Angel Reese Reveals the Simple Routine That Helps Her Handle Fame and Pressure

Angel Reese’s rise from college basketball standout to one of the most recognizable athletes in women’s sports happened remarkably quickly. Championships, professional basketball, major endorsement deals and a growing media presence have brought opportunities that few athletes experience so early in their careers.

But Reese has also acknowledged that such rapid fame comes with an intense level of public attention. In a conversation with former first lady Michelle Obama, Reese explained how she has learned to disconnect from social media, appreciate ordinary moments and surround herself with people she trusts when she needs a break from the spotlight.

Angel Reese’s Life Changed Quickly

Before reaching the professional ranks, Reese played college basketball at Maryland and LSU.

Her profile exploded nationally during LSU’s 2023 NCAA championship run. Reese played a central role as the Tigers defeated Iowa in the national championship game, and her performances made her one of the most discussed players in college basketball.

Her visibility continued after she entered the WNBA.

Alongside basketball, Reese built an increasingly recognizable personal brand, attracting endorsement opportunities and expanding into entertainment and media.

That combination of professional competition and celebrity meant Reese had to adjust to being discussed well beyond what happened during games.

Reese Says She Tries to Maintain Normalcy

Despite the attention surrounding her career, Reese said she makes a conscious effort not to lose sight of where she came from.

Speaking with Michelle Obama on the IMO with Michelle Obama podcast, Reese explained that she tries to maintain some sense of normalcy.

“I don’t want to ever feel like I’m bigger than anything,” Reese said.

Her approach involves deliberately stepping away from the constant stream of notifications, opinions and conversations surrounding her career.

She described being able to return home, switch off her phone and spend time relaxing with people she loves.

For an athlete whose professional and personal life can generate headlines almost daily, those ordinary moments have become especially valuable.

Turning Off Her Phone Gives Reese a Reset

Reese’s method for handling the pressures of fame is surprisingly straightforward.

Rather than describing expensive vacations or elaborate wellness routines, she said simply turning off her phone can help.

Reese enjoys spending time at home, lying in bed, laughing and being around people she trusts. Those quiet moments provide a contrast with the constant attention attached to her public life.

Her comments also suggest that she has become more deliberate about creating boundaries between Angel Reese the public figure and her private life.

That distinction has become increasingly important as her profile has grown.

Social Media Once Affected Her More

Reese acknowledged that dealing with social media has been a learning process.

Earlier in her rise to fame, she said she could become caught up in negative comments and occasionally responded directly to critics online.

Over time, however, she began changing the way she viewed those interactions.

Reese said the past two years helped her understand that social media does not necessarily represent reality.

That realization appears to have changed how much importance she gives online criticism.

The strategy does not mean criticism disappears. Instead, Reese has described learning not to allow every online opinion to dictate how she sees herself or her career.

Reese Says Her Experience Has Not Felt Normal

Perhaps Reese’s most revealing comments concerned the extraordinary circumstances surrounding her rapid rise.

“Do I think what has happened to me over the years is normal? No, not at all,” she told Obama.

She also said she did not consider everything that had happened to her “acceptable,” while explaining that she has nevertheless learned to understand the intense attention as part of her new reality.

Rather than allowing that reality to completely overwhelm her, Reese said she tries to remain grateful for the opportunities she has received.

It was a nuanced acknowledgment that success and difficulty can exist simultaneously.

Her Brand Has Expanded Beyond Basketball

Reese’s prominence now extends considerably beyond the basketball court.

She has worked with major brands including Reebok and Beats by Dre and has pursued projects that allow her personality to reach audiences outside sports.

In 2024, she also launched her Unapologetically Angel podcast, creating another platform where she could discuss basketball, entertainment and her personal experiences.

McDonald’s later introduced the Angel Reese Special, making Reese the first female athlete to have a national meal collaboration with the company.

Those achievements demonstrate just how quickly her influence has expanded.

The Little Things Keep Angel Reese Grounded

Reese’s comments ultimately reveal that her preferred escape from celebrity is not particularly glamorous.

She values being home, disconnecting from her phone, laughing and spending time with people she loves.

That simplicity may be precisely why the routine works for her.

Reese cannot completely eliminate the expectations and scrutiny accompanying professional sports and celebrity. What she can control is how much access that noise receives to her private life.

As her basketball career and public profile continue evolving, Reese appears increasingly aware that protecting those ordinary moments is an important part of navigating an extraordinary level of fame.

Featured Image: instagram.com/angel.reese