About

About
Aaron Shaw

Personal Mission

Aaron is dedicated to helping people achieve their unique potential and live vibrant, healthy lives, regardless of age or injury history.

Founder & Visionary

  • Aaron is the founder of Healthspan PhysioCoaching and Vetspan, initiatives focused on extending healthspan and professional vitality.
  • He has created science-backed coaching and consulting solutions for individuals and organizations.

Achievements

  • Aaron is a columnist and author, including coauthoring a paper in Veterinary Surgery with his wife.
  • He hosts the Healthspan Digest podcast, sharing actionable strategies for healthspan and wellbeing.
  • A retired elite-level road cyclist, Aaron remains active as a competitive mountain bike racer.

Professional Expertise

  • With nearly three decades of experience as an Occupational Therapist, Certified Hand Therapist, Strength & Conditioning Specialist, and healthspan coach, Aaron brings unmatched expertise to his work.
  • He is a lifelong student of exercise, nutrition, habit formation, behavior change, and sleep science.
  • Aaron also founded a successful physical therapy and performance practice, helping countless clients achieve their goals.

Personal Life

  • Aaron’s wife, a veterinarian, provides him with unique insights into the Veterinary Healthcare Team (VHT) profession. Together, they share a passion for science, fitness, and recovery, and having deep conversations about these topics.
  • When not working or competing, Aaron enjoys spending time with his wife and their black lab Arrow and Portuguese water dog Eddie . His personal athletic experiences continue to inspire his work, blending science and real-world application to guide others on their healthspan journeys.

Client Focus

My clients are middle-aged professionals who feel unsure about their ability to change but want more energy, confidence, and control over their health. I provide a proven framework and guidance to navigate real-life challenges and achieve lasting transformation.

Select Publications

Shaw KK, Alvarez L, Foster SA, Tomlinson JE, Shaw AJ, Pozzi A. Fundamental principles of rehabilitation and musculoskeletal tissue healing. Vet Surg 49(1):22-32, 2020.

Shaw AS, Watkins SA, Training Clients with Shoulder Injury— Modifications and Considerations, Personal Training Quarterly, National Strength and Conditioning Association, 6/2020, vol 7(2), 20-24

Shaw AJ, Katolik LI, Fingertip Injuries, Rehabilitation of the Hand and Upper Extremity, 6th ed, Skirven T, Mosby, 2011, 255-265

Madison Park Times Newspaper (Seattle, WA); Monthly Healthy & Active Column.
Aging with strength.
Madison Park Times · Dec 1, 2017

Exercises for cross country and downhill skiing.
Madison Park Times · Nov 1, 2017

“Good” versus “bad” pain.
Madison Park Times · Oct 1, 2017

Improve performance with a dynamic warm-up.
Madison Park Times · Sep 1, 2017

So you’ve been discharged from physical therapy. Now what?
Madison Park Times · Jul 1, 2017

Bridging the gap between therapists and personal trainers. Opportunities in post-rehab fitness.
PFP RB Publishing · Jul 1, 2017

Spring soreness have you down?
Madison Park Times · May 1, 2017

Preparing to run in the cold.
Madison Park Times · Feb 1, 2017

Don’t shrug off shoulder pain.
Madison Park Times · Jan 1, 2017

Have health, will travel.
Madison Park Times · Nov 1, 2016

Running with your four-legged friend.
Madison Park Times · Sep 1, 2016

Staying hydrated on hot summer days.
Madison Park Times · Aug 1, 2016

Breaking point: preventing osteoporosis.
Madison Park Times · Jul 1, 2016

Newborn parenting: it’s all in the wrist.
Madison Park Times · Jun 1, 2016

How occupational therapy can help you.
Madison Park Times · May 1, 2016

Yoga can give the attention your body needs.
Madison Park Times · Apr 1, 2016

It’s time for a bike ride.
Madison Park Times · Mar 1, 2016

Catching some real Zzz’s.
Madison Park Times · Feb 1, 2016

Healthy nutrition in 2016.
Madison Park Times · Jan 1, 2016

Ergonomics to save your body.
Madison Park Times · Dec 1, 2015

My wrist hurts, do I have carpal tunnel syndrome?
Madison Park Times · Nov 1, 2015

Fitness is back in session.
Madison Park Times · Oct 1, 2015

Tennis elbow is not just for tennis players.
Madison Park Times · Sep 1, 2015

Staying hydrated during this hot summer.
Madison Park Times · Aug 1, 2015

Growing a beautiful (and pain free) garden.
Madison Park Times · Jul 1, 2015

Select Speaking Events

2021 Dynatomy Therapeutic Devices – “Utilization of Dynatomy Devices in Hand Therapy” & “The Evolution of Hand Exercise”

2020 American Society of Hand Therapy Annual Conference – “Helping Olympians and Elite Athletes Achieve: The Role of the Therapist at the Competitive Venue and Clinic”

2020 Rock climbing clinic: “Perspectives from experts in medicine and performance”

2019 Seattle Rotary Club: “Movement and strength as we age.”

2015 Washington Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference – “Shoulder Biomechanics and Rehabilitation Principles”

2013 University of Washington Hand Symposium – “Rules of thumb”

2013 University of Washington Hand Symposium – “Pitfalls and Medical Complications”

2010 British Columbia Hand Society West Coast Hand Therapy Annual Meeting – “Rehabilitation principles for the elbow”

2007 Washington Occupational Therapy Association Annual Conference – “Extensor Tendon Rehabilitation: Clinical Reasoning”.

2007 American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Conference – Case studies: “Complex hand and arm injuries”

2002 Project HOPE – Specialist Educator, Istanbul Turkey – “Hand Therapy Education Program”