ep 02
Isaiah Thomas
NBA Guard | 2x NBA All Star
In Episode 2 of The Pro’s Pro, Joe McLean sits down with Isaiah Thomas for an inspiring conversation on resilience, preparation, and the mindset required to overcome expectations.
From being the final pick in the NBA Draft to becoming a two-time NBA All-Star, entrepreneur, media company owner, and philanthropist, Isaiah’s journey is rooted in discipline, belief, and relentless consistency. Isaiah shares how to transform doubt into fuel for success and adversity into opportunity.
In this episode, Isaiah shares his perspective on being a “pro’s pro” - eliminating self-doubt, earning trust through daily preparation, and leading by example. He shares insights on navigating setbacks, handling loss, and building the right inner circle both personally and professionally.
This is a conversation about more than basketball. It is about showing up every day, doing the work, and proving to yourself first that you belong.
eli manning
Former NFL Quarterback | 2x Super Bowl Champion | 2x Super Bowl MVP
In the opening episode of The Pro’s Pro, host Joe McLean sits down with Eli Manning for a wide-ranging conversation on what it truly means to be a professional at the highest level. Manning reflects on the foundational values instilled in him by his parents: humility, respect, discipline, and a strong work ethic, and explains how sports were used as a vehicle for character development, rather than for fame or financial success. He emphasizes patience, preparation, and fundamentals, from waiting to play tackle football to redshirting in college and earning leadership roles through consistency and accountability.
Manning also discusses navigating pressure in the NFL, building trust as a young quarterback in New York, and quietly working with a sports psychologist to strengthen his mental game. This approach became a long-term competitive advantage. Beyond football, he shares lessons on conservative financial decision-making, learning from early mistakes, transitioning into business and media after retirement, and finding purpose through meaningful philanthropy. The episode ultimately defines a “pro’s pro” as someone who loves the process, does the basics exceptionally well, stays grounded, treats people well, and carries the same professionalism from their craft into every area of life.