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123 | Part 11: Discovering Leadership Lessons from Coach Dick Tomey’s Legacy with 1998 Arizona Football Co-Captain Barrett Baker
Barrett Baker: From Walk-On to Leader for Life
In this inspiring episode of Becoming Undone, host Toby Brooks sits down with Barrett Baker—former walk-on turned team captain of the legendary 1998 Arizona Wildcats. Barrett shares the unlikely and unforgettable journey that took him from the bottom of the depth chart to the heart of one of the most successful teams in school history.
But this story goes far beyond football.
Now a decorated Assistant Fire Chief for the Tucson Fire Department, Barrett reflects on the leadership, integrity, and unwavering belief instilled by Coach Dick Tomey—lessons that still shape his life on the front lines and at home. With stories of handwritten notes, hard-earned respect, and quiet conviction, Barrett shows how a culture of belief can transform lives—and how one leader’s values can echo across generations.
This isn’t just a sports story. It’s a story about grit, mentorship, and becoming the kind of person others can count on—on any field, in any season.
undonepodcast.com/ep123
You. Aren’t. Done. YET.
Becoming UnDone: Where High Achievers Turn Setbacks into Comebacks. Join Dr. Toby Brooks as he guides you through the art of transforming unfinished goals into unstoppable growth, one inspiring story at a time.
Achievers aim high, but to fall short is fundamentally human. Sometimes we fail. Sometimes we simply run out of time. Either way, it is what we do with the end of one chapter that can make all the difference in the next. Do we fall apart at the seams, coming undone to be forever branded as someone who lost? Or do we see the fuller picture, recognizing that the task remains unfinished and understanding that the end of a chapter isn’t the same as the end of the story. Becoming UnDone is the podcast for those who dare bravely, try mightily, and grow relentlessly. Join author, speaker, and host Dr. Toby Brooks as he invites a new guest each episode to examine how high achievers can transform from falling apart to falling into place.
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122 | The Science of the Comeback: Rebuild with Purpose and Clarity
Toby Brooks: The Science of the Comeback
What happens when you finally reach the goal you’ve worked toward your entire life—only to feel more lost than ever?
In this vulnerable and insightful solo episode of Becoming Undone, host Toby Brooks turns the spotlight inward, sharing his personal journey from academic triumph to existential turmoil. After achieving the coveted milestone of tenure, Toby found himself confronting a question that haunts high achievers everywhere: Now what?
Drawing from years of lived experience and study, he introduces “The Science of the Comeback,” a practical, powerful framework built on three pivotal steps: Reflect, Realign, and Rebuild. It’s not about bouncing back. It’s about becoming different, stronger, and more aligned with who you’re meant to be.
Whether you’re navigating burnout, redefining success, or staring down the silence that follows achievement, this episode offers clarity, courage, and a roadmap forward.
Listen in—and discover how becoming undone might just be the beginning.
undonepodcast.com/ep122
121 | Part 10: Celebrating Coach Dick Tomey’s Legacy of Pioneering Athletic Trainers with Magie Lacambra
Magie Lacambra: Breaking Barriers and Building Belief
In this powerful installment of Becoming UnDone, host Toby Brooks sits down with Magie Lacambra—trailblazing athletic trainer and current Team Sport Manager at Gatorade—to reflect on her groundbreaking journey and the profound influence of legendary coach Dick Tomey. From being one of the first women in NCAA Division I football athletic training to leading athlete care at the University of Arizona, Magie shares what it meant to earn trust, navigate resistance, and ultimately thrive in a male-dominated world.
Through stories of quiet courage and steadfast resilience, Magie paints a vivid portrait of a leader shaped by Tomey’s ethos of empathy, inclusion, and unwavering belief in people. It’s a heartfelt tribute to the kind of strength that builds lasting legacies—not just in wins and losses, but in lives changed along the way.
Whether you lead a team, support others behind the scenes, or simply need a reminder of what compassionate leadership looks like in action, this conversation will stay with you long after it ends.
Listen now and rediscover the power of care, culture, and connection.
undonepodcast.com/ep121
120 | Part 9: Arizona Football Head Coach Brent Brennan Reflects on Coach Dick Tomey’s Lasting Legacy
In this episode of “Becoming UnDone,” host Toby Brooks, amid personal challenges, explores powerful stories from the life and legacy of Coach Dick Tomey. Featuring insights from Brent Brennan, Arizona Wildcats head coach, the episode delves into career-defining moments shaped by Tomey’s leadership style. Through compelling narratives, we gain a deeper understanding of Tomey’s impact on players and coaches, emphasizing relationships, integrity, and personal growth. As Brent shares memories, lessons, and aspirations, listeners uncover the enduring influence of Tomey’s mentorship on modern coaching and personal development.
119 | Part 8: Positive Coaching Alliance’s Rich Tomey Reflects on the Lasting Impact of his Dad, Coach Dick Tomey
, Rich vividly recounts memories of his father, revealing both personal anecdotes and professional insights that highlight Coach Tomey’s unique approach to leadership and personal growth. Known for his mantra, “football isn’t complicated; people are,” Coach Tomey’s consistent focus on relationship-building and personal development are themes repeatedly echoed by those who knew him best.
The discussion centers around the enduring influence of Dick Tomey’s values, particularly the importance of perseverance and the prioritization of people over results. Rich shares how his father’s life lessons have shaped his own career path with the Positive Coaching Alliance, where he strives to instill character and integrity in coaching. The episode also explores Coach Tomey’s career from his early years in Hawaii to his noteworthy achievements at Arizona and San Jose State University, highlighting his commitment to nurturing grit and character in athletes.
118 | Part 7: Coach Dave Fipp Reflects on Coach Dick Tomey’s Enduring Legacy and Leadership
Toby Brooks delves into the enduring impact of Coach Dick Tomey, exploring his unique approach to leadership and mentorship through heartfelt reflections from former players and colleagues. Featuring an interview with Dave Fipp, the Special Teams Coordinator for the Detroit Lions, the episode highlights Tomey’s profound effect on lives both on and off the field, emphasizing a legacy of love, truth, and personal growth. Discover how Tomey’s philosophy continues to shape future generations, underscoring the power of authentic leadership and its lasting influence.
Your Host
toby brooks
Strategic in purpose. Relentless in pursuit. Better Every Day.
My life’s purpose is to help others discover and pursue theirs.
I’m Toby. I’m a dreamer, a learner, and a doer. I’m currently a professor at the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center in Lubbock, Texas. My life’s purpose is to help others discover and pursue theirs. I’ve published more than 20 books, 30 peer-reviewed articles, and 200+ magazine articles in a diverse career as an athletic trainer, professor, and automotive journalist.
I have an AS from Southeastern Illinois College, a BS from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, and both an MA and PhD from the University of Arizona. As a certified athletic trainer and certified strength and conditioning specialist, I have worked with the likes of the Las Vegas Raiders, USA Baseball, Arena football, and minor league baseball in pro sports, several colleges and universities, and nearly a dozen different high schools in a career that has spanned two decades.
I’m a proud dad, husband, author, and speaker and I relentlessly pursue better every day.
