(CNN) Everyone knows about LeBron James and his fanatical workouts, but not many people know about the guy entrusted with keeping his billion-dollar body in shape.

Mike Mancias would like to keep it that way.

The Cleveland Cavaliers' athletic trainer has been working closely with the NBA's four-time MVP and global icon ever since he joined the team 14 years ago.

"He's family, and so it goes beyond basketball" Meet the publicity-shy man who's driving LeBron James' fitness regime. ➡️ https://t.co/cGvwtR9BH9 pic.twitter.com/AZCoz8Wv7h

Along with overseeing drills, Mancias' duties encompass everything from keeping tabs on James' diet, to preparing his recovery fluids, to flushing out lactic acid from his body after big games.

Over the years, Mancias has become inseparable from James, who once dubbed him "one of the best trainers in the world." He has shadowed him during All-Star breaks, Olympic duties and, crucially, his grueling offseason workouts.

"He's family, and so it goes beyond basketball and beyond anything on the hardwood," Mancias, 40, tells CNN of their relationship. "He trusts me and I trust him, so it's all good."

Cavaliers guard J.R. Smith (L) gets his hand checked by trainer Mike Mancias in practice during the 2016 NBA Finals.

Communication is key

Even on vacation. The grind never stops! I'm addicted to the process. It's my drug!! #StriveForGreatness A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jul 12, 2016 at 12:45pm PDT

Mancias, who completed degrees in health education and kinesiology before being certified as an athletic trainer, is primarily employed by the Cavaliers with responsibilities towards the entire roster -- a point he repeats often during this rare interview.

But the fact that he works with James outside of club duties can be a tricky situation for all parties if mishandled -- especially given the enormous stakes involved.

"I think the number one thing is communication," he explains.

"These teams, these owners, these general managers, they are the ones investing millions upon millions of dollars in these players' contracts, and so we want to make sure that they are in the right hands of someone with knowledgeable credentials."

During James' annual summer workouts in Los Angeles, Mancias often reports back to the Cavaliers' strength and conditioning coach, head athletic trainer and general manager on their star's progress, explaining that "all three of those people need to be in the loop."

"This relationship is 14 years in the making," says Mancias. "(The Cavs management) know that we are tight, we're close, and they know that he's in good hands."

Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years The Golden State Warriors celebrate with the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy after winning Game 5 of the NBA Finals on Monday, June 12. Golden State won 129-120 to collect its second title in three years. Hide Caption 1 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Kevin Durant, center, celebrates at the end of Game 5. This was the first title for Durant, who signed with the Warriors before this season. He was named the Finals' Most Valuable Player. Hide Caption 2 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant scored at least 31 points in all five games of the series. He finished Game 5 with a team-high 39 points, making 70% of his shots. Hide Caption 3 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant is mobbed by photographers after the final buzzer. Hide Caption 4 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Golden State players celebrate after the victory. This was the third straight season that the Warriors and the Cavaliers had met in the Finals. The Warriors won in 2015, and the Cavaliers won last year. Hide Caption 5 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Golden State teammates Draymond Green and Stephen Curry celebrate late in the fourth quarter. Hide Caption 6 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant hugs Cleveland star LeBron James after the game. James averaged a triple-double in the Finals: 33.6 points, 12 rebounds and 10 assists. He has played in the Finals each of the last seven seasons, with his team winning three of them. Hide Caption 7 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Cleveland's Tristan Thompson goes face to face with Golden State's David West during a first-half scrum in Game 5. Both players received technical fouls. Hide Caption 8 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James loses the ball while being guarded by Shaun Livingston and Green in the first half. Hide Caption 9 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Green and James fall to the floor in the first half. Hide Caption 10 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Klay Thompson falls over Tristan Thompson in the low post. Hide Caption 11 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Curry had 34 points and 10 assists in Game 5. Hide Caption 12 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant reacts to a Curry shot. Hide Caption 13 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Cleveland's Kyrie Irving gestures to the home crowd during Game 4 of the NBA Finals on Friday, June 9. Irving had a game-high 40 points, including seven 3-pointers, as the Cavaliers won 137-116. It was Cleveland's only win in the seven-game series. Hide Caption 14 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James dunks the ball during Game 4. The Cavaliers scored a Finals-record 86 points in the first half. They also made 24 3-pointers in the game, a Finals record and just one away from the all-time league record. Hide Caption 15 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant led the Warriors with 35 points in Game 4. Hide Caption 16 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Golden State head coach Steve Kerr reacts to a call in the third quarter of Game 4. It was the first loss of the postseason for the Warriors, who came into the game 15-0 and were looking to become the first NBA team to go undefeated in the playoffs. Hide Caption 17 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Livingston lands on Cleveland guard Deron Williams during the second half of Game 4. Hide Caption 18 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Cavaliers fans watch Game 4 outside Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Hide Caption 19 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Golden State players react on the bench late in Game 4. Hide Caption 20 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant goes up for a dunk during Game 3 on Wednesday, June 7. Durant scored 38 points, including the go-ahead 3-pointer late in the fourth quarter, as the Warriors won 118-113 in Cleveland. Hide Caption 21 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Irving drives to the basket during Game 3. He also had 38 points. Hide Caption 22 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Klay Thompson dribbles around James in Game 3. Thompson scored 30 points in the game, making six of his 11 shots from behind the 3-point arc. Hide Caption 23 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James had another monster game for the Cavs -- 39 points, 11 rebounds and nine assists. Hide Caption 24 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant and Curry were a potent 1-2 punch for the Warriors all series. Hide Caption 25 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Cleveland fans gather outside Quicken Loans Arena to watch Game 3. The Cavs led by six points with a little more than three minutes left, but the Warriors ended the game on an 11-0 run. Hide Caption 26 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Durant rebounds the ball during Game 2, which Golden State won 132-113 on Sunday, June 4. Durant had a game-high 33 points to go with 13 rebounds, six assists and five blocks. Hide Caption 27 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James takes the ball to the basket during Game 2. He scored 29 points and added 14 assists and 11 rebounds for a triple-double. Hide Caption 28 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Curry goes up for a layup in Game 2. He also had a triple-double: 32 points, 11 assists and 10 rebounds. Hide Caption 29 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Tristan Thompson is surrounded by Warriors in the paint. Hide Caption 30 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Klay Thompson looks to pass the ball in Game 2. Hide Caption 31 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Cleveland's Kevin Love goes up for a shot in Game 2. He scored 27 points. Hide Caption 32 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Curry drives to the hoop against Richard Jefferson, left, and Irving. Hide Caption 33 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Kerr stands for the national anthem before Game 2. He had just returned to the Warriors bench for the first time since April. He took a leave of absence because of complications from his 2015 back surgery. Hide Caption 34 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James goes up for a shot against Durant during the first game on Thursday, June 1. Durant scored a game-high 38 points for the Warriors, who opened the Finals with a dominating 113-91 victory. Hide Caption 35 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Curry drives the ball to the rim in Game 1. He was 6-for-11 on 3-pointers, and he finished the game with 28 points and 10 assists. Hide Caption 36 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Oracle Arena was packed for Game 1. Hide Caption 37 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Klay Thompson guards Love in the first quarter of Game 1. Hide Caption 38 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Singer Rihanna cheers from the sideline during Game 1. She was one of many celebrities there, but she took most of the headlines. Hide Caption 39 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years James led the Cavaliers with 28 points, 15 rebounds and eight assists in Game 1. But he also had a game-high eight turnovers. Hide Caption 40 of 41 Photos: NBA Finals: Warriors win second title in 3 years Fans hold up signs for Curry during the second half of Game 1. Hide Caption 41 of 41

'Everyone wants individual attention'

Not so long ago, the concept of a player hiring a workout guru was reserved for superstars like Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant, both who worked with Tim Grover as their personal trainers.

Mancias, in fact, got his start as a summer intern for Grover, who was hired by Jordan to get the then-38-year-old in shape for his comeback from retirement with the Washington Wizards.

At that point in Jordan's career, the familiarity and trust he had established with Grover during his six-title run with the Chicago Bulls -- which encompassed a brief switch to professional baseball and the death of his father -- led him to seek assistance outside of the Wizards organization.

"He was there through the ups and downs," Mancias says of Grover, who was not available for an interview for this article.

"A lot of times players feel like, 'Hey I'm an individual, I'm not your property, I can do what I want,' so they feel comfortable with someone, that's fine," he explains. "That someone just has to be great at communicating, that's the bottom line.

"I think all teams, to be honest with you, would prefer that players stick to their own strength coaches or athletic trainers, but we're in a day and age where every player on the bench can hire a personal trainer for the summer basically to be on call 24/7.

"It's a lot easier, and there is a comfort level as well when you have your own guy," he adds. "Everyone wants individual attention, individual care, and I don't blame them."

Mancias would know.

When James famously bolted from Cleveland to Miami in 2010 there was no immediate opening for Mancias on the Heat's staff, and in the interim he worked directly with the player on the superstar's payroll.

Nervous of being seen as a distraction, Mancias called the Heat's head athletic trainer once he became aware of the move.

"I'm not here to be a sideshow," he said. The gesture was appreciated, and the Heat hired Mancias the following season.

"Things went really smoothly because we all communicated, and I was on the same page," he recalls. "It was about winning championships for him, not for me."

Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Perhaps the man who started the trend. Former Manchester United midfielder David Beckham was one of the first high-profile footballers to make tattoos a fashion statement. His first was in 1999 to mark the birth of his first child, Brooklyn. The 42-year-old is reported to now have more than 40 tattoos. Hide Caption 1 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport All an illusion? During his time with Paris Saint-Germain, Zlatan Ibrahimovic removed his top to unveil a torso covered in ink. The Manchester United striker revealed this year that, at the time, he had 15 removable tattoos on his body which were "names of real people who are suffering from hunger." Those tattoos have now gone, but there's still plenty of ink left on Zlatan. Hide Caption 2 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Cleveland Cavaliers' LeBron James is another major athlete with major art work on his body. The world's most famous NBA player has "Chosen 1" on his back, to name just one, a tattoo he had done after becoming a cover star on a Sports Illustrated issue while still in High School. Hide Caption 3 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Tennis player Bethanie Mattek-Sands adds color to the court in a variety of ways. The American has a tattoo of a large flowery design, which features honeybees, on the inside of her right arm. Hide Caption 4 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Barcelona star Lionel Messi has quietly been accumulating quite a collection over the years. The Argentine's left leg is now all covered in black from the knee down, except for 'No.10' and two hands alongside the name of his son, Thiago. Hide Caption 5 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport UFC star Conor McGregor has clearly been a regular visitor to the tattoo parlor over the last 18 months. He has a large tattoo across his abdomen and his left forearm, and a silverback gorilla wearing a crown on his chest. Hide Caption 6 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka has opted for a literary tattoo on his left forearm ... Hide Caption 7 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport The Swiss tennis player has the words of Irish poet and playwright Samuel Beckett written on his arm: "Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter, Try Again. Fail again. Fail better." Hide Caption 8 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport Czech tennis player Karolina Pliskova has two Polynesian-style tattoos, one on her left thigh and the other on her left arm -- they come in useful when needing to tell her and her twin sister, Kristyna, apart. Hide Caption 9 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport PSG defender Dani Alves is one of football's characters. The former Barca star's arms are adorned with Catholic images and dedications to his family, while across his chest is his son's name in giant script. Hide Caption 10 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport NBA star Carmelo Anthony is one of many athletes who sports a sleeve -- a series of tattoos covering his arm. On his right arm is a flaming basketball with his initials, representing his commitment to his sport. Hide Caption 11 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport The upper half of NFL star Colin Kaepernick's right arm is covered in ink, as is most of his torso. Across his chest is written "Against All Odds" while down his arm is the word "Respect." Hide Caption 12 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport US high jumper Inika McPherson caught the eye at this year's World Athletics Championships in London. The 5ft 4in athlete has reportedly over 30 tattoos. Hide Caption 13 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport It's impossible to miss Chile and Bayern Munich midfielder Arturo Vidal on the pitch. The footballer sports a Mohawk and numerous tattoos and last year added to his collection -- an image of an insulin pump -- in tribute to his son who has Type 1 diabetes. Hide Caption 14 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport American footballer Natasha Kai, who made her international debut in 2006, has a unique style and famously appeared on TV show "LA Ink." Hide Caption 15 of 16 Photos: The most eye-catching tattoos in sport British swimmer Adam Peaty had a lion inked on his left arm after winning two Olympic gold medals in Rio in 2016. Hide Caption 16 of 16

After James and the Heat earned two titles in Miami, he returned to Cleveland in 2015. Mancias, of course, went with him and the Cavs welcomed him with open arms.

A season later James would lead the Cleveland to its first championship in 52 years in a seven-game Finals classic against the Golden State Warriors.

James completed the most statistically dominant performance in Finals history, posting series highs in points, rebounds, assists, steals, block and minutes played, with Mancias overseeing his intricate recovery process between games.

During flights after particularly grueling games, Mancias has reportedly used a combination of an electro-stimulation machine, air-pumped compression sleeves, and manual soft tissue massage to quicken James' recovery process.

The routine is sandwiched between a pre-flight ice-bath and, once James' has gotten some sleep, a post-flight stationary bike spin.

A throwback in the Instagram era

Unlike Grover, who has authored a series of books, patented his own system and is available for speaking engagements, Mancias says he keeps a low profile "out of respect to my coworkers and the other athletic trainers who work hard as well."

"It's not about me," he explains. "I'm a chef at a restaurant, I don't own my own restaurant."

It's also a way of preserving the unwavering trust between him and the NBA's No. 1 superstar. Simply put, Mancias is loath to draw attention to himself based on James' achievements.

In the era of social media, he is nothing short of a throwback.

Although James regularly posts clips of his workouts to his 34 million followers on Instagram -- provoking good-natured ribbing from his NBA cohorts -- Mancias doesn't appear in them, is not on Instagram, and rarely tweets.

Core and mind stability!! Getting my cadence from the side. #StriveforGreatness🚀 #MyOffSeasonIsMySeason👑 #IHaveToContinueToImprove A post shared by LeBron James (@kingjames) on Jun 20, 2017 at 8:27am PDT

Though many in his place would salivate with a few selfies with King James to promote their business, the thought never crosses Mancias' mind.

"Frankly they have to sell their brand," he says of the so-called "Insta-trainers" who have proliferated online. "Without doing all the social media and pictures, I still get attention.

"My brand, if you will, is making sure we're in the right position to win championships," he says, "not just make me famous."