The idea is to actually be physically strong and have that strength based on ego combat value. That way you can tell he is strong, but when he attacks it's all ego combat value. There is nothing that states based on ego combat value prevents a character from using the power in other ways. I do want to keep strength as part of this.
I thought about doing similar also, but it's just not a "Brick" way of doing things. For a "Brick" build leveraging strength, the route I'm taking makes more sense. If I went a martial artist route, then you are spot on for how to do it.