Podcast Summary: Becoming UnDone
Episode 147 | The Quiet Power of Consistently Showing Up for Growth
Host: Dr. Toby Brooks
Date: January 22, 2026
Episode Overview
In this solo reflection episode of Becoming UnDone, Dr. Toby Brooks explores the critical yet understated power of showing up—consistently and intentionally—as a foundation for personal and collective growth. Drawing on personal stories, philosophies from high achievers, and practical frameworks, Brooks delivers three compelling reasons to “show up” for your mind, your people, and your soul. The episode serves as inspiration and a practical guide for anyone battling self-doubt, loss of motivation, or the grind of daily adversity.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. The Myth of Passive Growth (00:00–02:20)
- Growth doesn’t just happen, especially beyond a certain age or achievement level.
- Life trends toward disorder (entropy) if left unattended: “Your life doesn't evolve. It erodes.”
- Progress is the product of intentional, repeated action—even when inconvenient or unnoticed.
- Quote: “Progress doesn't happen passively. It happens when you show up, intentionally, repeatedly, and especially when you don't feel like it.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [00:32]
2. Three Reasons to Keep Showing Up
I. Show Up for Yourself: The Power of Kaizen & Marginal Gains (03:08–14:30)
- Kaizen: The Japanese philosophy of continuous, incremental improvement.
- Daily decision-making and small steps, not grand gestures, create big and lasting change.
- John Wooden's Principle: Small, daily improvements outweigh the desire for overnight transformation.
- “When you improve a little each day, eventually big things occur... Don’t look for the big, quick improvement. Seek the small improvement one day at a time. And when it happens, it lasts.” — (quoting John Wooden) [05:07]
- Focus on systems and habits, not just goals or dramatic successes.
- Marginal Gains: Improving just 1% in a few key areas can lead to massive transformation.
- Neuroscience supports that new habits reinforce and rewire the brain, sustaining momentum.
- Personal example: Brooks’ own book project—success comes from working in small, consistent chunks, not in intense but irregular “fits and spurts.”
- Quote: “You don't owe yesterday's version of you anything, but you owe tomorrow's version a chance. And that chance begins by showing up today.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [11:58]
II. Show Up for Your People: The Ripple Effect of Accountability (14:35–23:50)
- Personal story: Moving houses led Brooks to rediscover a drawing from his young son pleading “no working” during a time Brooks was overextended and absent.
- Even high achievers can neglect those who matter most while chasing external validation or financial gain.
- Your presence and consistency impact others—family, friends, coworkers, mentees.
- Mr. Rogers’ Principle: “Anything that's human is mentionable. And anything that's mentionable can be more manageable.”
- Importance of modeling resilience for others, especially through hard times.
- Example from sports: Coach Dick Tomy’s mantra, “The team, the team, the team,” emphasizes collective over individual effort.
- “To Coach Tomy, nothing was ever more important to any one of us than what was important to all of us.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [19:11]
- Showing up for others is a form of leadership that creates safety and hope, especially on tough days.
- Quote: “Your consistency creates safety. Your persistence gives someone else hope. This may be the most underrated form of leadership.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [22:57]
III. Show Up for Your Lord: Growth as an Act of Faith (23:52–30:40)
- Christian perspective: Whole-person growth modeled on Luke 2:52 (“Jesus grew in wisdom, stature, favor with God and man”).
- Annual “Luke 252” team award at Liberty University celebrates all-around development.
- Framework for growth: mental (wisdom), physical (stature), spiritual (favor with God), social (favor with man).
- Strategic, measurable goal-setting in each area: e.g., tracking progress towards another master's degree, daily physical activity, nutritional discipline, and spiritual practices.
- Resilience can be viewed as a form of worship—obediently persisting even without fireworks.
- Quote: “When you keep showing up, you're not earning God's love, you're just responding to it.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [30:32]
Memorable Moments & Notable Quotes
- “Have you ever found yourself wondering, what's the point of even showing up today?... If you've wondered that same thing, then this episode is for you. Showing up isn't always glamorous and it's rarely convenient. But it does matter.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [02:25]
- “Coach Wooden didn't obsess over championships. He obsessed over habits and efforts repeated daily.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [06:30]
- “Someone is watching how you move through the world... they're watching not just how you win, but how you endure.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [16:14]
- “Just continuing to show up when quitting would be easier.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [23:43]
- "If he [Jesus] had to grow, what excuse did we have?" — Dr. Toby Brooks [27:32]
Key Timestamps
- 00:00–03:08: Introduction and setting the theme—The necessity of intentional, repeated action
- 03:08–14:30: Reason 1: Show up for yourself—kaizen, marginal gains, neuroplasticity, and personal stories
- 14:35–23:50: Reason 2: Show up for your people—family, teamwork, leadership, and influential quotes
- 23:52–30:40: Reason 3: Show up for your Lord—whole-person growth, spiritual discipline, and personal application
- 30:40–End: Episode wrap-up and call to action
Tone & Language
Dr. Toby Brooks balances vulnerability with practical advice, mixing personal anecdotes, research-based insights, and motivational rhetoric. His language is accessible and encouraging, often interweaving quotes from coaching legends, spiritual leaders, and personal life.
Conclusion
Dr. Brooks underscores that even on the most ordinary or difficult days, consistent presence and effort—no matter how “quiet"—form the bedrock of transformation. Whether for oneself, those we impact, or as an act of faith, showing up can be the most powerful decision we make.
Final Takeaway:
“Being undone doesn’t mean you’re finished. It might just be the start of your best chapter yet.” — Dr. Toby Brooks [Closing]