Cathy Helin is the Founder of Bearcat Coaching, where she empowers athletes, teams, parents, and organizations to reach their full potential through mindset, grit, and heart. A former Division II basketball player at the University of Minnesota, Crookston, Cathy has worked with elite teams including the Gophers, Lynx, and Vikings. She has held roles, including Assistant Athletic Director, corporate leader, basketball coach, and is the Co-owner and VP of Northern Services, which is a residential and commercial plumbing, HVAC, and drain cleaning business.

While athletes train their bodies relentlessly to prepare for competition, their biggest opponent is often their mindset. From burnout and pressure to self-doubt and fear, the mental side of sports can make or break a player’s performance on and off the field. How can young athletes and teams build the mental resilience to thrive?

According to former collegiate athlete and seasoned coach Cathy Helin, lasting athletic performance begins with mastering mindset before mechanics. She advises athletes to schedule time for mental training, focusing on skills like focus, gratitude, and self-awareness. For parents, Cathy recommends shifting from pressuring performance to supporting effort and growth. Celebrating small wins, holding space for honest conversations, and modeling balance between ambition and self-care can create confident, resilient competitors.

In this episode of FuDog.TV, Michael Agugliaro II welcomes Cathy Helin, Founder of Bearcat Coaching, to discuss how mindset shapes athletic and personal success. She shares how parents can support their athletes, the power of celebrating small wins, and why accountability is key to long-term growth.