Thiago Deschamps
Powerlifter · Strongman · Brazil
The only Brazilian on the Onyx coaching team - the rest of us are Norwegian. Thiago competes in both powerlifting and strongman events across Brazil, bringing platform precision together with the brutal conditioning of the strongman circuit.
Philosophy
"Big lifts make big lifters. Everything else is a supporting cast. Train the competition lifts often, peak when it counts, eat to recover."
Career & achievements
- Active competitor in Brazilian powerlifting federations
- Copa SC Strongman 2025 competitor (heavyweight class)
- 10+ years of platform and strongman training experience
- Competes in both raw powerlifting and strongman events nationally
- Coaches Brazilian and international athletes through Onyx
The story
Born and raised in Brazil, Thiago is Onyx Performance's South American anchor - the only Brazilian coach on a roster of Norwegians. He competes year-round in both powerlifting meets and strongman shows like Copa SC Strongman, where he goes head-to-head with the country's best in events like log press, axle deadlift and frame carries.
What makes Thiago rare is the combination: most lifters pick one side. He runs full powerlifting peaks for the squat, bench and deadlift, then turns around and trains stones, yokes and overhead medleys with the same intensity. That dual experience is exactly what he brings into his coaching - athletes built strong on the platform and strong in the real world.
If you want to squat 3 plates clean, pull a heavy axle and walk away with a stone in your hands, Thiago is the coach who has actually done it - in competition, in Brazil, against the best.
Signature lifts & drills
A week in Thiago Deschamps's training
Thiago Deschamps's top tips
- Bar speed on top sets tells you everything - film every working set
- Don't chase a max every week - chase volume PRs
- Glutes drive the squat, lats drive the deadlift, legs drive the bench
- If your back can't hold position, no amount of leg drive saves you
