Michelle 'Mace' Curran | Only the 2nd Woman Ever to Fly Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds!

#872. From flying fighter jets to inspiring audiences worldwide, Michelle “MACE” Curran’s story soars above and beyond. Once a shy small-town kid battling social anxiety, she went on to become the Lead Solo Pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds—one of the most elite positions in aviation.

In this episode, Mace shares what it really takes to become a fighter pilot, the near-catastrophic flight that earned her the call sign “Mace,” and the reality of often being the only woman in the room. She and Kaitlyn dive into her new book The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower, unpacking the tools she uses to turn fear into confidence and why boldness is built—not born.

From high-G turns in the cockpit to captivating keynote stages, Mace proves that bravery isn’t about being fearless—it’s about showing up anyway.

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EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS:

• (4:03)– The Moment She Knew She Wanted to Fly Fighter Jets
• (24:00) – The Story Behind the Call Sign “Mace”
• (29:30) – Becoming Only The 2nd Woman as Lead Solo Pilot
• (51:35) – How Mace Met Her Husband on Bumble
• (58:25) – Turning Fear Into a Superpower

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Must Listen podcast about resilience, believing in ourselves, and turning fear into opportunity.

I recently tuned into Kaitlyn Bristowe’s podcast featuring “Mace” Michelle Curran, and I must say, it was an exhilarating experience from start to finish! Katelyn’s interviewing style is warm and engaging, which sets the perfect tone for a deep dive into the life of a fighter pilot and the insights from her book, "The Flip Side."

What I particularly appreciated was Kaitlyn’s ability to ask thought-provoking questions allowing Mace to share deeper insights about resilience, teamwork, and the importance of mental fortitude. The discussion about embracing challenges and turning them into opportunities resonated with me and left me feeling inspired.

Overall, this episode is a must-listen for anyone. Katelyn Brostow continues to deliver thought-provoking content, and Mace Curran’s story is one that will stay with me long after the episode ended