Meet Natalie Raitano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Natalie Raitano.

Natalie, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am from a very small town in western Pennsylvania. I have always been a very active person from a very young age. I was always interested in performing as well as sports and fitness. I was a ballet, tap, jazz, and modern dancer all the way through college. I became interested in running, tennis and working out at about the age of 12. I came to LA after college to pursue my dream of becoming a star in the entertainment industry.

It certainly didn’t happen overnight but before I got my big break in the TV show VIP starring along Pamela Anderson, I did fitness and dance to subsidize my income. I danced in Pepsi commercials, was a touring show girl with a Magic show, sang in a singing group called Breeze and was on a popular daily fitness show on ESPN 2. I have lived a bunch of lifetimes in my 52 years.

Ten years ago, I decided I wanted to leave the acting business and pursue one of my passions which also happens to be my purpose in life, fitness! Since then, I have worked as a master trainer for barry’s bootcamp for 10 years, a master trainer for Jillian Michaels Bodyshred, did Jillian Michaels video Hard Bodies, trained celebrities such at L.A. Reid and Cyndi Lauper, taught 100’s of classes across the country and I am currently a lead instructor at The Wall Fitness in Los Angeles and loving every minute of it!

Has it been a smooth road?
I has been a road filled with many ups and downs. I have started over about three times in my life and they are not easy, not one bit!!! I am starting over now and it has been very hard. I have extremely strong faith and that’s what gets me through even my darkest hours.

We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am a fitness professional in my 50’s. I feel that sets me apart from a lot of people in a very saturated fitness industry. I have a two months program for women going through the change of life called MENO POSITIVE !!! One of the hardest times in a women’s life is menopause, I know the struggle with hormone loss, depression, and weight gain. So I turned lemons into lemonade. I specialize in navigating menopause, weight training for weight loss, training out of injury and motivating people who struggle with anxiety and depression through fitness.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
My acting role on the hit tv show VIP. I was a Hollywood story in that I was totally discovered. Someone I did one of my side jobs as her assistant, recommended me for the role. I had zero acting experience and just like Oprah says when opportunity meets preparation, it all happened literally overnight. I’m not much of a luck believer more like lessons leading to life.

Contact Info:

• Address: THE WALL FITNESS
  730 s. Labrea Ave.
  LA, CA 90036
• Website: www.natalieraitanofitness.com
• Email: [email protected]

 
Image Credit:
Natalie Raitano

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