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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices