Former NFL punter Jake Schum chatted with #Powerjournalist Markos Papadatos about being a part of Season 2 of “Finding Mr. Christmas” on Hallmark.
John C. Maxwell once said, “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” This quote applies to Jake Schum, 36, who is a contestant on the second season of “Finding Mr. Christmas,” which is hosted by Jonathan Bennett.
Schum hails from Lake View, New York, and he is presently, a fitness professional and personal trainer. While he doesn’t have any acting experience per se, he is used to performing in front of large crows due to his background as a professional football player.
‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Season 2 experience
“So, I did a thing… Get ready for some fun,” he exclaimed. “Man, it was hard to keep this a secret! Here we go,” Schum told his fans and followers on social media.
Schum joked that he temporarily “traded the gym for a merry competition.”
On his experience in “Finding Mr. Christmas,” Schum exclaimed, “It was amazing! This was something very new for me, and I didn’t know what to expect coming in. Growing up, all I’ve known, basically, is sports, especially football and family life.”
“It hits very different taking that family life now into something like this, especially being a father. Going into this new thing and not knowing what to expect felt like an adrenaline rush of excitement, especially in regard of what is going to come from this, and what is going to happen,” he elaborated.
“It was just a really fun experience, and just the chaos of not knowing what to expect from it,” Schum added.
Lessons learned from this show
On the lessons learned from this reality show, Schum reflected, “For me, being able to take a chance on something like that as nerve-wrecking as it can be, and not having that experience, it just shows that you need to go with it.”
“For me, having my daughter, even though she is 17 months old, I am showing her that you can do anything as long as you try and put yourself out there,” he acknowledged. “For me, it is testing myself again and again, and I am always looking for those new things,” he noted.
“Going out with a full heart is the biggest thing because you give it your all. I felt that going into it. Immediately, it was so heartwarming to meet all the guys and everybody, and we really bonded. It was just such an awesome experience,” he explained.
Inspirational advice for his fans and followers
Schum gives us a glimpse into his mentality and philosophy of life. For Schum, everyday life is a “grind.” It is all about staying consistent and showing up every day, even though it might be hard.
“It’s even harder to look in the mirror knowing you didn’t,” he observed. “Keep pushing forward, stick with it, and trust the process.”
Closing thoughts on Season 2 of ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’
For his fans and followers, he expressed, “I hope people walk away from Season 2 feeling like it’s more than just another reality show — it’s a reminder that life is full of unexpected moments that can lead to something special if you’re willing to take a chance.”
Schum continued, “For me, this whole experience was about stepping into something completely new after football and showing that it’s never too late to bet on yourself.”
“I want viewers to see that behind all the festive moments is a deeper message about growth, connection, and saying yes to opportunities — even the ones that scare you — because those are the ones that can truly change your life,” he elaborated.
“I think they’ll see how amazing each individual is, they will love their stories and they will certainly be entertained with a roller-coaster ride of emotions,” he acknowledged.
“Catch me in the premiere of ‘Finding Mr. Christmas’ Season 2 on Monday, October 27th on the Hallmark Channel, and on the next day on Hallmark+. As Jonathan Bennett would say, ‘Can I get a ho ho ho’.”
American track and field icon Steve Prefontaine once said: “To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift.” Jake Schum embodies this wise quote by the running legend. His life story is an inspiration to us all.
To learn more about Jake Schum, follow him on Instagram.
