Bagging groceries by day and opponents by night

Bagging groceries by day and opponents by night

Josh Schwartz

Patrick L. Sullivan

SALISBURY — The courteous and competent young man grocery shoppers know from Labonne’s Market in Salisbury has a secret identity.

Perhaps it’s not as dramatic as the Clark Kent/Superman situation, but Josh Schwartz is a mixed martial arts fighter.

Schwartz, 24, grew up in Salisbury. He is the son of Andrew and Jennifer Schwartz.

He attended Salisbury Central School and then Northwestern Regional High School (Region 7), where he was a star wrestler.

Wrestling runs in the family. Andrew Schwartz coached wrestling and Josh started at age 4.

Josh Schwartz said jiu jitsu, which involves grappling, has enough similarities to wrestling that it was a natural progression.

He then decided he wanted to learn boxing and kickboxing.

From there he went into full MMA.

Photo ProvidedJosh Schwartz won this 2022 fight, sponsored by the Ammo Fight League, in 1:26 of the first round by technical knockout.Provided

Schwartz said the difference between full MMA and other disciplines is “MMA has the fewest rules.”

“Grappling, punching, kicking — all the disciplines combined.”

The only things fighters can’t do are groin punches or kicks, eye-gouging and head butts, he said.

Schwartz said he has never lost an MMA fight but noted that he has only had three or four fights.

“It was more for the experience. I realized it wasn’t lucrative... Jiu jitsu requires less time, which allows me to work more.”

Schwartz said he was not interested in attending college for a four-year degree, largely to avoid running up debt.

But he is pondering options, such as studying nutrition science and coaching jiu jitsu and/or wrestling.

He was asked about his nutritional regimen.

“It’s not complicated,” he said.

He uses a supplement, creatine, which he said has been extensively studied, is safe if used properly, and is nothing like anabolic steroids.

His dietis nothing unusual. Carbohydrates and protein, and he’s careful about the former and indulgent on the latter.

“Lots of chicken.”

Latest News

Millbrook man admits killing teenage sister in 2021 case

Mark Dedaj, 34, pleaded guilty in Dutchess County Court to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the 2021 death of his sister at a Millbrook residence.

Photo provided

MILLBROOK — A Millbrook man has pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter in connection with the 2021 killing of his teenage sister inside their family home, Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi announced Thursday.

Mark Dedaj, 34, pleaded guilty in Dutchess County Court to a Class B felony, admitting that he caused the death of his 17-year-old sister, Maureen Nelson-Lanzi, by holding her face down into a pillow on a bed until she suffocated.

Keep ReadingShow less
Town Board takes up suggested zoning code changes

Members of the North East Town Board discuss proposed zoning code revisions during a meeting at North East Town Hall in Millerton on Monday, Jan. 19.

By Nathan Miller

MILLERTON — The North East Town Board on Monday, Jan. 19, adopted a series of detailed revisions to its proposed zoning code overhaul, incorporating feedback from county and local agencies as well as public comments.

Zoning Review Commission Chair Edie Greenwood and the town’s zoning consultant, Will Agresta, participated in the meeting as board members reviewed comments submitted by Dutchess County Planning, the North East Planning Board, the town’s Conservation Advisory Council, and residents who spoke or submitted written remarks during the initial public hearing on Jan. 8.

Keep ReadingShow less
Passwords
Cartoon by Natalia Zukerman
Millerton, snowmobiles, homes, businesses

The following excerpts from The Millerton News were compiled by Kathleen Spahn and Rhiannon Leo-Jameson of the North East-Millerton Library.

January 24, 1935

Keep ReadingShow less