We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Morgan DeValliere. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Morgan below.

Alright, Morgan thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s something you believe that most people in your industry (or in general) disagree with?

One of the most common misconceptions in my industry is that bread is bad for us. To some extent, this can be true, but there’s a significant difference between store-bought bread and real sourdough bread—they’re almost not the same thing. We live in a country where there are more food additives and indigestible ingredients than any other country in the world. So, something I’m constantly trying to spread the word about is that sourdough bread actually offers many health benefits and is GOOD for your gut. It contains numerous prebiotics and fiber that can nourish the good bacteria in your gut due to the fermentation process, making it 97% lower in gluten than other breads and easier for us to digest.

After being gluten-free for six years and wholeheartedly believing that I was allergic, I thought I’d never be able to eat bread again until I discovered the art of sourdough.

Morgan, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I grew up in Denver, Colorado, where dance was the center of my world. I spent all my time training in the studio and weekends immersed in dance conventions and competitions. At 18, I moved to Los Angeles to pursue my passion professionally.

After years in the industry, my life took a turn when I noticed my hair falling out one night. In an industry focused on appearance, this was my worst nightmare. Despite doctor’s efforts with steroid shots, I turned to my diet, adopting a vegan, gluten-free approach. This shift led to a transformative health journey, and my hair began to grow back. Eventually I
was able to start eating gluten again with no negative effect.

In 2018, while on a dance job in Europe, I met my husband. We moved to Sweden together (his home country), where I was vastly inspired by the many bakeries we would visit during our travels. This inspiration led me to learn how to bake sourdough myself, and this passion evolved into my company, Levande Sourdough—’levande’ meaning ‘alive’ in Swedish, reflecting the live culture of sourdough.

Now back in LA, we’re navigating the immigration process for my husband’s green card. Meanwhile, I operate a micro bakery from home under a cottage food license, baking fresh, artisanal sourdough for local pickup. My goal is to encourage my community to choose real, high-quality bread over store-bought processed options. By providing fresh, handmade sourdough directly from my home, I offer customers a healthier alternative, free from additives and preservatives, supporting local and sustainable food choices.

I think what sets me apart from others is my unique journey from professional dancer to baker, my dedication to health and quality, and my commitment to providing a fresh product directly from my door to yours. My background in dance has instilled in me a discipline and artistry that I bring to my baking, ensuring each loaf is crafted with care, precision, but most importantly love.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

For years, I thrived in the industry of being a dancer. I loved the hustle and the fast-paced day-to-day, but the pressure was relentless. Late nights, long rehearsals, the constant scrutiny of appearances, and the perpetual chase for perfection began to take a toll on me. The stress crept into my life slowly, and when I lost my hair, it opened my eyes in ways I couldn’t see before. I wasn’t taking care of myself anymore. As a dancer, losing my hair felt like losing my security and something that society views as a symbol of grace and beauty.

I had always loved baking ever since I was a little girl, but I found a special solace in the art of baking sourdough, a therapeutic process that contrasted sharply with the high-pressure world of dance. The meticulous yet calming practice of nurturing live cultures, kneading dough with my hands, and waiting for it to rise brought a lot of calm into my life. It was a way to create something beautiful without the weight of the spotlight. I started Levande Sourdough, with ‘levande’ meaning ‘alive’ in Swedish, reflecting the vibrant, living culture of sourdough. This pivoted venture was not just about bread but about reclaiming my life and health.

It’s funny because before I left LA, I felt a slight bitterness towards the city. Now that I’m back with a completely different career endeavor, I see the city from a whole new perspective. I love living here a lot more without all of the pressure. In focusing more on baking, I’m choosing a life free from the stress that once caused me so much harm. My hair has grown back, but more importantly, I have regained my balance and joy. I still have a deep-rooted love for dance, but I mostly only do it for fun now. Through Levande Sourdough, I share not just bread but a piece of my journey—a reminder that it’s never too late to pivot towards a healthier, more fulfilling life.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Turning 30 this year, I reflect on my 20s, a decade where it often felt like bad things outnumbered the good. I lost two of the most important people in my life: my Mom unexpectedly at 21 and my Dad to cancer at 26. I had never experienced such profound grief before. Growing up with what seemed like a picture-perfect life, I believed nothing bad would ever happen to me. Both losses shook me to the core, forcing me to rebuild my life twice over in just five years. These experiences taught me resilience in ways I never imagined.

Taking the risk of moving to a new country, Sweden, with my husband, and starting a new business venture with Levande Sourdough were both significant leaps of faith. After losing my parents I quickly learned that life is too short to worry about the small stuff and that every day is an opportunity to embrace fully. Embracing a new culture, language, and way of life opened my eyes to the richness of experiences beyond my comfort zone. It reinforced the importance of taking chances and seizing every moment, no matter how daunting or uncertain, because you never know when your last day will be. Life is too short to live one you don’t enjoy.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Hotplate.com/levandesourdough
• Instagram: @levandesourdough & @morganalexadevalliere
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/morganandwill