Michelle "MACE" Curran is a former USAF Thunderbird pilot and national bestselling author who translates high-stakes performance lessons into deeply relatable insights about fear, self-doubt, and the power of decisive action. Her keynotes connect powerfully because people see themselves in her story despite her elite background. 

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Michelle "Mace" Curran USAF Thunderbird Pilot '19-'21, Fighter Pilot, National Bestselling Author

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  • CBS Mornings: Former fighter pilot shares lessons learned in new book

    Michelle "MACE" Curran is a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot. She is only the second woman in history to serve as the lead solo pilot for the elite show team, "The Thunderbirds." She speaks about her new book, "The Flipside: How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower," which shares lessons learned in the cockpit and beyond.

  • The Kelly Clarkson Show: 7 Year Old Aspiring Pilot Meets Her Idol

    Seven-year-old Amelia has always dreamed of growing up to be a pilot, and she gets the surprise of a lifetime when her hero—Major Michelle Curran, a Thunderbird Pilot for the U.S. Air Force—shows up to meet her! Plus, Major Curran offers this ambitious little girl a life-changing opportunity to be a Thunderbird for a day.

  • Fast Company: 5 life lessons from a F-16 fighter jet pilot

    Mace spent years operating in high-pressure environments, from combat situations to performing high-speed maneuvers in front of millions of people. But what also came with that career were the moments behind the scenes of self-doubt, the struggle to find her identity, the near misses, and the mental battles that came with the job. Much of what she learned to persevere and triumph as a fighter pilot applies to winning at life.

  • The Daily Stoic: Silence the 5 Inner Critics DESTROYING Your Confidence | Combat Fighter Pilot Michelle Curran

    Michelle “MACE” Curran is a former United States Air Force fighter pilot with nearly 2,000 hours of F-16 flying time. She flew combat missions in Afghanistan and honed her skills across the globe, becoming the second woman in history to serve as the Lead Solo Pilot for the Thunderbirds, the Air Force's elite demonstration team. Known for her signature upside-down maneuvers, Mace performed for millions, inspiring audiences at airshows and flyovers like the Super Bowl, Daytona 500, and Indy 500.

  • Inverting Your Mindset Newsletter

    Bi-weekly stories and lessons from MACE's time as a fighter pilot and beyond. Get actionable and inspiring insights around courage, confidence, and success