The multitasking bodyguard

It's no mean feat to be a private bodyguard for the Dalai Lama. As fitness guru-Bollywood actor-bodyguard Lopsang Dokpatsang will tell you, “There are a lot of crazy people out there.”

This Tibetan multitasker juggles what would make a lesser man double over from exhaustion
— between running a burgeoning (and expanding!) fitness empire, donning Bollywood roles
and dropping everything to guard one of the most important men in the world.

Growing up in India, he went to school in Mussouri before moving to the United States to attend college and receive a degree in fitness and nutrition. The self-proclaimed ‘skinny’ child was told about a bodybuilding competition by an artist friend of his. Be it boxing or body building, the
African American and white communities have always excelled — so much so, that having an Asian compete in these competitions is a rarity.

“He told me, forget Indian or Tibetan, no Asian can look like that. I love challenges and that inspired me,” says Lopsang. He went on to win the Mr. New York bodybuilding championship
for three years in a row.

With fitness and health as his primary passions, he’s today set up his own brand, Lopsang Quality Fitness and has worked with celebrities such as Nicolas Cage and Christy Turlington. Not restricting himself to the wealthy and famous, Lopsang also works with American and Indian- American youth.

“When I change people’s lives [through health and fitness], it makes me happy.”

Looking to make his mark in the sub-continent as well, the fitnessguru hopes to promote the idea of health among Indians and Tibetans by inspiring by example. “A lot of the youth here are oppressed so they hurt themselves because they are frustrated. They are educated but
they have no avenues. It boils down to being positive and healthy in the mind.”

Getting slightly more serious, Lopsang reveals that he was much like these disenchanted
youths. “I was like a lost child when I started here. I am an American citizen but I speak shudh Hindi. I personally think that the Tibetans born here should get Indian citizenships,” he says.

“When I got my American citizenship, I felt like I belonged for the first time in my life. I felt like I was the citizen of a country. There are a lot of Tibetans in the same position as I was and being a
role model for a lot of my people, I feel it’s necessary that I speak out for this quiet minority.”

Always having loved the movies for their creativity, a part of the call that brings Lopsang back and forth to India is the silver-screen. With more than two films under his belt including Janasheen, directed by Feroz Khan, starring Fardeen Khan and Celina Jaitly, and Suneel Darshan’s Talaash, where Akshay Kumar and Karisma Kapoor played the leads, the actor doesn’t plan to slow
down anytime soon.

Despite offers from Bollywood and TV shows such as Bigg Boss, Lopsang always carefully thinks before accepting any role. “I am very selective. I only select good roles,” he explains.
He was even asked to join Hrithik Roshan in Krrish 3, but his crazy schedule doesn’t leave for
much time. “I believe in karma, whatever happens for a reason.”

He says, “In my life, whatever I do — everything is karma.What is meant to be is meant to be. I am honoured that they offered me [a role in Krrish 3], but I don’t dwell on it.”

Most of his success, however, is owed to the Dalai Lama, whom Lopsang finds there is no higher honor in guarding. “I become more humble, and being with him is very special because he brings out a very different side of me. In fact, whatever I have achieved, his Holiness has been a big part of it. I work and train very hard because I’m not genetically gifted, but his Holiness makes me feel
calm. A lot of men, when they achieve something, gain very big egos, but his Holiness balances it all out. He helps me excel in my creativity and determination. With him, I become like a calm storm.”

Lopsang adds with a laugh, “He reminds me of my father but he is also like Obama
and Jesus Christ to us.”

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