The surprising parallels between making sourdough and health coaching
I have a new hobby since late last year: baking sourdough. It’s such a beautiful process. I appreciate how nourishing and sustaining the bread is. It fills my cup to take care of my husband and my body with this simple yet meaningful fuel and I share these feelings with the loaves I give to people I care about. I always marvel at how beautiful the loaf looks – and am always surprised that I actually made that!
Whilst the act of creating the loaf isn’t at all laboursome, it does require time. From planning to the first slice, the process stretches over two days. In a world that craves instant results, I appreciate the slow rhythm of sourdough. And in it, I see so many parallels with health coaching.
· Step 1: Feed the starter – flour, water, time. Just like a first conversation with a client, where we bring together what’s present — their story, their desires, their challenges. I have witnessed how the act of exploring all this seems to initiate a charge in an individual much like activating the starter with flour and water. They head away with their minds unlocked to possibility and growth begins…
· Step 2: Mix – starter, water, flour and salt. Humble ingredients, like the simple tools and insights I share with clients. On their own, small. Together, in the right setting: transformative.
· Step 3: Stretch and folds – regular, gentle handling that turns the rough, lumpy, shaggy dough into something smooth and resilient. Much like our coaching sessions, over time the client discovers more about themselves, strips away what’s holding them back, strengthens where they want to go, slowly developing and making progress.
· Step 4: Rise – in the right conditions the dough rises, bubbles and develops. Client growth continues between sessions too, often unseen, yet profound as they evolve towards the life they want to live.
· Step 5: Proof and bake – we see the 4 ingredients transforming into the bread it’s going to become. Authenticity, Acceptance, Connection and Curiosity brought together to inspire something beautiful and unique. No two loaves are alike, just as no two clients or their journeys.
For me, the privilege lies in witnessing the development of people potential — and marvelling at what unfolds.
Where do you pour your love and patience in a way that reflects your approach to life?