Have you ever had a holiday hangover?

No, I am not referring to the kind you might get from staying out too late or having one too many drinks.

I mean how you feel after all the build-up of Christmas- the preparation, the cooking, the eating, opening of presents, and racing to parties- comes to an end often leaving you a little tired, a good bit in debt, and emotionally beat down.

Several years ago, a woman with nine and a half decades of experience gave me some advice to help prevent that type of hangover from starting in the first place. Let me explain.

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.

Some people carry a light within them that's impossible to miss. It isn't loud or showy — it's steady, warm, and contagious.

That's how I felt the first time I learned about James Chalmers.

One of five children, James' parents noticed early on that he was a little different than his siblings. He was born with Cri-du-chat Syndrome, a rare genetic condition that affects development and communication.

As he grew up, James wrestled with questions many of us ask: Why am I different? Do I matter? What am I supposed to do with my life?

Then one spring day in 1992, everything changed.

Let me explain.