In a world increasingly defined by unpredictability, Sam Goodwin‘s story stands as a profound testament to human resilience. He was wrongfully accused of espionage and detained for 63 days in Syria, where he endured solitary confinement, blindfolded interrogations, and a sham trial, with no idea when or if he would ever return home. Today, Sam shares his extraordinary story of survival and his powerful framework for “winning through uncertainty” to help audiences turn adversity into opportunity.
With navigating change and uncertainty being one of our most requested topics, we invited Sam to join us as part of our client-exclusive event series, At The Spotlight. Through sharing his journey from the depths of a Syrian prison cell to freedom, Sam revealed how uncertainty can become a catalyst for growth rather than a source of fear. His message resonated deeply as the mental framework that helped him survive is exactly what we need to thrive in today’s unpredictable world.
“Uncertainty is a horrible thing to waste,” Sam said. “As an athlete, entrepreneur, traveler, hostage, I will tell you there is value and opportunity in every experience.”
From World Traveler to Hostage
In 2019, Sam was on the verge of achieving his goal to visit every country in the world. With 180 out of 193 countries already stamped in his passport, he arrived in Syria — number 181. Within two hours of landing, his life spiraled into a nightmare of uncertainty. Accused of espionage and collaborating with terrorists, he was picked up by two armed guards, forced into a black pick-up truck, and transported to Syria’s military intelligence branch prison, a facility notorious for housing political prisoners.
For 27 days, Sam endured solitary confinement in an 8′ x 8′ cell — so small he could take only four steps before hitting a wall. His only human contact came when guards delivered bread and boiled potatoes twice daily. Though he was fortunate to avoid physical torture, the sounds of fellow prisoners being beaten echoed through the walls, leaving him in constant fear of when he would be next.
Sam was then transferred to Adra, a federal prison, where he shared a cell with 40 men. It was there that he faced a sham trial, denied access to legal representation or a translator. Yet, he found unexpected friendship among his fellow inmates, who even helped smuggle a note to his family — it was their first confirmation that he was alive.
On July 26, 2019, after 63 days in captivity, guards told Sam that he had been released. As he was driven silently through Syria, Sam’s mind toggled between extreme possibilities — this was either going to be very good or very bad. He was skeptical after countless lies. They crossed the border into Lebanon, stopping in Beirut where, to his complete shock, his parents were waiting for him — a reunion he feared would never happen.
Three-Step Framework for Winning Through Uncertainty
While in solitary confinement, Sam had a revelation. Pacing back and forth in his tiny cell, he realized that he felt exactly how they wanted him to — hopeless. He didn’t have to feel that way though. While, he had no control over his current situation, he could control his thoughts and his actions.
Sam found strength in three key principles that have now become the foundation of his approach to navigating uncertainty in any context:
My goal wasn’t to get rid of negative thoughts and feelings, that’s unrealistic. My goal was to change the way I responded to them… We can’t choose our path, but we can choose how we walk it.
1. Lean into Gratitude
Sam made a counterintuitive choice. He decided to find the good in the situation, despite his inner voice screaming to do the opposite. Sam began focusing on the little things — he was alive, he had his health, the guard briefly smiled at him today, he was even thankful for the air he was breathing.
These small expressions of gratitude became his silent rebellion and a powerful tool for maintaining hope through terrible circumstances. This is a practice that Sam continues today to help him maintain perspective through challenge and uncertainty. It helps reframe your focus and keep you grounded. “Be happy for what you have instead of what you don’t have,” Sam said.
2. Take Action: Control What You Can Control
Even though Sam was in solitary confinement, he didn’t want to do nothing. So, he decided to take action and control what he could. “I couldn’t control when or even if I’d be released, I couldn’t control if they would finally figure out I wasn’t a spy,” Sam said, “but I could control my thoughts, my attitude, my prayers.”
Sam created a routine — he could control when he slept, drank water, exercised, etc. These small actions gave structure to his days and a sense of agency in an environment designed to strip him of both.
“My goal wasn’t to get rid of negative thoughts and feelings, that’s unrealistic,” Sam added. “My goal was to change the way I responded to them… We can’t choose our path, but we can choose how we walk it.”
3. Recognize Uncertainty as Opportunity
After weeks of solitary, a strange, transformative perspective started to emerge, Sam said. He began to realize and believe that if he could maintain hope and persevere — if he could survive — he would be better equipped to take on challenge moving forward.
Sam discovered that there is a big difference between what uncertainty feels like and what’s actually happening. From this experience, he learned to view uncertainty as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. “In that cell, as my body shut down, my mind got sharper,” he said.
This principle has continued to guide Sam since his release. While he wouldn’t wish being a hostage on anyone, he wouldn’t give up what’s come from the experience. Alongside the expected PTSD, Sam has also experienced what psychologists call PTG, post-traumatic growth.
Beyond Captivity
Following his release, Sam completed his goal of visiting all 193 countries, with Brazil being his final destination.
This wouldn’t have been possible without the tireless efforts of his family. While Sam was on the inside, his family built up a network of journalists, hostage negotiators, Middle East experts, Russian diplomats, Vatican envoys, and mercenaries, until eventually — by nothing short of a miracle — they found a secret backdoor into the heart of the Syrian intelligence service.
It was a chance phone call between his sister and her college roommate that saved his life. Remarkably, this friend’s family had connections to General Abbas Ibrahaim in Lebanon who created the diplomatic channel that ultimately brought Sam home. Sam shares the full story of his captivity and his family’s parallel journey in his gripping memoir, Saving Sam.
Transform Your Next Event with Sam Goodwin
While Sam’s experience was extreme, we all have instances where we are stuck and overwhelmed with challenge, uncertainty, and sudden change. “We all have our own internal prisons,” he said. The same approaches that helped him survive in Syria are the same tools we need to navigate daily stresses and uncertainties, with his powerful framework for resilience applying universally.
Sam’s extraordinary journey has made him a powerful voice on resilience and thriving amid uncertainty. His message resonates deeply: uncertainty isn’t just inevitable — it’s where our greatest opportunities for growth reside. Contact us to learn more about Sam and how he can help your team navigate today’s unpredictable world with his transformative insights.
