Introduction
Jessica Furman is the definition of adaptable intelligence. From playing chess at just four years old to competing on Beast Games Season 2 as a member of Team Smart, Jessica has built her life around strategy, resilience, and confidence earned the hard way. A finance student and fintech founder with a passion for climbing and competition, Jessica’s story is about learning to trust her abilities — even when the world once overlooked them.
Quick Facts
Name: Jessica Furman
TV Show: Beast Games
Season: 2
Team: Smart Team
School: SMU – Cox School of Business
Major: Finance
Chess Experience: Playing since age 4
Rock Climbing Experience: 2.5 years
Beast Games Experience
Q: What season of Beast Games did you compete on?
A: Season 2.
Q: What team were you on in Beast Games Season 2?
A: Smart Team.
Q: What does being on Team Smart mean to you?
A: I think there are a lot of different forms that “smart” can take. You can be book smart, creatively smart, street smart, smart in business, etc. To me, it’s the ability to pick things up quickly and adapt in different situations. It’s about being able to strategize and choose the correct course of action no matter what’s happening. The smartest people can adapt to any situation and leverage their intelligence when it matters most.
Q: What was the toughest part of competing on Beast Games?
A: The mental endurance. There were thousands of cameras on you, so much at stake, and you were thrown into a completely unfamiliar environment. Trying to stay focused and not let the pressure get to you was by far the hardest part.
Q: What was your reaction when you found out you were selected for Beast Games Season 2?
A: I screamed and ran around in circles. I genuinely didn’t think in a million years they’d choose me. I was a huge fan of the first season and sent in an audition video very spontaneously with zero expectations. I definitely cried when I found out. I’ve never been more grateful for an opportunity.
Q: How has being on Beast Games Season 2 changed your life?
A: It changed my life in a lot of ways, but two really stand out. The first is the incredible people I met who will be part of my life forever. The second is the confidence it gave me.
Getting selected helped me realize that I am enough — I am smart enough — and that people can see that. In college, I was rejected from many clubs and organizations because I didn’t come across as intelligent enough. I often felt overlooked, and Beast Games showed me that I do have value and that my intelligence is seen and appreciated.
School & Career Goals
Q: Where do you go to school and what do you study?
A: I go to SMU and study finance at the Cox School of Business.
Q: What do you want to do career-wise?
A: I want to lead and grow my current startup in the fintech space.
Chess Background
Q: How long have you been playing chess?
A: I’ve been playing since I was four years old.
Q: How did you get into chess?
A: My older brother loved chess, and because he was my older brother, I thought whatever he did was cool. He started solving chess puzzles with me when I was four. A few months later, I beat him, and we realized I was naturally pretty gifted at it.
Q: If you were a chess piece, which one would you be and why?
A: I would 100% be a knight. Knights are tricky and love jumping around the board. I’m very spontaneous, always going on side quests and goofing off, so I’d definitely be the knight.
Q: If you could play chess against anyone, who would it be and why?
A: My brother, Josef Furman. He passed away in 2020, but if there were a genie that could grant me one game against anyone, I would choose him every time.
Rock Climbing
Q: How long have you been rock climbing for?
A: About two and a half years.
Q: How did you get into rock climbing?
A: One of my friends was a competitive rock climber and took me to the gym. I was amazed by how cool the gym looked and was hooked immediately.
Fun Facts & Reflection
Q: What is a fact about you people would be surprised to find out?
A: I can bench 150 pounds, and I’ve represented the United States internationally through chess.
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