Michelle 'Mace' Curran

And so I went through this time of just promising myself, I would say yes to things that came up because I'd recognized earlier in my career, there were times when, you know, an opportunity to go to some specialized training or lead a big high profile project or something like that, and where they're looking for volunteers. And I knew I should do it.

This is going to make me a better pilot, a better leader, whatever. but I wouldn't volunteer because that fear of a chance of failing and vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out there would overpower that. And so as I got to this new, I, you know, I moved from Japan to Texas. So Physical change of location, entirely a new group of people that helped, of course, act as a catalyst.

This is going to make me a better pilot, a better leader, whatever. but I wouldn't volunteer because that fear of a chance of failing and vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out there would overpower that. And so as I got to this new, I, you know, I moved from Japan to Texas. So Physical change of location, entirely a new group of people that helped, of course, act as a catalyst.

This is going to make me a better pilot, a better leader, whatever. but I wouldn't volunteer because that fear of a chance of failing and vulnerability that comes with putting yourself out there would overpower that. And so as I got to this new, I, you know, I moved from Japan to Texas. So Physical change of location, entirely a new group of people that helped, of course, act as a catalyst.

And that new squadron had that culture of trust that I mentioned. But I made a conscious promise to myself, which I feel like sounds so cheesy, that I would make the bold choice when those chances, when those forks in the road came up. And they were so obvious because I would feel that initial draw, but then I would feel that anxious doubt creep in almost immediately.

And that new squadron had that culture of trust that I mentioned. But I made a conscious promise to myself, which I feel like sounds so cheesy, that I would make the bold choice when those chances, when those forks in the road came up. And they were so obvious because I would feel that initial draw, but then I would feel that anxious doubt creep in almost immediately.

And that new squadron had that culture of trust that I mentioned. But I made a conscious promise to myself, which I feel like sounds so cheesy, that I would make the bold choice when those chances, when those forks in the road came up. And they were so obvious because I would feel that initial draw, but then I would feel that anxious doubt creep in almost immediately.

So I became acutely aware of what that felt like. And I made a promise to start making those bold decisions. And it was little things. It was like signing up for a marathon. I traveled to Nepal by myself and trekked Everest Base Camp. I started doing technical mountaineering. I became an instructor pilot. I deployed for the first time.

So I became acutely aware of what that felt like. And I made a promise to start making those bold decisions. And it was little things. It was like signing up for a marathon. I traveled to Nepal by myself and trekked Everest Base Camp. I started doing technical mountaineering. I became an instructor pilot. I deployed for the first time.

So I became acutely aware of what that felt like. And I made a promise to start making those bold decisions. And it was little things. It was like signing up for a marathon. I traveled to Nepal by myself and trekked Everest Base Camp. I started doing technical mountaineering. I became an instructor pilot. I deployed for the first time.

all of these things that are fairly insignificant by themselves, but it's almost like you train your body when you're learning a new sport or when you're working out and you get stronger and stronger or faster and faster. You can do that with your mind and with your level of discomfort that you can tolerate, right? Like you walk into a really cold pool and you're It sucks at first.

all of these things that are fairly insignificant by themselves, but it's almost like you train your body when you're learning a new sport or when you're working out and you get stronger and stronger or faster and faster. You can do that with your mind and with your level of discomfort that you can tolerate, right? Like you walk into a really cold pool and you're It sucks at first.

all of these things that are fairly insignificant by themselves, but it's almost like you train your body when you're learning a new sport or when you're working out and you get stronger and stronger or faster and faster. You can do that with your mind and with your level of discomfort that you can tolerate, right? Like you walk into a really cold pool and you're It sucks at first.

And then you're in there for five, 10 minutes and you're like, oh, come in. The water's great. As your friends like, no, this water feels terrible because your body adjusts and you get used to it. And your tolerance for discomfort goes up for that short amount of time. And you can train yourself to do that. And so I'd done that.

And then you're in there for five, 10 minutes and you're like, oh, come in. The water's great. As your friends like, no, this water feels terrible because your body adjusts and you get used to it. And your tolerance for discomfort goes up for that short amount of time. And you can train yourself to do that. And so I'd done that.

And then you're in there for five, 10 minutes and you're like, oh, come in. The water's great. As your friends like, no, this water feels terrible because your body adjusts and you get used to it. And your tolerance for discomfort goes up for that short amount of time. And you can train yourself to do that. And so I'd done that.

Over these about two years leading up to applying for the Thunderbirds, and that's what even which applying to the team is terrifying. It's super intimidating. It's very vulnerable. You're put on the spot. You're asked all kinds of questions. You're interviewed by a panel of 12 people. You're put on camera and like do a mock TV interview, which is.

Over these about two years leading up to applying for the Thunderbirds, and that's what even which applying to the team is terrifying. It's super intimidating. It's very vulnerable. You're put on the spot. You're asked all kinds of questions. You're interviewed by a panel of 12 people. You're put on camera and like do a mock TV interview, which is.

Over these about two years leading up to applying for the Thunderbirds, and that's what even which applying to the team is terrifying. It's super intimidating. It's very vulnerable. You're put on the spot. You're asked all kinds of questions. You're interviewed by a panel of 12 people. You're put on camera and like do a mock TV interview, which is.

Something I'd never done and was terrifying at first. So I did that. I got to a point where I was willing to be brave enough to put myself out there, apply. I become a Thunderbird. And now I'm looking at my time on the team ending. It's normally a two-year gig. I ended up doing three years because the pandemic threw a wrench in 2020.