The Flipside

How to Invert Your Perspective and Turn Fear into Your Superpower

By: Michelle "MACE" Curran

Narrated by: Michelle "MACE" Curran

Former Thunderbird Lead Solo Michelle "MACE" Curran provides a blueprint for converting your fear into a strength based on the hard-earned lessons she learned in the cockpit and beyond.

Michelle Curran can fly an F-16 fighter jet upside down, but she’s afraid of spiders. And tight spaces. During high altitude chamber training, she wondered if her fellow airmen—and they were all men—could tell she was panicking under her oxygen mask. Yet she flew sorties in Afghanistan and served as Lead Solo for the Thunderbirds, performing in aerial showcases nationwide—often upside down. All this, while grappling with what was, to her, an even bigger opponent: imposter syndrome. In time, she learned how to turn fear into strength and self-doubt into confidence. Most of all, she learned how to make uncomfortable choices by flipping her perspective, like her jet, upside down.

In The Flipside, Michelle “MACE” Curran addresses how fear tends to force us back into our comfort zones and onto autopilot. She shares lessons she learned from high-stakes missions and life-defining moments, helping readers unlock their resilience to face life’s challenges with courage—and ultimately, rise above.

Critic reviews

“Michelle Curran takes you into the cockpit and into the heart of what it means to embrace fear, overcome doubt, and live boldly. The Flipside is a powerful reminder that confidence isn’t something you’re born with—it’s built through small everyday actions.”—Heather Monahan, Top 50 Keynote Speaker, Author and Podcast Host

"Strength isn’t just physical—it comes from pushing past fear, embracing challenges, and staying disciplined. The Flipside is a powerful reminder that confidence is built through action, and anyone can develop the mindset of a champion.” —Laila Ali, 4X Boxing Champion, TV Host and Founder of Laila Ali Lifestyle

Concise, Candid and Combat Tested

This book is sharply written and refreshingly direct, avoiding the usual rambling and fluff. Grounded in real-world combat aviation experience, its insights are extremely relatable and valuable for readers at any stage of life and career. The author’s authenticity and vulnerability invite the same from the reader, making the lessons stick. Each chapter ends with a practical “Scriptside vs. Flipside” summary, contrasting conventional wisdom with fresh, actionable perspectives. It’s a powerful guide for quieting the inner critic and turning fear into fuel. Highly recommended.

Inspiring

I read this book after seeing the Thunderbirds perform for the first time. I’m so glad she shares her story to inspire other women and young people not to give up on their dreams. Unfortunately, the reading is pretty robotic. I don’t regret reading it, but it’s not the best self-help/inspirational book I’ve read.

2 hours in and already loving it

Heard about the book from Mover and enjoy seeing you on the Mover and Gonky Show every time, hope you are back on very soon! Got to see you perform with the Thunderbirds, absolutely loved it and loved telling my girlfriend's son that there was a bad ass chick in the cockpit. Really enjoying hearing your story, especially how you got your call sign and how you're using it as motivation as well as a careful reminder. Can't wait to listen to more of the book! Narration is phenomenal, you did great!

You have found your sweet spot!

I am so amazed at how this has given me new hope, especially now at retirement. I have already encouraged so many others to read this book. Keep up the writing/ speaking. You have found your sweet spot!

Realistic self improvement

Congrats on a great book, it kept my attention engaged in learning throughout (both the topics and narration). Most books in the genre are over focused on a single aspect of life while this one covers them all. I appreciated the bibliography and research underneath. Hope there will be a follow-up!