Balancing Life and Work

The yin-and-yang of a young female professional

Alex Tomlinson is much more than what some might describe as a renaissance woman. She’s that to be sure. But whereas a renaissance woman is considered to be someone with broad intellectual interests and pursuits, Tomlinson takes the “interests and pursuits” factor to an entirely new level. She’s frankly an unusual, deftly balanced mix of mother, wife, legislative-tracking and public-affairs professional, accomplished athlete and martial arts instructor. And she handles all the aforementioned responsibilities with a flair and adeptness rarely seen in one who – unlike her – has the luxury of only-being singularly or even dually focused.

Though motherhood and karate, for instance, may seem to be disconnected disciplines, Tomlinson always finds a way to infuse one responsibility with a profusion of energy she so seemingly, easily pulls from another. And it works, not only for her, but for her family, friends, clients, and students she serves daily.

A product of the S.C. public school system, Tomlinson was raised one of four equally competitive children in the historic town of Camden where in high school she was both pres. of the student body and homecoming queen. It was, however, her drive and natural athletic ability that led her to become an all-state tennis player and distance runner. Tomlinson also earned a black belt in karate as a young teenager, and was the winner of several tournaments across the Carolinas. It was her passion for martial arts that early-on revealed the desire and instilled in her the discipline that has since guided her stellar career trek. Tomlinson is today the mother of a beautiful baby girl, the wife of a successful young professional, and a master instructor of martial arts where she serves as a black belt instructor in her family run dojo, Mullikin Martial Arts.

That’s not all. Whenever Tomlinson dons the familiar white karate gi and black belt of a karate instructor, it is almost always after a full-day appearing before committees, subcommittees, and the chambers of the South Carolina legislature where she tracks important legislation for corporate clients of the Mullikin Law Firm where she is employed as director of public affairs. In this capacity, she is responsible for monitoring potential amendments and adverse activities on some of the largest corporations in America. Tomlinson leaves the State House in Columbia each day, returning home, changing clothes, feeding, bathing, and dressing her baby, before heading to class – the child with her – where she teaches and mentors boys and girls and their parents in the ancient arts of Shotokan karate.

So, yes, some have referred to Tomlinson as a “renaissance woman.” Others say she is a “superwoman.” She plays down both; preferring instead to say it’s all about balance, relishing-in and thriving-in her varied roles, and loving life and people. Loving life and people indeed. It’s reflected in Tomlinson’s irrepressible energy and constant and engaging smile.