Natalie Raitano lived in New York and Los Angeles. The fitness expert has appeared on TV shows and trained numerous celebrities.
But for her, there is no better place than home.
Laitano returned to Charleroi, Washington County, to be closer to family just before the 2020 pandemic.
“I’m glad I did it because my parents contracted COVID-19 shortly after we returned home,” said Raitano, 56, at a boutique fitness studio in Lost Lover. “My sister has Down syndrome so I felt the need to come back. My desire is to make the community better and create a welcoming place for women my age to work out. Losing weight can be more difficult after menopause.”
Raitano packed up her belongings and Maia Rose, a French bulldog rescued from the Vanderpump Dog Foundation in Los Angeles, and returned home.
When space became available at the boxing gym, she was training clients in her father’s garage.
Her online launch, Superbodies by Nat, has a grand opening on Saturday from 9am to 12:30pm.
“I’m reinventing myself on this fitness journey,” she said.
That trip led her to move to Los Angeles to become an actress after graduating from Mercyhurst College, where she studied dance and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. She said her parents Angela and Bert Sr., her brother Bert Jr., and her sister Nicky have been supportive of her in every way.
From Los Angeles she moved to New York and then back to Los Angeles. Her acting roles include she played Nicky in the TV show ‘VIP’ starring Pamela Anderson.
Laitano became a master trainer for fitness expert and renowned life coach Jillian Michaels, perhaps best known for her work on The Biggest Loser.
Laitano taught ballet and sculpture to singer Cyndi Lauper, and trained music producer L.A. Reid.
She worked at Barry’s Bootcamp in New York, where she met Kimberly Tear from California. The two continue to work out together virtually.
“In a world full of options, she stands out from the rest,” Tear said. “I’ve been working out with her from all over the country because I couldn’t find anyone like her. What she brings is unusual. She’s so positive. She makes mistakes.” I found my vocation without a doubt, and she is truly a one in a million woman.”
Lost Lover Tammy Lenhart, who met Raitano in a kickboxing class, agrees. Lenhart told Raitano that he was having trouble losing weight.
“Natalie said to me, ‘I can fix that,'” said Lenhart, who has been working out with her for a year and a half. “And she did. She changed my training so she lost weight. She worked hard on you, she cared about you, and you saw the results.” increase.”
According to Raitano, these results come from exercising regularly and doing the right workouts for your body. As a woman ages, she needs to train not only her core, but also her lower and upper body.
Her clientele ranges in age from teens to nearly 80, and her studio is open to men. Raitano offers one-on-one training, in-person classes, and virtual. She uses punching bags, free weights, dumbbells, resistance bands, ankle weights, jump ropes and medicine balls.
“Workouts are varied and engaging,” said Georgette Baldwin of Stockdale, Washington County. “She always has fun and it’s a workout for her whole body, mind and soul. She cares about us and we can see that.”
It’s not just physical exercise.
“I’m very religious,” Raitano said. “It’s a big part of my life.”
She had Gary Zeigler, pastor of California’s Spirit Food Christian Center, virtually bless the studio.
Her father got her involved in fitness from an early age. He would take her to the track and field at Charleroi High School and she would sit and play in the sandbox in her hometown of Monvalley.
“You are the one who makes yourself happy,” Raitano said. “I’m so happy to have my own business here where I grew up. I live my purpose.”
Joan Klimovich Harrop is a staff writer for Tribune Review. JoAnne can be reached by email at [email protected] or on his Twitter. .
