I have personally experienced the profound emotional loss and grief from disconnection from my father and brother most of my early life and younger adulthood. I have witnessed the struggles of many amazing men of all ages around me who, due to early trauma, have isolated themselves from other men, their peers, and the women and children in their lives who love them. And most heartbreakingly, these men have failed to recognize their true worth and magnificence! This is a common story for many boys and men in our world, a world that celebrates and rewards boys and men for their emotional stoicism and "suck it up" mentality that is portrayed to be the image of a 'real man' and real masculinity. 

Sport is an area where boys look to connect with each other and explore their potential. It's time we use this environment to foster emotional awareness, emotional resilience, and greater self-confidence for our young teen boys participating in local hockey teams.

I propose that Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT 'Tapping'), a powerful, evidence-based, somatic energy tool be introduced as a part of their training regime. EFT can teach them how to allow, be present with, and move beyond silent fears and self-critical thoughts that not only affect their performance in sport, but also how they show up for themselves and others in their life as a whole. When we become more aware of our fears and self-critical thoughts, this lessens their hold on us (emotional resilience!), and we have more freedom of choice in how we act - emotional freedom!

There is a growing body of research over the last 2 decades that shows the scientifically significant effects of EFT on PTSD, trauma healing, eating and sleep disorders, performance anxiety/fears in athletes and students, physical pain and injury healing, anger management.... and so much more!  By bringing awareness to the daily emotional pain that we humans (young and old) can experience - often unspoken - we can equip our young teens with tools and self-care practices they can use not just in sport, but in every day life. Learning and using EFT in my life has completely transformed the way I love myself during painful emotions and situations.... hence transforming my entire life! I don't even recognize my life today from 5 years ago - it's absolutely breath-taking :) EFT is THIS powerful. It is THIS important. Let's bring this power to our teens boys.

This initiative isn't just about improving sports performance; it's about nurturing emotionally resilient and connected teens who will grow into men who are more self-aware, more confident, more loving of themselves, more connected with other men, less fearful, less angry, and less isolated. Men like this can show up for themselves in more loving ways, and are able to more richly connect and love others in powerful, healing ways that lead to changing our world!! Simply and profoundly put: this initiative is about helping reduce the laying down of teenage trauma, and helping mould more loving and connected fathers and male role models of the future! And lastly, there has never been a more important time then NOW to make radical new changes and evolution to the culture of hockey; and changing the culture of hockey/sport is a catalyst to changing our world! 

If your heart is pulled by this and you want to bring emotional resilience and freedom, and more connection and love to lives of the amazing boys and young men in your life, please sign this petition and show your support for this wholehearted intention and vision. 

See attached videos to learn more about EFT and its use in sports and with young people. :)