My First Season

Matthew Fearnley

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1992 to 1993, with seasons at Huatulco, Copper Mountain, and Sandpiper. His first role was as a DJ and Assistant Set Design G.O., but his talents extended far beyond Club Med. Before and after his time there, he pursued a career as a stand-up comedian, club DJ, and commercial voice actor. Originally from Boston, he now calls Orlando home. Please join me in giving a warm welcome to Matthew Fearnley! In this episode, Matthew reflects on his three seasons at Club Med in the early 1990s, sharing heartfelt memories and stories about the unique spirit and camaraderie he experienced among his fellow G.O.s. Sit back and enjoy this wonderful conversation with Matthew! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

Steve Riely

My guest today had an impressive career at Club Med, spanning from 1985 to 2000. His journey began as a 20-year-old Texas A&M university student on summer break, visiting Club Med Paradise Island as a G.M. and inspired by his uncle who worked for Club Med for seven years. His first season as a G.O. was at Club Med Paradise Island, where he specialized in Sailing and Windsurfing. Over the years, he took on roles including Chief of Sports, Public Relations, Annex Restaurant Manager, and ultimately, Chief of Village. His career led him to stunning destinations like Tahiti, Greece, Thailand, Turkey, Malaysia, and France. Who else could I be talking about?! Please help me welcome, from Texas, the one and only, Steve Riely! With someone like Steve, whose Club Med career spanned an impressive 15 years, it was impossible to cover everything—but we still managed to dive into some fascinating highlights. Steve shares unforgettable stories, including the evacuation of guests and G.O.s from Club Med Haiti to Montreal during the 1986 overthrow of the Duvalier regime, his time as Public Relations aboard the Club Med 1 in 1991, and the opening of Club Med Columbus Isle in 1992. We also touch on a mischievous golf buggy escapade in Sandpiper and Steve’s passion for everything Elvis. Prepare for an action-packed hour of incredible tales from a true master storyteller. Enjoy the episode! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

If you'd like to check out RunSedona 2025 which we spoke about, see the link below:

https://www.runsedona.com/

 

 

Danielle Noblitt

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1996 to 1998, beginning her journey at Club Med Sandpiper as an Aerobics and Landsports G.O. Born and raised in Texas, she’s also an Air Force brat who spent five years living in England. Growing up, she excelled as a competitive figure skater, gymnast, and springboard diver. She holds a B.A. in Kinesiology from the University of North Texas and is the founder and owner of Beach Life Fitness Boutique and Beach Mom Fitness. She’s also the co-owner of Pura Vita in California, the first 100% plant-based Italian restaurant and wine bar in the United States. Please join me in welcoming Danielle Noblitt Spangler to the podcast and the My First Season family! In this episode, we dive into her seasons at Club Med Sandpiper, Martinique, and Playa Blanca. Danielle shares stories of the incredible personalities she met along the way, including how she met her future husband, Jay. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this wonderful walk down memory lane with Danielle! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

Please check out Danielle's websites below:

Pura Vita Restaurant Los Angeles & Redondo Beach

 

Beach Life Fitness Boutique - Redondo Beach, CA

 

 

Hannah Spiegler

My guest today has a lifelong connection with Club Med, having visited from infancy through her teenage years, inspired by her mother, a Tennis G.O. in the 1980s. A former Division 1 Equestrian athlete at the University of Georgia, she earned her Bachelor of Business Administration degree before joining Club Med from 2015 to 2020. Her journey began at Club Med Cancun as a Waterski G.O. She later took roles in the Kids and Teen Club, Sailing, and Circus teams. Now, she is the proud owner, performer, and instructor at The Hanger Vertical Arts, home to Virginia’s premier circus performers and instructors, offering after-school Acrobatics, Aerial Pilates, and Aerial Circus courses. She also leads Starry Eyed Entertainment, Virginia’s leading performance troupe, providing top-tier entertainment including aerialists, jugglers, stilt walkers, and fire performers. Joining us from Virginia, please give a warm welcome to Hannah Spiegler! Hannah shares vivid stories from her seasons at Club Med, reflecting on her experiences and the memorable moments along the way. Hannah discusses the two successful businesses she launched after her time at Club Med and highlights the Chief of Village who truly went above and beyond to support her. Enjoy this episode featuring the delightful and charismatic Hannah Spiegler! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

Please check out the link below to Hannah's website:

The Hanger VA Aerial & Circus Arts Tappahannock, VA

 

 

Fred Bardot

Mon invité d'aujourd'hui a travaillé pour le Club Med de 1991 à 2006. Sa première saison s'est déroulée au Club Med de Wengen en Suisse en tant que moniteur de ski. Sa mère était professeur de danse au Club Med et il a visité le Club Med pour la première fois à l'âge de dix ans, alors que sa mère enseignait au Club Med de Cadaques en Espangne. J'ai eu le plaisir de rencontrer mon invité lors de l'étape du Chef du Sport à Opio en France en février 1999, où nous étions une vingtaine sur cette scène. Installé à Anne-cy, je souhaite la bienvenue à Fred Bardot! Fred a raconté l'une des histoires les plus captivantes de sa première saison, mais je n'en révélerai pas les détails ici pour ne pas la gâcher. Il vous faudra écouter pour la découvrir par vous-même! Au fil des ans, Fred a travaillé sous la direction de chefs de village de renom, tels que Max Mailhot, Jonathan Bismuth, Arlette Gilles, Moises Aykanat, Benoit Cousin et Patrizia Moretti, pour n'en citer que quelques-uns. Dans cet épisode, il nous raconte des anecdotes inoubliables de ses nombreuses saisons et nous nous souvenons avec émotion de notre passage ensemble sur le plateau du Chef des Sports en 1999. Fred réfléchit également aux leçons inestimables qu'il a apprises au Club Med et à la manière dont il les applique dans sa carrière actuelle. Rejoignez-nous et savourez cet épisode avec Fred Bardot! **Le podcast My First Season a toujours été sans publicité et son écoute est gratuite. Il est disponible sur: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora, Podchaser et Listen Notes. Et si vous aimez ce que vous entendez, veuillez laisser un commentaire sur Apple Podcasts.

Eric Eaton

My guest today was one of my first guests and his episode aired in June of 2021, where we spoke of his first season at Club Med Turks and Caicos as a Windsurf G.O. For this episode, we spoke primarily of his eight months aboard the Club Med 1 in 1991 as Club Med 1 Polyvalent. Please help me welcome back to the podcast, Eric Eaton! For those who never got to work on that ship, Eric provides a detailed account of what life was like aboard the Club Med 1 and the Atlantic Crossing. Some highlights of our talk include Eric talking about luggage, cargo, and boat crane operations, etiquette classes, Waltz/Tango lessons, Abandon Drills, and basket-sliding on the island of Madeira. Eric also talks about the Pepsi commercial he filmed at Turks and Caicos during his first season, please enjoy!! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

See the link below for Eric's first interview:

Eric Eaton | My First Season

 

Please see the link To Eric's videos from Club Med:

Eric Eaton - YouTube

 

 

 

 

Eric Levine

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1976 to 1978. His first season was in Club Med Martinique as a Snorkeling and Picnic G.O. and he later taught Yoga and Kung Fu. He was born in Montreal where he started acting at five years old and holds a black belt in Karate and a black sash in Kung Fu. Now living in California, please help me welcome Eric Levine! Eric has one of the funniest stories about how he first heard about Club Med, and it involves his girlfriend’s mother who might not have been all that enamored with him at the time! Eric takes us through his seasons in Martinique, Cancun, and Moorea. Some highlights from these seasons are life advice from actor Lyle Waggoner (RIP), the opening of Club Med Cancun in 1976, Eric’s explanation of the term, “Sunday Night Blues”, the principles and philosophies he learned in Club Med, and how he applied them in his many business ventures and the epiphany he had about true peace and freedom walking one night in Tahiti gazing at the stars. Please enjoy this very entertaining episode with Eric! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts.   

Jeff Schonhoff

My guest today is Jeff Schonhoff, who worked as a Ski Instructor for Club Med from 1996 to 1998. His first season was at Club Med Copper Mountain, where he worked under CDV Aureo Stern. Following that, he transitioned to Paradise Island as a Golf G.O. Jeff’s journey with Club Med began in 1993 when he visited Club Med Huatulco with his family. A friend later encouraged him to try out for a ski instructor role at Copper Mountain—and the rest is history! Before his Club Med adventure, Jeff earned a degree in Finance and Marketing from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Now based in Chicago, Jeff joins us to share fond memories from his Club Med days, highlighting how those experiences shaped his current career as a GNC franchise owner. He now owns three GNC stores in Aurora, Plainfield, and Naperville, and he’ll walk us through how this venture came about. If you're a 90s EXGO, you won't want to miss this episode! Jeff gives a shout-out to many familiar names from that era. Sit back, relax, and enjoy Jeff’s stories and insights! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

To see a video on the Copper Mountain 1997-1997 Ski Team, see the link below:

Club Med Copper Mountain (PART 1of 4) 96/97 Ski Team Video

 

 

 

Brian Cargille

My Guest today worked for Club Med from 1987 to 1992 and his first season was as a Snorkeling and Picnic G.O. in Club Med Paradise Island. He worked in Club Med resorts such as Eleuthera, Sandpiper, Turks and Caicos, and Sonora Bay. When he applied for his dream job, his application was sent back to him from Club Med with the note, “Not interested”. My guest did not take this lying down and you will hear what he did to change their mind! Even after he stopped working for Club Med, he continued to visit Club Med on vacation and has visited over 20 resorts! From beautiful California, please help me welcome, Brian Cargille! Brian attended UC Irvine, obtained a degree in Economics, earned a Master's from Indiana University, and did graduate work at Stanford in Industrial Engineering. As a late 80s G.O., Brian has a few stories, many of which come from a dream season in Turks and Caicos in 1988 with CDV, Michel Delamarre. Some notable highlights of that season are meeting Brooke Shields and her boyfriend Dean Cain, having future CDV Steve Reilly as a roommate, an innocent boat race that turned into "Thunderdome", and releasing iguanas backstage as a prank during the Paris Panache show. After Club Med, Brian worked for Hewlett-Packard for twenty-nine years and tells us how working for Club Med helped him in that job. He also explains the term, “highest self-admiration index”. Please enjoy this episode with Brian! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts. 

 

 

Jeff Greene

I had the supreme pleasure of working with my guest today during an amazing season at Club Med Playa Blanca during the 1996/1997 winter season. His first season was at Club Med Paradise Island in 1995 as a Sailing G.O., and you could say his parents helped him get the job. In later seasons, he did Lighting and DJ and ended his career in Club Med in 1998 where it all started. In his life after Club Med, he played rugby for the Lake Brome Ducks where he was a two-time MVP. From Montreal, please help me welcome, Jeff Greene! Jeff was taught to sail with the sink-or-sail method by his father, which came in handy when his parents met the CDV at Paradise Island and helped Jeff land the job as a Sailing G.O. Jeff and I reminisce about our amazing time at Playa Blanca and all our shared memories. Jeff worked at Club Med Huatulco and a brief interim at Columbus Isle in 1996. He has stories from each of his seasons, so if you are a mid-90s G.O., you will love this episode with Jeff, please enjoy! **My First Season podcast has always been ad-free and free to listen to and is available to download on: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora and Listen Notes. And if you like what you hear, please leave a review on Apple podcasts.