While Roman Bravo-Young puts on a show for Penn State fans on the wrestling mat, he also entertains his followers on TikTok.
TikTok, a social media platform where viewers can watch short videos, has given Bravo-Young the opportunity to express himself away from wrestling. When the platform gained popularity, he decided to give it a try. Roman's curiosity turned him into a popular TikToker, with his first video of a backflip reaching three million views. He has become known for his quick wrestling technique tutorials and workout videos.
He feels more engaged on TikTok compared to other social media platforms because his videos are more representative of who he is. "It's more just me joking around. People can see that I have a normal life too," says Roman.
Bravo-Young has fun creating original content for his followers and especially enjoys brainstorming new ideas and adding a personal touch to popular TikTok trends. "A lot of people don't know, but I have a big passion for creating content and social media," shares Roman. When a video gains popularity, he is even more encouraged to create new content, but doesn't take his TikTok fame too seriously, as it's all done in good fun.
He is always finding ways to be different, as he works to build his personal brand. His continued popularity on social media has helped him stand out from other wrestlers. "For me, obviously a lot of my followers are wrestlers, so I just do stuff with wrestling, and show some moves, or workouts. I do what my fanbase likes," explains Roman.
Across all of his social media platforms, he receives daily messages from fans and young wrestling hopefuls. "Every single day people are asking me if I can give them tips, ideas, and techniques," says Roman. "People ask me how they can get faster, more athletic, or how they can wrestle like me."
Roman answers as many messages as he can, once even sending wrestling gear to a young fan. TikTok has given him a platform to answer these requests and share his athletic talents and wrestling knowledge in new ways.
His videos provide a personalized look at the Penn State wrestling program from a student-athlete's point of view. "Wrestlers want to see what Penn State wrestlers are doing," says Roman. "A lot of people love Penn State wrestling, so I give them the inside scoop." He uses TikTok to have fun with his teammates, friends, and coaches, while also letting fans see other aspects of his life away from the sport.
Bravo-Young is taking this upcoming season week by week. "Obviously, the goal is to win at the end of the day but if we don't have a season or if something happens, I'm going to control what I can control and look for the positive, in the good or the bad" shares Roman. "Just go out there and put on a show, do what I like to do."
