Braeden Holcombe is a man of many skills: decathlete, civil engineer, U.S. Air Force 2nd Lieutenant, and 2025 Mister Colorado USA candidate. He chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about his latest endeavors.
American track and field running legend Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” This quote applies to Braeden Holcombe.
A professional decathlete, Holcombe hopes to compete at the 2028 Summer Olympic Games in Los Angeles in track and field, and in the next winter Olympics in bobsled.
Mister USA competition
In the meantime, he will be competing in the upcoming Mister USA competition in Los Angeles this July, where he will be representing the state of Colorado.
Mister USA is an American beauty pageant, which is held annually, and the winner goes on to represent the United States in the Mister Universe competition. It is a celebration of culture, diversity, beauty, intelligence and empowerment.
It believes in the power of young leaders to make a difference in the world. It is not solely about outer beauty; it recognizes the inner beauty, character, and intelligence of their contestants.
“Honestly, the opportunity that arose is kind of overwhelming,” he said. “It’s a great honor. I want to be able to represent my state, and the people in the Armed Forces, and just put my best self out there because that’s how I’ve been. It’s fantastic.”
Repping the state of Colorado
On representing Colorado, Holcombe exclaimed, “It is super exciting. I was born and raised in Colorado my whole life. I was there for 22 years before I moved to Florida, so being from Colorado is 100 percent who I am. I am super happy about it.”
Advocacy for the Mister USA competition
Holcombe opened up about his advocacy for this year’s Mister USA competition.
“Honestly, I want to inspire people to become the best versions of themselves and to put their best selves out there,” he said. “I want to be the role model of what it means to be a good man in society and a good contributor. For me, that is standing by the Air Force core values.
“The U.S. Air Force’s core values are Integrity First, Service Before Self, and Excellence in All We Do. When you bring your best self forward, that is the best version you can bring and that is what I am advocating for,” he elaborated.
“That’s what I am advocating for,” he said. “We live in a society right now where people are scared to be masculine and it’s very important now more than ever, especially where our world is going. We need to be able to present our best selves.”
Daily motivations
Regarding his daily motivations, Holcombe stated, “Everything motivates me. I come from a pretty crazy background. I had a single mom from the time I was five years old, so I had to learn to be the man of the house at some point of my life early on.”
“That right there was a huge motivator for me, especially to be an advocate for my family and to hold it down. That — for me — is enough to be motivated every day to do what I do,” he explained.
“I’ve always wanted to be a civil engineer and a professional track and field athlete, and they both happened,” he added.
Future plans
On his future plans, he shared, “Presently, I am pursuing the 2028 Olympic Games. That is a huge dream of mine. I also have another opportunity to try out for the men’s Bobsled team. So tentatively, I have two Olympic Games that I am working to achieve.”
“Also, my service commitment to the United States ends in five years but depending on the opportunity,” he said.
“I might continue my military career beyond the five years. I love serving my country and I think it will be an amazing thing for the family that I’ll start. I’ve built a huge foundation for myself,” he elaborated.
“I believe I am going to be the next big role model in my family and I take that very seriously. That is my career outlook for the next five to ten years: pursuing the Olympic Games and being the best serviceman I can be to my country,” he added.
Stage of his life
On the title of the current chapter of his life, he revealed, “Be a Champion.”
“I want to win at everything that I do. I don’t like losing,” he admitted. “Wanting to win has been a part of my competitive nature for as long as I can remember. For me, losing is not an option.”
Superpower of choice
If he were to have any superpower, it would be to have the abilities of the “Silver Surfer” from the Marvel Universe.
“The Silver Surfer can turn into different objects, and he can manipulate time,” he said.
Holcombe on why he should win Mister USA
When asked why Holcombe should win Mister USA, Holcombe responded, “I think I should win Mister USA because I bring to the table what others can’t. What I do ever single day others won’t, so that tomorrow I can do what others can. That’s how I present myself each. That’s who I am and that’s what I do. That separates me from the rest.”
“I have a very professional career, I have an image to uphold, and I present myself with intense integrity. I don’t have a need to be fake. What you see in me is what you get,” he noted.
“That’s what men need to look up to and that’s what women should see in our society… that there is a man out there who is ready to represent everybody,” he explained.
“I come from a Christian background, and I love my neighbors. That’s why I serve this country, and I think it’s the best country in the world,” he noted.
“Not only do I serve our nation, but I serve internationally. I am already on a global scale when it comes to my career, whether that’s my career (the military) globally, or track and field globally. I am a global person,” he acknowledged.
Success
On his definition of the word success, he disclosed, “Success means to me the day that I become a father.”
“I’ve always been a family man, and the success of my family is what defines success for me,” he said.
Closing thoughts on Mister USA
Holcombe concluded, “If I am ready to die for my country, then I am also ready to win for my country. That’s as straightforward as it gets.”
To learn more about Braeden Holcombe, follow him on Instagram.
