Cody Galloway-Braman

TEAM COMPETE MVP POWERED BY SEVEN EVEN CLOTHING

CODY First and Last Name: Cody Galloway-Braman. Age: 29. Hometown: Merrifield, Minnesota. Current Residence: White Bear 26 COMPETE november - december 2020 GALLOWAY Lake, Minnesota. Current Sport(s) Played: Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Relationship Status: Married. Favorite Athlete: Max Holloway. Favorite Team: Team Alpha Male. Interests/Hobbies: Living in the gym and always working. Anything and everything outdoors. My husband and I love 4-wheeling, dirt-biking, fly fishing, snowmobiling and snowboarding in the winter. Anything active and we are there! Best Physical Feature: My husband says it’s my smile. Why You Love Sports: I love to compete, I love striving to be the best. How Did You First Get Involved in Sports: I was raised in sports; I was raised to compete. Other Sports Played: I grew up playing soccer, basketball and baseball. I still focus on wrestling, boxing and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ). I play softball for fun. What’s Your Day Job: I manage MMA fighters and own an MMA team. I also help out as a brand agent for Seven Even Clothing and manage keep the 7E with the Part of the Pack Greatest Personal Achievement: Marrying my best friend. Photo Credit: Molly Pierce.

Photo Credit: Molly Pierce. "SEVEN EVEN CLOTHING HAS MADE ME FEEL OK WITH THE FACT THAT I DON’T HAVE TO FIT INTO ANY MOLD OR SPECIFIC STEREOTYPE TO BE CONFIDENT IN WHO I AM, AND THAT I AM NOT ALONE IN FEELING THAT WAY."

Greatest Athletic Achievements:

I think most people would probably say a state title or a competition they won. For me, it was the day I was physically and mentally broken at an MMA camp. That day something happened that changed me from the inside out and I haven’t been the same ever since. A fire was lit in me that day and I haven’t stopped grinding ever since.

What’s your personal story? Tell us something about you, what interactions you have had with the sports community, LGBTQ+ community, etc.

The interaction I’ve had in the sports community with MMA and boxing has been amazing, honestly; greatest group of people in the world. My life in the LGBTQ+ community hasn’t been good. I couldn’t ever fit in. I don’t like the Pride events, bars, drag or other stereotypical gathering places for the community. I don’t think there is anything wrong with those things, I just never liked that those were really my only primary options to build or find a community. And that by not liking those things, I was somehow not being part of the community. It wasn’t until I found Seven Even Clothing and had a outlet through a company that seemed to understand me and why I was feeling that way, that I finally felt like I had a place in the LGBTQ+ community where I could be myself.

How did you meet Gina Pecoraro, CEO-Owner of Seven Even Clothing?

I met Gina through Seven Even Clothing. I was scrolling through IG and I didn’t even know a company like 7E existed. Her message and mission hit me right away.

How did you become involved in Seven Even?

I bought a lot of their clothes. Then one day I reached out and explained to them what they had done for me. I fell in love with Gina and I’ve been grinding ever since.

What makes Seven Even so special?

For me as a gay male, I never felt accepted into my own community. Seven Even Clothing has made me feel OK with the fact that I don’t have to fit into any mold or specific stereotype to be confident in who I am, and that I am not alone in feeling that way. 7E is about creating community for people who don’t think they fit neatly into someone else’s image of what they should be.

If given the chance, what would you share with the younger generation that may be looking up to you?

Be the hardest working person in the room. Drop your pride and be eager to learn.

What are your future goals?

I still have so much ahead of me, I have so many. For a start: • I would like for my MMA team and my athletes to be successful in their careers. • I want to see Seven Even Clothing and the activewear line to be in every mainstream store globally. • I want to continue to find ways to join people on their journey as they chase their own dreams.

What are your thoughts about the LGBTQ+ community’s inclusion in sports diversity?

That’s a tough question. It really depends on the sport and the person, but overall, I’m disappointed. I think it’s wild that people care if you’re gay or straight in sports. In my head there is only one objective and that’s either to win or be the best – that’s it! I was raised with the mentality that when you are competing, there is no mental capacity for anything other than a focus on performance. I understand the limitations of that philosophy but I also see the benefits of it.