In the world of mixed martial arts fighting, Cupertino native Daniel Puder is somewhat of an oxymoron. In the cage he's a tough, hard-hitting, aggressive crowd-pleaser who hates to lose. But to those who know him, he's simply a goal-driven, motivated individual with a kind heart.

"He's always looking to do things to better people," said Javier "Thunder" Mendoza, one of Puder's four coaches at the American Kickboxing Academy in Campbell. "And he does it all on his own; that's what's special about him. It comes from his heart."

Puder has made appearances and worked with a number of Bay Area charities, including the Cops Care Cancer Foundation, which helps provide financial assistance to children and families that have been stricken with cancer.

"A lot of people, when they are faced with kids with diseases or veterans, who are maimed, are taken aback. But, to him, everyone is normal, and he's right there with them," said San Jose Police Det. Frank Keffer. "He's just very outgoing and likes interacting with people."

During the Cops Care Cancer Foundation events or his frequent visits to local hospitals, Puder signs autographs, poses for photos and offers arm wrestling challenges.

"I think I've had over 200 loses so far to underage kids," Puder said. "I give them two rules when I arm wrestle them: Don't give up and no cheating, and you'll win.' And they always win.

In addition to devoting his time to the Cops Care Cancer Foundation, Puder runs his own nonprofit organization, Puder Strength Training, which helps high school athletes pursue their dreams by providing coaches, training methods and equipment.

"If I could do my nonprofit work full-time, I would," Puder said. "It's more rewarding then fighting. It keeps me down to earth and helps me realize that I am very blessed."

This year Puder is also working with Homestead High School's Future Business Leaders of America Partnership in Business project. The project, which is co-chaired by Homestead juniors Shaw Xu and Amber Feng, is run like a sports agency. With the help of some of Puder's professional team, the 50-member student group is in charge of booking appearances, signing new sponsors and writing contracts for Puder and three other mixed martial arts (MMA) fighters.

"He really didn't like his previous agent because he was paying him a lot of money and the agent wasn't doing anything. He believed we could do a better job," Shaw said.

This is the first time the Homestead FBLA has worked with someone from the entertainment business. "In the recent past we've always worked with startup companies and technology groups, but this type of experience helps with anything. Even if we don't like entertainment, we're learning how to manage people."

The group is also learning how to give constructive feedback on a number of Puder's business endeavors, such as the recently started Puder Magazine, a dual men/women publication that is "tough enough for a man, but intelligent enough for a woman."

With all the time Puder dedicates to his nonprofit work and business projects , it's hard to believe he has time for anything else, let alone the intense training MMA requires.

"I train five to six days a week, two to three times a day, depending on what day it is," Puder said.

Because mixed martial arts blends a number of fighting techniques including boxing, karate, wrestling and jujitsu into one, fighters must train in multiple disciplines. Among other workout regimens, Puder spends hours on sparring, kicking, cardio and jujitsu.

"Wrestling is very basic," Puder said when asked to compare the two types of fighting he has done. "It's one-dimensional. You don't have your punches, kicks or elbows; you basically just try and pin the guy."

Following his graduation and a successful wrestling career at Monta Vista High School, Puder decided to pursue professional wrestling. In the fall of 2004 he left Menlo Business College a year prior to his graduation date to compete in the World Wrestling Entertainment's $1 million "Tough Enough Challenge."

The reality show put the contestants through a number of challenges, including facing off against WWE star and former Olympic gold medalist Kurt Angle. At the end of the show, Puder was crowned the winner.

"I figured out more about myself in eight weeks than I ever have," Puder said. "I was the only one that didn't drink, I was the only one that wasn't hooking up with girls, and it kind of shocked everyone. It tested me a lot, but showed me who I am--a person who works their butt off, knows what they want, but has a set limit with morals on how I get there."

Some of Puder's morals include maintaining his strong relationship with God and not drinking or doing drugs. He estimates that in his lifetime, he's drunk fewer than 10 beers.

"I see what it does to everyone and definitely to those in entertainment," he said. "Throwing up is just the beginning. I am working too hard in life to get where I want to waste time on that."

After an eight-month run in the WWE's Ohio Valley Wrestling developmental territory, Puder decided not to re-sign with WWE but, instead, dedicate himself to MMA fighting. Today he has an undefeated 4-0 professional record.

"He's a talented individual," Mendoza said. "He responds well to instruction and is very coachable. He has a few years to go before he is fighting the world's best, but Daniel can do whatever he wants. All he has to do is want it."

For Puder, succeeding in the fighting arena is more of a building block for what he wants to do later on in life.

"I want to financially retire at 30 so I can do everything else," he said. "I want to finish my degree in business, then get my master's in psychology. Then I want to do my nonprofit for a few years and start working with the government. I want to be the governor of California in 12 years, and then I am going to be the president of the United States."

While some might consider Puder's goals somewhat lofty, he disagrees.

"I've been told all my life I couldn't do things," said Puder, who was diagnosed with attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder. "I was in special education when I was in elementary school. Kids laughed at me and said 'You will never go anywhere.' But now, I'm more known and I've accomplished more than any of them. That pushes me."

Puder is serious about his political goals and already has issues he thinks he could help change for the better, such as reintroducing trade schools.

"I think our country can always use more help," he said. "There are a lot of people that are doing good, but I think I could add to it."

While Puder does realize goals and life in general don't always turn out the way you plan, he does believe in making most out of the journey.

"When you know what you want, you go for it, you don't give up, no matter what," Puder said. "Like in a fight, there is no way, unless the guy is really beating me down, I would ever give up. I keep going."