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. Kris Spyrou avatar
    Kris Spyrou

    I’m deeply sorry to hear of his passing and offer my condolences to everyone who knew him.

    I know we only met for a brief period of two days, I have to say Xavier was a really sincere, friendly and passionate person who always looked to help me with any questions I had on fitness and was happy to give me hands on help on my technique that I will always be grateful for.

  2. Darren Rudecki avatar
    Darren Rudecki

    Xavier,
    200 lifts is just the start for you my friend…

    I sent you a text about a week before you died and it came back failed… so you never got to see my apology for not driving up to see you in Birmingham back in May, a decision that I truly regret as it would’ve been the last time I saw you.

    I wish you could’ve made my wedding next year – I will raise a glass and make a toast in your honour!

    I tried to think of your battle with cancer as something I knew you’d win EVERY time because of you great attitude, your fighting spirit, and your determination to beat the nasty disease.

    You didn’t die in vain my friend as you are a legend in my heart and I thank you for giving me the pleasure of being your friend and letting me visit you in Dublin numerous times..

    I will NEVER forget how hard you worked, the number of people you helped surpass their fitness goals, and of course the inspiration you gave me! You helped me in my personal life and as a result I’m far happier now so thank you also for that.

    Maybe I will ask Chiara to keep the very first Fitness4x4 vest that I gave to you the first time you were ill safe somewhere – so that I can wear it in when I come to visit your resting place – I’ll bring the 20kg dumbells that you gave to me and will lift until I drop to my knees to say goodbye properly!

    The times we spent together were precious to me and will stay in my fond memories of you.

    And don’t forget that I will see you again… just not yet!

    Thinking of you,

    Darren Rudecki
    Hour of Power Instructor (9 years)

  3. Dominic Mahaga - Dubai avatar
    Dominic Mahaga – Dubai

    Dear Xavier,

    I just wanted to pass my condolences for a departed friend. I have known you only shortly but I feel as if I have known you for long. You were truly an inspiration to me when I met you in London during the World Lifting Endurance Championship in 2007. I knew you as a friend, an athlete and a competitor! You stood up for the truth, you had confidence and you also challenged my mind. You will live in my mind for a very long time, we were supposed to meet in Birmingham but I could not make it last year. I dedicated my Hour Power Class last Wednesday to you and told my students about you. I salute you and will be lifting 200 reps on Thursday (our weekend in Dubai).

    Goodbye Xavier.
    Dominic Mahaga & Xavier Dolino

  4. Luca Costardi avatar
    Luca Costardi

    Caro Xavier,

    è difficile per me credere che tu, così pieno di vita ed allegria, te ne sia andato. Ci siamo conosciuti tanti anni fa, eravamo poco più che ventenni, ma il ricordo del tempo trascorso insieme è vivido. Le tante persone che sono qui a renderti un doloroso tributo d’affetto sono la testimonianza della tua bontà d’animo e del terribile vuoto che hai lasciato.

    Tuo amico,
    Luca

  5. Pamela Shurilla avatar
    Pamela Shurilla

    Xavier,
    You touched my life in a way where I will always lift up your memory toward helping others.

  6. Michelle avatar
    Michelle

    Xavier took part in a triathalon race down in Belmullet county Mayo (Ireland). It was meant to be fun and his first triathalon. Did he take it seriously? Well what do the pictures tell you? Boy did he take it seriously, he was flying on that bike practically overtaking everybody in sight. He was a force not to be messed with and taken seriously!!!!

    Yes he did get into the Irish sea. There was a lot of huffing and puffing but to be fair he got in!!!
    He then cycled in Phoenix park with no other than “Lance Armstrong” the greatest cyclying with “the greatest” oh and Jeff!!!

    He really enjoyed that trip and talked all the way down, all night, the day of the race was the first sign of silence and then he analysed the race all the way home and that was nearly a 6 hour drive not including the stop off for dinner!!!!!! He had a lot to say…..but he was worth listening to!!

    Xavier 1 Xavier 2 Xavier 3 Xavier 4 Xavier 5 Xavier 6

    Will miss you Xavier! RIP

    – Michelle & Jeff

  7. Cristina avatar
    Cristina

    Questo video lo descrive in tutto e per tutto…la sua allegria…la sua innocenza e il dono particolare che aveva di farsi amare da chiunque lo conoscesse e ricordare anche da chi l’ha vissuto anche solo per un ora. Era speciale nella sua assoluta semplicità e purezza d’animo, unico nella sua forza e caparbietà….sempre dolce e gentile con tutti. Ci siamo conosciuti 15 anni fa in una delle sue pazzie in autostrada in corsia di sorpasso:-) e non si è più fatto dimenticare…Era il mio bambino. Adesso è con il suo adorato Jo’ e sono convinta che sta sorridendo e giocando con lui anche ora…..

    Era speciale nella sua semplicità e apriva il cuore a chiunque lo conoscesse con la sua gentilezza e il suo sorriso sempre allegro anche nelle situazioni più buie…Ci siamo conosciuti 15 anni fa in corsia di sorpasso in autostrada (era così lui:-) ) e non si è più fatto dimenticare perchè se voleva bene a qualcuno era per sempre….era il mio bambino. Ora ha raggiunto il suo adorato Jo’ e sono convinta che stanno giocando con l’allegria che lo contraddistingueva. Ciao grande amico mio.

    Un bacio

  8. Daniele Dincecco avatar
    Daniele Dincecco

    Venerdì notte, sul fondo sabbioso del mare, io e Luca abbiamo scritto il tuo nome dedicandoti la nostra immersione perchè oltre che nei nostri cuori è nello sport che ti vogliamo ricordare. Grande Xmen, io ti chiamavo così… non ti dimenticherò mai. Ciao

  9. Anne Moloney avatar
    Anne Moloney

    With sadness i write this comment. XAVIER during 4×4 or h.o.p you never missed a thing your eyes could nearly see round corners. you expected our best & wanted the best for us. I did groan &moan in class but you made me very determind to achieve& succeeed.WHEN ever you were taking a lift with me i made sure i got rid of all the sweet wrappers ect out of the car. if i missed one i knew i was in for a lecture on healthy eating. I didnt achieve giving up my sweet tooth, but a big big thank you Xavier for the encouragement to reach my goals .Rest in peace

  10. Paul Moloney avatar
    Paul Moloney

    Dear Xavier

    did my 100 lifts after football last night [ barely!] and only the thought of you barking at me kept me going. I will miss a dedicated kind, selfless loyal guy – who left me in stitches with your ideas on petrol free engines![ does anyone know if he ever took this further?] and whose fitness/sport entusiasm has me keeping fit every day to this day and beyond. i had great joy visiting you every week in Talla hospital as you recovered and angry with you that u didnt tell me you were sick again -wudda luved to have helped you fight it! So pleased Chiara was with you. Does anyone except a few know the courage it took to fight this without convential drugs or accepted treatments. ?just cant wait to see u take the fitness class up there -they dont know whats theyre in foR.! Esp if Zyzz helps you!

    Bon Yoyage.