In 2019, Sam Goodwin was wrongfully accused of espionage and taken hostage in Syria while on a journey to travel to every country in the world. During months of captivity, he endured solitary confinement, blindfolded interrogations, and a sham trial, with both US government and intelligence officials doubting whether he’d ever be seen alive again. Today, Goodwin shares his incredible story to help audiences turn uncertainty into opportunity, equipping them with practical tools to cultivate resilience, embrace challenges, and lead with purpose in the face of the unknown.
Goodwin’s life is a testament to growth through adversity. Between 2010 and 2019, he traveled to all 193 UN sovereign countries, sharing stories of positivity from overlooked and misunderstood places. His career has spanned playing and coaching hockey in India, North Korea, and Turkmenistan and leading humanitarian efforts across Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Goodwin also launched a tech startup and NGO in Singapore, focusing on stakeholder engagement and non-profit partnerships.
Goodwin emerged from his extraordinary life experiences with a renewed perspective and powerful framework for Winning Through Uncertainty, which has made him an in-demand thought leader on resilience, leadership, and uncertainty. He credits the mental toughness, critical thinking, and resilience he developed as a former Division 1 athlete as crucial to his survival as a hostage and recounts his gripping story in his memoir, Saving Sam.
Goodwin holds a bachelor’s from Niagara University, a master’s from Washington University, and a Doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins University.
