Xavier Dolino Memorial page

This page is dedicated to Xavier Dolino, who passed away with Leukaemia at the age of 37. He was a Senior Fitness4x4 Trainer and an inspirational Health Pioneer.  This page has been set up to honour Xavier in a unique way.

In the last three years, Xavier was hit with Leukemia three times, and three times told he would probably not survive. With massive personal resolve and commitment to fighting the illness with fitness & good nutrition, rather than with drugs, he defied the odds and recovered to full health twice. Not merely surviving the illness, but returning to world-class competition and to a truly inspiring and contagious level of fitness and vitality. The third time it struck his body was not able to withstand it.

However, in his last days in the hospital, he continued to motivate and teach those around him. That was Xavier. He kept lifting his dumbbells and training in the best way he knew, no matter what life threw at him. And to his dying day, he continued to create energy, in defiance of what the disease was trying to do to him. It is this spirit and this commitment to physical vitality that we want to honour on this page.

A short video clip has been put together by Fitness4x4. It features photos & video of Xavier from our recent archive and has been put together over the song ‘Monagri’, which was a favourite song of Xavier’s, written by his friend and fitness colleague Rajko Radovic.

If you knew Xavier the video will remind you of his passion for life, for fitness, for teaching, for his friends and for having a positive impact on the health of everyone he encountered. If you didn’t know Xavier, hopefully, you will still get a sense of the very same thing.

His mentor and friend Dragan Radovic has invited everyone who knew Xavier (or would simply like to honour him) to perform 100 continuous lifts of any dumbbell. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing – take 5 minutes from your schedule to do these 100 lifts. To take a minute’s silence to remember the man…then take 5 minutes of physical action to honour what the man stood for. It is absolutely what he would have wanted.

If you would like to be part of this commemoration or share your story of Xavier, please send us your own personal comment and we will add it to this page.

87 responses to “Xavier Dolino Memorial page”

  1. Gill avatar
    Gill

    I was privilegded to meet Xavier in London on The Hour of Power weekend. He really inspired me with his precision and amazing way of explaining how to make the moves perfect. He was so exceptionally good at making you see the vision. I am so sad to learn of his passing. His memory will live on in so many peoples teacing and training using his wisdom and inspiration he has passed on.

    Thanks you Xavier for touching my life

  2. Rajko Radovic avatar
    Rajko Radovic

    I’ve written a whole long Blog about Xavier on my website, but it’s too long for this little section, so I’ll just say a few words here. In the best possible way, Xavier was like a kid – he was 100% genuine, wore his heart on his sleeve, was passionate about what he believed in, was always ready to smile but also sometimes easily hurt, devoted to friends and above all… sincere.

    Of course I remember him as the incredible athlete, but more than that I remember his appreciation for life and his gentleness. Playing me the Italian music he thought I should learn…smiling his big smile as he watched me listening…running round taking lots of photos of every occasion…dreaming big dreams for the future. There will not be another like him.

  3. Shane avatar
    Shane

    Xavier, you were a warrior in the way you trained and a warrior in how you fought your illness. I remember the first training session you took with me where you tested me, pushed me and explained so much that I knew I had found someone with a passion for what they did coupled with a deep understanding. Your enthusiasm made a huge difference to those of us who were fortunate enough to come into contact with you. You also had a wicked sense of humour and a crazy streak that was great fun to be around! I remember joking with you up in Mayo when you, Gordon and I went to do the triathlon and you had your new tear-drop helmet. There was a lot of laughter up there! And when I came out of the swim and handed over to you, you took off on that bike like a rocket. It was a sight to behold. You hated the wet Irish weather it didn’t let it dampen your spirits. You lost your final battle but we are all richer for knowing you. Can’t really believe someone with your energy and youth is gone. Deepest sympathies and condolences to your family.

    Fair wind, Xavier.

  4. Imram Saj avatar
    Imram Saj

    Gutted

    Absolutely shocked.

    He was a gem a of a guy and
    ill never forget the time i had with him!!

  5. Simon Lunn avatar
    Simon Lunn

    I did not know Xavier well but I had the honour of spending the weekend in his company on a Hour of Power course. He gained my instant respect and his words of advice I have used in my teaching ever since. My Hour of Power class today will be held in Xavier’s memory. Time to rest now my friend.

  6. Paul Githinji avatar
    Paul Githinji

    Xavier you were a close friend indeed, cant forget the first time we met in lahore at Sukhchan wellness club worked together lived together and most important inspired me to take fitness 4/4 and Hour of Power which have become a house hold name in this part of the world. Your inspiration and motivation was from another level Mr Kennedddy [as we used to call each other] cant forget how motivated you were even on a hospital bed, I shall miss you personally for the great and good things you did in fitness. Rest in peace my friend!

  7. Jude Irvine avatar
    Jude Irvine

    Xavier will always hold a place in my heart and memories, both as a good friend, colleague, and someone who inspired me so in many ways. His passion for life, fitness and living well, were infectious. Often when I struggled with my own health I thought of him; his courage, his determination, his words of encouragement. I am so very proud of him and the fight he put up against leukaemia; he truly had a strong spirit! I pray that his family and friends all find his strength comforting, today and in the days to come. A lovely, unique man who will forever shine. Goodbye my dear friend x Jude

  8. Pierpaolo Il Conte Paris avatar
    Pierpaolo Il Conte Paris

    Ha cambiato il mio modo di allenarmi, di concepire l’allenamento. Ad ogni lezione mi ha portato sempre oltre il limite. L’ultimo ricordo che ho è una serie di 1000 lift in 59 minuti e 45 secondi. Non dimenticherò mai quella sera.
    —–
    He changed my way of training, my way to see training. In every lesson he took me beyond the limit, and beyond agani. My last memory is a training session of 1000 lifts, in 59 minutes and 45 seconds. I will never forget that evening.

  9. Jacinta avatar
    Jacinta

    An amazing instructor took many Hour of Power classes in Dublin with him and Xavier was a tough taskmaster 🙂 but really made a difference to my fitness and in turn changed my life, will be hugely missed RIP x

  10. Ciaran McCarthy avatar
    Ciaran McCarthy

    Xavier trained me for a year. He was the first personal trainer I had and I’ll always remember how he pushed me to do things I never thought were possible. He was an inspirational person, and a great guy to work with – even at 6 in the morning. Xavier, thank you and rest in peace.