As someone who loves to bake, sourdough has always been a bit of a mystery. While I had successfully baked many loaves, I always struggled with the perfect texture, the right rise, and the elusive flavor that seems to make sourdough so special. I found myself hitting a wall—no matter how many recipes I tried or how many techniques I researched, something was always missing.
That’s when I decided to book a personalized coaching session at the Sourdough Baking Academy, and it was a total game-changer.
Why I Chose Personalized Coaching
I had already taken a few sourdough classes online, and while they were helpful, they didn’t address the specific issues I was facing with my baking. I needed something more tailored—something that focused directly on my challenges and helped me refine my technique.
The personalized coaching at the Academy offered just that. I didn’t have to follow a general course that was aimed at a large group of people. Instead, I worked one-on-one with an experienced sourdough instructor who could guide me through the problems I was encountering with my loaves. From my starter not being as bubbly as I wanted to concerns about the dough’s texture and proofing times, I knew that this personalized attention would give me the answers I was looking for.
A Tailored Approach to My Specific Needs
The coaching session was everything I hoped for and more. Before the session, I was asked to send in a few photos of my recent loaves and share the issues I had been facing. When I spoke with the instructor, she already had a clear idea of where I might be going wrong, and we were able to dive into practical solutions immediately.
We started by discussing my sourdough starter, which I had been struggling to keep active. My instructor gave me a detailed breakdown of how to properly maintain it and shared tips on how to monitor its activity levels, ensuring that I was using the right feeding schedule and temperature. I learned that even small changes, like adjusting the flour I was using or slightly tweaking my hydration levels, could make a huge difference.
Real-Time Troubleshooting
One of the best parts of the coaching session was that it was completely interactive. The instructor watched me as I worked through my dough, offering immediate feedback. If I was overmixing, not kneading enough, or failing to recognize when my dough was ready for the next step, she was there to guide me in real-time. This level of hands-on instruction gave me the confidence to experiment without the fear of making mistakes.
For example, I had been underproofing my dough in the past, thinking I was saving time. My coach showed me the subtle signs to look for when checking for proper proofing—little things like the “poke test” that would help me identify when the dough was ready for baking. As a result, my loaves have been much more consistent, with a beautiful rise and texture that I had been missing before.
Gaining Confidence and Independence
What I didn’t expect from the personalized coaching was how much it would boost my confidence. The coaching session didn’t just focus on fixing the problems—it helped me understand why certain techniques work. The instructor didn’t just tell me what to do, but explained the science behind it, which made everything click into place.
Instead of feeling like I was following a recipe blindly, I now felt like I truly understood the art and science of sourdough. I could adjust hydration levels, manipulate fermentation times, and even troubleshoot on my own without second-guessing myself. I now feel like a more intuitive baker, able to handle sourdough with confidence and creativity.
The Results Speak for Themselves
After just one session, my sourdough bread improved dramatically. My loaves had a better rise, a perfect crumb structure, and that deep, tangy flavor that I had always been chasing. I also felt more in control of the entire process, from starter maintenance to the final bake.
The personalized coaching wasn’t just a one-time fix. It was a transformative experience that equipped me with the tools and knowledge I needed to bake consistently great sourdough, every single time. I’ve already signed up for a follow-up session to dive deeper into new techniques and perfect my loaves even further.
Why I Recommend the Personalized Coaching
If you’re serious about sourdough and want to take your baking to the next level, I can’t recommend the personalized coaching at the Sourdough Baking Academy enough. The one-on-one attention and customized guidance helped me overcome my specific challenges, refine my technique, and build a deeper understanding of the sourdough process.
Whether you’re a complete beginner or someone who has been baking for years, this coaching will give you the clarity and confidence you need to master sourdough. It’s like having a mentor by your side who truly understands your baking style and can help you improve it—step by step.
Sourdough doesn’t have to be intimidating. With the right guidance and a little personal attention, it can be as simple as following the steps you love and getting the results you’ve always dreamed of. And thanks to the Academy’s coaching, I’m finally there.