The world’s biggest sporting event is coming to North America — and soccer may never be the same.

In this special Maverick Makers World Cup Edition, Michelle Daides sits down with Carlo Rivas Jr., former professional soccer player, coach, mentor, and Technical Director of CR Soccer Academy, for an exciting conversation about the World Cup, the future of soccer, and what this historic tournament means for players, families, fans, and the next generation.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be hosted across Canada, the United States, and Mexico, making it the first World Cup shared by three host countries. It will also be the largest edition yet, expanding to 48 teams and 104 matches across North America.

Carlo brings a rare perspective to the conversation. Born in Toronto with deep Chilean soccer roots, he began his career with Cruz Azul in Mexico before playing professionally in Chile with Deportes La Serena, Municipal Iquique, and Universidad de Concepción. He also represented Canada at the U-20 level and earned a senior national team cap.

In this episode, Carlo shares his predictions, favourite teams, players to watch, dark horses, and expert insights into what fans should be paying attention to as World Cup fever builds. But this conversation goes beyond the scoreboard. Michelle and Carlo also explore what this moment could mean for soccer culture in Canada, youth development, national pride, and the belief that young players can dream bigger than ever before.

Whether you’re a lifelong football fan, a soccer parent, a young athlete, or someone just getting swept up in the excitement, this episode is your insider pass to the beautiful game on the world’s biggest stage.

To learn more about Carlo and CR Soccer Academy here!

In This Episode

Michelle and Carlo talk about:

• Why this World Cup is such a historic moment for North America
• What it means for Canada to host men’s World Cup matches for the first time
• Carlo’s predictions for the tournament
• Teams that could dominate — and teams that could surprise everyone
• Players and young stars to watch
• What separates the top soccer nations from the rest
• Canada’s missed opportunity on home soil
• How the World Cup can inspire the next generation of players

Why do we freeze when it’s time to take that bold step? Whether it’s launching a business, speaking up in a meeting, or saying yes to an opportunity, hesitation sneaks in and stops us in our tracks.

In this solo episode of The Maverick Makers Podcast, host Michelle Daides unpacks the hidden reasons we hesitate—fear of failure, fear of judgment, perfectionism, and the lure of the comfort zone—and the steep cost we pay when we let hesitation win.

But here’s the good news: you don’t have to wait until fear disappears to make a move. Michelle shares powerful mindset shifts and practical strategies to help you:

• Name your fear so it loses power
• Reframe failure as feedback
• Break bold moves into small, doable steps
• Borrow courage from your community
• Anchor into your “why” so you can act with purpose

If you’ve been sitting on an idea, dream, or opportunity, this episode will give you the tools and confidence to stop hesitating and start moving.

Because Mavericks don’t wait for perfect timing—they take imperfect action, again and again.

🎧 Tune in and learn how to park fear at the curb and step boldly into your next Maverick Move.

Maria Arangio wears many hats—and she wears them all with fearless creativity. As CEO and Creative Director of Creativo Advertising Inc., she’s built a boutique agency that’s making waves with bold branding and digital marketing that connects businesses to their audiences in authentic, powerful ways.

But Maria’s story doesn’t stop in the boardroom. She’s also the creator and food host behind She’s Italian, where she brings her heritage to life through joyful cooking, storytelling, and her popular #RecipeRemix series. It’s a space where tradition meets modern flavor—and where Maria invites us all to find joy in simple, nourishing meals.

In this episode, Maria and I dive into her journey as an entrepreneur and creative visionary, how she balances agency life with building her food brand, and why storytelling is the secret ingredient in both business and the kitchen.

✨ If you’ve ever wondered how to blend passion and profession—or simply need a reminder that creativity has no limits—this one’s for you.