Meet the ASPIRE Pasadena Team
AARON MCGUINNESS PT, DPT, OCS, OWNER
HOURS: T 7 AM – 6 PM, Th 7 AM – 12 PM
Born and raised in Glendale, California, Aaron McGuinness is the passionate founder and owner of Aspire Physical Therapy & Sports Performance. A lifelong athlete and dedicated clinician, Aaron specializes in orthopedic and sports physical therapy, helping people move, train, and live at their very best.
He earned his Bachelor of Science degree from Gonzaga University, where he was a four-year starting shortstop for the Bulldogs baseball team. This experience sparked his drive to help others recover and perform like athletes. Aaron went on to earn his Doctorate in Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California (USC) in 2011, followed by completing USC’s prestigious Orthopedic Residency Program, which earned him his Orthopedic Clinical Specialist (OCS) certification the same year.
Aaron opened Aspire Physical Therapy & Sports Performance in June 2015. Since then, Aspire has expanded to five thriving locations across La Cañada, La Crescenta, Glendale, and the newest location in Pasadena, situated inside the state-of-the-art Keck Medicine of USC medical office building.
Throughout his career, Aaron has worked alongside the top sports physicians in Los Angeles, including the team doctors for the Dodgers, the University of Southern California sports physicians, and the Los Angeles Lakers team physicians. His hands-on experience with elite athletes informs the advanced, evidence-based care he provides to every patient—from youth competitors to professionals.
Aaron develops sport-specific training programs, injury prevention plans, and post-operative recovery plans designed to restore strength, power, and confidence.
Certifications/Memberships:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Orthopedic Certified Specialist (OCS)
CPR/AED for the Professional Rescuer
Hawk Grips Technique for Manual Therapy
Daniel Fox, PT, DPT, SCS, ATC
HOURS: M/F 2 PM – 6 PM, T/TH 9 AM – 6 PM
Daniel Fox received his Bachelor’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of New Mexico. He graduated from the University of Southern California with his Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and completed USC’s Sports residency program the following year.
Through this rigorous curriculum, he learned to use evidence-based practice to help professional, collegiate, and amateur athletes achieve their goals and prevent further injury.
Daniel grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and played every sport he could, including basketball, soccer, golf, tennis, and baseball. He developed an interest in sports medicine after suffering a torn ACL while playing basketball. He is still passionate about using his own experiences with a year-long recovery to help athletes recover from ACL injuries.
When not in La Cañada, Daniel has had the opportunity to travel the world, providing medical care to Olympic-level swimmers. He is the team’s physical therapist for the Toronto Titans, a professional swimming team in the International Swimming League. Daniel specializes in shoulder injuries in overhead athletes and enjoys using the lessons learned from treating Olympians to help every patient he sees.
Outside the office, Daniel still enjoys playing basketball, golf, tennis, and spending time with his fiancée. Between swimming trips, they both return to the mountains of New Mexico to visit family and get lost hiking and snowboarding.
Certifications/Memberships:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Certified Athletic Trainer (ATC)
USC Sports Physical Therapy Resident
American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)
California Physical Therapy Association (CPTA)
ALEX ALVARADO, PT, DPT
HOURS: M/W/ F 7 AM – 6 PM, T/TH: 7 AM -12 PM
Alex Alvarado received his Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Pre-Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. While in San Diego, he worked as a physical therapy aide, gaining experience working with patients and understanding how Physical Therapy can truly help people. He then attended the Western University of Health Sciences to earn a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, where he emphasized therapeutic exercise and manual therapy treatment plans.
Alex is passionate about educating patients on Physical Therapy and how PT can empower individuals to recover from their injuries. At the start of his career, he worked with an orthopedic surgeon, where he learned to manage the rehabilitation of post-operative patients.
His cases focused on shoulders, knees, and the spine, ranging from rotator cuff repairs to labral repairs, ACL reconstructions, meniscus repairs, spinal fusions, etc. He continues to challenge himself by learning the most recent evidence-based practices and implementing them into treatment plans.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, Alex is a passionate fan of LA-based sports teams, including the Dodgers, Lakers, Rams, and Kings. His sports background includes playing baseball, soccer, and football, as well as coaching young athletes. In his free time, he loves swimming, hiking, and spending quality time with his family.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
adriana Ardila, PT, DPT
HOURS: M/W 7 AM – 1 PM, T/TH 8 AM – 6 PM
Adriana graduated from Columbia University with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and is currently a USC orthopedic resident, delving deeper into her orthopedic clinical experience and research.
She was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and raised in Miami, FL. Throughout her youth, she has studied all styles of dance, from classical to social and cultural. She earned her Bachelor of Fine Arts at Florida State University. Adriana has performed professionally with Princeton Ballet, and various dance festivals both nationally and internationally.
Through her experience teaching dance, she fostered her understanding of movement patterns and injury prevention. She prioritized learning and nurturing people’s needs to maximize movement efficiency, empowering clients to proactively prioritize their health.
Adriana is a lifelong student dedicated to traveling all over the world to teach, dance, perform, build community, and learn about different cultures.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Patty Burson, PT, DPT
HOURS: M/TH 2 PM – 6 PM, W 8 AM – 12 PM, T/F 8 AM – 6 PM
In the clinic, Patty brings a thoughtful, individualized approach to patient care, blending evidence-based practice with a deep commitment to education, empowerment, and movement optimization. She is especially passionate about helping people return to the activities they love with confidence and resilience. Outside of the clinic, she enjoys working out, going for walks, and spending time at the beach whenever she can—even if it’s a bit more of a drive now that she lives in Pasadena. She loves spending time with friends and family and cherishes quality time with “her people”.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
PRESTON CHAU, PT, DPT
HOURS: M/T/TH 7 AM – 6 PM, W/F 7 AM – 12 PM
Preston earned both his bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology and his Doctorate of Physical Therapy from San Diego State University. His experience working with active and athletic individuals has given him a genuine appreciation for how injuries can impact not only physical performance but also confidence and mindset.
While in PT school, Preston loved being involved in the community, especially volunteering at the San Diego State Adapted Sports Clinic, where he had the opportunity to work with Paralympic athletes. Those experiences helped shape his passion for helping people of all abilities move and feel their best.
In the clinic, Preston focuses on using evidence-based strategies to guide patients through recovery and help them understand their bodies better for optimal injury prevention and enhance performance.
Originally from San Diego, he still (quietly) roots for his hometown teams, even while living in Los Angeles. When he’s not in the clinic, you’ll probably find him out golfing, traveling, relaxing at the beach, or snowboarding in the mountains.
Certifications:
Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
Arek Kourouyan, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS
HOURS: M/W 9 AM – 6 PM, F 9 AM – 4 PM
Arek Kourouyan, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS, is a double board-certified physical therapist with advanced training in orthopedic and sports rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Southern California and completed post-professional residencies in both orthopedics and sports physical therapy.
Dr. Kourouyan integrates evidence-based clinical care with performance-focused strength and conditioning principles to deliver individualized, results-driven treatment. As a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), he emphasizes movement quality, progressive loading, and long-term resilience in his rehabilitation approach.
His clinical experience includes treating professional and high-level athletes, recreational athletes, and individuals recovering from complex orthopedic and spinal conditions. Areas of focus include post-operative rehabilitation (ACL reconstruction, labral and rotator cuff repairs, joint replacements, and spine surgery), return-to-sport programming, chronic pain management, and injury prevention.
Dr. Kourouyan has a strong clinical interest in post-operative rehabilitation, return-to-sport programming, and the management of complex orthopedic and spine-related conditions. He enjoys working with active individuals across all levels, from competitive athletes to recreationally active patients, and is particularly focused on restoring efficient movement, building durable strength, and helping patients safely return to the activities that are meaningful to them.
Outside of the clinic, Dr. Kourouyan enjoys staying active through basketball, tennis, and golf, which helps shape his understanding of the physical demands his patients face and informs his approach to rehabilitation and performance.
Certifications:
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Rebecca Aguilar
Front Office coordinator
COURTNEY RUSSELL
Patient Care Coordinator
HOURS: WEEKDAYS 7AM-5PM (LUNCH 1-2PM)