Hosted by Hicham "Sham" Essadki

Private reflections on the warrior’s path, the seeker’s heart, and the builder’s hands.

Step into a quiet corner of the riad at the Koom Martial Arts Retreat Center in Marrakech.
"Koom Stories" is an intimate collection of monologues from founder Hicham “Sham” Essadki—a place where the microphone is passed not to guests, but inward.

Here, in his own voice, Sham bridges worlds often kept apart:

The discipline of the martial artist and the surrender of the Sufi,
the vision of an entrepreneur and the stillness of a meditator,
the strength to protect and the wisdom to hold space.

Each episode is a solo reflection drawn from a life lived at the crossroads—stories of building a sanctuary in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and the personal transformations that unfolded along the way. You’ll hear about the focus found in a fighting stance, the humility hidden in a sacred teaching, and the very real challenges of turning a dream of refuge into a living, breathing community.

This is for you if you’ve ever:

- Sought depth behind the technique, meaning behind the movement.
- Felt called to create a space where others can heal or grow.
- Longed for a practice that strengthens both the body and the spirit.
- Believed that leading and serving can be the same sacred act.

Sham speaks to the warrior in you—the part that values integrity, resilience, and protection.
He speaks to the seeker in you—the part that craves truth, beauty, and connection.
He speaks to the guardian in you—the part that builds, nurtures, and stays loyal to what matters.

Through these personal narratives, you’ll explore:
• The Sufi Principles in Motion – how breath, presence, and surrender transform physical practice into moving meditation.
• The Architecture of Sanctuary – honest talk about creating a business that is both sustainable and sacred, a space that is both safe and transformative.
• The Integration of Strength & Softness – why real wellness isn’t about escape, but about cultivating the grounded capacity to meet life fully.

Koom Stories is not a lecture. It’s a conversation with a guide who has walked the path before you—offering neither shortcuts nor easy answers, but companionship and clarity for your own journey.

Press play. It feels like a talk shared over mint tea after the evening training.
You leave with a quieter mind, a softer heart, and a clearer way forward.

Listen. Reflect. Rise.

Subscribe to Koom Stories with Sham Essadki, wherever you listen.

www.KoomRetreatCenter.com Marrakech, Morocco