When a person immerses himself into the collective arts, exploration strengthens the palettes; interrelationships between modes of expression become evident.” Braia hadn’t given much thought to the idea of modeling as a youth. “Externally, I was sometimes tough, or tried to act cool, but I was really just a skinny, insecure kid around the time of middle school, trying to understand where I fit in.”

He began to take interest in the martial arts, boxing, and fitness, which continued over the years. “At that time, immersing myself in diet and fitness kept me out of trouble, and helped me to feel good about myself . . . . I recall a friendly high-school teacher and a few other kids mentioning that I was starting to look like a model. I thought it was funny, until I realized that I could make a little money.” One day he boldly walked into a local clothing store, asking if they needed any models.” This led Braia to a minor modeling career that spanned almost 20 years—fashion shows, magazines, billboards, national milk posters, and working in the Big Apple. Andy Rooney, from CBS’s 60 Minutes, once took notice on the show, asking America, if he joined in on the ever-expanding fitness craze, would he ever be able to look like “The Chelsea Gym Guy?” Rooney held up a picture of Braia on the screen, from an advertisement running in the The Village Voice. Soon after, Braia received requests to meet with other media professionals. “I met Joe Franklin and signed a promotional acting contract with one of his colleagues. One of my photographers somehow got me into a post-production party for Spike Lee’s, Jungle Fever. I walked around aimlessly, shaking hands with unknown actors. It was quite an interesting time, but it didn’t seem real . . . . Reflecting on it, I think I missed a lot of opportunities by not always knowing what to do relative to what was in front of me.”

Braia enjoyed this overlapping creative period in his life. Sporadic at times, it began to interfere with his working career and young family. “I got to a point where I had to make a choice—live in Manhattan, or stay in Central New York. At the time, staying in the quieter center of the Empire State was what I chose.”