Many people run or lift weights in the morning, but few can say that they do so under the motivation and observation of a gold medalist.

Kim Brownfield, team leader of the United States Pan-American (Pan-Am) powerlifting team and coach of the United States Paralympic powerlifting team, gave a lifting clinic to two Penn State students Sunday morning at the Multi-Sport Facility.

Brownfield, a two-time gold medalist in the Paralympic Games, went over his training regiment with Kortney Clemons (junior - recreation, park, and tourism management) and Rohan Murphy (senior - kinesiology), who are members of the Pan-Am team. These clinics usually happen about once a year, and the students appreciate his time and guidance.

"He has great knowledge about the sport," said Clemons.

The clinic began with an overview of Clemons and Murphy's lifting techniques. Brownfield mostly stood off to the side and made simple suggestions such as "get your chest up" and "slow down your pace". He moved in to fix problems they were having with grip spacing and lifting the bar off of the rack.

As the session went on, Brownfield added some personal stories of his Olympic past to demonstrate how his methods could be put into use.

"He's taught us that this sport is mental, not just physical," Murphy said.

Throughout the morning, Brownfield stressed the importance of controlling breathing, enhancing endurance, and ways to prevent injuries. The students actively asked questions about their training programs, wondering if it was OK if one arm was stronger than the other, and if they should invest in wrist wraps. They have good reason to be curious to ask the advice of an Olympian.

Clemons and Murphy are also attempting to become part of the United States Paralympic Team for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. The two competitors, as well as Brownfield, believe they have a great chance to make the team. Both are ranked in the top 10 in the world in their respected weight classes, and as long as they do fairly well in their upcoming meets, Brownfield thinks they will make it.

While making the team would be a great achievement for both, medaling is their ultimate, and not at all outlandish, goal.

"I consider myself blessed to coach kids like that," said Brownfield. "They're absolutely capable of medaling. They just need to train smart and stay healthy."

Brownfield called winning gold at the 1996 Paralympic Games in Atlanta "time-stopping", and that there was no experience like it.

"And I've had kids," he added.

Clemons and Murphy agree that winning an Olympic medal would be an amazing accomplishment.

"I would be the best in the world for that day," said Clemons.

He went on to say that medaling would be a compliment to both the athlete and the coach, a sentiment further elaborated upon by Brownfield when asked to compare winning and coaching a winner.

"It's like one tree in a fruit yard," he said. "When you win it, you feel like the one strong tree. But when you're coaching, you get to see the whole yard of fruit, and you get more out of seeing it all."