FRĒDA WOMAN: GENEVIEVE PADALECKI

We’re pleased to introduce Genevieve Padalecki as our latest FRĒDA Woman! We sat down with her to get personal about her acting career, becoming a mother and her latest venture, Towwn. Read on to get to know this endlessly inspiring woman.

TALK TO US ABOUT YOU.

I’m a mama, wife, actor, lover of books, adventure, outdoors, travel and this gorgeous planet lol. Kinda me in a nutshell. I was a full time actor when I met my husband. I was a guest starring on Supernatural when we met, then fell in love, got married and had kiddos pretty quickly. Now I still get to work alongside my husband in Walker, and we have a few projects in development. I feel pretty lucky I get to work with my best friend and be married to him. In addition I also co-founded a sustainability platform called towwn (take only what we need) with 2 of my best buddies.

HOW DO YOU DECIDE ON A PROJECT?

Gosh. I wish it was that easy!  I think to echo what Odette Annable said, “Taking on a new project usually means that I had to work very hard to even “get” the role. The audition process can be grueling with multiple rounds of auditions and each step feels like a victory.” And that's the truth. I think having the ability to be able to work and play in our industry is pretty extraordinary and I feel incredibly lucky that I have been able to connect with the role, bond with the team, and find light in the message in some capacity on all the projects I’ve been able to be a part of.

WHAT MADE YOU START TOWWN?

The awful truth is that I am a big waster. I have 3 kids. I used disposable diapers. Bought single-use plastics and easy, on-the-go snacks. I did what was convenient and the best for my family while having good intentions for our planet. I wanted to further my understanding on how I could be better for and to our planet  in a realistic way. The resources that were available to me were ones that we doom and gloom or all or nothing. So me and my co-founders put our heads together to create something that is a solution-based platform that was relatable and achievable. Providing ideas, uplifting and highlighting others that are creating solutions and trying to raise awareness in the eco space. It’s a place for everyone to learn more on how we can help our planet and better ourselves.

HOW DO YOU SPEND TIME OUTSIDE OF WORK?

Great question. It depends on the day. But it’s either with my family or with myself, but most likely in nature. On a hike or with a book. But definitely re-centering and hopefully getting our hands dirty.

WHAT HAS BEEN MOST REWARDING ABOUT BEING A MOTHER?

Knowing that there is an even greater capacity to love that I didn’t know existed.  My heart grew tenfold when I became a mother.  And I had such a deeper and greater respect for my own mother.  She always told me you’ll never know how much I love you until you have a child of your own.  And she was right.  I also love how much I learn from my children. They are so wise and earnest.  I love seeing the world through their eyes.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU’VE BEEN LEARNING ABOUT YOURSELF?

I hope that I am always learning. I think when I was younger I was stuck in a loop of who I thought I was supposed to be. Or how I was supposed to present myself.  Now I enjoy letting my guard down and trying to go more with the flow.  Not sweating the small stuff and trying to be curious every moment.

HOW DO YOU FEEL SUPPORTED FROM THE GROUND UP?

My family. They are my world. And knowing they are safe and sound and feeling centered makes me feel incredibly grounded.

YOUR MANTRA?

I love a quote from my grandfather which is, “You don’t get what you expect you get what you inspect.”  Sometimes I tend to wash over the details and this quote reminds me to pay attention.  That I have to work hard to achieve what I want. It’s not owed to me.

I also always tell my kids that today is a brand new day. And we can start fresh.

TELL US ABOUT A FAVORITE SUMMER TRIP.

I grew up going to a place called Graeagle that was nestled in between mountains in Northern California. As kids, we learned to fish; tying flies, cleaning and cooking our fish, hiking the mountains and finding our way back. These trips encouraged self-reliance. In those summers we tuned out the noise and came together as a family. It was heaven for me. Now I try and recreate that feeling for our kids. This year we are heading on a rafting and fishing trip as a family (with zero cell reception—I cannot wait).

ANY FUN SUMMER PLANS?

Yes!  Currently, Jared and I are in Italy.  We have been in Rome for a quick event and then we explored (are currently exploring Corsica) and then Sardinia. We are also doing an annual trip with Jared's brother and sis in law. It’s become a bit of a tradition now and it makes me so happy to have this time together with them and my husband.  This year we are biking around France. Last year I tumbled ass over a tea kettle in the Dolomites so wish me luck…

Then Jared and I and the kids head to Idaho to get lost on the river.

THE AUSTIN DIARIES

FAVORITE SHOP: Estilo, Valentines, Maufrais, Hearth and Home, or Alexa James Baby, bygeorge.

GO-TO RESTAURANT: Soto, Dai Due, Wu Chow.

ALL-TIME BEST BBQ: Terry Blacks.

CAFFEINE KICK: I go more for the smoothies and matchas... so Juiceland or Alchemy Juice.

SUNDAY ACTIVITY: Gardening, running Lake Austin trail or hopping on the boat with our family.

HIDDEN GEM: I can’t tell you… lol but probably hiking the green belt. This city is so lush and beautiful and the wildflowers in March are everything.

RAINY DAY DESTINATION: Our library.

TOURIST ATTRACTION LOCALS LOVE: Probably the bats on Congress Bridge or shopping SOCO, Yeti or Franklins.

BUCKET LIST EXPERIENCE: I’d say seeing a live taping at the OG Moody.

BEST THING ABOUT LIVING THERE: Your neighbors. Austin is an amazing community.