Mindset Over Muscle: How Cathy Helin Coaches Champions in Life & Business
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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.
Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:
[3:05] How Cathy Helin’s childhood nickname “Bearcat” inspired Bearcat Coaching’s name and mission
[4:11] Why Cathy left a career in athletic and corporate leadership to pursue personal development coaching
[7:36] The pressures facing young athletes and the importance of addressing mental health and mindset early
[10:07] How Cathy’s experiences in athletics, corporate leadership, and parenting shaped her coaching philosophy
[14:56] Managing parental expectations and supporting college athletes’ independence
[18:53] Athletic coaching case studies: a college team that won a national title and a hockey player who overcame panic attacks
[26:23] The role of accountability in coaching
[30:51] Cathy’s long-term vision to expand Bearcat Coaching worldwide
In this episode…
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.
Resources mentioned in this episode:
Champion Your Future: The Student-Athlete’s Success Formula to Building a Winning Mindset by Cathy Helin: Physical book | Audiobook
Quotable Moments:
“It wasn’t about winning championships; the biggest wins were seeing these athletes personally win.”
“We’re so quick to find a coach for skill set, but not for our mindset.”
“It needs to be self-driven; when parents drive it, burnout and quitting rates go way up.”
“Accountability is everything, but ultimately the individual has to decide they want to build themselves.”
“Gratitude and meditation every morning — that’s how I start my day and ground myself.”
Action Steps:
Prioritize mindset coaching alongside physical training: Developing mental resilience early helps athletes handle pressure, setbacks, and competition more effectively. When athletes learn to manage their thoughts, performance and confidence rise naturally.
Encourage parents to support, not direct, their athlete’s journey: Letting the athlete drive their goals fosters independence and lasting motivation. Parental pressure often leads to burnout, while support creates trust and growth.
Celebrate small wins consistently: Recognizing progress, no matter how minor, builds momentum and reinforces positive behavior. This practice shifts focus from perfection to growth and resilience.
Create structured accountability systems: Regular check-ins and goal tracking help athletes stay committed and self-aware. Accountability turns good intentions into measurable results and sustainable habits.
Integrate gratitude and reflection into daily routines: Starting the day with gratitude and mindfulness improves focus, emotional balance, and perspective. These habits cultivate mental strength both on and off the field.
Sponsor for this episode...
This episode is brought to you by FuDog Group, a personal development training company.
The FuDog Group provides educational training, resources, and connections to anyone looking to grow.
Most personal development insights taught today only address life’s basic challenges. We share proven next-level strategies and secrets no one else talks about.
We accomplish this through a combination of ancient wisdom and modern insights laser-focused on helping you enhance all areas of your personal life, including health, relationships, and wealth.
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