At Diesel Athletic Academy, we believe true empowerment comes from balance—the seamless integration of mind, body, and spirit. Our approach is a complete yin-yang philosophy, blending mental resilience, physical strength, emotional intelligence, and strategic goal-setting to help individuals thrive in all areas of life.
Led by Claire Heudes-Cabrera and Nicolas Cabrera, our private coaching and clinics focus on holistic self-improvement, resilience-building, and sustainable success. We base our philosophy on Taoism, Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, and Aristotle’s Golden Mean, ensuring that growth is purposeful and balanced.
Claire Heudes-Cabrera: The Yin – Mindful Strength & Emotional Balance
Claire’s journey is one of perseverance, transformation, and deep self-awareness. Originally from France, she arrived in the U.S. 20 years ago, speaking broken English but determined to build a new life. As a mother of four, she knows firsthand the challenges of balancing personal growth with family responsibilities. In her 40s, she returned to school, proving that it’s never too late to chase your dreams. As she builds a farm in her backyard, she embraces the philosophy of growth, patience, and connection to nature—values she brings to her coaching.
With a BA in Psychology and ongoing Master’s studies in Social Work, Claire’s coaching focuses on mental clarity, emotional resilience, and self-actualization. A dedicated yogi for nearly two decades, she specializes in breathwork, mindfulness, and movement as a tool for personal transformation.
🔹 “Be still like a mountain and flow like a great river.” – Lao Tzu
Claire’s expertise includes:
✅ Yoga & meditation for mental clarity
✅ Breathwork & stress resilience
✅ Emotional regulation & self-actualization
✅ Nutrition for holistic well-being
✅ Building drive through SMART Objectives
Building Drive with SMART Objectives
Claire helps individuals turn dreams into structured action plans using SMART goals—Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound. By creating clear and attainable steps, she ensures that growth remains steady and sustainable, not overwhelming.
🔹 “A goal properly set is halfway reached.” – Zig Ziglar
Nicolas Cabrera: The Yang – Resilient Strength
& Tactical Discipline
Nicolas is a force of unwavering determination, discipline, and resilience. For over 13 years, he balanced two demanding roles—serving as a military police officer in the Army while also working as a teacher. His ability to lead, adapt, and mentor in both high-pressure environments and the classroom has shaped his coaching into a methodical, results-driven system that builds mental and physical toughness.
With a Master’s degree in Special Needs Education and over a decade of teaching experience, Nicolas understands how to break down complex challenges, adapt strategies to individual needs, and foster long-term growth. His coaching is built on the belief that resilience isn’t just about pushing harder—it’s about pushing smarter, knowing when to drive forward and when to recover.
When Nicolas sets his mind to something, he is unstoppable. He thrives on structured discipline and strategic execution, ensuring that his clients develop the mental and physical fortitude to conquer any challenge without burnout or injury.
🔹 “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” – Aristotle
Nicolas’s expertise includes:
✅ Strength & conditioning for performance
✅ Mental toughness & tactical resilience
✅ Strategic training without overperformance
✅ Nutrition for endurance and recovery
✅ Goal setting and drive-building with SMART Objectives
Building Drive with SMART Objectives
Nicolas helps athletes and individuals set clear, actionable goals that drive motivation and success. His method ensures that every goal is strategic, measurable, and executed precisely, so clients build momentum and stay on track without burning out.
🔹 “Discipline is choosing between what you want now and what you want most.” – Abraham Lincoln
His approach ensures that every athlete or individual he works with develops their strength and resilience and gains the mental clarity and structure needed to sustain success over time.
The Complete Yin-Yang Approach
Claire and Nicolas embody the balance of yin and yang, offering a holistic, structured, and empowering approach to personal growth.
🔹 Claire brings calm, adaptability, and emotional intelligence, guiding individuals through self-awareness, healing, and inner strength.
🔹 Nicolas brings resilience, discipline, and tactical execution, ensuring that goals are met with precision, perseverance, and smart strategies.
Together, they create a unique coaching experience that blends mindfulness with strategy, softness with strength, and adaptability with discipline.
Through private coaching and clinics, they help individuals turn aspirations into action, obstacles into growth, and effort into lasting success—whether in sports, personal development, or life itself.
Empower yourself. Build balance. Thrive.