This week Andrew talks with former US Air Force fighter pilot Michelle “MACE” Curran. Michelle spent 13 years as a fighter pilot in the US Air Force. Flying under her pilot callsign “MACE”, she flew F-16s in combat missions in Europe, Asia, & the Middle East. From 2019 to 2021, she flew as the only female pilot for the Air Force Thunderbirds — and became only the 2nd woman to fly the Lead Solo in the Thunderbirds demonstration since the team’s creation in 1953. In this conversation, you’ll hear actionable lessons on how to turn curiosity into progress, get more comfortable making mistakes, maximize your learning from past experiences, & so much more. If you are ready to power your personal & professional journey to new heights — then this conversation is for you.

Show Highlights:

(0:00) - Intro
(2:14) - First time in airplane
(3:20) - Adventuring as a kid
(5:35) - Role of Michelle’s parents
(7:05) - Decision to go to ROTC
(8:54) - Blending curiosity & discipline
(10:16) - “Forget this FBI thing, I want to fly jets”
(11:31) - Becoming a fighter pilot
(14:52) - Learning to fly F-16
(15:26) - Learning complex things
(16:54) - Learning from mistakes
(17:44) - Adapting your approach
(21:58) - Debrief process
(22:38) - Incremental improvement
(23:22) - “Not all mistakes are created equal”
(27:12) - Overcoming imposter syndrome
(27:57) - What motivates Michelle now

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Michelle “MACE” Curran: Life & Career Lessons From An F-16 Fighter Pilot