At just 12 years old and weighing only 90 pounds, Ed Darcey began a lifelong passion for fitness that would shape both his life and the lives of countless others. His dedication and discipline led him to become a top-ranked natural bodybuilder from 1989 through 2003, earning recognition for his commitment to health and integrity in the sport.
In 1989, he opened his Personal Fitness Club in Rocky Point, NY — a place where his passion for helping others reach their full potential could thrive. Over the decades, Ed’s leadership and impact on the community has been recognized with numerous honors, including the Brookhaven Person of the Year Award (2017), the Tuthill Spirit of Rocky Point Award (2023), and the Suffolk County Legislature’s Business Person of the Year Award (2024).
On March 15, 2023, the Town of Brookhaven officially proclaimed that day as Ed Darcey Day, celebrating his lasting contributions to fitness and the community. But beyond awards and accolades, Ed’s greatest achievements lie in the lives he’s changed. From training local residents who went on to become professional athletes, to helping individuals who were once paralyzed take their first steps again, Ed’s work continues to inspire. As he humbly says, helping someone walk again is “far more rewarding than any award.