Charleroi native helping women build self confidence
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Natalie Raitano
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Natalie Raitano teaches group fitness classes like kickboxing, strength training and yoga and offers personal training
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Natalie Raitano
Courtesy of Ashley Shannon Photography
Growing up in Charleroi, Natalie Raitano always knew she wanted to be a star. From dancing tap to jazz, ballet to musical theater, her focus was always on the stage. Raitano graduated from Mon Valley Catholic High School and studied dance at Mercyhurst College. After finishing a bachelor’s degree in fine arts, she headed to Hollywood. “I just knew I wanted to be in the entertainment industry,” says Raitano. “I was a dancer. I didn’t specifically want to be an actress, but I knew I wanted to be in the business and make it as a star.” She pounded the pavement and hustled to pay the bills working all sorts of jobs, from being a nanny to arranging flowers.
Raitano’s first big break came when she was cast on the ESPN television show “Hip Hop Body Shop,” but the role she is best known for is Nikki Franco on the syndicated action series “V.I.P.” Raitano starred alongside Pamela Anderson on the show from 1998-2002. After “V.I.P.” ended, Raitano started focusing more on the fitness industry and eventually moved to New York. When COVID-19 landed her parents in the hospital, she decided it was time for a change and to be home near family. “I went back to Los Angeles, and I literally sold everything, adopted a rescue dog and came home three years ago,” says Raitano. When her boxing instructor here in the Mon Valley decided to sell her gym, Raitano jumped at the chance to buy it. “I bought a house one house away from my mom and dad’s and one I grew up playing in. It’s amazing!”
Now, Raitano has opened the doors at Superbodies by Nat at 1175 Rostraver Road, teaching group fitness classes like kickboxing, strength training and yoga and offering personal training. “It is for everyone, but I have a lot of women of every age,” she says. “Right now, it’s my women that are over 50, and they are struggling with that. They want their bodies to look good again. I don’t want to say that’s the only people I tailor to because it’s not, but it’s a big part of my clientele that I’m really proud of because a lot of them are getting results.” Clients pay by the class in sets of either 10 or 20 with affordable rates. Raitano envisions building a brand and opening other studios to spread her message that you can be the best version of yourself. “You don’t have to be 30 pounds overweight and live life like that,” she stresses. “It’s not even about a number or a size. It’s about how you feel about yourself. Using strength training is the fountain of youth. When you build muscles, you change from the inside out. You build strength and self-confidence without even trying because you are doing something good for yourself, and with doing that, the outside shows it.”