036: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome Through Vulnerability with Michelle ”Mace” Curran

A few years back, we worked with an athlete called Kat.

Kat was the partner of the gym owner; a good athlete, but who struggled with skill work. She also struggled with how she appeared to the rest of the community she led.

Because of this, she held back from practising skills and pushing to her limits in front of others.

Of course, this slowed her progress and growth.

Over the following months, we taught her the power of vulnerability. She began feeling comfortable with messing up skills in front of others. She fell whilst practising handstand walking but learned to laugh about it. She pushed her limits and completely blew up in workouts but she learned not to feel judged. She signed up for the next level of competition and fully committed when she was there. She learned to go all in.

Because of this, she not only reached her next level but felt more confident and secure in herself too.

When we wrapped up our coaching time, she spoke words I’ll never forget “vulnerability is my superpower.”

Today’s podcast embraces how to be vulnerable as an athlete.

I speak to former Thunderbird pilot, Michelle “Mace” Curran, about how she overcame imposter syndrome and the fear of failure through embracing vulnerability in an authentic way.

Michelle is a US Air Force Major, and was formerly the lead solo pilot in the Thunderbirds - the first female to fly that position. She’s now coaching others on how to embrace vulnerability for growth.