Emanuel Pescari — Strongman, Strategy, and Staying Pain-Free
In this PT Spotlight, Emanuel “Dr. Death” Pescari talks about competing in Strongman as a lighter athlete (U105), training the spine safely through movement, and the unconventional methods he swears by — from rope flow to Zurcher deadlifts.
In our latest PT Spotlight, we talk to Emanuel “Dr. Death” Pescari, a Romanian-Austrian Strongman athlete, coach, and founder of the Omnipotent training philosophy. He shares how he manages his social media content, trains both elite athletes and pain clients, and uses a blend of old-school feats of strength and mobility tools like rope flow and pike stretches to stay powerful and injury-free.
Why Strongman?
Emanuel: I’ve always loved being outside. I was that kid who spent hours in the forest. My parents are from Romania — we had to do a lot of farm work, like moving stones or logs. That really shaped me. I was attracted to strength before I even knew what Strongman was.
I tried everything: cardio, powerlifting, flipping tires. But something was missing. When I finally tried Strongman at 27, it was like filling a void. That was it. I’d found what I’d been looking for.
"I'm still one of those lucky old people who grew up in nature, pretty much."
Training as a Lighter Athlete
Emanuel: In Austria, there weren’t many U105 athletes, so most competitions were open class. I just said: I don’t care. I’ll compete against the big guys. And I did — I won Austria’s Strongest Man in the open class twice, and just won Romania’s Strongest Man too.
I use comparison as motivation. Some say, “don’t compare yourself,” but if you have a competitive mindset, it’s fuel. I wanted to prove that you can be lighter and still beat the giants.
Coaching Philosophy: Don’t Suck at Anything
How do you determine which trainers to work with in your team?
Emanuel: My brand is called Omnipotent, meaning “all might.” We focus on all major capacities — strength, endurance, speed, flexibility. Most people specialize and then fall apart. Their backs hurt, shoulders hurt, mobility vanishes.
We aim to build strength in all positions, not just under perfect conditions. That includes using odd lifts like one-hand deadlifts or Zurcher squats. I even teach rounded spine lifting — safely — because your spine was made to move.
Stretching = Strength Training
What about mobility and stretching? I don't stretch (sorry)
Emanuel: I used to think stretching was useless as well. But it’s just strength training in a different range. A pike stretch is an isometric movement. A hanging pike — pulling your toes to the bar — is the same pattern but harder.
“Mobility is just strength training in a different range”
Mobility training should be progressive like anything else. If you can't do stiff-leg deadlifts, start with simple pike stretches. You need mobility for healthy movement and injury prevention — not just yoga flow, but real strength in those end ranges. The other day, I told [Shane Flowers] (https://giants-live.com/athlete/shane-flowers/) "if you’re always doing that one thing, then you lose the capacities in other areas, which leads to problems in those areas. Variety help you perform the sport you want to do." Of course, you do have to specialize if you want to compete.
Coaching Clients & Building a Team
Do you only train people face-to-face?
Emanuel: Actually no, I mainly coach people online and some in-person. About 60% of my clients are Strongman competitors, 40% are in it for general health or pain relief.
I onboard every new client with a personal call to understand their history, mindset, and goals. I also train a small team of coaches in the Omnipotent system. It’s not about reps and sets — it’s about building adaptable, resilient humans.
Programming and Tools
How do you keep track of everything?
Emanuel: I use the FITTR app. It lets clients track their sessions and upload videos. I give feedback there, but the video upload system could be better. Before that, I used True Coach — good but pricey. I switched after a UK Strongman coach recommended FITTR.
What about your own training?
I train four days a week: overhead, deadlift, and two full-body days. Plus rope flow and sled work. I walk every day, hit 8k–12k steps, and throw in conditioning sessions. It’s not just about lifting heavy — recovery is a big part of it; I try to activate my parasympathic nervouse system any time I'm not training.
Supplements and Nervous System Control
Which other methods do you use for optimal lifting and recovery?
Emanuel: I like creatine, beta-alanine, and glycine — it’s underrated. It calms the nervous system and helps with collagen and tendons. Magnesium too — 800–1000mg daily, usually at night to support parasympathetic recovery.
Music helps too. For regular training, I play chill music to stay calm. For heavy lifts or comps, I switch it up and go full intensity — but only when needed. I want to choose when to be hyped, not stay in that state all day.
What Makes a Good Session?
Looking beyong heaviness and exhaustion, when does a training feel complete?
Emanuel: It’s not about being exhausted. For strength training, a good session means the movement felt fast and efficient. I'm moving more towards one-motion lifting. If a heavy implement feels weightless in the right position — like a good front rack — I know I nailed it.
“The weight in certain positions has to feel weightless.”
Looking ahead at the Opens and Giants Live
What is the goal? In 5 years, where will you be?
Emanuel: 1. Transition from U105 into the opens. 2. Get to Giants Live. Then World Strongest Man, Strongest Man on Earth. Just being on the same level as Tom Stoltman, Shane Flowers, Paddy Haynes.
How far are you from that?
Emanuel: Not far, 2 years I'd say.
Signature Move & Showmanship
If we would only see your silhouette in a Strongman competition, what would we recognize you by?
Emanuel: In comps, I’m either doing my crucifix pose or screaming — or both! Lately I’ve been doing more one-motion lifts, especially with stones and sandbags. That means lifting in one fluid movement instead of lapping first. It’s faster, and honestly, safer because you have to have good technique to do it.
Any shout-outs?
Emanuel: I already mentioned a few great and inspiring lifters, but my coach Jon Mallon really knows what he's doing. And Andreas Leib helped me so much when I was in pain. 'Heilende Bewegung' is a revolutionairy way to treat the causes of pain. In less than 2 minutes people can feel an improvement through precise movements and exercises. We're actually doing an event together in Vienna December 2025.
Find Emanuel on Instagram: @emanuelpescari
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