Rafael Brandao: From Skinny Kid to Top Bodybuilder
Rafael Brandao’s story is one of perseverance, dedication, and passion. Brandao’s journey is one of hard work and determination, from being known as the “skinny kid” to becoming a world-renowned bodybuilder.
His love for weight training became an obsession, and he dedicated his life to perfecting his craft. Brandao’s competitive journey has been impressive, with numerous wins and placements in various competitions.
This article will examine Rafael Brandao’s biography, including his training routine, nutrition plan, and quick facts. Join us as we explore the life and career of one of the most exciting bodybuilders to follow today.
Rafael Brandao’s Youth: Active in Sports
Growing up in Garça, São Paulo, Rafael Brandao was an active child who enjoyed playing soccer, basketball, and volleyball. However, he was known as the “skinny kid” and struggled to gain weight. It wasn’t until a friend introduced him to weight training that he found his true passion.
From Weight Training Obsession to Bodybuilding Career
At first, Brandao had no aspirations of becoming a professional bodybuilder. However, he quickly fell in love with weight training and saw progress in his physique. His dedication to weight training soon became an obsession, and he ate a lot to gain muscle and strength.
Brandao started focusing on bodybuilding at 18 years old and knew he needed to improve his nutrition knowledge and workouts to compete. Nearly a decade later, he became a famous bodybuilder competing against the very best in the world.
Rafael Brandao’s Competitive Journey
Brandao’s first competition at 20 years old was relatively easy for him, as he was determined to succeed. However, it wasn’t until 2016, when he won a competition in both the junior and senior categories and won his IFBB pro card, that his career took off.
Brandao placed 8th in his pro debut at the 2017 San Marino Pro and in numerous competitions in 2018. In 2019, he finished 7th at the Arnold Classic Ohio and was the runner-up at the Arnold Classic South America Pro.
In 2020, he came in third place at the European Pro, followed by a first-place finish at the 2021 IFBB Romania Muscle Fest Pro. Brandao won the Arnold Classic South America in 2022 and placed 10th in his first Mr. Olympia contest, considered one of the most competitive in years.
Rafael Brandao’s Training Routine
During his training sessions, Brandao focuses on developing body consciousness to ensure proper form and muscular development.
He moves heavy weights during workouts to challenge himself and improve his strength. Brandao uses a variety of exercises for different muscle groups, including the back, chest, shoulders, legs, and arms.
Some of his go-to exercises include wide-grip lat pulldowns, single-arm machine rows, standing chest flys, incline dumbbell presses, cable lateral raises, leg extensions, and tricep extensions with a rope.
Brandao emphasizes the importance of mind-to-muscle connection in his training and uses a range of exercises to target each muscle group for overall development.
Rafael Brandao’s Nutrition Plan
Brandao prefers to cook his food, especially during contest prep, as it helps him create a “relationship” with food and stay consistent with his diet. He eats a lot of carbohydrates to maintain his physique and has a high metabolism compared to other bodybuilders.
Brandao works with his coach to maintain a good balance of nutrition, especially leading up to a competition. Some of his go-to foods include oatmeal with protein powder and berries, eggs, turkey patties with rice, and cookies.
Brandao uses a range of supplements, including whey protein powder, mass gainer, BCAAs, multivitamins, glutamine, and omega-3 fatty acids.
Rafael Brandao’s Facts and Quick Info
Aside from his bodybuilding career, Brandao struggled with a fast metabolism as a child, which made it difficult for him to gain weight and led to bullying and teasing.
He started exercising with heavy compound movements at the gym and eventually became a successful bodybuilder.
Brandao was born on June 24, 1993, and is currently 29 years old. He is a Brazilian national and a Cancer zodiac sign. Brandao is married to Karen Ranocchia Brandao.
Rafael Brandao’s Net Worth
Brandao’s estimated net worth is around $100,000 based on his YouTube revenue. However, additional sources of income could increase his net worth to around $250,000. His net worth is still being verified and is subject to change.
Rafael Brandao Social Media Accounts
Rafael Brandao is not only a world-renowned bodybuilder but also a social media influencer. He has amassed a massive following on Instagram, with over 1.3 million followers, where he shares his workout routines, progress pictures, and glimpses into his personal life. His Instagram account, @rafabrandaopro, is a must-follow for fitness enthusiasts and fans of bodybuilding.
On YouTube, Rafael Brandao has over 337K subscribers on his channel, BodybuilderlifeTV. He posts videos showcasing his daily workouts, nutrition plans, and vlogs. His YouTube channel is an excellent resource for anyone learning more about bodybuilding and fitness.
Rafael Brandao’s social media accounts are a platform for him to connect with his fans and an excellent way to showcase his hard work and dedication to his craft.
His social media following is a testament to his success and popularity in the fitness and bodybuilding community. Be sure to follow Rafael Brandao on Instagram and subscribe to his YouTube channel to stay up-to-date with his latest content.
Final Thoughts
Rafael Brandao’s journey from a skinny kid to a top bodybuilder is inspiring, and his dedication to weight training and proper nutrition is admirable.
He continues to compete against the best in the world and improve his physique and performance. With his impressive competitive record and dedication to his craft, Rafael Brandao is undoubtedly one of the most exciting bodybuilders to follow today.