Coach Donnie Campbell: Real-Life Inspiration Behind the Ted Lasso Character (ep. 832)
Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary
John O'Leary
4.9 • 672 Ratings
🗓️ 26 November 2025
⏱️ 47 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
Donnie Campbell is a longtime math teacher, four-decade coach, national leadership speaker, and the real-life inspiration behind the beloved TV character Ted Lasso. Donnie has spent 40 years shaping students and athletes with a simple but powerful philosophy: build people first, players second.
Today, Donnie shares the lessons that humbled him during his early years at Kansas State, the shift that turned him from frustrated athlete to extraordinary teammate, and the coaching approach that shaped Jason Sudeikis long before Ted Lasso ever hit a screen. He also reflects on the heartbreaks that formed his empathy, the mentors who taught him to lead with kindness, and the unexpected day a coworker told him he'd inspired a global hit TV show.
My friends, if you need a reminder that your influence matters far more than you'll ever realize, this conversation is for you. You'll leave this episode with simple, memorable tools for leading others well, showing up with humility, and believing in yourself even when you feel like you're sitting at the end of the bench. And most of all, you'll remember the truth Donnie has lived for 40 years: you don't have to be perfect to change someone's life… you just have to care.
Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | You know that Keeley companies is all about fostering the world-class culture through their incredible cultural pillars. |
| 0:07.5 | Well, it was time to add a seventh cultural pillar, Kewley Green. |
| 0:12.5 | Guided by the mission to raise the sustainability standards by which they design, build, operate, and live. |
| 0:18.8 | Keeley Green is dedicated to using a holistic approach to leave a positive impact on our |
| 0:24.6 | environment, create a future that is sustainable for generations to come. |
| 0:29.4 | In the words of Rusty Keeley, we are just getting started. |
| 0:34.3 | You can learn more about that just getting started mentality and all the work they do |
| 0:38.7 | by visiting my friends at Keeley Companies online at keelie Companies.com. |
| 0:46.0 | Welcome to the Live Inspired Podcast with John O'Leary. John is the two-time national bestselling |
| 0:51.7 | author of On Fire and In Aw. |
| 0:55.1 | He's a world-class inspirational speaker, the host of the Live Inspired podcast. |
| 1:00.4 | And he's the real-life inspiration behind the major motion picture, Soul on Fire. |
| 1:05.6 | Each week, John interviews extraordinary individuals about their life stories so you can |
| 1:10.7 | more fully live your life story. |
| 1:13.1 | Here's your host, John O'Leary. |
| 1:15.3 | Well, hello, my friends, and welcome to the Live Inspired podcast with John O'Leary. |
| 1:20.7 | If you like Ted Lassow, you're going to love this episode. |
| 1:24.9 | Tell us more, O'Leary. |
| 1:26.0 | Tell us why. |
| 1:26.6 | Well, let me tell you about it. Donnie Campbell |
| 1:28.5 | is our guest today. He's a long-time math teacher, four-decade coach, national leadership speaker, |
| 1:34.1 | and he is the real-life inspiration behind the beloved TV character Ted Lassow. |
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