Kai Braden

Kai Braden (born March 31, 1988) is an American actor, international fashion model, CrossFit and Olympic Weightlifting coach, as well as the founder/former CEO of the nonprofit organization, AMEN Missionary, Inc.
Early life
Kai Braden comes from a family of German and Chinese descent with parents and a sister who work in the medical field. He trained for the Junior Olympics in Taekwondo, acquiring a second-degree black belt, played varsity tennis in high school, and was also involved in Gymnastics. He is also a keen sky diver and a qualified scuba diver with an Open Water Diver Certification. He completed two years of training there before returning to high school. After signing with a San Francisco local talent agency, Kai booked his first modeling job in a Macy's Teen Runway show. He later accepted a contract with Wilhelmina Models, New York New York, Singapore, Bangkok, and Hong Kong. He has appeared in advertisements for Gillette, and J.Crew. He is based in Los Angeles and New York.
Acting
Braden is a member of the American actor's union SAG-AFTRA. Through his extensive training in New York and Los Angeles, he played the co-star role of "Jesse" in the US television drama series 90210(The CW Television Network), and "Darryl" in the daytime soap opera One Life to Live
Modeling
Braden's model work largely includes campaigns for cosmetic brands and athletic apparel companies. He has appeared in advertisements for Gillette, Naked, N2N, amongst others, have also been featured on The Underwear Expert blog. Much of his modeling work has also crossed-over into dance, such as the 2017 J.Crew Men's campaign.
TV/Media Hosting
Braden has also worked as a TV/Media host with FOX News, KEYT News and Pacific Rim Video Press. He is also an ongoing host on The 100% Mixed Show's YouTube channel. The 100% Mixed Show connects people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds and upbringings in an attempt to provide a space for discussions about identity and experience. The Business Model, Amped Asia and the newsletter for CrossFit SolCity in Los Angeles, where he was also a coach.
Braden is also the author of a book entitled Picture (Not) Perfect: A Male Model Memoir. The eight-chapter book is a mixed-genre how to memoir based on his international travels as a male model and actor that aims to give tips to young aspiring artists and entrepreneurs that want to become successful in the entertainment and fashion worlds.
Currently he coaches group fitness classes at Brooklyn CrossFit: South Williamsburg, Bowery CrossFit, and OrangeTheory Fitness in New York City. He formally coached at CrossFit SolCity and Olympic Weightlifting at The Phoenix Effect in Los Angeles, California.
Advocacy
While modeling overseas, Braden taught English in local slums and travelled over the Thai-Burma border. After witnessing the social injustice and becoming friends with Burmese refugees and orphans, Braden felt compelled to start his own non-profit organization, AMEN Missionary, Inc. in 2009 as a way to raise awareness, provide support and promote self-sustainability among the local communities on the border.

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