In this episode of the Rise Up For You Podcast, CEO Nada Lena Nasserdeen sits down with Michelle “MACE” Curran, former Air Force fighter pilot, Air Force Thunderbird solo pilot, and bestselling author. MACE shares how she went from a shy student to one of the few women to fly for the Thunderbirds, and how the pressure, competitiveness, and early failures of fighter aviation forced her to confront impostor syndrome and rebuild confidence from the ground up. Nada and MACE explore how separating your inner critic from your true identity, taking small bold choices, and acting before you feel ready can completely shift your trajectory. You will learn why soft skills drive long term success, what it takes to move through fear, and how purpose guided MACE’s leap from the military into entrepreneurship. Her message is simple and powerful. Courage comes first. Confidence is built along the way. About the Guest Michelle “MACE” Curran is a former Air Force fighter pilot and one of the few women to fly for the elite Air Force Thunderbirds. She is the founder of Upside Down Dreams, where she teaches organizations how to move through fear, build trust, and take bold action. Her debut book, The Flipside, became a USA Today top 20 bestseller, and she is also the author of two children’s books that inspire kids to dream big. Michelle speaks across the country on courage, confidence, and high performance, helping audiences unlock their full potential. Connect with Michelle Curran Website: https://macecurran.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mace_curran LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/macecurran Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/macecurran #Leadership #Courage #Confidence #Mindset #SoftSkills #WomenInLeadership #HighPerformance #CareerGrowth #Resilience #Inspiration Follow Rise Up For You for More Help! 📢 Subscribe to Our YouTube, Podcast & Membership! 🎥 YOUTUBE 👉 https://www.youtube.com/c/riseupforyou 🎧 PODCAST 👉 https://open.spotify.com/show/0mkkOi2xAi1XchyMRqa8WB 🌟 MEMBERSHIP 👉 https://www.riseupforyou.com/membership 📖 Check Out Our Book! 📚 Rise Up For You: Closing the Gap Between You and Your Potential 👉 https://www.nadalena.com/book 📲 Follow Us on Social Media! 🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/riseupforyou/ 📘 Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RiseUpForYou/ 📸 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/riseupforyou 🚀 Take a Quiz or Join a Masterclass! ✅ Success Quiz: https://www.riseupforyou.com/successquiz 💪 Confidence Quiz: https://www.riseupforyou.com/confidencequiz 🎓 EQ Masterclass: https://go.riseupforyou.com/emotionalintelligence 🔥 Confidence Masterclass: https://go.riseupforyou.com/CONFIDENCEMASTERCLASS 🏆 Success Masterclass: https://go.riseupforyou.com/success 🤝 Need More Support? Book a Free Coaching Call! Get personalized support on Confidence, Leadership, or Business from our expert coaches. 📅 Company Informative Call: 👉 https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/informativecall 📅 Personal Call: 👉 https://api.leadconnectorhq.com/widget/bookings/risesuccesscall