EFT Tapping Part 1: Why Celebrities & Military Use This 'Weird' Technique
Episode 3: Show Notes
Have you been hearing the buzz about EFT tapping lately? It’s showing up everywhere—from celebrities and athletes to military veterans and everyday people like you and me. Most people find relaxation, calm, and a general good feeling after tapping.
There's so much I want to share with you about EFT, which is short for Emotional Freedom Technique, that I’ve broken it into a two-part series. In today’s episode (Part 1) we’ll explore what EFT actually is, the science behind why it works, and my personal journey of going from skeptic to certified practitioner.
If you're brand new to EFT, you're absolutely in the right place. Let's start at the beginning.
Listen to the full episode:
What Is EFT Tapping and How Does It Work?
I like to describe EFT as emotional acupuncture—without the needles. You gently tap on a series of acupressure points on your body while saying what’s on your mind. That’s it. It’s simple, powerful, and accessible.
If you’re working with a practitioner, you’ll repeat words or phrases they guide you through. But even on your own, just saying what’s bothering you while you tap can make a real difference.
The goal isn’t to understand or relive what happened in the past. It’s to release the emotional charge that’s still stuck in your system. The truth is, most emotional problems stem from specific, unresolved events. The pain may have happened in a moment in your past, but with EFT it doesn’t need to take a lifetime to heal.
My First (Skeptical) Introduction to EFT
I’ll admit it… when I first heard about EFT, I rolled my eyes. I was at a business seminar (not exactly a woo-woo environment), and the speaker casually mentioned she had done some “tapping” behind the stage to calm an upset stomach.
Honestly, I thought she was a little out there. She even mentioned carrying a special rock in her pocket for health issues. I wasn’t looking for alternative medicine back then, so I pretty much dismissed it.
But EFT kept coming back into my life.
From Curiosity to Practice
Years later, a woman at a networking event ran up to me and said, “I can help you.” I didn’t even know her! I was struggling a bit with my online marketing businesses, and we ended up trading services. I helped her with her website, and she guided me through EFT sessions to gain confidence around my business.
After just six weeks, I noticed changes: I was calmer, more confident, and less reactive. I hadn’t officially been taught how to use it myself, but I started tapping on my own during stressful moments based on how she was tapping with me in our sessions— and it helped a ton.
I still remember sitting in my car, devastated by an email about losing flex time at work. I was so upset I started tapping—hard. It didn’t magically fix everything, but it took the edge off. EFT isn’t always a quick fix, but it’s a powerful tool for processing big emotions.
Real Science. Real Results.
So does EFT really work, or is it just a placebo?
A 2016 review looked at 14 specific studies where people used EFT for anxiety. The results were crystal clear. The people who tapped had much bigger drops in anxiety than people who didn't. And the difference was large enough that the researchers said, EFT works better than many common techniques, including talk therapy or relaxation training.
That came from a peer reviewed study by Michael Clon, published in the journal Explore. This isn’t just opinion, this is science-backed healing!
How EFT Tapping Helps You Heal
One of the coolest things about EFT is how it addresses the emotional root of a problem, not just the symptoms. Here are just a few things people use EFT for:
Stress and overwhelm
Fear or anxiety
Sadness and grief
Anger, jealousy, and other tough emotions
Confidence and self-esteem
Food cravings and habits you’d prefer to change
Creative blocks and decision-making
Physical discomfort and tension
Past trauma (with professional guidance)
When you tap, your mind, body, and energy systems are all working together. You’re literally calming the fight-flight-freeze response and helping your nervous system reset.
When (and How) to Use EFT On Your Own
One thing I love about EFT? It’s portable. You can do it anywhere… at your desk, in your car, or in bed at 3 am.
Let’s say you get a tense email at work that triggers you. If you're in an open office, you might not want to tap on your face and say your thoughts out loud. But you can:
Excuse yourself to the restroom to tap privately
Take a break and tap loudly in your car
Use finger points under your desk
Apply light pressure to your favorite tapping point
There are also quick, quiet modified versions of EFT Tapping that you can do discretely under your desk using just some advanced points on your fingers. I teach this technique in the Balanced Life Warrior course, and it also works perfectly in bed at night when you don’t want to disturb your partner. The idea is to calm your body gently and privately, whenever you need it.
What to Expect After Tapping
After an EFT session, especially with a practitioner, you might cry, yawn, or feel sleepy. That’s a good thing! Yawning is a sign that energy is moving. People often say they feel like they just had a massage after a session ends.
And like most self-care tools, EFT works best with consistency. Tapping once might help, but chipping away at a problem over time brings deeper, longer-lasting results.
My First Formal Training
After getting such good results using EFT on my own, I took it further. I trained under one of the pioneers of EFT in New England, Ingrid Dinter. She specialized in helping military veterans process PTSD, and sadly she is no longer with us. Her work was powerful and compassionate, and I still carry her teachings with me.
I later completed a six-month certification with Ingrid that included small group sessions, case studies, and a final exam. It was intense, but incredibly rewarding. The connections I made, the healing I witnessed, and the skills I gained all deepened my belief in this tool.
Yes… It Works Even If You Just Follow Along
One of the wildest things I learned? EFT can still help you, even if you’re not working on the same issue as the words you are saying. I saw this firsthand during Jack Canfield’s Success Principles training. We tapped along with the speaker on a topic that didn’t apply to me, and yet… I felt so calm afterward.
Even if you’re just touching the points and saying generic phrases, your body knows what to do– amazing!
This “Weird” Tool Might Be Exactly What You Need
If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, reactive, or just plain exhausted, EFT tapping is one of the fastest ways I know to shift your energy. You don’t have to be perfect. You can’t mess it up. And your body knows what you’re trying to do.
In Part 2 of this podcast series (episode #5), I’ll walk you through the technique step by step. You’ll learn exactly when to use it, when to call in a pro, and how to apply it to everyday moments. I’ll even share how EFT can work on a teddy bear. (Yes, really.)
If you're ready to try EFT for yourself, I’ve created this free, short walkthrough video that shows you how to do it. You can also snag my fully illustrated EFT Tapping Starter Kit that helps you find calm in just seven minutes a day.
Until next time—stay curious, and don’t be afraid to try something “weird.” It might just change everything!
Resources I Mentioned
7-Minute EFT Tapping Starter Kit
Free ebook “Affirmations for You and Your Kids”
Join Balanced Life Warrior - learn advanced EFT Tapping tips
Meet Our Host: Jennifer Robin O’Keefe
Jennifer Robin serves as a relatable, down-to-earth, REAL Wellness & Success Coach. She’s not a fancy, perfect makeup, airbrushed kind of woman. She’s been told many times, in a variety of environments, that she’s easy to talk to, and makes others feel welcome and comfortable. Her mission in life is both simple and profound: to make others feel worthy.
Professionally, Jennifer holds several wellness certifications including Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) Tapping, Thought Field Therapy (TFT) Tapping, Reiki, and more. She continuously expands her knowledge in the fields of Qi Gong, Xien Gong, Vibration/Energy Wellness and Natural Health. She also studied extensively with Jack Canfield, and serves as a Certified Canfield Trainer, authorized to teach "The Success Principles."
She’s an active reader and researcher who loves to learn, and one of her biggest joys is teaching and sharing what she’s discovered with others.