My First Season

Kevin Hill

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1997 to 2003. His name has come up quite a few times on this podcast, so I am very happy to sit down with him today. His first season was in Club Med Cancun as a Set Designer. He has so many fun facts about himself that I do not know where to start but they will be uncovered during this interview. He is originally from Southampton in England, grew up in Brazil, went to school in Singapore, and now calls Anaheim home. Please help me welcome, Kevin “Painter” Hill! Kevin worked at the Club Med resorts of Sonora Bay, Copper Mountain, Paradise Island, Columbus Isle, Turks and Caicos, and Paradise Island. This interview contains great stories from Kevin, so I hope you enjoy this episode. Stories such as Kevin drawing the disco mural at Sonora Bay in 1998, his “sunglasses” story from Paradise Island, and some ghost stories from that same village. Kevin is now a sketch artist for Disneyland and also taught Photoshop, 3D Graphics, Animation, and Motion graphics. Kevin drew some interesting parallels between his career in Club Med with his job working for Disney that you will want to hear! Please enjoy this interview with Kevin! **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. 

 

 

Meagan Dalby

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2003 to 2008. Her first season was in Club Med Sandpiper in 2003 as a Mini Club G.O. She also worked in the Club Med resorts of Ixtapa, Punta Cana, La Caravelle, Hammamet in Tunisia and my favorite village, Lindeman Island in Australia. In her life after Club Med, she obtained a law degree from Bond University in Queensland, Australia and she is a Diplomat with the Canadian government. She is currently accredited as the First Secretary of Canada to the Republic of Turkey. That’s right Seasoners, you heard me, she is the first Diplomat to be on My First Season! The level of sophistication on this podcast just went through the roof!! From Alberta, Canada, please help me welcome, Meagan Dalby! In this episode, we cover Meagan’s villages and her journey from law school to Diplomat. Meagan also lets us know if her employment at Club Med helped her in her current career as a Diplomat. You will not want to miss this one and 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.

Matt Gillig

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2004 to 2006 and his first season was at Club Med Crested Butte as a Ski Instructor. He is a graduate of Penn State University with majors in Management and International Business with a minor in French. While at Penn State, he was a member of the Fencing team and won two NCAA Championships with the team. He’s from Pennsylvania but has been living in my favorite country in the world, Australia, for the last seventeen years, and we’ll ask him how the heck that happened! Please help me welcome, Matt Gillig! Matt has some stories from carrying Kenny Loggin’s luggage, getting his book signed by former President Jimmy Carter, and meeting his future wife at Big White in British Columbia! Fun Fact: Matt is probably the only G.O. to have turned down a job with the U.S. Army to work at their resort in Garmisch, Germany for active-duty military service members and retirees of the Armed Services. The U.S. Army has resorts for its members? Yes, I did not know that either and Matt will explain why he chose Club Med over that. Please enjoy your time with Matt! **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. 

Eric Turner

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1991 to 2002 (22 seasons!) and his first season was at Club Med Copper Mountain as a Ski Instructor. He worked aboard the Club Med 1 in 1994 and Club Med resorts such as Cancun, Pontresina, Punta Cana, Roi Soleil, Sonora Bay, and Sandpiper. Fun Fact: he replaced me as Chief of Sports in 2001 in my favorite place, Lindeman Island in Australia, though we sadly did not meet. He met his future wife at Club Med Sonora Bay in 1998 and has DJ’d worldwide in countries like Spain, Mexico City, Vancouver, Miami, and Berlin, in his life after Club Med. Seasoners, please help me welcome, the one and only, Eric Turner! Buckle up Seasoners, because Eric came with stories! We detail his 1998 Sonora Bay season with Hammer, and where he met his future wife. Eric got married onstage by a G.M. during the 1998/1999 Copper Mountain season and his son was born while Eric was in Club Med Sandpiper during the 1999/2000 season. Eric takes us through the Chief of Village stage that he was part of in Club Med Vittel in 2001 and he probably has one of the best travel nightmare stories you will ever hear. Trust me, you will want to listen to this story! In his life after Club Med, Eric became a Producer, live techno performer, and self-described synth nerd and we talk a little about this. I know you will love this episode with Eric so 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. 

Please check out the link below to Eric's YouTube channel and subscribe:

SURCO - YouTube

 

 

 

 

Keira Mezei

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2018 to 2022. Her first season was in Club Med Sandpiper as a Teen Club G.O. She held other positions such as Fitness, Landsports, Sailing, Circus, Events and Animation, and Sports Manager. Before Club Med, she attended the University of New Haven and earned a Sports Management and Nutrition and Dietetics degree. While at university, she was on the track and field team, competing in the Pole Vault! Fun facts: She was born in Sydney, Australia, and moved to the United States in 2001. Her name means “laughter” in Aboriginal, and she has competed in American Jiu-Jitsu and Gymnastics. Please help me welcome, the one and only, Keira Mezei! Keira’s journey to Club Med is unique. For much of her youth, Keira attended summer camp in the Poconos. She met her best friend there (who is from England) and when they both aged out of camp, they promised to meet in a different country around the world each year. Her friend came up with the idea to apply to Club Med to be able to work and travel at the same time. Keira also worked at the Club Med villages of Turks and Caicos and Sandpiper and has fond memories of her time there. Keira learned to sail in Club Med and became proficient at certain circus show acts such as Double Hammock, Lyra, Rings, and Chains. Keira is a massive bundle of energy and positivity with an infectious laugh, so 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. 

Rafael Baez

I had the pleasure of working with my guest today in beautiful Club Med Columbus Isle in 1996. He worked for Club Med from 1990 to 2000 and his first season was at Club Med Punta Cana as a Mini Club G.O. Here is something interesting: For almost six years, he worked exclusively in Club Med Punta Cana doing various jobs such as DJ, Landsports and Sailing and we will ask him how that happened! From Santo Domingo but now living in Barrie, Ontario, that’s right we now claim him as Canadian, please help me welcome, my Chippendale brother from another mother, Rafael Baez! In addition to Punta Cana, Rafael worked in the Club Med villages of Turks and Caicos, Columbus Isle, Huatulco, and Paradise Island. He has many stories from his ten years in Club Med (including many celebrity encounters) and we shared many laughs during this interview. Rafael recounts what kind of work he was doing before Club Med and how he secured his interview with Club Med with the help of a co-worker. When the conversation switches to Columbus Isle, we share our respective stories about meeting Patrick Dupond (RIP), star dancer and former director of the Paris Opera Ballet. If you were an early 90s G.O., you will love this interview. Please enjoy this episode with Rafael! **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. 

G.A. Robertson

My guest today was kind enough to be one of my first-ever guests on this podcast on March 8, 2021 (over 3 years ago). Back then I stuck to the script, and we only covered her first season, so we are back to do it right! She worked for Club Med from 1989 to 2001 and held many positions such as Beach Team, Hostess, Mini Club, Chief of Mini and Petit Club and in 1998 she went to work in the Miami office alongside Howard McCarley as a Sports Affecteur. Fun Fact: She was the very first Female Animator in Club Med history! She is also the Administrator & Moderator of one of the biggest EXGO Facebook groups, called “Official Club Med EXGO Facebook Group” with 9k members. I can only be talking about the one and only, the pride of Canada, G.A. Robertson!! G.A. worked in Club Med villages such as Playa Blanca, St. Lucia, Sandpiper, Wengen, Cherating, and Copper Mountain, to name a few, and has great stories from all her seasons so you are in for a treat, Seasoners! G.A. details the unfortunate flooding that happened during her third season in Club Med in 1991 in Playa Blanca, but it is a must-hear story. G.A. drops many names from the past during this interview and even talks about the Club Med connection that happened with her last two current jobs. We talk about the Club Med EXGO Facebook group she founded and so much more. Please enjoy this second interview with G.A.! **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 missed G.A.'s first interview three years ago, please click on the link below:

G.A. Robertson | My First Season

 

 

Steve and Juca Cohn

Greetings, Seasoners! I am delighted to introduce the second installment of our "In Couple" series, where we delve into the captivating narratives of G.O.s or couples who have shared unforgettable seasons. In today's episode, our special guests are a genuine couple whose paths intertwined at Club Med Itaparica in Brazil in December 1990. It was her second season in Club Med and his sixth within the Club Med family. Adding an enchanting twist to their tale, he hails from the United States, while she is Brazilian. What heightens the excitement of this episode is that I had the supreme pleasure of working alongside both of them during my first season at Club Med Turks and Caicos in the summer of 1994. Without further ado, let's extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to the exceptionally charming duo, Steve and Juca Cohn! This remarkable couple has been happily married for thirty-one years, and they graciously take us back to the inception of their romance. Steve and Juca regale us with stories ranging from their engagement in August of 1991 to their dream wedding at Club Med Punta Cana in October 1992. Steve guides us through the process of Juca obtaining her Green Card, and he shares the incredible surprise he orchestrated in January of 1997 when Juca became an American citizen while she was working at Club Med Copper Mountain and while Steve was stationed at Huatulco. To maintain the element of surprise, I won't divulge any details here, so you'll have to tune in to the interview for the full experience! Please enjoy this heartwarming journey through the decades with Steve and Juca Cohn. **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 hear Steve's first interview, please see the link below:

Steve Cohn | My First Season

Fred Dawance

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1987 to 2012. His first season was a bit unusual because he went to Club Med Chamonix as a guest for two weeks but then got hired to be an Entertainer. He was also a Chief of Animation, Chief of Sports, and Chief of Village. Please help me welcome, from Belgium, but now living in Japan, the one and only, Fred Dawance! Fred is the 10^th EXCDV to appear on the podcast and I am glad to connect with him finally! Some fun facts about my guest: Fred graduated from Law School with a minor in Philosophy, he climbed the Matterhorn in 2003, he became a proficient magician (cards, comedy, and mentalism), a lifelong Beatles fan, he named his son Lennon and met Sir Paul McCartney in 2005 and after Club Med, he obtained his MBA from the University of Paris! So much of Fred’s time in Club Med is covered in this interview and some highlights are his stint as Chief of Sports aboard the Club Med 2 during the 1996/1997 season, his Chief of Village stage in the Winter of 2001, “Friday Night Fever” in Club Med Bora Bora in 2007/2008 and his many seasons in Japan. Please enjoy this episode with Fred! **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. 

Megan Demgen

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1999 to 2003. Her first season was at Club Med Copper Mountain as a Boutique G.O. Before Club Med, she attended Arizona State University and obtained a degree in Recreation Management and Tourism. She was part of the ASU Internship Program, and that program helped her land an internship at Copper Mountain. She later became a Snowboard Instructor and worked in Crested Butte three times and one summer season in Cancun in 1999. After Club Med, she obtained a master’s degree and has been teaching for the last twenty years and is currently teaching kindergarten. From Northern California but now living in Colorado, please help me welcome, Megan Demgen! During their teenage years, Megan and her sisters were whisked away by their parents to Club Med resorts in Eleuthera, Huatulco, and Turks and Caicos. Megan shares a Y2K story from her 1999/2000 season (sitting in stairwells?) and she met her future husband that same season. She took a road trip from Club Med Copper Mountain to Crested Butte with EXGO (and MFS guest) Sammy Orodenker while listening to TV theme songs from the 80s! Megan has many more stories to share, so please 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.