Andy Whittier knows how to cope with pressure.

He transitioned from playing college football to representing the U.S. in the skeleton sport, a solo, head-first sled race down an icy track at speeds of up to 89 mph.

At first, it was terrifying, he said. But with constant practice, he started making some "good, fast clean runs" and building confidence.

Athletes can build confidence gradually through experience, discipline and stacking small wins over time. Repetition and practice are key, he said.

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P.J. Glassey, personal trainer, "biohacker" at XGym.com, and author of Cracking Your Calorie Code, has identified 16 brain types that help determine how best to motivate athletes and boost their performance.

Developed over a 5-year period, his 20-question brain type test–which combines psychology and fitness– helps people get fit with less reliance on willpower.

Once Glassey identifies an athlete's brain type, he provides motivation and fitness "hacks," he said.

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When sports kids face challenges such as injuries or mistakes, they're more likely to overcome them by being "all in"--committed to working hard and improving in their sport.

Chad Dunn, CEO of Move Performance Center and former BMX racer, asks kids facing adversity, "Do you really want to do this?" The right answer, he says, is "Coach, I'm all in."

A big challenge for sports kids is comparing themselves to others, especially when they focus too much on what other athletes are posting on social media, he says. His advice: Stop making comparisons.

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