Hey there, future champions!

I’m Cathy Helin, and I’m thrilled to welcome you to the Bearcat Coaching community. Whether you’re a student-athlete grinding through practice, a parent watching from the sidelines, or a coach looking to unlock your team’s potential, you’ve found your home base for building unshakable confidence and a winning mindset.

Let me start with a truth that took me years to learn: your greatest opponent isn’t the player across from you on the court or field. It’s the voice in your head that whispers “you’re not good enough,” “you’ll never make it,” or “everyone else is better than you.” I know because I’ve been there.

As a former Division II collegiate basketball player who struggled with confidence as a teen, I understand what it feels like to have talent but feel held back by your own thoughts. I remember standing on the court, knowing I had the skills but feeling paralyzed by fear of making mistakes. That internal battle nearly cost me my love for the game I was passionate about.

But here’s what changed everything for me: I discovered that mental training isn’t just some feel-good concept—it’s neuroscience. When you practice mental reps, you’re literally rewiring your brain for success. Just like you wouldn’t expect to improve your jump shot without practicing it repeatedly, you can’t expect to build confidence without training your mind consistently.

This realization transformed not only my athletic performance but my entire approach to life. It’s why I’ve dedicated over 20 years to coaching and why I founded Bearcat Coaching. I’ve seen firsthand how developing the right mindset can turn struggling athletes into champions, both on and off the field.

At Bearcat Coaching, we don’t just focus on what you can see—your physical skills and stats. We strengthen what you can’t see but what matters most: your mindset, confidence, and communication abilities. Through our proven framework, including what I call “The Bearcat Blueprint,” we help student-athletes become not just better players, but better people.

I’ve had the privilege of working with hundreds of athletes, from high school teams to college programs. I’ve watched shy players become vocal leaders, seen athletes overcome devastating injuries to come back stronger, and witnessed teams transform their entire culture by changing how they think and communicate.

One of my college basketball players, Dasia, recently told me, “Bearcat Coaching helped me to be more confident in myself and know that it’s okay to make mistakes.” That’s exactly what we’re after—creating an environment where growth happens through courage, not perfection.

Your athletic journey is about so much more than wins and losses. It’s about discovering who you are, what you’re capable of, and developing the resilience that will serve you long after your playing days are over. The tools and techniques I teach aren’t just for sports—they’re life skills that will help you move quickly past limiting beliefs, fears, and setbacks in any arena.

So whether you’re just starting your athletic journey or you’re a seasoned competitor looking to break through to the next level, I’m here to help you champion your future. Because here’s what I know for certain: you’re stronger, braver, and more capable than you realize.

Let’s build that winning mindset together.

Coach Cathy