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

126 | The Impact of a Purpose Storm: Transforming Loss into New Beginnings

About the Host Toby Brooks is an introspective speaker, coach, and author with experience in helping high-performance athletes and high achievers from diverse industries such as the arts, military, and entrepreneurship to navigate significant transitions in their lives. Through his personal journey from being an athlete to becoming a mentor and coach, Toby developed a keen insight into the identity shifts that accompany career and life changes. He has developed the UN.D.O.N.E. (tm) coaching mode...

Jun 30, 20258 minSeason 3Ep. 126

125 | San Jose State Football Head Coach Ken Niumatalolo Reflects on Leadership Lessons from Coach Tomey (Part 13)

About the Guest Ken Niumatalolo is a renowned American football coach recognized for his tenure as head coach at the Naval Academy, where he became the winningest coach in program history. With a career emphasizing leadership, discipline, and teamwork, Niumatalolo has cultivated a legacy of developing successful athletes and resilient teams. Currently serving as the head coach for San Jose State Spartans, Niumatalolo embodies the principles of humility, service, and culture that he learned from ...

Jun 28, 202555 minSeason 3Ep. 125

124 | Dick Tomey Part 12: Heart and Hustle with Arizona Wildcat Legend Kelvin Eafon

About the Guest Kelvin Eafon is a former athlete known for his remarkable leadership and resilience on and off the field. Initially recruited as a basketball player to the University of Arizona under legendary coach Lute Olson, Kelvin switched to football under Coach Dick Tomey, where he became a standout leader and co-captain of the 1998 Arizona Wildcats football team. Kelvin is known for his heart and ethos, contributing to one of the most memorable football seasons in Arizona's history. Prese...

Jun 19, 202547 minSeason 3Ep. 124

123 | Part 11: Discovering Leadership Lessons from Coach Dick Tomey's Legacy with 1998 Arizona Football Co-Captain Barrett Baker

About the Guest Barrett Baker is a former walk-on turned team captain of the 1998 University of Arizona Wildcats football team, which is known as the most successful team in the school's history. After his collegiate football career, Baker went on to serve with the Tucson Fire Department, where he has been a firefighter for 25 years, working in various capacities and achieving the rank of Assistant Chief. Married to his college sweetheart and a father of three, Baker continues to carry the lesso...

May 31, 202549 minSeason 3Ep. 123

122 | The Science of the Comeback: Rebuild with Purpose and Clarity

Episode Summary In this episode, Toby Brooks delves into the profound impact of reaching career milestones and the subsequent existential challenges that can follow. Reflecting on his personal journey, Toby describes the moment when achieving tenure, a lifelong academic goal, ironically ushered in a period of stagnation and introspection, leading to a deep existential crisis. This realization of "now what?" profoundly shaped his understanding of professional achievements and personal identity. T...

May 22, 20255 minSeason 3Ep. 122

121 | Part 10: Celebrating Coach Dick Tomey’s Legacy of Pioneering Athletic Trainers with Magie Lacambra

About the Guest Magie Lacambra is a trailblazing figure in athletic training, currently serving as the Team Sport Manager for Gatorade and Gatorade Sports Marketing. An accomplished professional, Lacambra began her career in Tucson, Arizona, where she followed in her mentor Sue Hillman's steps, breaking barriers as two of the first female athletic trainers in NCAA Division I football, creating a path for future generations in a field traditionally dominated by men. Her tenure included working cl...

May 21, 20251 hr 7 minSeason 3Ep. 121

120 | Part 9: Arizona Football Head Coach Brent Brennan Reflects on Coach Dick Tomey's Lasting Legacy

About the Guest Brent Brennan is the head football coach of the University of Arizona Wildcats. Previously serving as the head coach at San Jose State Spartans, Brennan's career is marked by notable achievements in college football coaching. With a deep connection to the legacy of Coach Dick Tomey, Brennan has carved a path filled with challenges and accomplishments, maintaining a player-first mentality that honors Tomey's enduring influence. Notably, Brennan has coached at various institutions,...

May 02, 202544 minSeason 3Ep. 120

119 | Part 8: Positive Coaching Alliance’s Rich Tomey Reflects on the Lasting Impact of his Dad, Coach Dick Tomey

About the Guest Rich Tomey is the son of the late Dick Tomey, a revered football coach known for his impactful leadership at institutions such as the University of Hawaii, University of Arizona, and San Jose State University. Rich is a dedicated advocate for character-driven coaching and currently works with the Positive Coaching Alliance, where he continues to build upon his father's legacy by promoting positive and effective coaching techniques. Raised on the sidelines of football fields, Rich...

Apr 04, 20251 hr 3 minSeason 3Ep. 119

118 | Part 7: Coach Dave Fipp Reflects on Coach Dick Tomey's Enduring Legacy and Leadership

About the Guest Dave Fipp is a highly respected coach in the National Football League (NFL), currently serving as the Special Teams Coordinator for the Detroit Lions since 2021. Before joining the Lions, Fipp contributed his expertise to several NFL teams, including the Philadelphia Eagles, where he played a pivotal role in their 2018 Super Bowl victory, as well as the Miami Dolphins and the San Francisco 49ers. His coaching journey began under the mentorship of the legendary coach Dick Tomey at...

Mar 27, 202546 minSeason 3Ep. 118

117 | Part 6: Coach Dino Babers Talks Roaches, Man Hugs, and the Art of Building a Team with Love

About the Guest Dino Babers is the former head coach of the Syracuse Orange football team and has a storied career in college football. His previous roles include being an offensive coordinator at the University of Arizona from 1998 to 2000, where he worked under Coach Dick Tomey. Babers also served as the head coach at Eastern Illinois, earning the title Ohio Valley Conference Coach of the Year twice, Bowling Green, and at Syracuse was honored as the AP ACC Coach of the Year honor in 2018. Babe...

Mar 23, 202559 minSeason 3Ep. 117

116 | Part 5: Coach Rip Scherer: Coach Dick Tomey's Legacy of Leadership and Resilience

About the Guest Rip Scherer is a seasoned American football coach with over 51 years of experience across collegiate and professional levels, including the NFL. Scherer’s impressive career began at Penn State and included coaching roles at major programs such as the University of Virginia, LSU, Georgia Tech, and Alabama. He also served as the head coach for James Madison University (JMU) and the University of Memphis. Scherer has significant history with the late Dick Tomey, having worked under ...

Mar 07, 20251 hrSeason 3Ep. 116

115 | Part 4: 4X Super Bowl Champ Jesse Sapolu Discusses Coach Dick Tomey's Legacy: Transforming Lives Through Football and Culture

About the Guest Jesse Sapolu is a former professional American football player who played his entire career with the San Francisco 49ers. A native of Hawaii, Sapolu is of Samoan descent and played college football at the University of Hawaii. Over his NFL career, he achieved remarkable success, winning four Super Bowl rings with the 49ers. Beyond his playing career, Jesse is known for his dedication to his roots, exemplified by his decision to remain in Hawaii for his college education, influenc...

Mar 04, 202553 minSeason 3Ep. 115

114 | Part 3 of the Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Dick Tomey: Coach Dick Vermeil Reflects on Coach Tomey's Impact

About the Guest Dick Vermeil : A legendary American football coach renowned for his passionate coaching style and impeccable leadership. Vermeil has been named Coach of the Year at four levels (high school, junior college, NCAA Division I, and NFL) and has an illustrious career, including a Super Bowl victory with the St. Louis Rams. His extensive experience in football spans over decades, having coached and worked alongside some of the sport's most iconic figures. Episode Summary In this illumi...

Feb 22, 202542 minSeason 3Ep. 114

113 | Part 2 of the Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Dick Tomey: Beginnings with Mike Flores

About the Guest Mike Flores is a seasoned executive leadership coach and former assistant football coach. Throughout his impressive career, Flores has worked at institutions such as UCLA, the University of Hawaii, San Jose State, and the University of Arizona under distinguished figures like Dick Tomey and Dick Vermeil. Currently, he is the founder and president of Inner Champion Consulting, where he provides executive coaching and leadership training to upper-level executives and sports profess...

Feb 13, 20251 hr 1 minSeason 3Ep. 113

112 | Part 1 of the Life, Lessons, and Legacy of Dick Tomey: Rise of the Rainbow Warriors with Lance Tominaga

About the Guest Lance Tominaga is a seasoned sports journalist and ESPN Honolulu web editor known for his deep understanding of the college football landscape, especially concerning the University of Hawaii. He is the co-author of "Rise of the Rainbow Warriors," which chronicles the journey of Hawaii football from 1977 to 1987 under the leadership of Coach Dick Tomey. Tominaga has built a career on documenting the moments that shape teams, programs, and lives within the sports world. Episode Sum...

Feb 07, 202539 minSeason 3Ep. 112

111 | Embracing Change with Mary Reiss Farias: From Gymnastics Success to Mindset Mentor

About the Guest Mary Reiss Farias is a former Division 1 gymnast, successful business owner, transformational mindset mentor, and author. A decorated collegiate gymnast from the University of Arizona, she transitioned into a dedicated coach before becoming a self-development coach. Mary is passionate about helping others reframe their self-image and achieve their full potential. She co-authored the book "Discovering Something Greater" and wrote the Gym Rat book series to inspire young gymnasts. ...

Jan 31, 202550 minSeason 2Ep. 111

110 | Beyond Beliefs: How Ryan Kalish Found a New Purpose After MLB

About the Guest Ryan Kalish is a former Major League Baseball player who made his mark in professional sports as a promising athlete with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs. Known for his speed and athleticism, Kalish navigated a career punctuated with challenges, including numerous surgeries and injuries. After baseball, he transitioned into entrepreneurship, co-owning Birdman Bats, and explored therapeutic modalities, becoming a Pilates instructor. Currently, he is focused on innovative train...

Jan 23, 202552 minSeason 2Ep. 110

109 | From Champion to Starter with 2X Super Bowl Champion Carl Banks

About the Guest Carl Banks is a legendary NFL linebacker, recognized for his influential career with the New York Giants where he secured two Super Bowl championships. The #3 overall pick in the 1984 NFL Draft out of Michigan State, Banks transitioned successfully from sports to business. Currently, he serves as the president of G-III Sports, a division of G-III Apparel Group, overseeing the production of licensed apparel for major sports leagues. Banks also played a pivotal role in revitalizing...

Jan 13, 202525 minSeason 2Ep. 109

108 | Changing the World with Dr. Brittany Bankhead

About the Guest Dr. Brittany Bankhead is an accomplished trauma surgeon known for her resilience and determination. She is a double board-certified academic trauma surgeon with an impressive history that includes transforming setbacks into stepping stones for success. Despite early challenges in her academic journey, including starting in an international medical program, Dr. Bankhead went on to complete her residency at prestigious institutions such as the University of Texas at Austin and a fe...

Dec 14, 202454 minSeason 2Ep. 108

107 | The Art of the Comeback: Lessons from Mike Tyson’s Rollercoaster Journey

Episode Summary Join Dr. Toby Brooks in this introspective episode of Becoming UnDone® as he dives into the complex and riveting life story of Mike Tyson. Known for embracing failure, setbacks, and adversity, the podcast delves into how Tyson's early life of chaos and subsequent rise to become the youngest heavyweight boxing champion encapsulates resilience and redemption. Through Tyson's turbulent career, Brooks reflects on the lessons one can extract from his journey, creating a narrative fill...

Nov 18, 202422 minSeason 2Ep. 107

106 | Against the Grain: Why the Safe Path Holds You Back

Episode Summary In this episode of Becoming UnDone , host Toby Brooks dives into the core idea that traditional paths to success are not always the best or only options. Drawing from personal experiences and anecdotes, Toby explores the notion that real growth and fulfillment often lie in daring to carve your own path and questioning societal norms. This episode challenges listeners to step away from outdated blueprints of success and find their true selves through authenticity and self-discipli...

Nov 11, 202419 minSeason 2Ep. 106

105 | Creating the Impossible: The Stories Behind Rick Dobbertin’s Legendary Builds

About the Guest Rick Dobbertin is a renowned engineer, fabricator, and entrepreneur known for his groundbreaking work in the field of custom car building and vehicular engineering. He gained fame in the 1980s for his work on high-performance pro street cars, including the iconic Nova and J2000 builds. Rick’s inventive spirit led him to create the Dobbertin Surface Orbiter, an amphibious vehicle made from a 1959 milk tanker that logged 33,000 miles across 28 countries. Currently, Rick runs Dobber...

Nov 02, 20241 hr 11 minSeason 2Ep. 105

104 | Three Ways to Know It’s Time to Quit Your Job: Lessons from an Overstayed Welcome

About the Host: In this episode, Toby Brooks, a speaker, author, professor, and forever student, shares his reflections on life experiences that have shaped his journey. With expertise in inspiring growth and personal development, Toby engages audiences with his unique perspective on navigating life's transitions. Episode Summary: In this engaging episode of "Becoming Undone," Toby Brooks takes the audience on a nostalgic journey back to his childhood, recounting vividly the memorable birthday p...

Oct 29, 202414 minSeason 2Ep. 104

103 | KING OF THE WORLD with Taye Brooks, College Freshman and All-State/All-District Texas HS Baseball Athlete

About the Guest: Taye Brooks is a college freshman at Lubbock Christian University with an avid passion for sports, particularly baseball, which he has played since a young age. He also has a keen interest in mathematics and has weathered significant challenges, including a range of injuries and a prolonged mystery illness, to gain a deep understanding of his personal worth beyond a sports identity. Taye credits his development to the Christian values instilled by his family and educators, foste...

Oct 17, 202441 minSeason 2Ep. 103

102 | TESTIMONY with Dr. Carly Dillard, Nursing Professor and Podcaster

About the Guest Dr. Carly Dillard is a clinical assistant professor at Baylor University, esteemed for her background in nursing education. She holds an advanced degree of Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from Capella University and a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) from Elmira College. Dr. Dillard is not only an accomplished educator but also the host of "Pink Table Talk," a podcast focusing on women empowerment and personal success stories. She is a first-generation college graduate, havi...

Oct 12, 202432 minSeason 2Ep. 102

101 | MAKE SURE THEY'RE PERFECT with Joe Cherewan, World-Class Metal Finisher

About the Guest Joe Cherewan is a world-class metal finisher known particularly for his expertise within the automotive industry, attracting a global clientele, including high-profile drag racers and car enthusiasts. Joe has honed his unique skill set over decades, working on high-performance dream builds, including street-strip and showcar projects. Although he stepped away from the field recently, he's also ventured into breeding champion French Bulldogs, indicative of his continuous pursuit o...

Oct 10, 202449 minSeason 2Ep. 101

100 | THE MAKING (and re-making) of LARRY JOHNSON PART 9: DEAR MAMA with NBA and NCAA Legend Larry Johnson

About the Guest: Larry Johnson, also known by his alter ego "Grandmama," is a legendary basketball player who made a significant mark in the NBA during the 1990s. Born in Dallas, Texas, he was the first overall pick in the 1991 NBA Draft by the Charlotte Hornets and was named NBA Rookie of the Year. Johnson played college basketball at UNLV where he won a national championship. He later played for the New York Knicks and is celebrated for his powerful play and team-oriented approach. Following h...

Sep 20, 202449 minSeason 2Ep. 100

099 | THE MAKING (and re-making) OF LARRY JOHNSON PART 8: GRANDMAMA with Former Converse Executive Roger Morningstar

About the Guest Roger Morningstar is a former Kansas Jayhawk standout and converse executive. He averaged 23 points per game at Dundee High School, was an NJCAA All-American at Olney College, and won two consecutive Big Eight titles with the Kansas Jayhawks. Roger was drafted by the Boston Celtics and had a stint in Europe before joining converse, where he played a critical role in sports marketing and athlete endorsements, including the notable Grandmama campaign with NBA star Larry Johnson. Ep...

Sep 13, 202456 minSeason 2Ep. 99

098 | THE MAKING (and re-making) OF LARRY JOHNSON PART 7: THE METEORIC RISE OF LJ IN THE NBA with AAI Sports President George Bass, Jr.

About the Guest George Bass is the President of AAI Sports, a company representing some of the brightest stars in professional sports. With an accounting background and a pivot into the sports realm, George has played a significant role as a sports agent for big names like Michael Irvin of the Dallas Cowboys and NBA star Larry Johnson. He has a unique perspective on the player-agent relationship, having been a part of critical contracts and career-defining moments in sports history. Episode Summ...

Sep 07, 202437 minSeason 2Ep. 98

097 | THE MAKING (and re-making) OF LARRY JOHNSON PART 6: The UNLV YEARS

In this fun and insightful episode of Becoming UnDone® , host Toby Brooks takes an in-depth look at the college career of basketball legend Larry Johnson. As we reach part six of our nine-part docuseries, "The Making and Remaking of Larry Johnson," Brooks captures not just the milestones, but the spirit and resilience of a player who overcame significant hurdles to rise to fame. Larry Johnson's path from the Dixon Circle housing projects of Dallas to NCAA stardom at UNLV is nothing short of insp...

Aug 30, 202417 minSeason 2Ep. 97
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