You remember "Jake the Snake." The guy who scrambled out of the pocket for the Cardinals and Broncos, making plays that looked like pure, unadulterated chaos but somehow resulted in touchdowns. He was never the guy to follow the typical NFL script. When he walked away from football at 32, he didn't head to a broadcast booth or a coaching clinic.
Honestly, he went into the dirt.
These days, if you want to find Jake Plummer, you’re not looking for a stadium. You’re heading 40 minutes north of Denver to Fort Lupton, Colorado. That is where MycoLove Farm lives. It is a full-scale medicinal and culinary mushroom operation that has turned a former Pro Bowl quarterback into a muddy, enthusiastic mycologist.
The Reality of MycoLove Farm
There’s a common misconception that whenever a celebrity starts talking about mushrooms, they’re talking about "tripping." Let’s clear that up immediately. While Plummer has been vocal about the spiritual and mental health benefits of psilocybin, MycoLove Farm is a business built on functional mushrooms.
We are talking about:
- Lion’s Mane (the fuzzy white one that looks like a pom-pom).
- Reishi (the "mushroom of immortality").
- Cordyceps (the energy-booster).
- Turkey Tail (the immune-system powerhouse).
It is a serious agricultural endeavor. Plummer didn't just slap his name on a brand and call it a day. He’s in the fruiting rooms. He’s checking humidity levels. He’s co-founded this thing with partners like Shane Schoolman, Leo Pollio, and Michael Heim to fix a problem he saw in the supplement industry: quality control.
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Most people don't realize that a huge portion of mushroom supplements on the market are just "mycelium on grain"—basically the roots of the mushroom grown on rice or oats, then ground up. It’s filler. At MycoLove, they are focused on the fruiting body (the actual mushroom) and dual-extraction tinctures.
Why a Football Legend Chose Fungi
Why the hell would an NFL star spend his retirement in a warehouse full of logs and bags of substrate?
Pain.
Ten years in the NFL leaves a mark. Plummer spent years dealing with the standard-issue athlete issues: inflammation, joint pain, brain fog, and the general "grumpiness" (his word) that comes with a body that’s been used as a human battering ram. He originally found relief through CBD, but mushrooms were the next level.
He describes Reishi as a "warm blanket for your central nervous system." He uses Lion’s Mane for the "neural nectar" effect—basically trying to repair the cognitive wear and tear from years of hits to the head.
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It’s not just a hobby. It’s a mission. He’s teamed up with UFC legend Rashad Evans and advocate Del Jolly to form Umbo, a company that sells the products MycoLove grows. They aren't just selling "wellness"; they're trying to change how athletes recover.
Is it Actually Science or Just "Woo-Woo"?
You’ve got to be skeptical when a pro athlete starts selling tinctures. It's a natural reaction. But the science behind functional mushrooms isn't exactly new; it's just finally catching up in the West.
- Neuroprotection: Studies published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggest that compounds in Lion's Mane (hericenones and erinacines) can stimulate Nerve Growth Factor (NGF).
- Immune Support: Turkey Tail contains Polysaccharide-K (PSK), which has been used in Japan for decades as an adjunct to cancer treatments.
- Adaptogenic Stress Relief: Reishi helps the body manage cortisol.
Basically, Plummer is betting his post-NFL reputation on the fact that these organisms are "the brain of the planet." He talks about the "queendom of fungi" with the same intensity he used to use when dissecting a 3-4 defense.
The Lifestyle Shift: From Turff to Tinctures
Life at MycoLove Farm is a far cry from the bright lights of Mile High Stadium. Fort Lupton is quiet. The work is repetitive. It involves a lot of sterilization, temperature monitoring, and patience.
Mushrooms are finicky. If your humidity is off by 5%, your entire crop of Lion’s Mane might stall. If a stray mold spore gets into your substrate, you've lost the batch.
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Plummer seems to love that. He’s often quoted saying he wished he had these tools when he was playing. He thinks he could have played longer. He thinks he could have been "less of a jerk" to his teammates because he would have been less inflamed and better rested.
It’s a bizarrely grounded life for a guy who was once one of the most famous people in Colorado. You’ll see him at local farmers' markets. He’s doing the "Shroom Symposiums" at Arizona State. He’s even collaborated with Stem Ciders to create a cider infused with Lion’s Mane called "Neural Nectar."
Actionable Takeaways for the Fungus-Curious
If you’re looking at Jake Plummer’s journey and wondering if you should start putting fungi in your coffee, here’s how to do it without getting ripped off:
- Check the Label: Look for "100% Fruiting Body." If the ingredients list "myceliated grain" or "brown rice," you are paying for expensive oats.
- Dual Extraction is Key: Some compounds in mushrooms are water-soluble, others are alcohol-soluble. A "dual-extract" tincture ensures you get both.
- Consistency Matters: You don't take a mushroom pill and feel like a superhero 20 minutes later. It’s an adaptogen. It takes 2-4 weeks of daily use to notice the "lift" in focus or the "drop" in inflammation.
- Visit the Source: If you’re in Colorado, keep an eye out for MycoLove at local events. Seeing the operation in person helps demystify the "magic."
Jake Plummer isn't just a "former QB" anymore. He's a farmer. And in a world where most retired stars are selling car insurance or crypto, there's something Refreshingly authentic about a guy who just wants to talk about mycelium.
Next Steps for You:
Check your current supplements for filler ingredients like "mycelium on grain." If you want to see the MycoLove operation in action, look up the Umbo "All The Smoke" tour video for a literal walk-through of the Fort Lupton facility.