From Shadowland to Freedom: Frank Soonius
In this deeply personal and transformative episode of Stories of Service, host Theresa Carpenter sits down with Frank Soonius — an athlete, coach, and mentor whose life story spans from early trauma to ultimate redemption. Born to a mother who survived Japanese concentration camps in Indonesia and a strict, success-driven father, Frank grew up caught between rigid expectations and his own quiet longing to help others.
For years, his compassionate nature was buried under pressure to be “masculine” and entrepreneurial. Denied emotional support, Frank created an inner sanctuary he called Shadowland — a place of imagination and escape. On the outside, he built an impressive career as a sportsman, trainer, coach, and research marketer. Inside, isolation and depression were closing in.
The breaking point came in an unexpected place: a prison cell in Sydney, Australia. Wrongfully convicted, Frank endured four years behind bars — a period that included several suicide attempts and the immense challenge of surviving injustice. Yet paradoxically, prison became the place where his healing began. Known inside for helping solve the high-profile murder of Samantha Knight, Frank found purpose, hope, and kindness from strangers.
Guest Bio: Who is Frank Soonius?
Frank is a Dutch-born athlete, coach, and entrepreneur. After overcoming a childhood shaped by war trauma and parental pressure, he built a thriving sports and marketing career before enduring four years of wrongful imprisonment in Australia. Today, he runs a successful tennis school in the Netherlands and dedicates his life to helping others escape their own Shadowlands through coaching, mentorship, and public speaking.
Key Takeaways:
🌱 Childhood Shadows: Frank’s early life was shaped by generational trauma and a struggle to meet his parents’ expectations, leaving him disconnected from his own identity.
💡 The Shadowland Escape: His imaginative “Shadowland” provided emotional refuge during years of repression, but also delayed his healing.
⛓️ From Prisoner to Purpose: Wrongful imprisonment became an unlikely turning point, forcing him to confront his pain and reclaim his purpose.
🤝 The Power of Kindness: Small acts from strangers inside prison rekindled his belief in humanity.
🏆 Life After Release: Frank rebuilt his life, returning to the Netherlands to teach, coach, and inspire others.
WATCH FULL EPISODE HERE
This conversation is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the possibility of transformation, even in the darkest circumstances. Frank’s journey from Shadowland to freedom is a call to break free from the limitations we place on ourselves — and to extend compassion to others along the way.
📍 Connect with Frank Soonius: linktr.ee/FrankSoonius
