In this episode of 193 Perspective, I sit down with Sam Goodwin — an American traveller, former hockey player, speaker, and one of the few people on Earth who has visited all 193 UN-recognized countries.

Sam’s story is extraordinary. After a hockey career-ending injury closed one door, another opened — leading him to Singapore, the world of startups, and ultimately a decade-long journey across every sovereign nation. From coaching the North Korean hockey team to exploring some of the world’s most misunderstood regions, Sam’s travels have shaped a worldview rooted in curiosity, humility, and gratitude.

But the defining moment of Sam’s journey came in May 2019, when he was detained in Syria and held in solitary confinement for a few weeks, accused of e ...