Whether you’re about to step foot in the gym for the first time, recovering from an injury that’s set you back, or just need your daily dose of badass inspiration, allow me to introduce Michelle "MACE" Curran. As a former lead solo pilot for the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds, Curran has spent her career navigating incredible challenges, performing awe-inspiring maneuvers at breakneck speeds, and learning to be resilient in the face of adversity. 

Her journey, however, extends beyond the cockpit, offering profound lessons in leadership, self-doubt, and perseverance. 

Flying High Despite Fear

For the Thunderbird pilot, bravery and fear go hand in hand. “I’ve often been told that I’m so brave, but I never felt that way,” she shares. “I think it’s important to realize that I was scared many times throughout my career. It’s not either courage or fear. What sets apart the people who are being called brave is that they move forward and do the thing even when fear is present,” Curran explains. 

Her career in the Air Force taught her that courage is not the absence of fear but the decision to act despite it. In the cockpit, fear took a backseat to focus: “Flying with the Thunderbirds was so task-focused that you didn’t really have time for fear to creep in. You always had to be focused on the next thing you needed to be doing,” Curran says. 

Her advice to others mirrors this mindset. “First, do the thing even when you feel afraid,” she says, normalizing fear as part of growth. “That feeling of apprehension is normal when you’re taking on something new and unfamiliar.” Second, Curran suggests setting actionable goals to stay focused and avoid feeling overwhelmed by fear. Whether writing down your goals for the week in a journal or keeping track of your progress with an app on your phone, staying focused on what needs to be done can help keep that fear at bay. 

Confronting Imposter Syndrome

Navigating fear is one thing, but what happens once you push past it and succeed? For Curran and many others, imposter syndrome is what comes next. Despite her elite accomplishments, the Thunderbird pilot has spoken openly about facing imposter syndrome throughout her career. Recognizing it as a common but deceptive internal narrative has been critical in quieting her doubts. 

“We often think our thoughts, or doubt, in this case, are factual. In cases of imposter syndrome, we’ve taken the normal level of anxiety and stress that comes with being a beginner, and escalated [it] into something that can paralyze us and keep us from showing up,” Curran explains. 

She encourages openness about these struggles, noting that sharing such feelings often normalizes them. “Our inner narrative is just a voice, not a verdict,” she emphasizes, framing imposter syndrome as an opportunity to grow rather than a reason to retreat.

The Power of Vulnerability 

From sharing her emotions on imposter syndrome to learning to push through despite fear, Curran has become an expert on turning vulnerability into a superpower. Reflecting on her time with the Thunderbirds, she highlights the rigorous debrief culture, where every team member — regardless of rank — dissects their performance to learn and improve. “Doing this every time, whether the flight went amazing or was a struggle, removes that negative connotation that many of us have with feedback, accountability, ownership, and the feelings of vulnerability that come with them,” she says. 

“Vulnerability allows teams to show up as the best versions of themselves,” Curran continues. By modeling honesty about mistakes and the need for help, leaders can create environments that foster collaboration and trust. Even during challenging flights, Curran viewed mistakes as learning opportunities, transforming setbacks into valuable lessons. “It [vulnerability] turns even the worst flight into a learning opportunity. I really do believe there is a silver lining in each of our failures, as long as we learn something.” 

While we’ll all experience failures at some point in our lives, Curran emphasizes the importance of feeling those frustrations, and then moving on. “I give myself grace to be mad, sad, disappointed – whatever the feelings around failure might be, but I draw a line in the sand to move forward from that and start reflecting on what I can learn,” she says. This approach has helped her turn failures into tools for perseverance and growth, focusing on her attitude and what she can control rather than dwelling on setbacks.

Inspiring the Next Generation of Women

One thing is certain: MACE Curran is inspiring, regardless of how you identify, but as one of the few women to achieve the elite title of Thunderbird pilot, Curran’s message to young women is particularly moving: “It can be intimidating, and not everyone will understand why you’re doing what you’re doing. However, as long as you know your why, that’s all that matters,” she says of her advice to young women aspiring to break barriers. 

“Do the thing, even when fear is present,” Curran says.

“What I’ve found to be most helpful is to focus on the job. Get as good as you can at executing the thing you’re breaking barriers in, and the feeling of confidence and the respect of others will follow,” Curran, who was only the fifth woman to ever fly with the Thunderbirds, says. 

She urges women to ignore critics who lack the courage to pursue their own challenges. “The only opinions that matter are those of people in the arena,” she advises, underscoring the value of self-confidence and dedication. “A lot of people will have a lot to say about something they’ve never had the courage to do. Those opinions are irrelevant.”

Curran’s journey from Thunderbird pilot to keynote speaker and advocate for resilience is a testament to her belief in the power of courage, vulnerability, and growth. Her lessons inspire not only aspiring aviators but anyone striving to overcome self-doubt and reach their full potential, no matter how big or small the end goal may be. 

“Do the thing, even when fear is present,” she says — a simple yet powerful mantra for tackling life’s greatest challenges.

To learn more about Michelle MACE Curran, keep reading here. 

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