My First Season

My guest today had an incredible run with Club Med, working on and off from 1982 to 2009. He kicked off his first season as a Bar G.O. at Club Med Paradise Island—and beyond bartending, he also lent his talents to waterskiing, circus, and picnics. I had the pleasure of meeting him during my very first season, and he’s here today to clear up a funny bit of confusion I had about him back then! A Florida State University alum with a business background, he even had the chance to hang out with David Lee Roth back in the day. Please welcome the one and only, Tony Love! Tony shares how he first discovered Club Med through a model friend who regularly did photo shoots at the resorts—and from there, takes us on a journey through his many unforgettable seasons. Tony recounts what it was like rubbing elbows with David Lee Roth of Van Halen at Club Med Paradise Island in 1982, as well as the fierce Olympic Day rivalries with a future Chief of Village at St. Lucia in 1992. Tony also reveals the origin story of the iconic “Super G.O.” t-shirt that he created and talks about the unofficial "Youth Hostel" he ran out of his place in Miami, offering a crash pad for any G.O. passing through town. Tony is a master storyteller, so you're in for a real treat. Enjoy the ride! **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. 

My guest today hails from Newfoundland and began his journey studying Physical Education and playing basketball at Memorial University. He kicked off his Club Med career in 1998 as a Sailing G.O. in Eleuthera but soon found his calling under the big top with the Circus team. He continued with Club Med until 2000, finishing his final season at Playa Blanca. After his time with Club Med, he transitioned into television, co-hosting the popular home improvement show Colour Confidential, and contributing to hit series like Colin and Justin’s Home Heist and The Unsellables. Please join me in welcoming the multitalented David Sparkes! In this episode, we explore all of David’s adventures through the seasons, including his fascinating transition from sailing to the circus. He shares the story behind his move from Club Med to television, where he began hosting and working on home renovation shows. Whether you're a fan of Club Med nostalgia or addicted to home improvement TV, this episode has something for you! **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. 

Today’s guest worked just one season as a Bar G.O. at Club Med St. Lucia in 1991. What’s truly extraordinary is her journey afterward. Among all the guests on this podcast, she’s the only one I know who became a medical doctor after Club Med. Remarkably, she credits her Club Med experience as a pivotal influence on her path to medicine. Hailing from Toronto, Ontario, please join me in welcoming the inspiring Dr. Antonella Morra! In this captivating episode, we explore Antonella's unforgettable first season at Club Med, tracing her journey from a chance encounter that led to applying to medical school at the American University of the Caribbean (AUC) on the island of Montserrat. We follow her path through a 3-year residency in Baltimore and her remarkable 25-year career practicing pediatric medicine. This is an episode Seasoners won’t want to miss! **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. 

My guest today has a fascinating Club Med journey that spans decades. She first joined the company in 1992 as a Costume Designer and worked until 1994. Then, twenty-three years later, she returned to Club Med—this time as an Excursions G.O. at Columbus Isle in 2017. Her very first season was at Club Med St. Lucia, where she had the unforgettable experience of dressing none other than Queen’s legendary guitarist, Sir Brian May—for the G.M. show—without even realizing who he was at the time! She studied set design, costume design, and lighting in college, and it was a simple newspaper ad with a 1-800 number that set her on this incredible path. Hailing from Joliette, Quebec, please give a warm welcome to Izzy Chartier! In this episode, we dive into all the details of Izzy’s Club Med journey—from her memorable seasons and brushes with celebrities to what it was like transitioning from Animation to Excursions after a twenty-three-year break. Izzy also shares the things she misses most about her time with Club Med. All this and more is waiting for you—just hit play! Sit back, relax, and enjoy this wonderful trip down memory lane with Izzy! **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. 

Mon invitée d'aujourd'hui a un parcours fascinant au Club Med, qui s'étend sur plusieurs décennies. Elle a rejoint l'entreprise en 1992 en tant que costumière et y a travaillé jusqu'en 1994. Vingt-trois ans plus tard, elle est revenue au Club Med, cette fois en tant que responsable des excursions à Columbus Isle en 2017. Sa toute première saison s'est déroulée au Club Med de Sainte-Lucie, où elle a vécu l'expérience inoubliable d'habiller nul autre que le légendaire guitariste de Queen, Sir Brian May, pour le spectacle G.M., sans même savoir qui il était à l'époque ! Elle a étudié la scénographie, la conception de costumes et l'éclairage au Collège Lionel-Groulx, et c'est une simple annonce dans un journal avec un numéro 1-800 qui l'a mise sur cette voie incroyable. Originaire de Joliette, au Québec, nous vous invitons à accueillir chaleureusement Izzy Chartier! Dans cet épisode, nous nous plongeons dans tous les détails du parcours d'Izzy au Club Med - de ses saisons mémorables à ses rencontres avec des célébrités, en passant par la transition de l'animation aux excursions après une pause de vingt-trois ans. Elle nous fait également part de ce qui lui manque le plus au Club Med. Tout cela et bien d'autres choses encore vous attendent - il vous suffit d'appuyer sur le bouton « play »! Installez-vous confortablement, détendez-vous et profitez de ce merveilleux voyage dans le passé avec Izzy! **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 today began her Club Med journey as a Reception G.O. and later served as Chief of Horseback. Her first season was at Club Med Sandpiper in 1997. Originally from Walnut Creek, California, she grew up near an equestrian center, which sparked her passion for horses. She went on to play polo at UC Santa Barbara while studying Communications and also showcased her vocal talents by singing in the All-State Honor Choir. Her path to Club Med was first set in motion during a family vacation to Club Med Playa Blanca when she was a teenager. Now living in Florida, please join me in welcoming the talented and dynamic Kelly Hammett! We kick off the interview by exploring Kelly’s fascinating life before Club Med, then dive deep into the stories and experiences from her two unforgettable seasons. Kelly shares heartfelt memories of the friendships she built, the moments she cherishes most, and the aspects of Club Med she still misses today. As a teenager visiting Club Med Playa Blanca, Kelly dreamed of becoming Chief of Horseback there—and in 1997, she made that dream a reality. Please enjoy this fun and inspiring conversation with the always entertaining Kelly Hammett! . **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. 

My guest today is a true Club Med veteran, having worked from 1992 to 1995. He started his adventure at Club Med St. Lucia, juggling roles as a Polyvalent Bartender, Landsports G.O., Tennis G.O., and Golf G.O.—basically, if it involved fun, he was your guy. Fun fact: we apparently met during my very first season… and yet, neither of us remembers it. So clearly, it was very memorable! He once described his most romantic moment at Club Med as a quiet evening—alone—on the beach. Yep, just him, the stars and the waves. We’ll definitely be unpacking that story and plenty more! So grab your sunblock and your sense of humor—joining us from sunny Arizona, it’s Ace! Ace’s Club Med adventure took him to incredible locations including Huatulco, Turks and Caicos, Martinique, and Cancun—and he shares some unforgettable stories from each of those seasons. Ace also catches us up on life after Club Med, giving us a glimpse into what he’s been up to since moving on. Plus, we dive into a fun round of "Rapid Fire with Ace," where he reveals the three things he misses most about his time with Club Med. Get ready to enjoy some great memories and laughs with a truly charming guest! **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. 

My guest today is a Criminal Justice graduate with a minor in Police Science from Ithaca College. He showcased his athleticism as a collegiate baseball player, playing centerfield, at Ithaca. His journey with Club Med began as a G.M. during the 1984 opening of Club Med Turks and Caicos, leading to his first official season as a Landsports G.O. in Club Med Cancun in 1994. He continued to share his expertise at Club Med Sonora Bay in 1999. Hailing from Long Island and now residing in New York City, please welcome, Howie Israeloff!​ In this episode, we take a trip down memory lane as Howie reflects on his first season at Club Med Cancun and Club Med Sonora Bay in 1999. He shares the story behind his nickname and clears up the legend of whether he really brought back authentic NYC bagels for his friends while he was at Sonora Bay. It's a heartfelt conversation filled with fond memories, laughter, and a glimpse into a truly special time. I hope you enjoy this episode with the ever-charming Howie! **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. 

My guest earned her degree in Communications from San Diego State University and her first season was at Club Med Sandpiper in 1997 as a Reception G.O. Although her initial ambition after college was to work for Contiki, she has since become a prolific and award-winning songwriter-artist, best-selling author, producer, and publisher. Beyond her creative endeavors, she dedicated several years to raising funds for the construction of freshwater wells and schools in remote Zambian villages. Please join me in welcoming the remarkable Kathryn Cloward from San Diego! In this episode, Kathryn vividly recounts her cherished experiences at Sandpiper, sharing several special memories from her time there. We delve into Kathryn's songwriting process and explore her extensive literary work, including the "Kathryn the Grape" series and her poignant poetry collection, "The Spirit of a Bear." Join us for an engaging conversation with this truly remarkable individual! **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 see the link below to find Kathryn's books and music:

Kathryn Cloward | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree

In October 1989, Janet Jackson's "Miss You Much" topped the charts, and the film "Look Who's Talking" was a box office hit. With a degree in Business Administration and a minor in Airline Travel, my guest aspired to become a travel agent. After receiving several rejection letters from airlines, she applied to Club Med. In 1989, she began her first season as a Traffic G.O. at Club Med Sandpiper in 1989, where she met her future husband. Following her tenure at Club Med, she moved to Japan to help run a small bed and breakfast near Mt. Fuji. She has also published six books. Please join me in welcoming Amy Iketani! In this interview, Amy shares her transformative year at Sandpiper, what it was like learning Japanese and her passion for writing. Enjoy this insightful conversation with Amy!​ **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 see the link below to Amy's books:

Amazon.com: Coming Home: 9798223230717: Iketani, Amy: Books