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. He was abducted by the Syrian regime, who threatened to hand him over to ISIS for beheading if he did not confess to being a CIA spy. Both the US government and intelligence officials doubted whether he’d ever be seen alive again.
Back home, Goodwin’s 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 itself.
Today, Goodwin is a thought leader on uncertainty and an in-demand speaker. His incredible journey of survival illustrates the extraordinary power of the human spirit and has inspired audiences around the world. Past clients have included elite athletes, leading corporations, the US military, and more.
In a genuine, straightforward, and sometimes humorous style, Goodwin draws on his experiences to demonstrate how to turn adversities into assets and reflects on the challenges we all face in a world where borders may divide us, but our shared humanity unites us. He also attributes the mental toughness, critical thinking, and resilience garnered through a life of competitive sport as crucial to his survival as a hostage.
Goodwin earned his bachelor’s from Niagara University, master’s degree from Washington University, and is currently pursuing a doctorate at the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He is also an entrepreneur who co-founded a tech startup business and regional NGO in Singapore. His focus included stakeholder management, media relations, and non-profit partnerships.
Goodwin recounts his gripping story in his memoir, Saving Sam, which will be published by Hachette in September 2024.
