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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.
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143 Episodes
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About the Host Toby Brooks is a dedicated podcaster and storyteller, passionate about exploring the human story behind success and adversity. Known for his insightful and compelling docuseries, Toby seeks to uncover life lessons from influential figures across various domains, including sports, leadership, and personal growth. His podcast, "Becoming Undone," delves deep into transformative journeys and provides listeners with valuable insights into overcoming challenges. Episode Summary In th...
About the Guest John Ulsh is an inspiring public speaker, author, and survivor who has transformed personal tragedy into a powerful mission of resilience and motivation. At 37, John's life dramatically changed following a nearly fatal car accident involving his entire family. Despite undergoing over 45 surgeries and extensive rehabilitation, John emerged with a renewed sense of purpose. Now, he dedicates his life to inspiring others as a motivational speaker and author of his book, The ...
About the Guest Nanci Kincaid is a celebrated novelist known for her emotionally resonant storytelling and authentic voice. She gained notable acclaim for her book Balls, published in 1998, which offers insights into the life of coaches' wives. Nanci was married to the late legendary coach Dick Tomey, whose coaching career spanned several successful programs, including Hawaii, Arizona, and San Jose State. Nanci has been an influential voice among spouses of sports professionals, providing a u...
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 m...
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 fr...
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. Pr...
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 le...
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...
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...
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 institutio...
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 fie...
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...
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. B...
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 und...
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,...
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 illu...
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 prof...
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. Episod...
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 gymnast...
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 tr...
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