My First Season

Lisa J. Pilot Cote

Today’s guest worked for Club Med from 1987 to 1991. Her first season was in Club Med Copper Mountain as a Kids Club G.O. and she became a Circus G.O. in subsequent seasons. Fun Fact: At the time in the late 80s, she was only the 4^th female Circus G.O. in the history of Club Med! She met her future husband Stephan Cote, who was on this podcast, at Club Med Punta Cana in 1987, and now we will get her perspective on that meeting. She has a lot of entertaining stories, so I hope you are ready Seasoners! Please help me welcome, Lisa J Pilot Cote! Lisa worked at Copper Mountain (3X), Punta Cana, Eleuthera, St. Lucia, Playa Blanca, Huatulco, and Metaponto in Italy. Lisa shared some hilarious stories from her first season at Copper Mountain as a Kids Club G.O. at Kids World. Lisa had just graduated from college in 1986 when she booked a trip to Cancun to stay at the Hotel Flamingo. She saw quite a commotion and a party happening at the Club Med resort nearby in Cancun, and she was curious. She applied, and the rest is history. Lisa has many interesting stories from her time in Club Med that I know you will enjoy this 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. 

Pirate

Mon invité d'aujourd'hui est une légende du Club Med. Il a travaillé pour le Club Med de 1992 à 2004. Sa première saison a été au Club Med Sonora Bay en 1992 en tant que G.O. de ski nautique. Il a travaillé partout dans la zone américaine et peut tout faire: de la voile, de la planche à voile et du ski nautique. De Montréal (Québec), veuillez m'aider à accueillir Claude "Pirate" Lacelle! Pirate a grandi à Pointe-Fortune au Québec et a couru avec la torche olympique pour les Jeux olympiques de Montréal de 1976 parce qu'il avait gagné un concours! Par la suite, il a suivi un cours de plongée à Montréal avec quelqu'un qui travaillait au Club Med et qui pensait que Pirate ferait l'affaire. Pirate s'est rendu à New York pour son entretien et a ensuite été envoyé à Sonora Bay pour sa première saison. Pirate a légèrement déformé la vérité quant à son niveau de ski nautique et a une histoire amusante à ce sujet, ainsi que beaucoup d'autres histoires intéressantes. Si vous voulez savoir comment Pirate a obtenu son surnom et quelles ont été ses nombreuses autres saisons, cet épisode est fait pour vous. **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.

Dakota Stockley

My Guest today is from Vancouver, Canada and her first season was in Club Med Sandpiper in 2016 as a Baby/Petit Club G.O. She also worked in Club Med Ixtapa in 2017 and met her husband during her first season. You may recall that only a few weeks ago, her husband, Dylan Kett, was on the podcast, and now we will get her version of that encounter and who fell for whom first!! Please help me give a warm welcome to Dakota Stockley-Kett! Before Club Med, Dakota studied Early Childhood Development at Capilano University. A neighbor of Dakota’s worked for Club Med in 2005 and told her about her experience. Dakota applied twice and had a Skype interview with Club Med and was then sent to Sandpiper. We talked about what it was like meeting her future husband, their wedding at Sandpiper, Hurricane Irma in August 2017, and many other things. Please enjoy this interview with Dakota! **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. 

 

Mark Kelton

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1993 to 1997. His first season was in Club Med Copper Mountain as a Ski Instructor. He is yet another EXGO referred to me by recruiter extraordinaire, Shehime Arshad. Fun Fact: He attended the same university (for 1 year) that I work at, Concordia University, in 1992. During the summers at Club Med, he was also a Tennis and Golf G.O. He saw an ad for Club Med in a ski magazine and knew someone who had worked at Club Med who told him about it. Seasoners, please help me welcome, from Toronto, Ontario, Mark Kelton! Mark also worked in the Club Med resorts of Eleuthera (1995 & 1996), Paradise Island (1996/1997) and Turks and Caicos (1997). Mark goes into detail about each of his seasons and shares some very humorous stories that range from getting a jack-o’-lantern sunburn during his first beach season in Club Med, hockey tournaments with very competitive Russian NHL players, and being stunned by the shows that Mike Coltman put on in Eleuthera in 1996. Mark talks about the band that was put together during his first season called Los Mogles. Mark was asked to join the band because a G.O. was convinced that since Mark played the tuba, he could easily play the bass! Mark also shares a story about how Dan and Chantal (RIP) became ski instructors at Copper Mountain. The interview ends with Mark sharing a story about the Alpineglow Stube, a restaurant in Summit County, Colorado that sits atop Keystone’s North Peak, that a Brazilian G.M. took Mark and fourteen others to (robes and slippers?!). It’s a must-hear story at the end of a very entertaining interview. 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. 

 

Virginia Di Vaio

Today's guest brings a unique international perspective to our conversation. Born in Rome and living in cities like London, Paris, New York, Milan, and Sydney, she proudly calls Brooklyn, New York her home. Her journey into the world of hospitality began remarkably early, becoming a seasoned traveler and a Club Med enthusiast from infancy. She embarked on her first adventure to Club Med Vittel at six months old and explored numerous other Club Med destinations. Her serendipitous encounter with destiny occurred during a family vacation at Club Med Turk and Caicos when CDV Mike Clarke discovered her vocal talents during a karaoke session. This chance meeting led her to join the Club Med Artists Program the following summer. In 2017, she embarked on her first season as a Mini Club G.O. at Club Med Sandpiper, where she honed her skills and embraced the vibrant atmosphere of the resort. Please help me welcome, Virginia Di Vaio! Virginia embodies a multifaceted talent, equipped with a degree in Organizational Psychology from the University of Michigan, fluency in three languages, and a background in musical performance from her high school days. Today, she graciously shares insights into her formative experiences at Sandpiper. Virginia reflects on how her tenure at Club Med laid the foundation for her subsequent corporate role at Estée Lauder. During our conversation, Virginia offers poignant reflections on her camaraderie with colleagues and the aspects of Club Med life she holds dear. Join us as we delve into Virginia's fascinating journey and discover her time's lasting impact within the dynamic world of Club Med. Welcome to the My First Season family, Virginia, and thank you for sharing your story with us! **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. 

Dylan Kett

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2014 to 2018. His first season was in Club Med Turks & Caicos as a Lifeguard. He studied Recreation Management at Santa Fe College in Florida where he is from, and according to some G.O.s he worked with, he is considered one of the five best rappers of all time! Please help me welcome, Dylan Kett! Dylan also worked at Club Med Columbus Isle, Sandpiper, and Ixtapa in various positions as Landsports and Water Sports Supervisor. Dylan met his future wife at Sandpiper in 2016 and shares that story and many others with us. Dylan tells us who he enjoyed working with and if there is anything he misses about Club Med. And yes, we’ll find out if he is indeed one of the five best rappers in the world! 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. 

Jimmy Dimopoulos

Seasoners!! I am SO excited for today’s guest!! You may not know that I have been searching in absolute vain for the name of the person who interviewed me for Club Med in Montreal decades ago! That’s right, I have been searching for the name of my guest for many years. A chance conversation with an EXGO set me on the right path. I reached out to him, we had a lovely conversation and yes, it’s him! He worked for Club Med from 1988 to 1992 and was also a recruiter for Club Med from 1994 to 2000. His first season was at Club Med Cancun in 1984 as a Bar G.O. He has one of the BEST Club Med interview stories you will ever hear. Please help me welcome from my hometown of Montreal, Jimmy Dimopoulos! Jimmy went to Club Med Cancun as a G.M. and decided he wanted to work for them right there. Sadly, his application was rejected, but did that deter Jimmy? No way! Jimmy then decided to drive from Montreal to New York, leaving at 4:00 am, to get an interview, to prove that he was G.O. material. Jimmy also has the best G.O. roommate story you will ever hear, Seasoners!! All I can say is that it involves two Kudamundis (Mexican raccoons)! Trust me, you want to hear this hilarious story! Jimmy also worked at Club Med Haiti from 1984 to 1985 with the legendary Chief of Village, Jean-Pierre Batard. He then switched services for his season at Club Med Eleuthera in 1985 with CDV Jean-Pierre Roch, and became a Waterski G.O., with Ye as his Chief of Sports. And yes, we of course talk about my interview that Jimmy conducted in Montreal! Please enjoy this special trip down memory lane with Jimmy! **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. 

Sheera Ashely

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1997 to 1998 as a G.O. Nurse. She worked in both Club Med Sandpiper (her first season) and Paradise Island. Fun Fact: She went to Club Med Playa Blanca on vacation in 1997 during the season I was there, and we are not sure if we remember each other! She is from New York but now lives in Sarasota, Florida. Please help me welcome Sheera Ashley! Before Club Med, Sheera was working full-time and attending nursing school at the University of Staten Island. After her trip to Playa Blanca, she called 1-800 Club Med and flew down to Sandpiper for her interview. We cover both Sheera’s seasons in detail, and we get a look at village life from a nurse’s perspective. Sheera shares some rather humorous nursing stories and we play the rapid-fire Club Med question game. Please enjoy this episode with a very charming (and photogenic) person!! **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. 

Patrick Burke

My guest worked for Club Med from 1995 to 2001 as a Sound Technician. His first season was in 1995 at Club Med Turks and Caicos. He also worked at Cancun, Cherating, Sonora Bay, St. Lucia, and Punta Cana and he was also at the opening of Club Med World in Montreal. For the last 20 years, he has been working for Cirque du Soleil for such shows as Quidam, Ovo, Corteo, KOOZA, Joyà, and Allegria, and yes, we will talk about that as well. Please help me welcome, from my hometown of Montreal, Patrick Burke! I hope you are ready for this episode Seasoners, because Patrick delivers! He has a very funny story from his first season involving Cookie, the Chief of Animation that you must hear! He also shares a hilarious story from Club Med Cancun in 2000 in which Patrick was the “Latino Expert” and was filmed teaching the Crazy Sign, Mambo No. 5 for “Drew’s Party Dance Mix”? (Who’s Drew?!). Near the end of the interview, Patrick tells us the story of how he applied to Cirque du Soleil. He applied for three years and when he decided to move on, that is when they called him and offered him the show Quidam, which was touring in Australia at the time. Patrick worked and lived in the countries of Japan, Korea, China Dubai, and Brazil while continuing to work for Cirque du Soleil as the Head of Sound. 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. 

Courtney Brooks

Seasoners, I am SO excited for today’s guest!! I have been waiting so long for her to come on the show!! This is two years in the making, people! I had the pleasure of meeting my guest during her first season at Club Med Columbus Isle during the 1995/1996 Winter season, where she was a Bar G.O. She is a triathlete; she has run 2 marathons and over 100 half marathons! She is a travel and sports fanatic, Foodie, Golfer, Surfer, Skier, and Adventurer. She makes me wonder what the heck I’ve done with my life! Please help me welcome, from Chicago but now living in Miami, Our Miss Brooks, Courtney Brooks! Courtney worked in the resorts of Cancun and Eleuthera and in addition to being a Bar G.O., was also a Reception, Boutique, and Scuba Gestion G.O. Speaking about her life after Club Med, Courtney is gracious enough to ask my burning question about what makes someone run over one hundred half marathons and she explains how it all started. Courtney follows the list of “The World’s 50 Best Restaurants” and has eaten at a lot of the number-one restaurants on the list and we talk about the preparation that you have to do to eat at the number-one restaurant in Copenhagen, for example. Courtney shouts out the G.O.s she enjoyed working with and the thing she misses most about working for Club Med. 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.