My First Season

Shannon Brown

My guest today worked for CM from 1996 to 2008. His first season was in Club Med Copper Mountain with Aureo Stern as a Ski/Snowboard instructor. He was also a Waterski G.O., Ski School Director, and a fellow Chief of Sports. He is from Sydney, Australia, but has been living in my neck of the woods in Chambly, Quebec, for the last 15 years (we will get into how and why he is living here, not to worry!) Fun Fact: He played rugby for the Montreal Irish Rugby Football Club in 2008 with my brother-in-law! What a small world! Please help me welcome, Shannon Brown! Shannon was taking his Level 3 ski instructor exam in Telluride, Colorado when one of his classmates, Angry Sean, told Shannon that he used to work for Club Med, and that sounded good to Shannon! He had his interview in Sydney and was sent to the North American Zone for his very first season. Shannon worked in Club Med Copper Mountain (5x), Crested Butte (4x), Sahoro (4x), Cancun (2x), Sandpiper, and Kani. Shannon met his future wife in Club Med Cancun in 2002 during a Hi-Pot/Key G.O. stage and he explains how he has liked living in Quebec for the last fifteen years. He shares a surfing tale from his season in Club Med Kani in 2007 and lets us know what he misses about 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. 

Chris Keeley

Greetings Seasoners, today marks a truly extraordinary occasion—it's the Third Anniversary of My First Season! Yes, that very podcast I started in a closet and continue to record within that very same closet, has now reached the grand age of three! Can you believe it?! A sincere thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey. For such a momentous episode, I knew we needed a special guest. Our paths last crossed a year ago when his episode graced the airwaves in February 2023. With an impressive resume featuring 39 seasons in Club Med villages and 15 years in the Miami CM office, he now holds the esteemed position of Senior Director at UDT (University des Talents), translating to Talent Development, in the Club Med Miami office. Please help me welcome back to My First Season, the remarkable, the legendary, the Ironman, the always-positive, Chris Keeley, AKA, Hammer! He's back as promised, and together we dive into his first season as Chef de Village (CDV) at Club Med Sonora Bay in 1998. Our conversation delves into the multifaceted role of a CDV, exploring the essential qualities required and the positive impact one must strive for when interacting with others. Additionally, we unravel the intricate CDV selection process, reflect on the CDV stage that Hammer experienced, and uncover the unique request he made to HR concerning the G.O.s he desired on his team during his inaugural season as a CDV. In a groundbreaking moment for My First Season, we are thrilled to announce a special guest from that very 1998 Sonora Bay season, none other than Boone, joining Hammer in our conversation! Stay tuned for an enlightening discussion and a celebration of three remarkable years of My First Season! **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 Hammer's first interview from February 2023, please click on the link below:

Chris “Hammer” Keeley | My First Season

 

 

 

Kara Giacalone James

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2010 to 2017 and her first season was in Club Med Sandpiper as a Dance Captain/Choreographer. Before Club Med, she attended the University of Akron and studied Dance and Communication. Fun Fact: She also worked at the Beverly Wilshire Four Seasons Hotel, famously seen in the excellent movie Pretty Woman. Aside from Sandpiper, she worked in the Club Med villages of Turks & Caicos, Bali, Yabuli and she was at the opening of Club Med Dong’ao in China, where she met her future husband! Her parents knew former Chief of Village, Gregg Snyder, and that is how she found out about Club Med. Please help me welcome, from Strong Island, New York, Kara Giacalone James! Kara’s Club Med journey began in Club Med Sandpiper in 2010 and ended in that same resort in 2017. Kara shares some of her many stories with us, starting as a choreographer to later pulling double duty as both a choreographer and Entertainment Manager in Yabuli and Dong’ao. Kara shares some of the cross-cultural adjustments she had to make while in China and recounts the story of meeting and falling in love with her husband, who was the Chief of Sports, in Dong’ao. Between contracts, Kara backpacked for eight months in Asia, Europe, the UK, and the United States. After her time in Club Med, Kara went on an eight-month road trip in a Subaru through the States, Mexico, and Canada. While in Club Med, she got certified in scuba and learned how to do the Spanish Web and Lyra. Despite Kara choosing 1984’s Footloose over my beloved Center Stage as the better dance movie (smiley face emoji), Kara was extremely entertaining and knows how to tell a story! Come with us on Kara’s amazing journey and career in Club Med and discover the things she misses the most about Club Med and if she’d do it all over. 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 click on the link below to see a video of the shows that Kara worked on:

KARA GIACALONE | EVENT SHOW PRODUCER REEL | BEHIND THE SCENES (youtube.com)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Katherine Kotler

Today’s guest was name-dropped in an earlier episode. Name-dropped? By whom? Well, her husband Marty of course! He came on the show and told us how they met so we will now get her version of the events! She was interviewed for Club Med by Kenton Smith and her first season was at the opening of Club Med Sandpiper in 1986 as a Baby Club G.O. She also worked at Punta Cana and Ixtapa and was a Mini Club and Aerobics G.O. and this is my favorite part, despite never having worked with kids or taught Aerobics!! While working in the Baby Club, she was a “Puree Food G.O.” and she is here to tell us all what the heck that was! Please help me welcome, from California, Katherine Kotler Glassman! Before Club Med, Katherine attended California State University, Northridge, and was living and working in Switzerland (that’s another story!). Her mother suggested she apply to Club Med, and she did. Katherine takes us through what it was like opening the resort of Sandpiper in 1986 (including a hurricane)! Although Katherine met her future husband Marty in Club Med Punta Cana and unlike most G.O. couples who were “in couple” in the village, they were not an item until they left Club Med many years later. We talk about all of Katherine’s seasons, and we also talk about life after Club Med. Katherine attended culinary school and opened her bake shop called “Sticky Fingers” which she owned and operated for twelve years in Ventura, California. If you were a mid to late 80s G.O., then this episode is for you. 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. 

Pancho

My guest today worked for Club Med from 1979 to 2001 (22 years!), but he still went back for the odd season to help until 2012. Before Club Med, he was in the Mexican Navy and was a Combat Diver when he left. He is also a Chef and studied Kitchen Theory and Practice in Spain. In Club Med, he did everything from Traffic, Archery, and Waterskiing to a million other things. We will not condense a career like his to just one hour, so hopefully he will come back for part two in the near future. I had the pleasure of working with him in Club Med Columbus Isle in 1996 where he taught me how to do the “Brouette” in the waterski show! His first season was in Club Med Playa Blanca in 1979 as an Assistant Traffic G.O. Who else could I be talking about other than the one and only, Jose Francisco Elizalde Teyssier, but you probably know him better by one name, please help me welcome to My First Season, Pancho!! Pancho might be one of the only EXGOs on the podcast who was at the openings of three Club Med villages: Ixtapa, Punta Cana, and Sonora Bay. Pancho also worked in the resorts of Djerba La Douce, Skanes, St. Mortiz, and Magic Isle in Haiti, to name a few. He worked for Chiefs of Village such as Philippe Labat, Ben Ducobu, Gerard Barough, Patrick Cormery, Jerome Clavier, Jean Viviani, and Michel Proriol. Because he worked for Club Med for 22 years, and if you worked for Club Med and are listening to this, chances are you were fortunate enough to work with Pancho and got to experience his laugh, infectious energy, and smile. 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 at Apple podcasts. 

Marty Glassman

My guest today studied theatre then Communications at California State University, Northridge. He had his interview for Club Med in Los Angeles at Universal Studios and was interviewed by none other than Kenton Smith. His first season was in Club Med Punta Cana in 1987/1988 as DJ. He met his future wife there and has been married for over 30 years now. There is much more to this story on how he met his wife that we will dive into, so buckle up Seasoners! He is also the owner of the “Silent DJ” Southern California’s only locally owned, operated, and interactive silent disco company. What the heck is that?! Well, keep listening Seasoners, and we will tell you! From the Golden State, please help me welcome, Marty Glassman! Marty takes us on a joy ride from his university days to his interview with Club Med and then landing in the Dominican Republic to getting pranked immediately upon his arrival in Punta Cana and buying the wrong size speedo (wrong size?)! Marty goes into detail about how he met his future wife Katherine, and the amazing thing in common they both shared. I ask Marty to go into detail about his company, “Silent DJ” so please check out the link that accompanies this episode. Marty is a very positive, happy, and upbeat guy so I hope you 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 at Apple podcasts. 

Please check out the link to "Silent DJ" below:

The Silent DJ: SoCal's ORIGINAL Silent Disco Company!

 

Sophia Lykke

Happy New Year, Seasoners! Get ready for an exciting 2024 as we bring you more incredible content! Today’s guest has been on our radar for over a year and despite a missed message, we’re thrilled to finally connect with her! From 2015 to 2022, she played various roles at Club Med, starting as a Reception G.O. in Club Med Cancun and eventually becoming a Resort Manager from March 2019 to September 2021. Later, she took on the role of Public Relations & Corporate Social Responsibility Manager for North America and the Caribbean. Who is this mystery guest? Well, it’s the one and truly only, Sophia Lykke! Fun fact: Sophia’s mother was a Traffic and Planning G.O. in the 80s! Sophia graduated magna cum laude from UCLA with a degree in International Development Studies with a minor in Global Studies. Before her stint as a Resort Manager, she served as a Supervisor and Resident Manager for the Exclusive Collection in the French Alps at Club Med Valmorel and Val-d’isere. Sophia shares her captivating journey, including insights into the rigorous CDV selection process. She recounts the unforgettable night she was named Chef de Village in Club Med Punta Cana in March 2019, coinciding with International Women’s Day, where her mother was secretly flown in for the announcement! Taking the reins as General Manager at Club Med Ixtapa in 2019, Sophia navigated unprecedented challenges in June 2020 when she was tasked with reopening Sandpiper, the first Club Med resort outside of China post the COVID-19 outbreak. She and her G.O. team successfully implemented the “Club Med Safe Together” protocols, earning the distinction of passing the first POSI (Prevention of Infectious Disease) audit in the world. Throughout the episode, Sophia shares insights into her mentors, and collaborations, and reflects on what she misses most about her Club Med experience. Join us for this super-sized episode with an exceptional and talented individual. 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. 

Jeanette Arbour

My guest today is from Ontario, Canada and her first season was in Club Med Turks & Caicos during the 1996/1997 season as a Boutique G.O. Before working for Club Med, she was a G.M and went to Club Med Playa Blanca in 1989 and then went to Turks each year from 1989 until she was hired in 1996. So, you could say she knew that village very well! She worked for CM from 1996 to 2000 in such villages as Punta Cana, Sonora Bay, Eleuthera, Cancun, and Coral Beach in Israel. She worked her way up to Chief of Boutique eventually and worked for CDVs such as Kevin Batt, Hammer, and Pierre Letellier Gagnon, to name a few. Please help me welcome, just 15 minutes from Niagara Falls, Jeanette Arbour!! Fun Fact: Jeanette might be the only EXGO I know of to have had their first season in Club Med Turks & Caicos and her last season in Club Med Coral Beach…the same as yours truly! Jeanette first heard about Club Med from a high school friend of hers who showed her the brochure. During her last vacation as a G.M. in Turks, she approached the CDV Kevin Batt and asked for a job and Jeanette was placed in the Boutique. Jeanette shares a Christmas story from her season in Eleuthera where a plane was chartered to Nassau so they could buy 150 gifts for the kids of the village during Christmas week. Another Christmas memory comes from Jeanette’s season in Cancun in 1999/2000, where Hammer somehow found pine trees in Cancun at Christmastime! Another story Jeanette shares is from her season in Punta Cana in 1998 where the village was bought out by hairdressers. She spent the entire week being an “updo model” because she had the longest hair in the village and did not even get her hair cut that week! We share fond memories of our time spent in Israel and the name “Mark Vanderhoef” came up a lot during this interview! Please enjoy this interview with Jeanette! **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. 

Crystal Bolduc

I had the pleasure of working with my guest today twice at Columbus Isle in 1998 and 2000. She was a G.M. three times before she was a G.O. and her first season was in Club Med Turks & Caicos in 1997 as a Scuba Instructor. She became a Scuba Instructor to conquer her fear of the ocean and sharks after seeing the movie “Jaws”. She saw her first shark during her first season and conquered that fear! She flew from Canada on her own dime to her interview in Los Angeles, which Kevin Batt was hosting. She worked for Club Med from 1997 to 2001 and since 2007, she has worked for Parks Canada in the Pacific Rim National Park Reserve. Please help me welcome, from British Columbia, Crystal Bolduc!! Crystal worked three times in Turks and Caicos and twice in Columbus Isle and is kind enough to share her stories with us. Stories like the “washing machine” in Turks, how a frog got into her scuba tank one day, a frisky JoJo story, scuba pranks, and getting her 1000^th dive in Club Med. Club Med Columbus Isle was Crystal's favorite village and we both enjoyed working with Jean-Paul Morales who was the Scuba Chief there. Crystal also lets us know what it’s like seeing a school of Hammerhead sharks swim by you. We end the interview with the things Crystal misses the most about having worked for Club Med and if she would have done anything differently. Please enjoy this interview with a very charming Canadian! **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 at Apple podcasts. 

Marifer Calderon

My guest today worked for Club Med from 2011 to 2018. Her first season was in Club Med Cancun as a Salsa Instructor, but then later switched to becoming a Circus G.O. during that same season. So that means she can dance AND Fly! She is From Mexico and studied TV Production at university. She has been living in New South Wales in Australia for the last 4 years and you know how much I love Australia, so we’ll talk a bit about that too! Please help me welcome, the amazing, Marifer Calderon! Marifer worked in the Club Med Resorts of Ixtapa, Turks and Caicos, Phuket, Ria Bintan, and Cherating. A former colleague of hers in television production went to work for Club Med and suggested she give it a try. Some highlights of Marifer’s interview are experiencing a wardrobe malfunction during the Music Factory show in Cancun, haggling with Tuk-Tuk drivers in Thailand, planning an event at the French embassy in Kuala Lumpur, and squaring off against monkeys during a fruit passage in Cherating! Marifer takes us on her Club Med journey in 2011 starting as a salsa instructor to being a Chief of Animation/Potential CDV during her last season in 2017. We also talk about what it’s like moving from Mexico to Australia and the culture shock that comes with that. We end the interview by talking about who she liked working with, her three favorite Crazy Signs, and the things she misses the most about Club Med. Please enjoy this interview with a very charming 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 at Apple podcasts.