LeBron James’s recently signed, and unprecedented, lifetime deal with Nike marks the triumphant arch of a skinny kid who combined deep-rooted Midwestern values with otherworldly athleticism to find incredible success on and off the basketball court.

James’s sphere of influence now extends from sports into style and from entertainment to charitable endeavors, solidifying his status as an international icon.

How did he do it? In Prototype Episode 3: Akronite Philosophy, LeBron James — joined by director Judd Apatow, Nike Senior Basketball designer Jason Petrie and childhood friend Willie McGee — charts his journey from middle school through to the release of the LEBRON 13.