Meet Brandon Kress | Owner and Coach | SOMA Performance & Fitness

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brandon Kress and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brandon, how does your business help the community?
At SOMA Performance and Fitness, we believe that true impact goes far beyond just physical transformation. While we specialize in helping youth athletes improve their speed, strength, and confidence—and support active adults in achieving better health and fitness—our deeper mission is to positively influence lives both inside and outside the gym.

We are committed to building strong, meaningful relationships with every client so we can serve as positive role models and mentors, especially for the young people we train. Our goal is to help them grow not only as athletes, but as confident, resilient individuals. We’ve seen firsthand how improving physical health can uplift mental well-being, boost self-esteem, and strengthen relationships—ultimately improving overall quality of life.

Beyond our day-to-day training, we are proud to be part of several initiatives that extend our reach into the community and beyond. We work with EDCare Denver through their Athlete EDGE Program to support adolescent and adult athletes recovering from eating disorders. Through safe, supportive training, we help these individuals rebuild a healthy relationship with exercise and deepen their mind-body connection.

We also launched SOMA Gives, our charitable giving initiative. Each month, a portion of our revenue goes to nonprofits such as Compassion International, Make Mental Health Matter, and Many Hopes—organizations making a difference both locally and globally. We’ve also partnered with local businesses to provide Thanksgiving turkeys for families in need and participated in Adopt A Family during the holidays to support those going through tough times.

Additionally, we recently began working with school PTOs and athletic boosters to help raise funds by offering Free Speed Clinics. Schools can charge a small participation fee and keep 100% of the proceeds, helping support teachers, students, and athletic programs in meaningful ways.

At our core, SOMA exists to serve. Whether it’s empowering an athlete to reach their full potential, helping someone reclaim their health, or contributing to a cause bigger than ourselves, we are committed to creating lasting impact in our community—and around the world.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
At SOMA Performance and Fitness, we specialize in helping youth athletes improve speed, strength, and confidence, and active adults improve their overall health and fitness, while also building healthier, more resilient lives. What sets us apart is our commitment to individualized attention and measurable progress. For our private training clients, we design programs based on their unique goals and needs. We keep our groups small, with no more than four clients per coach in a session—ensuring every individual receives the focus and coaching they deserve to maximize results. We also offer fully comprehensive online training and coaching programs for both athletes and adults, making our expertise accessible to clients no matter where they are.

One thing we’re extremely passionate about is tracking progress and demonstrating results over time. We want our clients to see that what they’re doing is working, and we take great pride in showing them how far they’ve come.

What I’m most proud of, though, is the long-term relationships we’ve built—especially with our youth athletes. I have had a number of athletes train with me from 5th/6th grade all the way through college. That level of commitment and trust is humbling, and it reminds me of the deep impact we can have beyond just physical development.

The journey to get here hasn’t been easy. I started my first business in December 2015 with the help of a mentor, Jim Warren, who allowed me to rent space in his gym on a tiered rent model that gave me the opportunity to get on my feet. In 2017, I partnered with a colleague, Edward O’Connor, and we ran Moving Forward Performance and Fitness together until 2020. During that time, we bought out Jim’s business and expanded to a second facility. When we closed MFPF in 2020, I launched SOMA Performance and Fitness out of my garage, training a mix of in-person and online clients.

That season taught me how to run lean, adapt, and connect with clients in new ways. In March 2023, I brought on my first coach, Kyle Edgar, and we began growing steadily. By June 2024, we moved into our current facility, and in December 2024, added another full-time coach, Jacob Spring. Today, we serve a wide range of clients, from individual private training to teams and schools, and the momentum continues to build.

Through all of this, I’ve learned that growth brings challenges—but relationships and great people are what make it all worthwhile. I’ve been blessed with an amazing community that has stuck with me and SOMA through thick and thin, and I’m incredibly grateful for their loyalty and belief in what we’re doing.

At its core, SOMA is about more than just improving athleticism, health, and fitness. SOMA stands for Stay On Mission Always. Our mission is to impact lives—not just in the gym, but in the community and around the world. Whether it’s through training, mentorship, or charitable outreach, we’re here to serve a bigger purpose, and we’re just getting started.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
To be honest, between running a business and being a husband and dad, I don’t get a ton of free time—but if I had a full week with no commitments and my best friend was in town, I’d make the most of it and show them what makes Colorado so special.

We’d definitely kick things off with a visit to Red Rocks Amphitheater—whether for a sunrise workout, a concert, or just to take in the views, it’s an unforgettable experience. From there, a day trip to Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs would be a must. It’s one of those places that looks like a movie set and never gets old, no matter how many times you’ve been.

We’d spend some time exploring Downtown Denver, checking out Union Station, grabbing coffee at local spots, and walking around. There are so many fun spots in Denver to explore.

Food-wise, I’d take them to Lucile’s Creole Cafe for breakfast—their beignets and creole dishes are hard to beat. For a fun night out, Basketball Social House is a great spot for food, drinks, and a little friendly competition on the court. And we’d definitely hit Angelo’s Taverna—one of my go-to places for a laid-back vibe, and some of the best Italian food in the area.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’ve never believed in the idea of being “self-made.” The truth is, none of us get to where we are alone—and I’m no exception. I owe a huge part of my journey to the people who have supported, encouraged, and walked alongside me.

First and foremost, I want to recognize my wife, Kaitlyn. Her constant support, trust in my goals, and belief in my vision—especially during the uncertain moments—have meant everything. She’s been my sounding board, my motivator, and my rock through it all.

I also want to give a shoutout to my incredible staff. Their dedication and belief in what we’re building together pushes me to be better every day—not just as a coach, but as a leader and business owner. They show up with passion and purpose, and I’m beyond grateful to work with them.

I’m also deeply thankful for the many coaches, authors, and mentors I’ve never met but who have shaped my mindset through their books and teachings. Their wisdom has helped me grow both professionally and personally.

But above all, I have to credit my faith in God. He has provided for me in ways I never could have imagined and laid a path before me long before I knew what was ahead. Every success, every opportunity—none of it would be possible without Him.

So no, I’m not self-made. I’m supported, guided, and blessed—and I’m thankful every single day for that.

Website: https://www.somapf.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coach_brandonkress/

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Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCF47niwEH9YzMZ9dPGLXpjQ