuss own experiences as a youth sports coach and the lessons I've learned about the importance of character over fl...

Jul 22, 202314 minSeason 1Ep. 42

041 | LEARN with Learning Scientist and Director of Center for Teaching and Learning at A.T. Still University Dr. Quincy Conley

For Dr. Quincy Conley, days spent today helping faculty improve their teaching at AT Still University have become highly rewarding and fulfilling, but they weren’t exactly always what he’d expected or planned to do with his life. Self-described as a mediocre high school student who found most of his earliest successes in sports, it wasn’t until a mentor emerged later in high school that ideas of becoming an electrical engineer took root. He found himself in snowy North Dakota nearing the end of ...

Jul 19, 202354 minSeason 1Ep. 41

040 | CHAMPION with Sports Chaplain and Character Coach Roger Lipe

Roger Lipe, a longtime sports chaplain and author, shares his journey from a (his words!) mediocre high school wrestler to a successful sports chaplain and character coach. He discusses the importance of building trust and connection within teams, and how he helps athletes discover their purpose and passion. Lipe also talks about his new book, which focuses on developing the faith of elite sportspeople. Overall, his message is one of encouragement and inspiration, urging athletes and coaches to ...

Jul 17, 202356 minSeason 1Ep. 40

039 | COMPETE with Vocalist Brynnan Brooks

It is Word to the 3rd: my reflections on purpose, life, and growth. I’m Toby Brooks, and I am a speaker, author, professor, and forever student. Each week on Becoming UnDone , I bring you guests who have dared bravely, risked mightily, and grown relentlessly—high achievers who have transformed from falling apart to falling into place . But every third episode, it’s my turn to reflect, refine, and reprocess—on Word to the 3rd. Great to be back in the studio for another episode of Becoming UnDone!...

Jul 04, 202345 minSeason 1Ep. 39

038 | REBOUND with Researcher and Professor Dr. Ram Haddas

Dr. Ram Haddas' story is one of resilience and perseverance. He emphasizes the importance of taking action towards your dreams and never stopping pushing. Comfort zones can be dangerous, and it's essential to stay motivated and be responsible for your outcomes. Ram shares a personal story of taking on a new position during COVID and not having any data to publish. Instead of waiting for his lab to open, he contacted people with existing data and taught himself how to publish in areas he wasn't c...

Jun 18, 20231 hr 1 minSeason 1Ep. 38

037 | THE SPARTAN MINDSET with TEDx Speaker, Author, and Coach Reed Maltbie

Words matter. The choices we make the words we choose to speak and to write send powerful signals to the people we are trying to lead or inspire can make all the difference between a powerful connection or a missed opportunity. For San Diego, California transplant Reed Maltbie, decades of experience as an athlete, a coach, and as a speaker had taught him the importance of the perfect word applied at the appropriate time for the proper audience. But it wasn’t until a trusted advisor and those clo...

May 28, 20231 hr 2 minSeason 1Ep. 37
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