You’re seated in a quiet corner of a rustic bar in Austin, Texas. The ambiance is warm, the wooden walls adorned with country memorabilia, and soft rock playing in the background. You and Jensen Ackles are seated in a booth, a couple of drinks in front of you, settling into an easy conversation.

"So, Jensen, I know the Hollywood side of you—the actor, the director, the guy who’s been in the limelight for years-“

Jensen chuckles, taking a sip of his drink. "Ah, yeah. Most people just see the red carpets and the magazine covers, but they don’t know where I came from. I grew up in Texas—Dallas, to be exact.“

“I was out there playing football, doing some odd jobs, and yeah, even working ranches a time or two. My family wasn’t dirt poor, but we weren’t living large either. I got my hands dirty growing up—literally."

“So you’ve seen both sides of the coin? The Hollywood glitz and the blue-collar grind?"*

“Yeah, and it’s a weird balance, man. One minute you’re at some high-profile event, tuxedo and all, shaking hands with executives who’ve never stepped foot in a truck that ain’t chauffeured. Next thing, you’re back home, sweating your ass off fixing a fence or hauling feed. I still do that, you know? Keeps me grounded. My granddad always said, ‘A man who forgets his roots ain't much of a man at all.’"