Mothers can get so absorbed with their kids – their interests, extracurricular activities, studies, problems, and a million other things that they forget there is a life outside of motherhood. And when you have children destined for greatness, like Shaquille O’Neal, Stephen Curry, LeBron James, or, in our case, Kevin Durant, it’s natural to be particularly invested in them. After all, they do need that extra care and attention for their talents and skills to develop properly.

But there comes a time when they are self-sufficient. These kids, who once relied heavily on their moms, don’t need them as much. And it could leave the women floating aimlessly for a while. Joining the legendary moms of greatness personified, Sonya Curry and Lucille O’Neal, in their new show, Raising Fame, by TV One, Wanda Durant recalls when she was faced with such a reality.

“About 10 years ago, my sons told me they wanted me to enjoy my life, and that means we no longer want you to work with us in the business and it devastated me!” Wanda shared in episode 6 of the show.

Although Mama Durant didn’t realize it at the time, it was her come-to-Jesus moment. “But I learned to cultivate more who Wanda was. I went through a journey of therapy for 6 years to find out who I am. So I know my good, bad, and my ugly. So nobody can tell me who I am or who I’m not and that’s a peaceful place to be in,” Dr. Durant added.

We all know the story of Kevin Durant and how his mother was left to her devices to care for a baby Kevin and his brother, Anthony, who was a toddler, at the tender age of 21. In his 2014 MVP acceptance speech, the ‘Durantula’ moved every single soul when he credited Wanda as the “real MVP.” It was easy to just chalk it all up to fate and give up. But not Wanda! Not only did she ensure her kids were clothed and fed, but the young mother also saw the greatness in her younger son.

We can safely say that were it not for Wanda Durant, we wouldn’t be chanting the name ‘Kevin Durant’ now. But was Dr. Durant’s journey of self-discovery easy?

Kevin Durant’s mom reveals the harsh truth she had to face

Doing the same thing again and again can easily become as natural as breathing or eating, so much so that one might no longer think too much of it. But what happens when this very aspect defines you and becomes your identity? When you no longer recognize the person looking back at you? For Wanda Durant, when her sons asked her to just go live her life and enjoy it, she was in this same dilemma.

She forgot what it was to be Wanda. Not Kevin Durant’s mom or the mother of two boys. Just Wanda. “I was Wanda before I met Tony and Kevin. I didn’t just put Wanda on the back burner because I had my sons. I hid behind my sons because I didn’t know who Wanda was,” the entrepreneur confessed in her chat with Sonya and Lucille. “I had to be the mama to me that I was to my sons … I had to learn that I matter not just because my son is the famous Kevin Durant. I matter because God sent me here.”

It can be tough. Having sacrificed the better part of your life for these tiny human beings that were part of you (literally!), and simply letting go when they are old enough, can be hard. Yet, that’s exactly the advice Dr. Durant has for all the mothers (and fathers), especially the ones raising fame.

“Act out a part of your life for you, even when you are raising fame. Because those children are going to go off and they’re going to make the choices that they want to make and they are going to enjoy their lives. And they want to know that you are okay as their mom. In order for you to be okay, Mama and Daddy, find out who you are outside of those titles.”