How to open and run your first successful retreat center
Hicham Essadki AKA Sham
44 episodes
1 month ago
🌿 KOOM Martial Arts Retreat: A Soul’s Journey from Boardrooms to Sacred Dojos
Have you ever felt the call to leave behind the ”success” the world told you to want—and follow the whisper of your soul instead?
This is the story of Hicham Essadki—a man who walked away from a thriving career in real estate and luxury hospitality in the Silicon Valley to embark on a radical quest for truth. From the bustling streets of Marrakech to the mist-shrouded peaks of Shaolin temples, he immersed himself in the ancient arts of Sufi mysticism, Taoist philosophy, and martial discipline—not just as practice, but as a way of being.
Now, he’s poured every lesson into KOOM Retreat Center—a sanctuary in the heart of Morocco where martial arts, meditation, and self-discovery collide to awaken the warrior and the sage within.
✨ Why This Podcast Will Stir Your Soul
- From Profit to Purpose* Follow Hicham’s raw, unfiltered journey—from closing deals to closing his eyes in zazen, from boardrooms to barefoot training in Shaolin’s halls.
- Sacred Business: Learn how to build a retreat center that’s alive—a place where cashflow and consciousness coexist, where every brick is laid with intention.
- The Alchemy of Discipline: Discover how Sufi surrender and Taoist flow can transform not just your kicks and punches, but your life—and your ability to lead others.
- Wisdom of the Masters: Sit at the feet (virtually) of monks, mystics, and modern-day warriors who’ve walked this path before you.
🌅 Who Needs to Hear This?
✔ The Disillusioned Achiever – You’ve climbed the ladder, only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.
✔ The Secret Mystic – You crave a life where prayer and practice matter more than profit margins.
✔ The Visionary Healer – You dream of a space where others can shed their armor and remember who they truly are.
This isn’t just a podcast. It’s an invitation.
To build something that outlasts you.
To trade exhaustion for embodiment.
To let your scars become someone else’s map.
🔮 Start Listening Now**—and let your own journey begin.
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🌿 KOOM Martial Arts Retreat: A Soul’s Journey from Boardrooms to Sacred Dojos
Have you ever felt the call to leave behind the ”success” the world told you to want—and follow the whisper of your soul instead?
This is the story of Hicham Essadki—a man who walked away from a thriving career in real estate and luxury hospitality in the Silicon Valley to embark on a radical quest for truth. From the bustling streets of Marrakech to the mist-shrouded peaks of Shaolin temples, he immersed himself in the ancient arts of Sufi mysticism, Taoist philosophy, and martial discipline—not just as practice, but as a way of being.
Now, he’s poured every lesson into KOOM Retreat Center—a sanctuary in the heart of Morocco where martial arts, meditation, and self-discovery collide to awaken the warrior and the sage within.
✨ Why This Podcast Will Stir Your Soul
- From Profit to Purpose* Follow Hicham’s raw, unfiltered journey—from closing deals to closing his eyes in zazen, from boardrooms to barefoot training in Shaolin’s halls.
- Sacred Business: Learn how to build a retreat center that’s alive—a place where cashflow and consciousness coexist, where every brick is laid with intention.
- The Alchemy of Discipline: Discover how Sufi surrender and Taoist flow can transform not just your kicks and punches, but your life—and your ability to lead others.
- Wisdom of the Masters: Sit at the feet (virtually) of monks, mystics, and modern-day warriors who’ve walked this path before you.
🌅 Who Needs to Hear This?
✔ The Disillusioned Achiever – You’ve climbed the ladder, only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.
✔ The Secret Mystic – You crave a life where prayer and practice matter more than profit margins.
✔ The Visionary Healer – You dream of a space where others can shed their armor and remember who they truly are.
This isn’t just a podcast. It’s an invitation.
To build something that outlasts you.
To trade exhaustion for embodiment.
To let your scars become someone else’s map.
🔮 Start Listening Now**—and let your own journey begin.
🔗 What if the simplest act—smiling—could unlock profound healing, dissolve stress, and reconnect you with joy? In this 5-minute solo episode, we dive into the ancient Taoist practice of the Inner Smile, a meditative technique that channels kindness inward to transform energy, soothe organs, and cultivate deep self-compassion. Discover how directing a gentle, mental smile to your own body can quiet the mind, boost vitality, and even (as Taoists believe) harmonize your internal organs.
Is it magic? Medicine? Or just forgotten wisdom? Let’s explore why this practice has endured for millennia—and how you can try it today, no matter where you are. Smile… your cells are listening.
👉 https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ke11du0kmf3FVgmIDFpvuU
Embarquez pour un voyage fascinant avec Hicham, un Marocain d'origine qui a passé deux décennies à maîtriser l'art de la restauration dans la Silicon Valley californienne et une année auprès des moines Shaolin en Chine.
En juillet, il réunit des chercheurs à Bruxelles pour explorer les dix principes universels de la guérison. Que vous soyez marocain, partagé entre deux cultures ou simplement curieux, cet événement est fait pour vous. Rejoignez notre groupe WhatsApp pour découvrir le programme et le lieu exacts. Ne manquez pas cette expérience unique et gratuite.
👉https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ke11du0kmf3FVgmIDFpvuU
#GuérisonsSansFrontières
Rejoignez-nous pour l'inauguration du Centre de Retraite Koom à Bruxelles, en Belgique, la première semaine de juillet. Animé par Hicham, dont le parcours inspirant de Marrakech au cœur des pratiques spirituelles du monde entier vous promet une exploration unique des principes de guérison.
Après 20 ans passés en Californie à maîtriser l'art de nourrir le corps et l'esprit, et une année transformatrice en Chine auprès des moines Shaolin, Hicham invite les chercheurs de vérité de tous horizons à le rejoindre à Bruxelles. Explorez les 10 principes de guérison, comblant avec grâce le fossé entre science et spiritualité dans le monde d'aujourd'hui.
Rejoignez notre groupe WhatsApp pour connaître les lieux, les dates et les horaires. Cet événement est gratuit.
👉https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ke11du0kmf3FVgmIDFpvuU
Www.koomretreatcenter.com Marrakech
What does it truly mean to take the essence of a retreat center beyond its physical walls and into the world?
In this soul stirring monologue, Hicham Essadki - founder of Koom Retreat and lifelong student of Moroccan Sufi traditions - shares the profound insights, challenges, and unexpected blessings of Bringing sacred practices to urban environments.
Join Hicham as he reveals:
🌍 Why Brussels is just the beginning - How traveling with your retreat creates global community instead of isolated experiences
đź’Ľ The 8-to-6 worker's secret weapon - Adapting Sufi heart traditions and martial arts for people who can't "escape" to the desert
🔥 The post retreat gap most centers ignore - How Koom is building lasting circles in cities so transformation doesn't end at checkout
đź’ˇ For retreat creators - Why This approach isn't just marketing...it's mission-critical for the future of Sacred work
This is more than a podcast episode - it's a call to remained what retreats can be. whether you are a facilitator dreaming bigger, a seeker craving real-world spirituality, or simply curious about the intersection of ancient wisdom and modern life...press play
đź”— Links
👉 Join Brussels Koom Community : https://chat.whatsapp.com/Ke11du0kmf3FVgmIDFpvuU
👉 Join the Koom Retreat Marrakech waiting list:
https://chat.whatsapp.com/KV9mwRCvKCRHRdq8RWTiuk
#retreatrevolution #sacrednotSecret #koomworld
What happens when you take the deep, earth rooted practices of a Moroccan retreat center and drop them into the heart of a bustling European city? This July, Koom Retreat Center Founder Hicham Essadki is embarking on a radical experiment: bringing Sufi heart traditions, martial arts and Embodied mindfulness to Brussels - not as an escape from modern life, but as a transformation of modern life.
In this trailer. you will get a sneak peek at :
🔥 Why cities are the next frontier for retreat work (and why the 9-to-5 worker needs this now more than ever)
🌙 How to adapt Sacred practices for subway rides and lunch breaks (without diluting their power)
đź’ˇ The big questions this trip will answer (Can 90 minute sessions create real change? Can a park replace a mountaintop?)
For retreat leaders, this series will be a masterclass in taking your work on the road. For seekers. it's proof that transformation doesn't require quitting your job. And for the Koom community, it's the birth of something new.
Subscribe now - First episodes drops Tuesday May 27th. Where should we go next?
Have you ever felt the quiet, gnawing madness of chasing what isn’t there? The next achievement, the next validation, the next *version* of yourself—always just out of reach? In this profound and soul-stirring episode, we explore how our obsession with the unseen is not a flaw, but a hidden invitation—one that leads us back to the raw, unfiltered truth of who we are. Â
Join us as we unravel: Â
- Why the restlessness you feel isn’t a curse, but a call to awaken
- How the present moment—your breath, your body, your frustrations—holds all the signs you need for real transformation Â
- What happens when you stop running and finally let reality teach you
Set against the backdrop of Koom Martial Arts Retreat in Marrakech, this episode is an ode to those who are done with distractions and ready to confront what’s real. Whether you’re a seeker longing for depth, a retreat facilitator crafting spaces for awakening, or simply someone who senses there’s more to life than the chase—this is your sign. Â
The dojo is open. Will you step in?Â
🔥 Episode description:
The Raw Truth abiut running a retreat center (you've never heard before)
Ever wonder what it really takes to run a retreat center? Hicham Essadki, founder of Koom Retreat Center Marrakech, pulls back the curtain on the chaotic, Sacred, and deeply human side of holding space - from last minute gluten free meltdowns to the moment a guest whispers, "this place saved me"
đź’ˇ You'll discover:
▪︎ The #1 mistake new retreat owners (it s not what you think)
▪︎ Why a perfect retreat is the opposite of transformational
▪︎ A simple koom ritual that leaves guests in tears (in the best way)
This isn t just a podcast - its a wake up call for anyone dreaming of opening a retreat center, feeling burnt out as a facilitator, or craving a life of real impact.
Listen now...and remember why you started. 🌿
[🚀 Share if you believe in spaces that heal!]
what does it mean and how to reverse the clock of aging. What I have learned thanks to the teachings of Shaolin Monks in China, my Beloved Sufi Master and living in this realm Alhamdoulillah. Come visit us at Koom Martial Arts Training and Retreat center Marrakech, Morocco www.KoomRetreatCenter.com
How to open and run your first successful retreat center
🌿 KOOM Martial Arts Retreat: A Soul’s Journey from Boardrooms to Sacred Dojos
Have you ever felt the call to leave behind the ”success” the world told you to want—and follow the whisper of your soul instead?
This is the story of Hicham Essadki—a man who walked away from a thriving career in real estate and luxury hospitality in the Silicon Valley to embark on a radical quest for truth. From the bustling streets of Marrakech to the mist-shrouded peaks of Shaolin temples, he immersed himself in the ancient arts of Sufi mysticism, Taoist philosophy, and martial discipline—not just as practice, but as a way of being.
Now, he’s poured every lesson into KOOM Retreat Center—a sanctuary in the heart of Morocco where martial arts, meditation, and self-discovery collide to awaken the warrior and the sage within.
✨ Why This Podcast Will Stir Your Soul
- From Profit to Purpose* Follow Hicham’s raw, unfiltered journey—from closing deals to closing his eyes in zazen, from boardrooms to barefoot training in Shaolin’s halls.
- Sacred Business: Learn how to build a retreat center that’s alive—a place where cashflow and consciousness coexist, where every brick is laid with intention.
- The Alchemy of Discipline: Discover how Sufi surrender and Taoist flow can transform not just your kicks and punches, but your life—and your ability to lead others.
- Wisdom of the Masters: Sit at the feet (virtually) of monks, mystics, and modern-day warriors who’ve walked this path before you.
🌅 Who Needs to Hear This?
✔ The Disillusioned Achiever – You’ve climbed the ladder, only to find it leaning against the wrong wall.
✔ The Secret Mystic – You crave a life where prayer and practice matter more than profit margins.
✔ The Visionary Healer – You dream of a space where others can shed their armor and remember who they truly are.
This isn’t just a podcast. It’s an invitation.
To build something that outlasts you.
To trade exhaustion for embodiment.
To let your scars become someone else’s map.
🔮 Start Listening Now**—and let your own journey begin.
