Rising Stars: Meet Michael Ritorto of West Los Angeles

Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Ritorto.

Hi Michael, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
Having born with Hemophilia Type A severe, I started working out around 15 years old. Hemophilia is a condition that prevents your blood from clotting, and although that’s an issue on its own, the big deal is internal bleeding into your joints. This causes the joints to break down and at a very young age I had the joints of someone much much older. In order to keep the joints and functional as possible, I got into strength training, and it has allowed me to live a full active life, despite having the joints of about an 80 year old at 42.

The condition has allowed me to specialize in exercise adaptation for myself, and that landed me positions in many different rehab circles from the Bay Area to Los Angeles, where I’ve worked and trained under several physicians and physical therapists working with everyone from Hollywood A-listers, pro-athletes, weekend warriors, and every one in between. I currently have my own private personal training studio in West LA, and am working on a book about staying strong despite bad orthopedic prognosis, entitled “Bone-on-Bone.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Having Hemophilia has definitely made life more challenging. One of my problem joints are my ankles, and most days being a small business owner and personal trainer (not to mention having a new 8 month old at home), I can be on my feet for 17 hours with 14-15 of those being working hours. Most days by the evening I can barely walk. I try not to complain because I know how lucky I am. To be able to work doing what I love and helping people just feel better.

I work seven days a week and have for the almost 15 years I’ve been in business in LA. If you want to be a successful small business owner, you have to, especially in this field. There are thousands of trainers in Los Angeles, so competition is high. Running a small business period isn’t easy work. I’ve had numerous friends open and close studios over the years.

I’m writing this between eating some eggs, 15 minutes before my next client, while any free time today will be spent knocking down two more walls in my newly relocated studio to expand my training floor a little bit. I started my day at 4:30 am to be at my first client’s house at 5:30am. I will get home around 8pm tonight.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a degree in Health Science, and I have years of experience working under some of the best orthopedic rehabilitation specialists in the field.

If you have a bad joint, or some other issues you need to work around in order to get in a good workout, I am your guy.

What does success mean to you?
I’ve always love the quote “Success is never quitting.”

If you don’t quit, you will never have officially lost. You can have all the talent, all the resources, every advantage, but if you don’t have resilience or drive in life, you WILL lose the person who does. That’s a fact.

The same can be said your fitness journey. Small bits of the right exercises over one’s life add up to life changing results. Just don’t quit.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.latrainingco.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/latrainingco/?hl=en