Becoming UnDone® with Dr. Toby Brooks

About the Host

Dr. Toby Brooks is a professor, author, speaker, and performance scientist with over two decades of experience working as an athletic trainer and strength coach. His clientele has ranged from professional athletes to high school competitors. Currently, he focuses on understanding high achievers across various domains, observing their paths to success despite failures and setbacks. Dr. Brooks is passionate about sharing insights on overcoming challenges and maximizing potential, integrated into his podcast, Becoming UnDone.
Episode Summary

In this episode of Becoming UnDone, Dr. Toby Brooks reminisces about the iconic movie Top Gun and its personal significance, tying it to deeper revelations about setbacks and recovery. With vibrant storytelling, Brooks explores how memories of watching Top Gun with his father at a transformative time in his life have shaped his understanding of resilience. He delves into the movie's themes, particularly focusing on Maverick's journey post-tragedy, drawing insightful parallels to real-life challenges.
Throughout the episode, Dr. Brooks reflects on the themes of recovery, healing, and finding strength after failures. He compares Maverick's need to "get back in the saddle" to real-life experiences, encouraging listeners to acknowledge their struggles and continue striving forward. Using a compelling narrative, Brooks conveys that while setbacks might alter life's trajectory, they also offer profound growth opportunities. The episode resonates with anyone who has faced a disruption in their professional or personal life and seeks motivation to soar once again.

Key Takeaways

The journey to recovery involves acknowledging pain, rebuilding confidence, and embracing new beginnings.

Experiences, such as setbacks, significantly impact self-perception and responses to high-pressure situations.

Confidence is often rebuilt one step at a time, sometimes requiring the support of mentors and allies.

Major setbacks may prompt re-evaluation of identity and purpose but can lead to growth and new opportunities.

The importance of having mentors who encourage persistence, healing, and continued effort in the face of adversity.

Notable Quotes

"When we've been through failure or navigated loss, psychologists would tell us that there is a natural tendency to avoid further trauma."

"A major setback can do more than interrupt our plans. It can make us question our judgment."

"The comeback isn't simply getting cleared. The comeback is learning how to fly again."

"You can be cleared before you're confident. You can be capable before you feel capable."

"Surround yourself with people who will keep believing in your return."

Resources

Becoming UnDone Podcast

Dr. Toby Brooks' social media: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn

Book: "Sensory Overload" by Dr. Toby Brooks

Join Dr. Toby Brooks in this inspiring episode as he navigates the complexities of setbacks and comebacks. Listen in to explore how embracing challenges can lead to profound personal growth and resilience. Stay tuned for more engaging content on Becoming UnDone, where unraveling can be the starting point for rebuilding a stronger self.
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About the Guest

Dr. Matt Geddie is a retired occupational therapist and former professor at Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to empowering individuals both in healthcare settings and the classroom. Beyond his professional achievements, Matt is recognized for his astute financial acumen, having retired early with significant financial independence. He now focuses on guiding others through financial planning and life transitions in retirement through his online platform, ChangeEight.
Episode Summary

In this enlightening episode of Becoming UnDone, Dr. Toby Brooks engages with Dr. Matt Geddie, a financially savvy retired professor, about the principles of achieving financial independence. Dr. Geddie narrates his journey from being an occupational therapist to retiring early with a net worth of $1.7 million—a feat accomplished through strategic savings, living modestly, and intentional investment choices. His story is less about secret financial tricks and more about consistent and disciplined financial habits.
Dr. Geddie emphasizes that creating a strong financial future doesn't require enormous salaries. Instead, it's built on understanding opportunity costs and making informed decisions. He discusses the role of budgeting, starting early in retirement planning, and fostering open financial dialogues within relationships. The episode highlights life’s unpredictable expenses and how they shouldn't steer individuals away from achieving their financial goals. This engaging dialogue not only offers valuable financial insights but also explores how financial freedom can be about making deliberate life choices.

Key Takeaways

Financial independence is achievable through disciplined savings and investment, not by earning high incomes.

Consistent budgeting and understanding opportunity costs are crucial to long-term financial success.

Building wealth involves planning and communication, particularly in relationships, about financial goals.

Financial freedom allows for greater life choices and flexibility, rather than simply accumulating wealth.

Retirement planning should begin as early as possible to leverage compound interest.

Notable Quotes

"You don't have to make $150,000 or $200,000 a year to get to be a millionaire." – Dr. Matt Geddie

"Find someone who can help you with it. Have somebody hold you accountable." – Dr. Matt Geddie

"The best time to start was yesterday. Can’t do that. So the best time to start is today." – Dr. Matt Geddie

"How do you prepare responsibly for tomorrow without missing the life that's happening today?" – Dr. Toby Brooks

"Life gets in the way, but it doesn't ruin a financial plan if you know what to do with it." – Dr. Matt Geddie

Resources

Connect with Dr. Matt Geddie on LinkedIn

Visit Change8 for more about navigating retirement transitions: Change8 on Skoool (School.com)

Explore more episodes at Undone Podcast

This discussion underscores the importance of strategic financial planning and its impact on personal freedom and life satisfaction. Tune into the full episode for more insightful strategies on financial independence and purposeful living, and stay connected for more transformative content on Becoming UnDone.
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About the Guest

Hayden Hajdu is a talented vocalist known for his evocative blue-eyed soul style, often compared to legendary figures like Brian McKnight. In the early 1990s, Hayden was signed to BIV 10 Records, a promising label headed by Michael Bivins of Bell Biv DeVoe. Despite crafting a completed album, industry shifts left his music unreleased, pushing Hayden to navigate the challenging terrain of the music business. He later joined the group Sygnature, signing with Columbia Records and continued his musical path. Beyond music, Hayden has undergone personal transformations, grappling with and overcoming addiction, and finding grounding in his Christian faith.
Episode Summary

Join Dr. Toby Brooks in an engaging episode of Becoming UnDone, featuring Hayden Hajdu, a vocalist with a vibrant past in the music industry. Formerly associated with BIV 10 Records, Hayden shares his candid story of high hopes, unexpected setbacks, and eventual triumph over personal battles, highlighting his journey from potential stardom to finding peace and purpose beyond the music scene.
In this episode, Hayden reflects on his youth, ambitions, and the fateful meeting with Michael Bivins which led to a record deal. Despite a completed album and promising collaborations, industry changes halted his rise, teaching him resilience. SEO keywords like "BIV 10 Records," "Michael Bivins," "Hayden Hajdu," and "blue-eyed soul" recur as Hayden details navigating these trials, having embraced new chapters in life enriched by faith, family, and sobriety.

Key Takeaways

Unexpected Industry Changes: Hayden shares how unforeseen changes in the music industry affected his career trajectory and personal growth.

Managing Identity: He discusses his early reliance on external validation and how shifting away from music helped redefine his identity.

Overcoming Challenges: Hayden candidly talks about his battles with addiction and how finding faith was pivotal in his recovery.

The Impact of Family: Family life and fatherhood reshaped Hayden's aspirations, emphasizing a life beyond career success.

Redemption and Faith: Embracing Christianity and surrendering personal will allowed Hayden to find true peace and purpose beyond fame.

Notable Quotes

"My identity was in other people's opinions and approval of me."

"I was born with, I think, a gene…alcohol was always something that I think affected me differently."

"It's funny…I never asked God to take away my addiction because I was scared that he was going to."

"God had taken my broken pieces, but he has formed me in the identity of who he is."

"Now my life is just…defined by what Christ wants, and right now, I feel like I'm in the place where I should be."

Resources

Sygnature Album: Available on iTunes, featuring engaging tracks from Hayden's group.

YouTube: Search "Hayden Hajdu" for various music clips and personal recordings.

BIV 10 Records: Learn more about the iconic label started by Michael Bivins.

Dave Holmes' Podcast: "Waiting for Impact" details the fascinating stories of artists from the BIV 10 stable.

Explore the journey of transformation and resilience as shared by Hayden Hajdu, where musical dreams converge with life's lessons. Tune in to this episode of Becoming UnDone for more enlightening narratives, and stay poised for future episodes that dive deep into the lives of high achievers who have mastered the art of rebounding.
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About the Guest

Darryl Strawberry is a renowned former Major League Baseball (MLB) player, best known for his incredible talent and remarkable achievements on the baseball field. He was the first overall pick in the Major League Baseball draft in 1980 and became an eight-time MLB All-Star and a four-time World Series champion. Despite his on-field success, Strawberry faced numerous personal challenges including addiction and legal issues. Today, alongside his wife Tracy, he leads Strawberry Ministries, focusing on faith, recovery, and hope, dedicating his life to encouraging others through their struggles.
Episode Summary

In this emotionally compelling episode of Becoming UnDone, Dr. Toby Brooks converses with MLB legend Darryl Strawberry about his extraordinary life and career. This candid discussion dives deep into Strawberry's tumultuous yet inspiring journey—from his rise as an iconic baseball player to his struggles with addiction, broken relationships, and personal redemption. Through a tapestry of storytelling, Dr. Brooks and Strawberry explore the important themes of identity, purpose, and personal transformation. Strawberry poignantly shares how the challenges he faced off the field led to his ultimate redemption and how he now uses his platform to spread a message of hope and recovery through his ministry work.
The episode illuminates the dichotomy between fame and personal fulfillment, highlighting the pitfalls that can accompany success. It underscores the resilience required to address deep emotional wounds and the importance of self-forgiveness and reconciliation. Featuring impactful lessons and inspiring anecdotes, this conversation delves into the complexities of the human condition, illustrating how it is never too late to pivot towards a renewed life. Through the lens of Darryl Strawberry's life, the episode tackles universal themes of pain as a motivator, the search for identity beyond one's career, and the power of faith in achieving true healing and redemption.

Key Takeaways

The Role of Pain in Success: Darryl discusses how his painful childhood motivated him to achieve greatness in baseball but also served as a reminder that true healing was necessary beyond professional success.

Identity Crisis: Success can change circumstances, but self-identity remains an enduring quest, impacting one’s ability to internalize happiness.

Journey from Destruction to Redemption: Darryl's transformative journey reveals that personal trials, while challenging, are part of the path to redemption and service through faith.

Importance of Forgiveness: Self-forgiveness and reconciliation with those affected by one's actions are crucial steps in overcoming past mistakes and finding peace.

Faith and Purpose: Despite setbacks, embracing faith and purpose beyond one's career can lead to profound personal change and impactful contributions to others' lives.

Notable Quotes

"My pain led me to my greatness. But my greatness would eventually lead me to my destructive behavior."

"Behind all the home runs and the championships…was a young man still carrying the pain of a violent and dysfunctional childhood."

"No one is too far gone where God cannot reach you because he created you."

"You never know what the miracle could be on the other side…I didn't give up."

"I've been redeemed…I'm not who I used to be."

Resources

Darryl Strawberry's Instagram: @darrylstrawberry18

Strawberry Ministries: strawberryministries.org

Podcast Episode: undonepodcast.com/ep162

Listeners are encouraged to dive into the full episode to hear more of Darryl Strawberry’s insights and transformative journey. Stay tuned for more conversations and inspirational stories on Becoming UnDone.
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About the Guest
Dr. Shelby Daly is an accomplished leader in the field of sports medicine with a Doctorate in Athletic Training, specializing in leadership, entrepreneurship, and globalization. She hosts the To the Bone Sports Medicine Podcast, where she discusses topics crucial to athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals. Dr. Daly is recognized for her insightful commentary on leadership, burnout, and professional identity within the athletic training field. 
Dr. Toby Brooks is a speaker, author, and professor who hosts the Becoming UnDone®  podcast. With a rich background as an athletic trainer and strength coach in professional, collegiate, and high school sports settings, Dr. Brooks explores what distinguishes high achievers and how failures metamorphose into opportunities. His insights into athletic training, leadership, and performance science have become a valuable resource for professionals seeking practical growth strategies.
Episode Summary
In this unique crossover episode of Becoming UnDone® and To the Bone Sports Medicine Podcast, hosts Dr. Toby Brooks and Dr. Shelby Daly engage in a candid discussion on the undercurrents of athletic training and sports medicine. They navigate through the complexities of professional burnout, leadership challenges, and the value exchanges within the athletic training profession. Both bring their extensive experience to the table, questioning why the system often demands more than it offers back. These captivating themes resonate well beyond athletics, touching on organizational and personal growth.
In a conversation filled with laughter yet bearing an urgent undertone, Brooks and Daly delve into the current model of athletic training, exploring how its cultural demands impact practitioners. Topics like education investment vs. salary returns, the future of athletic training, and the potential benefits of niche specialization are scrutinized. This episode isn't just a critique; it's a call to action for sustainability and value recognition in sports medicine. Highlighting shared experiences and innovative solutions, Brooks and Daly shed light on the ways athletic trainers can foster healthier work environments where their contributions are appropriately acknowledged and compensated.
Key Takeaways
Professional Burnout and Sustainability: Dr. Shelby Daly and Dr. Toby Brooks discuss the critical issue of burnout in athletic training, emphasizing the necessity for sustainable practices that reciprocate the value trainers provide.
Education vs. Compensation: Insight into the disparity between the educational investments made by athletic trainers and the financial returns they receive, highlighting a need for revised compensation models.
Cultural Challenges: Exploration of the expectation culture in athletic training that values availability over actual performance and how it affects professional identity and burnout.
Positive Narratives and Solutions: Both hosts advocate for apt measures to be recognized and rewarded beyond the traditional norms, focusing on performance metrics and specialized credentials.
Networking and Partnerships: They underscore the importance of building professional networks and partnerships to create broader opportunities and innovate within the sports medicine landscape.
Notable Quotes
"When do I get to be given to?" - Dr. Shelby Daly, highlighting the imbalance in professional demands vs. returns.
"We can't keep confusing availability with value, exhaustion with commitment, or low compensation with loyalty." - Dr. Toby Brooks, on the need for systemic changes in athletic training.
"How liberating would it be to be able to just tell people to do their job?" - Dr. Toby Brooks, exploring authentic leadership styles in athletics.
"This identity that we've built up that we always have to be available is where we are stabbing ourselves in the back." - Dr. Shelby Daly, discussing the cultural expectations in athletic training.
"The truth is somewhere in the tension between those two things." - Dr. Toby Brooks, on balancing critique with constructive change.
Resources
To the Bone Sports Medicine Podcast by Dr. Shelby Daly: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Becoming UnDone® Podcast by Dr. Toby Brooks: Available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and other major platforms.
LinkedIn: Dr. Shelby Daly - LinkedIn for professional insights and discussions.
LinkedIn, Instagram, and Facebook: Dr. Toby Brooks - Connect for updates and professional discourse.
Join Dr. Shelby Daly and Dr. Toby Brooks as they peel back the layers of athletic training's most pressing issues, offering both a critical eye and a hopeful exploration of what it means to thrive in the profession. Listen to the full episode for a deeper dive into sustainable practices and innovative solutions for athletic trainers and sports medicine professionals. Stay tuned for more insightful discussions from both To the Bone and Becoming UnDone®.
Reach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!
Support the show
Becoming UnDone® is a NiTROHype Creative production. Written and produced by me, Toby Brooks. If you or someone you know has a story of resilience and victory to share for Becoming Undone, contact me at undonepodcast.com. Follow the show on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at becomingundonepod and follow me at TobyBrooksPhD. Listen, subscribe, and leave us a review Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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