How I got that job: Erdenechimeg (Chimgee) Haltarhuu

Age: 45

Hometown: Minneapolis

Job: Circus performer and trainer: Circus Juventas (head coach), Circus Manduhai (founder).

Circus salary range: roughly $50,000 to $100,000 (for experienced performers).

Education and circus background: I entered Mongolian circus college when I was 16. In America nobody has a four-year circus college, but in Asia it's a big thing. The first two years I learned all the basic circus things, then I picked a profession: aerial and trapeze. I am very small; I had six really strong partners, I would stand on their hands and they would throw me up in the air. I would do somersaults in the air and then they would catch me in their hands, or on their head or their shoulders. I traveled with the Mongolian state circus all over Asia and Europe. Then the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus came to Mongolia and picked my act. That's why I ended up in the United States. I lived on the circus train. The first two or three years was OK. Every time I get up it's a new city, a new state, it's fun! But after five years I stopped.

How did you end up in Minnesota? Trying to settle down. I worked a very small one-ring circus in [upstate] New York. That's where I met my husband. He's from Minnesota, so of course he wants me to come over here. In a newspaper he saw Circus Juventas building this circus building [in St. Paul]. He said, "they're looking for new professionals!" I called and they said, "Can you come work for us tomorrow?" They're really happy to have a professional. Eight years I've been working here.

When did you first get excited about the circus? For two years I was a gymnast in Mongolia ... we don't have such things like babysitting, so we just grow up together, watching each other. My mom told me to stop taking gymnastics because I have to take care of my sisters and brothers and cook. So I dropped [gymnastics] and I babysat. But I never stopped. I was teaching my sisters and brothers.

What's the best part of your job? I love my job, especially the performing. It makes me young and it makes me happy. Also, when I'm watching [my students] backstage. It's amazing to watch them. ... Kids can do amazing things, close to professional.

Tell me about your "Mission Manduhai." This summer I'm taking a troupe to Mongolia to perform for the countryside people, the herders. They never experience any circus entertainment, or any entertainment because the live way far [out]. This show is free. This is a good opportunity to raise awareness of domestic abuse. We are working together with the organization [in Mongolia] called National Center Against Violence. This is my longtime dream. Plus, I'm a survivor of domestic abuse [when she was young]. I kept that in my chest for a long time. I've wanted to do this for many years ... now, nothing's going to stop me. (More information about Chimgee's trip and fundraiser on the Web at www.circusmanduhai.com.)