Jessen  ("Coach J") is Brooklyn born and raised.  He earned a Bachelor of Science in Bio Mechanics from Florida A&M University.  He is NASM and NFPT certified. In addition, he is certified as a Level 1 Specialist in Biomechanics & Human Movement from DBC Fitness, Miami. 

Jessen has over 17 years of experience as a fitness trainer in Florida and New York.  Over the past 5+ years, Jessen has built age/level specific youth programming focused on increasing speed, mobility, agility, and confidence. 

Jessen has been featured in the Men’s Health Urbanathlon event and participated in the CrossFit Challenge in New York City.  The Obama Administration awarded Jessen the "Power of Dreams Award" (President's Civil Service Award) presented by Danny Glover.

Jessen is responsible for Program Design, Trainer Education, and leading Training Sessions.

Favorite Sports: Basketball, Football, Track and Field, Soccer, Baseball

Favorite Teams: Knicks, Yankees, Giants (really ALL NY teams)

Kirk left a successful career in technology startups to join forces with long time friend Jessen after seeing the impact the programming had on his own kids.  

As the parent of two youth athletes, he understands the pressure both parents and the youth athletes are under.  Parents are trying to balance logistics while providing the best opportunities for their kids to excel in sports.  Young athletes often feel pressure to specialize in specific sports and/or get to the highest level in their sport(s) of choice.  In all of that, building the individual habits, confidence, and ability to advocate for themselves can be lost.  

He believes that the athlete-centric approach at Cadet Athletic Performance helps kids own their athletic development with goals set by them, for them.

Kirk is responsible for youth athletic club partnerships, member experience, and all things back office.  

Favorite Sports: Soccer, Basketball, Football

Favorite Teams: Chiefs, Royals, Gotham FC, NY Liberty, MLS: Sporting KC, Premier League: Chelsea, Serie A: AC Milan, La Liga: Barca, USWNT, USMNT

Emily is a Human Performance Specialist.  She played collegiate soccer, earned her B.S. in Exercise Science and Nutrition, and her M.S. in Applied Physiology and Kinesiology. 

Early in her career, she worked with athletes at the University of Florida before serving as Head Strength and Conditioning Coach at the U.S. Naval Academy, coaching Women’s Soccer, Women’s Crew, Men’s Tennis, and Sailing.

Over the years, she has coached hundreds of individuals  ranging from elite athletes, high performers, new and expecting moms, older adults, and those coming back from injury or illness. Her approach is rooted in science, creativity, and intention, designed to prepare you for whatever your life demands. Whether that’s competing at the highest level, keeping up with your kids, staying strong and independent as you age, or simply feeling better in your own body.

She holds certifications in Pre/Postnatal training, CSCS, USAW, and FMS. 

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Dilson Gibbs is a performance and wellness professional with over a decade of experience in fitness leadership. A former Division I football athlete and professional entertainer, he has led high-performing teams and managed personal training operations across fitness organizations including Chelsea Piers Fitness, Life Time Athletic, Crunch Fitness, New York Sports Clubs, and LA Fitness, helping build scalable fitness infrastructure, coaching systems, and elevated client experiences.

Dilson earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Health & Human Services from the University at Buffalo and holds multiple advanced certifications including NASM-CPT, Functional Range Conditioning Mobility Specialist (FRCms), BioForce Conditioning Coach, Precision Nutrition Level 1, Pain-Free Performance Specialist (PPSC), StrongFirst Kettlebell, and ProNatal Pre/Postnatal Coaching. His coaching philosophy combines strength, mobility, recovery, and evidence-based programming to help individuals improve performance, longevity, and overall quality of life.

Dilson is responsible for building and growing CAP!'s Adult Performance and Fitness offerings including group classes, adult private training, adult focused events, and family events and offerings.

A  native New Yorker, Bryant was born and raised in Brooklyn. He’s worked with children his entire life, from coaching to running afterschool and camp programs to the Department of Education. He has now left the school system to help New York City youth in a different way.

A big proponent of youth sports, Bryant believes in the many life lessons that kids learn while playing. He’s coached baseball, basketball and flag football and brings that same passion and vision to CAP!, helping athletes build confidence through hard work and discipline.

He’s also an advocate for preventive care for all ages through diet and exercise. As an avid gym goer, personal training was the next logical step. He is NASM-CPT certified and is currently working on his Nutrition Coach and Performance Enhancement Specialist certifications.

Favorite Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Football
Favorite Teams: Knicks, Yankees, Jets, Saints (his flag football team)