Becoming UnDone

About the GuestSandra Chu is a former collegiate rowing coach turned higher education consultant with a storied and multi-faceted career trajectory. With over 22 years of coaching experience and notable achievements, including National, Regional, and League Coach of the Year honors, Sandra transitioned into her current role at WittKieffer, seeking more alignment with her skills and the broader mission of higher education. She holds an impressive academic background with a master's from NYU and a BA from Princeton, where she was an All-Ivy athlete.Episode SummaryIn this episode of Becoming UnDone®, host Toby Brooks sits down with Sandra Chu, whose journey exemplifies the essence of transformation from a deeply invested athletic coach to a driven higher education consultant. Sandra shares her personal and professional evolution, revealing how critical life choices led her to reevaluate her identity, values, and career.Sandra's story is nothing short of inspiring. Starting with her bold step into the world of collegiate rowing at Princeton, to her significant contributions as a rowing coach, and eventual transition into executive search, Sandra has continuously pivoted towards growth and fulfillment. This episode plunges into the narrative of someone who, despite considerable success and recognition, dared to redirect her professional compass amidst the onset of COVID-19 and personal introspection.Key TakeawaysSandra Chu reflects on her decision to leave collegiate coaching to focus on family and explore her potential in higher education consultancy.COVID-19 played a significant role in Sandra's career transition, providing her a time of reflection and re-evaluation of her professional identity.The episode highlights the importance of self-advocacy and the power to overcome imposter syndrome, a common barrier Sandra assists candidates with in her current role.Sandra shares her perspective on the ability to view beyond job titles and recognize the worth of skills in varying contexts, drawing parallels with her own career shift.Mentorship and seeing potential in others, a theme pervasive in Sandra's coaching career, remains an integral part of her approach as a consultant.Notable Quotes"What did we learn during COVID? We learned what was important to us. And what I learned was that there were many things that I did as a coach, which at the time when that ended and I was unemployed, felt like, oh shoot, I made this terrible mistake, and this was a big part of my identity. And Covid helped me understand that the identity was the skill.""I like to think of myself as someone who sees possibilities, unearths or surfaces those for the folks that I work with and intersect with, whether that was students that I mentored as athletes or with clients and candidates that I work with today."Engage with this poignant episode to uncover the depth of Sandra Chu's life lessons in career transition and seizing one's potential against the odds. Join us in learning from her fascinating story, and don't forget to stay tuned for more episodes that unravel the intricacies of personal and professionaReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

In this episode of Becoming UnDone, Toby Brooks reflects on generational differences and stereotypes with his daughter, Brynnan Brooks. They discuss the characteristics and perceptions of their respective generations, Generation X and Generation Z. Toby shares his experience as a Gen Xer, feeling like the overlooked middle child and the resilience that comes from being part of the forgotten generation. Brynnan discusses the open-mindedness and inclusivity of her generation, as well as the challenges they face with mental health. They explore the pros and cons of each generation and the importance of intergenerational friendships and understanding.Key Takeaways:Generational stereotypes can influence outlooks and behaviors.Gen Xers often feel overlooked and develop resilience from their experiences.Gen Z is open-minded and inclusive, but can sometimes struggle with mental health issues.Work ethic is a strength of Gen X, but it can also lead to a focus on goals over the journey.Building intergenerational friendships can help bridge the gap between generations.Quotes:"Behavior allowed is behavior encouraged." - Toby Brooks"Gen X feels like the overlooked middle child." - Toby Brooks"Gen Z is quick to see discrimination and injustice." - Toby Brooks"Gen X has an insane work ethic, but it can become goal-oriented instead of journey-oriented." - Brynnan Brooks"My generation is non-confrontational and quietly disagrees." - Brynnan Brooks"Clarity is kindness." - Brene' BrownReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

Summary:In this episode, Toby Brooks continues his reflections on the 1984 classic film "The NeverEnding Story." He explores the hidden meanings and personal growth he has experienced since first watching the movie as a child. Toby discusses the challenges faced by the main character, Atreyu, as he navigates through the Sphinx gate and the Magic Mirror gate. He also delves into the concept of the "Sea of Possibilities" and the destructive force of The Nothing. Toby reflects on the importance of self-worth, humility, and staying true to one's purpose in the face of adversity.Key Takeaways:The Sphinx gate represents the need for individuals to believe in their own worth and authenticity.The Magic Mirror gate symbolizes the confrontation with one's true self, including both positive and negative aspects.Unrestrained possibilities can be overwhelming and paralyzing without guidance and direction.It is important to discern between opportunities that align with one's purpose and those that are merely distractions.The destructive force of The Nothing grows stronger when people lose hope and forget their dreams.Quotes:"Instead of polishing my armor, maybe I should be nourishing my body." - Toby Brooks"It isn't hubris we should seek. It is quiet, grounded, hard-earned humility." - Toby Brooks"No matter how sparkly or wonderful an opportunity is, if it doesn't align with your purpose, it's a distraction." - Neil Kennedy"The nothing that ultimately destroyed Fantasia is the emptiness that's left when life tests us, tries us, batters us, and bloodies us." - Toby BrooksReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The Guest:Mark de Grasse is the President of DigitalMarketer, a skills and talent development firm that has served over 100,000 students in 174 countries. He has a diverse background in various industries, including fitness, educational tech, real estate, and marketing. Mark is known for his expertise in digital marketing and leveraging artificial intelligence to enhance marketing strategies.Summary:Mark shares his journey from experiencing a major setback in his late 20s to becoming the President of DigitalMarketer. He emphasizes the importance of failure and how it can lead to personal growth and success. Mark also discusses the role of mental health in achieving success and shares his strategies for maintaining good mental health. He explains how Digital Marketer teaches all aspects of digital marketing and leverages artificial intelligence to enhance marketing strategies. Mark believes that the journey itself is the goal and aims to help individuals achieve epic levels of success by shifting their perspective on success.Key Takeaways:Failure can lead to personal growth and success.Mental health plays a crucial role in achieving success.Digital Marketer teaches all aspects of digital marketing through a systematic framework.Artificial intelligence can enhance marketing strategies and increase productivity.The journey itself is the goal, and success should be defined by personal fulfillment rather than external achievements.Quotes:"If I could help people understand that the journey part of it is the goal, like what you're doing, you're already doing it." - Mark de Grasse"The only thing you actually have control of is how you perceive your current situation." - Mark de Grasse"The journey is the goal. And if I could convince people of that, then I think I could help people break out of the cycle." - Mark de GrasseReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

SummaryIn this episode of "Word of the 3rd," Toby Brooks reflects on the movie "The Never Ending Story" and its deeper meaning. He explores the themes of success, significance, and the search for purpose. Toby shares his personal journey of navigating the space between success and significance and how his goals now revolve around positively impacting people and leaving a lasting legacy. He discusses the importance of finding deeper meaning in life and the impact of depression and anxiety on individuals. Toby also highlights the role of connection and the need to bring something unique into the world.Key TakeawaysSuccess is rarely satisfying in the long run.The search for significance and purpose is a journey many people undertake.Depression and anxiety rates have been higher than ever in recent years.The movie "The Never Ending Story" explores themes of success, significance, and the search for purpose.Connection and leaving a lasting legacy are important goals in life.Quotes"Success is rarely satisfying, at least in the long run.""Maybe it's a need to bring something into the world that only you can create.""We've seen rates of depression and anxiety higher than ever in recorded human history in the past three years.""The search for significance and purpose is a journey many of us undertake.""Connection and leaving things better than I found them are my biggest goals in life."Reach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The GuestJohn Miller is a journalist, author, and baseball historian. He grew up in Belgium with American parents who were professional musicians. With a deep love for journalism and baseball, he pursued a career as a journalist and eventually landed a position with the Wall Street Journal. After leaving the Journal, he produced a PBS documentary on a mining town and is currently working on a book about legendary Hall of Fame manager Earl Weaver.SummaryJohn Miller, a journalist and author, shares his journey from working at the Wall Street Journal to pursuing his passion for storytelling and baseball. After leaving the Journal, he embarked on a six-month wandering period, exploring different career paths and finding clarity in his desire to continue working as a journalist. He produced a documentary on a mining town and began writing for America, a monthly magazine. He is currently working on a book about Earl Weaver, a legendary baseball manager. Through his experiences, John has learned the importance of embracing failure, adapting to change, and finding meaning in his work.Key TakeawaysJohn's passion for journalism and storytelling began at a young age, influenced by his parents' musical background and his love for reading the newspaper.He pursued a career in journalism and played baseball in college, combining his two passions.After leaving the Wall Street Journal, John went through a period of uncertainty and exploration, considering different career paths and finding clarity in his desire to continue working as a journalist.He produced a documentary on a mining town, highlighting the complexity and cultural impact of industries like mining.John's experiences have taught him the importance of embracing failure, adapting to change, and finding meaning in his work.Quotes"I wanted to do something deeper about the country and for my own kind of journalistic journey." - John Miller"I respect the grief a lot more... I think you can't understand the politics of this country without understanding that grief." - John Miller"Perseverance does not make sense if you're not willing to adapt and change." - John MillerReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The GuestKelli Chapman is an orthopedic surgery physician assistant. She had a successful career as a softball player, earning accolades such as All-State and Conference Player of the Year. After her playing days, she pursued a career in athletic training and eventually became a physician assistant. Kelli is passionate about helping others and continues to work in orthopedics, providing care to patients and athletes.SummaryKelli Chapman shares her journey from being a highly successful athlete to becoming an orthopedic surgery physician assistant. She discusses the challenges of transitioning out of sports and the emotional toll it took on her. Kelly emphasizes the importance of resilience and finding new goals to pursue. She talks about her experiences in PA school and the determination it took to finally achieve her dream. Kelli's story is a testament to the power of perseverance and the ability to overcome obstacles.Key TakeawaysTransitioning out of sports can be emotionally challenging, and athletes often struggle with finding a new identity.It is important to focus on what you can control and set new goals for yourself.The path to success is not always linear, and setbacks can be opportunities for growth and learning.Resilience and determination are key qualities that can help you overcome obstacles and achieve your goals.Quotes"Softball is not who I am. It was what I did." - Kelli Chapman"You have to be confident in yourself and your abilities. If you keep practicing and working hard, you can achieve your goals." - Kelli ChapmanReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The GuestBrynnan 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.SummaryBrynnan Brooks discusses the importance of being known for who you truly are and not just presenting a sanitized image to the world. She believes that setting yourself up for happiness and peace is more important than striving for worldly success. Brynnan also talks about the challenges introverts face in building their personal brand and how they can still be liked by being authentic and connecting with people on a one-on-one level. She emphasizes the importance of vulnerability and being true to yourself, even if it means facing criticism or misunderstanding. Brynnan and Toby also discuss the double standards that exist for men and women when it comes to vulnerability and how society's expectations can limit personal growth. They explore the keys to building a personal brand, including having a clear mission and core values, being purposeful in design choices, and utilizing platforms like websites and podcasts to showcase your authentic self.Key TakeawaysBeing known for who you truly are and making meaningful connections with others is more important than striving for worldly success.Introverts can still be liked by connecting with people on a one-on-one level and being authentic.Vulnerability is important in building a personal brand and showing your true self, even if it means facing criticism or misunderstanding.Society often has double standards when it comes to vulnerability, with men being discouraged from showing emotions and women facing limitations in certain fields.Building a personal brand requires having a clear mission and core values, being purposeful in design choices, and utilizing platforms like websites and podcasts to showcase your authentic self.Quotes"I want to be known in that people truly know me, they really know me and not some sort of sanitized image that I'm presenting to the world." - Brynnan Brooks"If your goal is just, I'm going to be the best singer, there's a lot of people, that's their goal. But setting yourself up for a lot of heartache." - Brynnan Brooks"Introverts using the one-on-one method, getting to know people individually or really using the energy they have in a good way." - Brynnan Brooks"There's always someone going to be upset about what you say, especially if you're trying to keep it real like that." - Brynnan Brooks"I think there's always some kind of standard and there's always something that society is saying, you can do this or you can't do this." - Brynnan BrooksReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The GuestPaul 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.SummaryPaul Fenner, founder of TAMMA Capital and host of the Emotional Balance Sheet podcast, shares his journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of balancing a career and raising triplets, and how he found the courage to pursue his own business. Paul emphasizes the importance of emotional and lifestyle planning in addition to financial planning, and how he helps families navigate these complex areas. He also discusses the role of fear in both his own life and in his work with clients, and the power of storytelling in inspiring others.Key TakeawaysPaul Fenner's journey from corporate America to entrepreneurship was driven by his passion for finance and helping families navigate life transitions.Emotional and lifestyle planning are just as important as financial planning when it comes to achieving personal and financial goals.Fear can be a major obstacle in pursuing one's dreams, but it can also be a motivator for growth and change.The power of storytelling and sharing personal experiences can inspire and empower others to overcome their own challenges.Quotes"I think people become paralyzed by that fear. And that's one reason why people have a hard time taking the first step with working with any financial planner, let alone me." - Paul Fenner"I think listening to other people's stories has really helped solidify that. And again, I take all that, and I can now see how my firm has grown and developed over the last three years with the growth and the conversations and the insights of the guests I've had on my show." - Paul FennerReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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. 

About The GuestJohn 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.SummaryJohn Ballenger shares his journey from childhood dreams of becoming a pilot to serving in the Marine Corps and eventually piloting Marine-One. He discusses the setbacks and challenges he faced along the way, including the loss of his daughter and family suicides. John emphasizes the importance of resilience, faith, and a strong support network in overcoming adversity. He also talks about his current endeavors, including coaching and real estate development.Key TakeawaysThe importance of recognizing and addressing mental health struggles, especially in the face of personal tragedies.The value of surrounding oneself with a strong support network and seeking help when needed.The significance of staying true to one's values and faith in navigating difficult times.The power of vulnerability and open communication in building meaningful connections and overcoming challenges.The need to prioritize and focus on the basics in order to achieve success.Quotes"Failure can define you if you let it. I've been blessed to be around it, but it has not shaken me from my foundation." - John Ballenger"Surround yourself with people that you want to be like, and that will make all the difference." - John Ballenger"Life is 10% what actually happens to you, 90% what you do about it." - John BallengerConnectwww.michaelandjohn.comJohn on LinkedInReach out to Becoming UnDone! Text Toby here!Support the showBecoming 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.