The Growth Now Movement With Justin Schenck

In this episode of the Growth Now Movement, I sit down with the incredible Michelle Curran—also known by her call sign "MACE"—a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and the lead solo pilot for the elite Thunderbirds demonstration team. Michelle's story is one of grit, growth, and leaning into fear, and I can honestly say this is one of the most inspiring conversations I’ve had on the show. We dive deep into Michelle’s journey from battling imposter syndrome and self-doubt in her early military career to becoming one of the very few women ever to fly with the Thunderbirds. She opens up about the grueling training, the pressure of performing at the highest level, and how she consistently chose courage over comfort in moments where fear could’ve easily taken the wheel. Michelle shares powerful insights into what it takes to lead under pressure, the role of mentorship in building confidence, and why saying “yes” to scary opportunities often leads to the biggest breakthroughs. After serving her country at the highe