Ted Lasso Season 3 is almost upon us. Over the past two seasons, our favorite titular Midwestern coach, played beautifully by Jason Sudeikis, has dispensed sage wisdom in spades. His endlessly quotable nuggets of sagacity are ripe for implementation. We could all stand to abide by Ted Lasso’s words. 

To celebrate the highly anticipated third season, I’ve compiled a list of 10 inspirational quotes uttered by the man himself. Read on! 

RELATED: Top 10 TV Comedies

“Taking on a challenge is a lot like riding a horse, isn’t it? If you’re comfortable while doing it, you’re probably doing it wrong.” 

Diving headfirst into a challenge shouldn’t feel comfortable — it should feel like belly-flopping into a pool. The Great Coach Lasso™ compares taking on a challenge to riding a horse. While you might feel more at home on a horse after getting that practice under your belt, the initial ride is usually awkward. Embrace the awkwardness. Cling tightly to the uncomfortable. That’s where you blossom. 

Nathan (Nick Mohammed) glares at Ted Lasso (Jason Sudeikis) while Rupert (Anthony Head) looks on in the background.

“You know what the happiest animal on Earth is? It’s a goldfish. You know why? It’s got a 10-second memory.”

If you recall, Ted rattles off this quote to Sam (Toheeb Jimoh) after the latter beats himself up following a match mistake. It’s a particularly resonant quote for me as someone who struggles with letting things go. Holding onto detrimental thoughts, feelings, behavioral patterns, etc., only causes pain. Driving yourself into the ground over a mistake certainly won’t make you feel better. Nobody’s perfect. In the words of one famous ice princess, “Let it go.”

“I think that you might be so sure that you’re one in a million that sometimes you forget that out there, you’re just one in 11.”

If there’s one thing Season 1 Jamie Tartt (Phil Dunster) couldn’t quite grasp, it’s working within the confines of a team. Ted reminds him that he might be one in a million outside of football, but on the pitch, he’s one in 11. Teamwork makes the dream work. There’s something innately comforting about working together in a team and relying on those you trust to help you succeed. 

RELATED: Top 10 Feel-Good TV Shows Guaranteed to Make You Feel Good

“If you care about someone, and you got a little love in your heart, there ain’t nothing you can’t get through together.”

Remember when Rebecca (Hannah Waddingham) confesses her AFC Richmond sabotaging efforts to Ted toward the end of Season 1? His response is one of forgiveness and boundless grace. He voices his unadulterated belief that if you love someone, you can overcome any obstacle. Of course, there are nuances and special circumstances. However, Ted’s downright inspirational perspective on surmounting roadblocks should be taken to heart. 

“I promise you there is something worse out there than being sad, and that’s being alone and being sad. Ain’t no one in this room alone.”

Ted drives home one of the most integral components of this series to his team in the locker room. Dare I say it’s the crux of Ted Lasso? Nobody’s ever alone. Even when you feel like the world’s caving in — when you feel like you’re an island — there’s always another human who can relate to your struggles or is at least willing to lend an ear. Rely on your support circle when necessary. Uplift your fellow comrade. 

Jason Sudeikis and Hannah Waddingham in Ted Lasso

“I believe in Communism. Rom-communism that is. If Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan can go through some heartfelt struggles and still end up happy, then so can we.”

Ted’s belief in Rom-communism is well-documented. That rom-com moment with Roy (Brett Goldstein) on the pitch complemented to The Rolling Stones’ “She’s A Rainbow”? Perfection. Ted Lasso knows a thing or two about executing classic rom-com tropes. As Ted says in the above quote, if Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan can wade through the narrative conflict muck to find happiness, anyone can. 

RELATED: Top 10 British TV Comedies

“I think things come into our lives to help us get from one place to a better one.”

Some places in life are merely meant to be way stations. Rest stops you can visit on your way to your destination. Ted’s refreshing approach to life’s unpredictable, sometimes wholly volatile obstacles should be applied to everything. We could all take a page out of his book. Perhaps those hard, rock-bottom surfaces support us as we open the door to a better place. 

“Be curious, not judgmental.” 

Oof, this is a tough one, especially in the age of social media. Our “chronically online” nature is a breeding ground for snap judgments and succumbing to knee-jerk reactions that are usually, let’s face it, downright rude. Of course, I’m speaking collectively. Not everyone treats social media like a playground for assholes. It’s important to approach everything from a place of curiosity, not judgment. 

Still of Juno Temple and Brett Goldstein in Ted Lasso.

“Don’t let the wisdom of age be wasted on you.”

Ted doles out another thought-provoking quote to Roy after the latter incessantly butts heads with Jamie. Roy, who’s older than Jamie, shouldn’t let the wisdom that typically accompanies age be wasted on him. Harness that wisdom. Take advantage of it and use it for the good of humankind. 

RELATED: Geek Girl Authority Crush of the Week: Keeley Jones

“I think that’s what it’s all about. Embracing change.”

There aren’t many things in life quite as tricky as embracing change. After all, we’re creatures of habit perpetually stuck in our stubborn ways. Unfortunately, life is chock full of change — sometimes, good. Other times, not so much. It’s about navigating the ebbs and flows. Being pliable. Give that change a big bear hug. 

What are your favorite quotes from Led Tasso’s more collected, cooler-headed identical twin? Sound off in the comments below!

Ted Lasso Seasons 1-2 are now streaming on Apple TV+. Season 3 premieres on Wednesday, March 15, with new episodes dropping weekly. 

Every MEL BROOKS Movie, Ranked

Melody McCune
Follow me!