DAN MACKEY: FITNESS ICON
-THE GYM, VENTURA (MEMORIAL)
DAN MACKEY was born in Akron, Ohio before moving to
the San Fernando Valley, where he became a machinist
and supervisor for NORTH AMERICAN.
Dan then became a major participant and influence in
the golden age of bodybuilding.
Dan came to Ventura in 1969 and opened THE GYM in
1970. He had worked for VINCE GIRONDA (The Iron Guru)
at the famed VINCE'S GYM in North Hollywood.
Dan was a former GOLDEN GLOVES HEAVY WEIGHT title
winner and former "MR. WESTERN AMERICA" BODY BUILDING
CHAMPION (IFBB, 1968), along with other titles such as
"MR. PACIFIC COAST" (AAU, 1968) and "MR. USA." Not to
mention, he was a great father as well.
THE GYM was one of the first "serious weight lifting
gyms in the county."
Dan's vision included women, and THE GYM became one of
the first co-ed gyms at the time.
Over the years, THE GYM produced many champion
bodybuilders as well as helping the community with
their fitness needs.
Dan's sense of humor and wit, along with his knowledge
of training and nutrition, gave him the opportunity to
become one of the first personal trainers in the
county, before it was vogue to be a trainer, much less
have one.
Dan trained many athletes as well as high school
football students.
From NFL football players, beauty pageant contestants,
Olympic Gold Medalists, Professional Golfers, to the
regular member who was trying to lose some weight or
avoid surgery, DAN WAS THE GUY TO GO SEE.
Dan's expertise extended into working in conjunction
with physical therapists in the use of specialized
weight resistance therapy. In short, he fixed people.
There are many people in this community who started at
THE GYM, and they are now training their children.
THE GYM has been in the same location at 2498 East
Main Street since 1970.
Most of the members have been there the entire time.
They have a great neighborhood gym with plenty of
"friends" and "family," as Dan would refer to them.
He was a man of his word, and a handshake would seal
the deal.
That was the kind, generous man that Dan was.
His spirit is still alive and well in THE GYM.
THE GYM has a soul as many of the members refer to it.
He will truly be missed in the physical plane, but he
is with us everyday, working through his daughter,
SHAWN MACKEY.
-THE GYM, VENTURA (MEMORIAL)
DAN MACKEY was born in Akron, Ohio before moving to
the San Fernando Valley, where he became a machinist
and supervisor for NORTH AMERICAN.
Dan then became a major participant and influence in
the golden age of bodybuilding.
Dan came to Ventura in 1969 and opened THE GYM in
1970. He had worked for VINCE GIRONDA (The Iron Guru)
at the famed VINCE'S GYM in North Hollywood.
Dan was a former GOLDEN GLOVES HEAVY WEIGHT title
winner and former "MR. WESTERN AMERICA" BODY BUILDING
CHAMPION (IFBB, 1968), along with other titles such as
"MR. PACIFIC COAST" (AAU, 1968) and "MR. USA." Not to
mention, he was a great father as well.
THE GYM was one of the first "serious weight lifting
gyms in the county."
Dan's vision included women, and THE GYM became one of
the first co-ed gyms at the time.
Over the years, THE GYM produced many champion
bodybuilders as well as helping the community with
their fitness needs.
Dan's sense of humor and wit, along with his knowledge
of training and nutrition, gave him the opportunity to
become one of the first personal trainers in the
county, before it was vogue to be a trainer, much less
have one.
Dan trained many athletes as well as high school
football students.
From NFL football players, beauty pageant contestants,
Olympic Gold Medalists, Professional Golfers, to the
regular member who was trying to lose some weight or
avoid surgery, DAN WAS THE GUY TO GO SEE.
Dan's expertise extended into working in conjunction
with physical therapists in the use of specialized
weight resistance therapy. In short, he fixed people.
There are many people in this community who started at
THE GYM, and they are now training their children.
THE GYM has been in the same location at 2498 East
Main Street since 1970.
Most of the members have been there the entire time.
They have a great neighborhood gym with plenty of
"friends" and "family," as Dan would refer to them.
He was a man of his word, and a handshake would seal
the deal.
That was the kind, generous man that Dan was.
His spirit is still alive and well in THE GYM.
THE GYM has a soul as many of the members refer to it.
He will truly be missed in the physical plane, but he
is with us everyday, working through his daughter,
SHAWN MACKEY.
| "MR. AMERICA" JUNE, 1969 (VOL. 10, #11) Don Peters, Dan Mackey, Larry Powers |
| "MR. AMERICA" SEPT. 1968 (VOL. 10, #4) |
| "MUSCULAR DEVELOPMENT" JUNE, 1969 (VOL. 5, #6) |