From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dr. Toby Brooks and the Power of Becoming UnDone

NATIONWIDE - JANUARY 2026 - (USAnews.com) At the height of his career, Dr. Toby Brooks had it all, prestige, accolades, and a respected position as a professor and performance scientist. But beneath the surface, his life was falling apart. A sudden, soul-crushing failure forced him to confront a painful truth: success alone wasn’t enough. After a lifetime of achievement, Toby found himself at rock bottom, caught between a shattered identity and the painful need for reinvention. It was in this dark, uncertain place that Toby found his true calling, turning his breakdown into a global movement of empowerment and transformation: Becoming UnDone.

The Silent Crisis of High Achievers

Dr. Toby Brooks’ story is one that resonates with many high achievers, those who push themselves to the brink of burnout in the name of success. For Toby, his breakdown wasn’t the result of a single event but a culmination of years of relentless ambition. Having risen through the ranks in academia, he was no stranger to stress, pressure, and performance. But even he couldn’t ignore the toll it was taking on his mental health and well-being.

“I realized that I’d been chasing success for the wrong reasons,” Toby reflects. “What happens when you achieve everything you thought you wanted, but it doesn’t fill the void inside? What happens when the pursuit of success leaves you broken?”

It was this question, faced during a pivotal moment of crisis, that led Toby to embrace the truth he had been avoiding: success could only take him so far. In fact, it had been a significant part of what had brought him to his breaking point.

Toby’s journey highlights a silent crisis that many high achievers experience but few talk about: the moment when ambition becomes a burden and personal identity is lost. He had built his life around performance, achievement, and accolades, but in the process, he had neglected the deeper need for personal meaning, connection, and mental well-being.

Awards and Recognition

Dr. Toby Brooks’ extraordinary contributions to the field of performance science and coaching have not gone unnoticed. In 2025, he was awarded the prestigious title of Best Performance Scientist and Coach in Texas by Best of Best Review. This accolade serves as a testament to his transformative work with high achievers, his groundbreaking insights into burnout and reinvention, and his commitment to helping individuals rebuild from their breakdowns. His innovative approach to personal development, blending academic rigor with real-life experience, has made an indelible impact on professionals and leaders worldwide. Toby’s dedication to empowering others through vulnerability and purpose-driven performance has solidified his status as a leading figure in the industry.

Embracing the Unraveling

What sets Dr. Toby Brooks apart from many in the self-help and leadership space is his willingness to embrace vulnerability. When everything he knew came crashing down, Toby chose to face the unraveling head-on. Rather than hiding from his pain or covering it up with more work, he decided to explore the depths of his own despair. It was here that his most powerful insights emerged.

“Becoming UnDone isn’t about falling apart,” Toby shares. “It’s about finally letting go of the things that were never meant to hold you together. It’s about allowing yourself to be broken, to let that brokenness become the foundation for something greater.”

This mindset shift was transformative. Rather than seeing his breakdown as a failure, Toby viewed it as an opportunity for growth. He recognized that he wasn’t alone in feeling like his success had led him to a place of emotional exhaustion. Many high achievers, creatives, and leaders struggle with the same pressures and often suffer in silence. Toby’s willingness to share his own story became the foundation for a movement aimed at helping others confront their own undoing.

Building Something Beautiful from the Wreckage

Today, Becoming UnDone is more than just a podcast, it’s a thriving global community. What started as a personal journey of reinvention has blossomed into a powerful platform for others who are also seeking meaning, clarity, and purpose in their lives. With listeners in over 75 countries, Toby’s podcast offers a unique mix of academic insight, emotional vulnerability, and actionable strategies for high achievers facing similar challenges.

But what truly sets Toby apart is his ability to blend the personal with the professional. Unlike many in the personal development world who offer a polished, cookie-cutter approach to success, Toby’s message is grounded in real-life experience. His story isn’t perfect, and that’s precisely what makes it so relatable. He is not offering quick-fix solutions or superficial success tips. Instead, he invites others to embrace the messiness of life and find strength in their imperfections.

“When you’re at your lowest point, the world may tell you you’ve failed. But I found that rock bottom was the most honest place I could build my life from,” Toby explains. His focus isn’t on avoiding breakdowns, it’s about learning how to build something meaningful and beautiful from the wreckage.

Redefining Success and Purpose

Toby’s work today is centered around redefining what it means to be successful. He teaches that success isn’t just about external accolades or career milestones. Instead, it’s about finding inner peace, understanding your true purpose, and embracing the journey of personal growth.

"Success can be a hollow pursuit if it’s not aligned with your deeper values,” Toby reflects. "I’ve spent over two decades helping others understand that failure doesn’t make you weak, it makes you human. And from that humanity, we can rise.”

Through Becoming UnDone, Toby helps individuals face their own vulnerabilities, reclaim their identities, and chart a new course toward a more meaningful life. His message is especially impactful for those who feel trapped by their own success, whether it’s burnout, imposter syndrome, or the fear of starting over.

The Heart of Becoming UnDone

At the core of Toby’s message is vulnerability. In a world that celebrates perfection and success, Toby is a voice for those who are willing to admit their struggles. His authenticity has made Becoming UnDone a trusted resource for people who feel isolated in their own battles. Whether it’s navigating leadership challenges, tackling burnout, or reinventing oneself after a major life shift, Toby’s honest approach offers a sense of connection and hope.

“If you’ve ever felt like your success was slowly killing you, or if you’ve ever questioned what it all means, you’re not alone,” Toby assures his audience. “Becoming UnDone is for anyone who needs permission to start again, and the belief that you’re not broken beyond repair.”

Dr. Toby Brooks’ Ongoing Impact

Today, Toby continues to lead with his unflinching authenticity. As the Director of the Academy for Teaching and Learning at Baylor University and a thought leader in generative AI and performance, his work spans both the academic and real-world arenas. But no matter where he speaks or what projects he undertakes, Toby’s mission remains the same: to help high performers and leaders embrace their breakdowns, rebuild their identities, and rise stronger.

His personal journey from burnout to breakthrough has become a beacon of hope for many. Through the Becoming UnDone podcast, his speaking engagements, and his academic work, Toby is helping to shift the conversation around high performance, mental health, and personal reinvention.

If you’re ready to break free from the pressures of success and start living with deeper purpose, Dr. Toby Brooks’ Becoming UnDone movement is the place to begin. Tune in to the Becoming UnDone podcast, explore Toby’s resources, and take the first step toward reinvention today. Visit TobyBrooksPhD.com for more information and to join the growing community of high achievers transforming their lives from the inside out.