Brauer grew up in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, and as an 8-year-old had already shown an interest in skiing, winning several competitions.
When his mother bought a business in the ski resort town of Thredbo, Brauer followed and based his career there.
Brauer won the Australian National Championships several times, and won both European and North American Cup Slalom events as well as a career high 14th in the Chamonix World Cup Super Combined event.
Unfortunately Brauer suffered a series of season ending injuries resulting in 12 surgeries to his lower limbs and ultimately causing his retirement from the sport in 2010.
Following his athletic career, Brauer coached for the Australian National team before opening a successful retail business in 2012.