Inside the life of Rafael Brandão: Mr Olympia bodybuilder contestant with three open pro wins

RAFAEL Brandão’s rise in professional bodybuilding is nothing short of inspiring, marked by relentless dedication and overcoming personal obstacles.

From battling a fast metabolism to becoming a top contender in the Men's Open Division, he is now in the running for the prestigious Mr Olympia title — a journey that is far from over.

Célio Rafael Antônio Brandão, known as Rafael Brandão, is a professional bodybuilder from Brazil, who competes in the IFBB Pro League, particularly in the Men's Open Division.

Born on June 24, 1993, in Garça, São Paulo, Brazil, Rafael has gained significant recognition in the world of bodybuilding due to his balanced physique, classic aesthetic, and hard-earned muscle mass, despite challenges related to his body type and metabolism.

Struggles in bodybuilding

Rafael's journey in bodybuilding has not been an easy one, as he has faced significant challenges, particularly due to his fast metabolism, which made it difficult for him to gain the necessary muscle mass for the Men's Open category.

Bodybuilders in this division often need to reach heavier weights while maintaining low body fat and impressive muscle definition, and he struggled initially with putting on the weight required to compete at the highest levels.

To overcome his fast metabolism, Rafael had to eat an enormous amount of calories daily, often consuming 7-8 meals loaded with protein, carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

This dedication to nutrition was essential for him to achieve the mass necessary to be competitive in the Men's Open Division.

Despite his natural disadvantages, he is known for his intense training regimen.

He incorporates heavy weights, high-volume workouts, and attention to detail in every aspect of his routine to ensure that he builds muscle while maintaining his signature aesthetic physique.

Bodybuilding record

Rafael started his professional bodybuilding career in the IFBB Pro League, and despite the challenges, he steadily climbed the ranks in the international bodybuilding scene.

In 2016, at the Arnold Classic South America, Rafael placed 6th in the amateur competition.

In 2017, he earned his IFBB Pro Card after winning at the Arnold Classic Brazil.

This victory solidified his status as an emerging competitor in the Men's Open category, marking a significant turning point in his career.

At the 2019 Romania Muscle Fest Pro, Rafael secured 2nd place.

His improvements in muscle size, symmetry, and conditioning were evident, further establishing him as a serious contender on the international stage.

One of his most significant victories came in 2021 at the IFBB Portugal Pro, where he took home the 1st place trophy.

This win secured his qualification for the 2021 Mr Olympia competition, one of the most prestigious events in bodybuilding.

Later in 2021, he made his debut at Mr Olympia, competing against some of the top names in the sport.

Although he didn’t place among the top ranks, this marked a crucial milestone in his career.

Continuing his momentum, Rafael has worked towards consistently qualifying for major competitions like Mr Olympia, striving to improve his standing against the best in the sport.