In this episode of The Black Belt in Leadership, Aslak de Silva sits down with Lama Somananda Tantrapa — Tibetan lama, 27th-generation lineage holder of Qi Dao (Tibetan Shamanic Qigong), founder of the Academy of Qi Dao, and visionary behind the World Resilience Summit.

Lama Tantrapa shares how resilience is not about merely “bouncing back,” but about bouncing forward—growing stronger through setbacks, just like advancing through the tougher levels of martial arts training. Together, we explore:

What embodied resilience really means for leaders

How to train resilience the same way we train body and mind

The role of presence and awareness in navigating challenges

Why spiritual development belongs alongside physical and mental training

Practical ways leaders can expand their comfort zone and lead by example

This episode blends martial arts wisdom, spiritual insight, and leadership practice into powerful lessons for leaders who want to thrive in uncertainty.

👉 Learn more about Lama Tantrapa’s work at tantrapa.com
 and the World Resilience Summit

Lama Tantrapa, Tibetan Lama, 27th Generation Lineage Holder of Qi Dao (Tibetan Shamanic Qigong).

With more than three decades of experience in martial arts, energy work, and coaching, he has devoted his life to teaching resilience, presence, and the art of being in the flow.

He is the founder of the Academy of Qi Dao, the world’s first school of Qigong Coaching, and the visionary behind the World Resilience Summit and the Resilience Centre. Lama Tantrapa has taught thousands of students worldwide, helping leaders, entrepreneurs, and communities cultivate embodied resilience and integrate spiritual growth with physical and mental training