“Immersing yourself in different forms of expression over time strengthens the palette; the connections between them become clear.” Braia hadn’t given much thought to 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 taking an 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 classmates 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 and asked if they needed any models. This led to a minor modeling career that spanned almost 20 years—fashion shows, magazines, billboards, national milk posters, and work in New York City.

Andy Rooney of CBS’s 60 Minutes once took notice. Holding up a picture of Braia from an advertisement in The Village Voice, he asked whether, if he joined the expanding fitness craze, he could ever look like “The Chelsea Gym Guy.” Soon afterward Braia began receiving 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 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 with what was in front of me.”

Braia enjoyed this overlapping creative period, though it was sporadic and eventually began to interfere with his work 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.”