Ray Gardner just rented out an entire baseball stadium. And he's the first to admit he's a little nervous about it.
The owner of Prosper Bradenton has big plans for December 12, when he's bringing the first-ever Prosper Games to LECOM Park. His goal is to fill the stadium with 1,000 people for a morning of fitness, fun, community connections, and giving back to local children.
It's an ambitious undertaking, but for Ray, it's something he's been dreaming about for years.
In a recent social media post announcing the event, he admitted, "Am I scared? HECK YES!!!! But you know what's scarier? Getting 10 years down the road wishing I had the courage to try."
If you've spent any time around Ray, you know he's rarely one to shy away from a challenge. Over the past decade, he's become a familiar face around Manatee County, building a reputation as a fitness coach, motivational speaker, mentor, and someone who genuinely loves seeing other people succeed.
For Ray, the Prosper Games are the latest chapter in a journey that's always been about much more than fitness.
Building a Community, One Connection at a Time
Originally from Detroit, Ray came to Manatee County in 2014, working with local children and families as assistant athletic director and director of youth sports at what is now The Center of Anna Maria Island.
He eventually found his way into personal training, where his enthusiasm, encouragement, and genuine interest in helping people quickly earned him a loyal following.
In 2018, Ray decided to celebrate his 30th birthday by doing something a little different. He organized a massive group workout called Ray Day, bringing together more than 175 adults and children for a morning of fitness and fun.
He loved bringing people from different parts of his life together, introducing friends who might never have met otherwise, and watching those connections grow.
That same philosophy eventually became a driving force behind Prosper Bradenton, the fitness and personal development business he now runs alongside his wife, Jillian.
Ray deliberately chose a name that didn't include his own name or the word "gym."
"I wanted it to be bigger than me and bigger than just a gym," he explains.
In addition to personal training and group fitness classes, Ray incorporates life coaching into his work, encouraging people to build confidence, develop self-awareness, and become the best versions of themselves.
He's also continued to support the community through youth programs, speaking engagements, fundraisers, and local events.
In 2022, he delivered a TEDxBradenton talk titled True Community, sharing his belief that people accomplish more when they work together and support one another.
"I love seeing my friends win. It's like my favorite thing in the world," he says. And it’s this philosophy that is reflected in the company’s motto: Nobody Prospers Alone.
A Bigger Vision for Manatee County
Over the years, Ray has noticed something about Manatee County. There are so many amazing groups of people doing great things, but they don't always interact with one another.
Gyms, churches, businesses, nonprofits, and neighborhood organizations all have their own communities, and Ray sees an opportunity to bring those different groups together.
Rather than organizing another fitness event just for Prosper members, Ray wants to create something that everyone can be part of. He's reaching out to other gyms, local businesses, and community leaders, encouraging them to bring their people and get involved.
"It's not really a Prosper event, necessarily,” Ray says. “It's really a Manatee County event."
And while pulling off something this big is certainly a challenge, Ray is already thinking beyond this year. “The goal?” he says. “To create something our community celebrates for the next decade.”
The first-ever Prosper Games will take place on Saturday, December 12, 2026, from 8 a.m. to noon at LECOM Park in Bradenton. Ray’s got big plans, so be sure to mark your calendars.
You can keep up with the latest updates by following Prosper Bradenton on Facebook and on Instagram.
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