Gianluca Catapano – Italian Phoenix: Rising from the Ashes

At age 24, Italian IFBB Professional Gianluca Catapano was the youngest man in Europe to gain his Pro card.

In this DVD, you will witness Gianluca in action as he returns to his former glory after battling the biggest challenge of his life. This is my story…..

In 2002, doctors told me that I had “ulcerative colitis,” a genetic illness which had affected my entire colon. Because the risk of cancer was so great, the doctors recommended that my colon be removed.

Although the primary surgery went smoothly, I had internal bleeding post-operatively. The bleeding was so extensive that an emergency surgery was required followed by three days in intensive care. The blood loss was so great that the doctors weren’t sure I would survive.

But, I did survive! When I was released from the hospital life began to get back to normal and I got back to training.

However, the nightmare continued.

In 2003, I perforated an intestine with the spike of a seed from a watermelon. This resulted in a severe case of septicemia. Once again, my life was in danger. I was in the hospital for 53 days and had another 2 major life-saving operations!

The doctors and medical staff were not sure if I would pull through, but I knew that I would Although this was the biggest challenge that I had ever faced on or off-stage. I had survived once, and I was sure I could do it again. No matter how touch the battle is, I have and will always face it head on.

I have cheated death 4 times so, that is why the title of my first video  is THE ITALIAN PHOENIX RAISED FROM THE ASHES!!!!!

Sadly Gianluca finally lost his battle, and passed away in June 2019.