VESBOT states:
You're mistaken, "climbing" (or, put more precisely) elevator/AOA control always controls speed. Of course, under the likely MCAS scenario discussed, they did not have AOA control and the airspeed was running away from them.
And thrust always controls vertical flight path, so if they reduced thrust they would have only hit the ground sooner. In a desperate fight for altitude, "piloting" would dictate maximum thrust.
If the above is true, when you are ready for take off, try this:
Pump the elevators up and down until you has reached VR, then when you reach VR, shove the throttles to maximum to rotate.