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In Our Careers 2001 Section: • Answers from the Inside: Q&A with a human resources professional. • Snapshots of the Working World: Profiles of 11 different people and 11 different jobs. • The World's Richest Asians: Billionaires, billionaires, and more billionaires. • Washington Journal: My Life, My Work, My Job • Charts: Top ten lists of the jobs that grew the most, and blew the most. Profiles of real working people: Private Investigator • Teacher • Religious Director • Labor Organizer • Nurse • Robotics Engineer • Forensic Neuro-psychologist • Subagent • Kickboxer • Bioinformatics Specialist • Sex Educator

Alex Gong: Kickboxer

Salary: $30,000 - $40,000

Maybe Alex Gong can slice and dice you like a wedge of garlic and then broil you with a knockout kick. But appearances can sometimes be deceiving. It is more reasonable to take his physical abuse than to be exposed to his business savvy.

Gong, 30, a current light middle-weight world Muay Thai champion, became CEO of Fairtex in 1996. And since its humble beginnings, Gong has masterminded instructor credential and recruiting programs to entice new interest in Muay Thai, a form of kickboxing. Today, over 600 students partake in the vigorous training sessions at Fairtex.

“I get to do what I love everyday,” Gong says. “I play at my job.”

And he’s been “playing” ever since he was five years old. “Those old Bruce Lee films really got me started,” Gong says. Born and raised in Boston till age nine, Gong lived in India for three years, then planted himself on the East Coast for several years, before heading to California three years ago. In those early years, Gong was heavily involved in judo and taekwondo. But in 1994, Muay Thai came knocking on his door.

“Muay Thai had all the boxing skills and kicking skills,” Gong says. “And really, it had a better understanding of movement, balance and competitiveness, that I like.”

Since 1994, Gong has taken the world of Muay Thai by storm. In addition to his current world title, Gong is also a two-time ISKA, WKBA and IFCA light middle-weight and super welterweight Muay Thai champion. Gong has headlined fights at the Mirage and MGM. He has managed and trained world champions.

During his fight training, Gong wakes up at the crack of dawn to run five miles, crunch out countless sit-ups, push-ups, anything that will give him the edge, and then, somehow, finds enough energy to carry out his CEO duties at Fairtex. Still, Gong feels there is more to be done.

“I shadowbox when I go to the kitchen late at night,” Gong says. “I shadowbox in the shower. I can’t help it. I can sometimes drive my girlfriend crazy. But I know this is a phase in my life, and I feel it’s my destiny.”