Michelle “MACE” Curran, a former US Air Force fighter pilot and lead solo for the Thunderbirds, shares her inspiring journey from a small town in Wisconsin to the skies as a fighter pilot. She discusses the challenges she faced during pilot training, her experiences in combat squadrons, and the evolution of her identity as ‘MACE’ and how her journey can serve as an inspiration to us all.

Michelle reflects on her time with the Thunderbirds, the high-stakes maneuvers, and the lessons learned from adversity. She also talks about her transition to public speaking, the importance of mentorship, and her upcoming book release, ‘The Flip Side.’

To find out more about MACE, visit: www.macecurran.com

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Michelle “MACE” Curran

01:32 The Journey Begins: From Small Town to Fighter Pilot

07:28 Overcoming Challenges in Pilot Training

11:36 Facing Adversity: The Struggles of a New Fighter Pilot

19:17 The Call Sign Story: Learning from Mistakes

22:55 Transformational Experiences: The Path to the Thunderbirds

30:24 The Application Process: From Candidate to Thunderbird Pilot

34:23 The Journey to Becoming a Thunderbird Pilot

35:44 The Thrill of Aerobatics and Team Dynamics

38:53 Overcoming Challenges and Redefining the Show

42:30 Intense Moments in the Cockpit

48:32 Transitioning from the Thunderbirds to New Opportunities

53:22 Inspiring Future Generations of Female Pilots

55:58 The Launch of a New Book and Its Impact

59:36 Looking Ahead: Future Aspirations and Advice

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