March Madness Top Promoter

Aaron's days are filled with movement. Between coaching clients at the UFC Gym in Honolulu, training in Muay Thai four to five times a week, and pursuing his Master’s degree while enrolled in flight school, he’s constantly pushing his body to perform. But it wasn’t until he left the military that he realized just how much that active lifestyle had taken a toll on him.

“In the Marine Corps, recovery just wasn’t a thing,” Aaron explained. “You wake up early, work out hard, and go straight to work. No stretching. No education on how to take care of your body afterward. Over time, all that wear and tear just caught up with me.”

That’s when the VA referred him to R&R Therapeutics. Enter Richard Harrison, our principal therapist.

Aaron describes the shift as night and day.

“Before Richard, I’d only gotten massages on vacation. Spa stuff. It felt nice but didn’t really change anything. Now I get consistent, clinical massage every week, and I don’t have that chronic back or hip pain anymore. I move better, recover faster, and even my workouts have improved.”

As someone who helps others reach their fitness goals, Aaron has found that bodywork not only helps him stay in peak condition—it also deepens his understanding of anatomy and functional movement. He’s now more attuned to muscle imbalances and tension patterns, using that knowledge to improve his training techniques and help his clients do the same.

“Richard pointed out that my right side was dominant and tighter. I’d never noticed how that affected my posture and performance. Now I incorporate more unilateral exercises to fix the imbalance. That awareness? That came from massage.”

But beyond the physical gains, Aaron says massage therapy has become an essential part of his mental health toolkit—especially during stressful times.

“Flight school is intense. When I’m stressed, I start to shut down—physically and mentally. I get lethargic, tight, and I just don’t want to move. Massage breaks that cycle. It’s something I look forward to, and it helps me reset both body and mind.”

He’s also quick to credit assisted stretching and foam rolling as powerful tools for recovery, and he urges both veterans and athletes to start prioritizing self-care sooner rather than later.

“Don’t wait until it’s bad. Stretch before and after your workouts. Learn how your body works. And if you can, start seeing a massage therapist who knows what they’re doing. Especially if you’re doing something intense like martial arts or lifting.”

Aaron isn’t just a client—he’s become one of R&R Therapeutics’ strongest advocates, referring fellow trainers and clients alike to our clinic.

“Every person I’ve referred to Richard has loved it. And they keep coming back. Because once you realize how good your body can feel, you start to understand: this isn’t pampering—it’s preventative health care.”

We were especially curious about what motivates him to promote us so enthusiastically, and his answer was simple: he wants others to feel as good in their bodies as he does now. He believes in sharing resources that make a difference—especially for people who push their limits physically and mentally.

For all of these reasons and more, we’re proud to name Aaron Sanchez our March Madness Top Promoter. His dedication to health, his generosity in sharing his experience, and his belief in the power of massage therapy are part of what make our community stronger.

Thank you, Aaron, for being such a powerful voice for wellness and a shining example of how bodywork can change lives.

Return to Newsletter Front Page

20% OFF Students with Valid ID Card 20% OFF Military with Valid ID Card

320 Ward Ave, Suite 209, Honolulu, HI 96814 P: 808-272-9007 F: 808-272-9101 MAE-18088