After studying business and information systems at university, Philip Kim says he went through the motions of what he thought he was expected to do next.
For eight years he climbed the ranks of the IT department in various financial institutions before landing a role as a project manager for one of the big four banks.
“I kind of fell into it rather than it being something that I specifically wanted to do,” says Kim.
“Getting a business degree in information systems I thought I guess I’ve got to use that now.”
Philip Kim in action. Photo: Supplied Source: ETERNAL
But Kim had always been inspired by the on-screen appearances of martial artist Bruce Lee, and was drawn to replicate his skills, training in a number of disciplines throughout high school.
“The norm is that you get a ‘proper job,’ nine to five,” says Kim.
But he soon realised he wasn’t cut out for that world.
“I came into work almost every day and thought I don’t want to do this.”
While working full-time, he spent most of his spare moments training. When he began competing nationally, he was torn by the sacrifices he had to make to maintain his primary job.
“I didn’t want to wake up and find myself ten years down the track realising this is not something I want to do, and I missed my opportunity,” says the ‘flyweight’ fighter, who weighs in at 56.8kg before a competition.
When he finally made the decision to quit, he says his parents were the most apprehensive, but it was a decision many saw coming.
“My parents were concerned because financially I was in a more comfortable position working my previous job,” explains Kim. “How I was going to make a living was also my biggest worry.”
Picking up a teaching role at his gym to supplement his salary, Kim says he is “able to survive enough to keep training.”
In the lead up to a fight, the MMA fighter joins a fight camp a few months prior to the event. During this time, he spends about six days a week training two or three times each day. His preparation has taken him as far as Phuket, an international hotspot for budding professional fighters.
“In the middle of a training camp ... I almost can’t move when I get in bed,” recalls Kim.
Despite the extensive training in the months before a fight it is not uncommon for the competition to be over in a matter of seconds. In his professional debut, Kim had his opponent on the floor winning by submission in a minute and two seconds. His last fight saw him earn an Australian title for Eternal MMA’s Flyweight division.
Comparing his former life to the one he leads now, Kim says his ‘proper job’ was exhausting in its own right: “In my nine to five there were pressures in meeting KPI’s, but now it’s gruelling training and injuries.”
“I guess at the end of the day I am a lot happier than I was before.”
For Kim, he hopes to take his new career as far as he can. With the UFC gaining footing, he believes it was a good time to make the change.
