The energy and genuine care Jason Sudeikis brought to a Kansas City stage for charity could have been lifted straight from Ted Lasso, the character he plays. And really, fans have come to expect nothing less from the creator and star of Apple TV+’s award-winning show. “Be the change you wish to see,” Sudeikis often quotes Gandhi, and clearly lives by it.
Volunteering is a part of who Sudeikis is. Just take a look at the Thundergong! event which he regularly hosts for the Steps of Faith Foundation, which provides prosthetic limbs to those in need. He also supports The Children’s Mercy Hospital in Kansas, Chicago poverty alleviation initiatives, the UK’s Red Nose Day, and NBA All-Star celebrity events.
And there’s science behind why this feels good. Studies consistently show that volunteering not only boosts mood but can also improve physical health and extend life. No wonder it became a meaningful thread in Ted Lasso.
For anyone who hasn’t watched the show, Sudeikis plays Ted Lasso, a lovable American soccer coach navigating the Premier League in the UK. You don’t need to follow soccer—the charm is in Ted’s kindness, optimism, and ability to help people become the best versions of themselves. In season two, volunteering is woven into the storyline, reflecting the real-life benefits it brings.
Research backs this up:
- The American Psychological Association found that adults over 50 who volunteered four hours a week were 40% less likely to develop high blood pressure four years later.
- A 30-year study in the American Journal of Sociology found that mothers who volunteered regularly had significantly lower rates of major illness compared to those who didn’t.
“Volunteering is like the superfood of positive psychology,” says Dawn Carr, MGS, Ph.D. “Later in life, volunteering can be even more beneficial for health than exercising or eating well. Older volunteers stay physically functional longer, enjoy better mental health, and live longer.”
Jason Sudeikis clearly understands this. Through both his real-life generosity and the heart of Ted Lasso, he reminds us that helping others is not only good for the soul—it’s good for the body too.
Lucy Broadbent is the author of What Would Ted Lasso Do? How Ted’s Positive Approach Can Help You.
What Would Ted Lasso Do? How Ted’s Positive Approach Can Help You (Uncommon Publishing) is available here.
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