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 espionage — a life-or-death experience that taught him about resilience, faith, uncertainty, and the strength of human purpose. His story is captured in his new book.

In this episode, we discuss:

• How a hockey injury redirected Sam’s life
• The six years in Singapore that ignited his travel obsession
• Coaching North Korea’s national hockey team
• Travel philosophy: stereotypes vs reality, people, perspective & why “off-the-beaten-path” matters
• Why the Middle East gave him some of his most powerful travel memories
• His arrest and detention in Syria: fear, faith, and survival
• Frameworks for managing uncertainty
• The “193 goal” and what life feels like after achieving it
• Advice for young travelers on risk, purpose, and exploration
• Why travel remains the world’s greatest education

Whether you’re a traveler, a dreamer, or someone seeking stories of resilience and perspective — Sam’s insights will stay with you long after the episode ends.

📖 Please order Sam’s book — Saving Sam ( Im sure you'll love the book )

🎧 Listen to 193 Perspective on:

Spotify : https://open.spotify.com/show/3KE7f8AOpiQdCwQqqckfTG?si=4x89NKL8RQa_ChjMQMvRKA

Apple Podcasts : https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-193-perspective/id1858063638

Or anywhere you listen to podcasts on

💬 CONNECT WITH SAM GOODWIN:

Website: samgoodwin.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samrgoodwin/

💬 CONNECT WITH ME (193 Perspective):

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mridulbihani/

Join me in this conversation with Fabio Cao — an Italian traveller who has visited every country in the world, and whose journey is shaped by curiosity, culture, and a lifelong desire to understand the world beyond borders. Follow Fabio on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fabiocaoscorpio/?hl=en

This episode of The 193 Perspective dives into the mindset of a person who grew up across continents, discovered travel long before the internet, and still chases places for their authenticity, not their popularity.

In this episode, we talk about:

• How living in multiple countries before 23 shaped Fabio’s worldview
• Travel in the pre-Google era and the magic of true discovery
• Why human connection is becoming rarer — and how to bring it back
• His slow journey to 193 and how the goal found him
• The hardest visas and the realities of travelling through remote regions
• The Pacific islands, the Middle East, Central Asia, and other underrated gems
• Why discomfort builds character — and why young travellers need more of it
• The food cultures that have stayed with him around the world

Find me & the podcast:

My Travel Blog: www.travel-footprints.com

Get it touch via Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mridulbihani/

Listen to The 193 Perspective:

Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/in/podcast/the-193-perspective/id1858063638

Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/3KE7f8AOpiQdCwQqqckfTG?si=4x89NKL8RQa_ChjMQMvRKA

Join me in this conversation with Billy Offland — a 24-year-old explorer from Manchester who is the youngest Brit to visit every country. But Billy’s journey isn’t about counting countries. It’s about purpose-driven travel, environmental awareness, and using exploration as a tool to understand our planet more deeply.

We dive into: • How unconventional childhood trips shaped his philosophy

• Why he believes travel must have a purpose or lens
• The environmental crisis he witnessed across 193 countries
• The people, places and projects that changed his life
• His upcoming documentary in Pakistani Kashmir
• What land travel taught him about patience, humility, and trust
• Why offbeat destinations matter now more than ever
• The moments on the road that reshaped his identity

Billy’s insights are grounded, honest, and rooted in a deep respect for both nature and people. If you care about meaningful travel, conservation, or simply want to see the world with new eyes — this conversation will inspire you.

For more travel writing, interviews, and reflections, visit: Travel-footprints.com

#BillyOffland #193Countries #TravelInterview #Conservation #DeepTravel #WorldExplorers #MeaningfulTravel