My First Season

In this episode, I take you on an in-depth journey through my season at Club Med Martinique with Chef de Village extraordinaire, Denis Amsellem, where I was a Polyvant Landsports G.O. I share some hilarious stories, often at my own expense, and reflect on the incredible G.O.s I had the privilege of working with. This marked my sixth official season at Club Med. Included in this episode is the Chief of Sports stage I took part in as part of this season. 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.  

 

Dean Bernal returns for his fourth and final episode of Dolphin Month on My First Season. In this fascinating conversation, Dean shares stories about JoJo and Silver, observing JoJo's remarkable behaviour around sharks, the unforgettable day JoJo introduced him to a baby humpback whale, his work in Japan, and meeting the Dalai Lama. Dean has far too many incredible stories to fit into just four interviews, so this won't be the last you'll hear from him. He'll be back in the near future to share even more of his extraordinary experiences. 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.  

The Dean & JoJo Story:

dean_entertainment.mp4

 

 

Welcome back to part three of our summer series and Dolphin Month with Dean Bernal! In this episode, Dean shares incredible stories—from interacting with eight other wild dolphins to filming the 1994 In the Wild documentary alongside Robin Williams. He also opens up about the Into the Blue project and what it meant to be named a Warden of the Princess Alexandra National Park in Providenciales. Enjoy the interview! **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.  

Dean and Jojo | Dean and Jojo

 

My guest, Dean Bernal, returns for his second interview! In this episode, we look back at his time as a Scuba G.O. at Club Med Turks and Caicos in the mid-1980s and revisit some unforgettable memories from those incredible years. We also explore his extraordinary friendship with JoJo the dolphin, a story so unique it deserves an episode of its own, which we'll dive into in depth. Along the way, Dean shares what it was like trying to give antibiotics to a wild dolphin, how to handle JoJo when he decides to play while you're teaching a resort scuba course, and one of the greatest whale-watching pranks ever pulled! I hope you enjoy the conversation! **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.  

Dean and Jojo | Dean and Jojo

My guest today first arrived at Club Med Eleuthera in 1986 as a Scuba G.O. If you were a G.O. at Club Med during the '80s or '90s and his name doesn't immediately ring a bell, you'll almost certainly know him as the man behind the longest-lasting documented human-dolphin relationship in recorded history. If you were there, chances are you saw the two of them swimming and playing together. Because his story is truly one of a kind, we're splitting our conversation into many interviews. In the first, we'll dive into his Club Med experience at Eleuthera. In the second, we’ll talk about his time at Club Med Turks and Caicos, and in another interview, we'll explore his extraordinary bond with JoJo the dolphin. Joining us from California, please help me welcome the one and only, Dean Bernal!! **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.  

Dean and Jojo | Dean and Jojo

Mon invitée d’aujourd’hui a fait deux saisons au Club Med. Sa première saison, en 2017, était au Club Med d’Ixtapa, où elle travaillait au Mini Club et au Teen Club. Pour sa deuxième saison, elle est allée à Phuket comme responsable du Teen Club. À l'âge de 15 ans, elle a participé aux Jeux du Québec et au Championnat canadien de tennis de table, et nous allons parler de ça et de bien plus encore aujourd’hui. Originaire de Granby, veuillez accueillir Alexandra Tessier! **Le podcast My First Season a toujours été gratuit et sans publicité et peut être téléchargé sur: Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Samsung Podcasts, Podbean App, Podchaser, Spotify, Amazon Music/Audible, TuneIn + Alexa, iHeartRadio, PlayerFM, Pandora et Listen Notes. Et si vous aimez ce que vous entendez, n'hésitez pas à laisser un commentaire sur les podcasts Apple.  

 

My guest Steve Miller returns for part two of his interview, focusing on his impressive run of seasons: Paradise Island (Winter '88), La Caravelle (Summer '89), Punta Cana (Winter '89), Turks & Caicos (Summer 1990), Sandpiper (Winter '90), and Pontresina (Summer '91). If you enjoyed Steve's first interview, you will love part two. Steve has an incredible memory and fantastic stories to share from his time as a G.O., so sit back, relax, and 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.  

 

There are certain guests I’ve been trying to land for years, and today, I finally get to welcome one of them. My guest worked for Club Med from 1983 to 1991, starting his journey at Club Med Martinique in 1983 as a Waterski G.O. Over the years, he rose through the ranks to become Chief of Sports and even served as interim Chief of Village. I’ve already had the pleasure of hosting his daughter and his wife on the podcast, and now, it’s his turn. Please join me in welcoming the one and only, Steve Miller! This interview with Steve will be presented in two parts. In Part 1, we focus on his early Club Med journey, covering Martinique (summer ’83), Cancún (’83/84), Eleuthera (summer ’84), Sonora Bay (’84/85), Corfu Ipsos (summer ’85), Haiti (’85/86), Sandpiper (’86/87), and Turks & Caicos (summer ’88). 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.  

Thirty years ago, in a small apartment in West LA, two former Club Med G.O.s were doing what XGOs do best: connecting. John Shelley strummed his guitar while my guest sang, and in that moment, an idea was born: a place where former G.O.s could reconnect and find the people who shaped their unforgettable seasons. It was the early days of the internet, and while John never got to see that vision come to life, his idea and his spirit live on. Anyone who has experienced Club Med knows it was more than just a job. It was a family. People from every corner of the world brought together to work hard, play harder, and build lifelong friendships. But over time, that family scattered across continents, and staying connected became a challenge. Now, that original vision has finally become reality, a true home for former G.O.s, built by an XGO, where memories can be shared and friendships rediscovered. And joining me now is the person who brought that vision to life, Grant Simmons! **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.  

The XGO Directory is just a click away — see the link below:

XGO.directory — Club Med GO Alumni

Catch Grant's My First Season interview from June 2022 — link below:

Grant Simmons | My First Season

 

 

 

In this special tribute episode, we honor the life and legacy of a dear friend and unforgettable member of the Club Med family, Hansel Moss. I first met Hansel in 1996 on San Salvador Island, where his energy, spirit, and presence left an immediate impression. Like so many who crossed his path, I was lucky to call him a friend. To celebrate his life, I connected with six people who worked alongside Hansel during those incredible Club Med years. In no particular order, I had the privilege of speaking with Chris “Hammer” Keeley, Jenner Jensen, Cheez Jensen, Angie Boucher, LP Leblanc-Boucher, and Benoit Collard. Together, we share stories, laughter, and memories that capture who he truly was, both on stage and behind the scenes. This episode is more than a look back; it’s a tribute to a life that brought people together, created lasting friendships, and left a mark that won’t ever be forgotten.