About Julio Abad Veria · Sports Therapist · Sports Scientist
From Cuba to Berlin. With science, experience, and three languages.
I'm Julio — a sports scientist with a 5-year university diploma, 14 years of rehabilitation experience, and 9 years at home in Berlin. My offering is not a gym and not a physical therapy practice. It is structured, individual movement guidance — in German, English, or Spanish.
Why sports therapy
The real rebuilding begins when the prescription ends.
During my years in Cuban rehabilitation centres I saw the same thing again and again: people arrived with discharge reports from clinics, with expired physio prescriptions, with one question — what now? The medical phase was over. Everyday life was still far away.
That gap is my field. Not medical treatment — that is the job of doctors and physical therapists. But what comes after: the structured, step-by-step rebuilding of mobility, strength, and confidence in your own body.
When I came to Berlin in 2015 it quickly became clear: this gap exists here too. People after knee replacements, sports injuries, oncological conditions — they all find themselves in that gap at some point. And they often do not speak German. Or not well enough to feel safe being honest about their limits during physical training.
Spanish is my mother tongue. English I speak fluently. German at C1 level. That is not a coincidence — it is my most important tool. Because movement goes through trust. And trust goes through language.
At a glance
- 5-year university diploma in sports science — state university Cuba, recognised in Germany (ZAB)
- 14 years of experience in inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation facilities
- Former university lecturer in sports science
- 9 years in Berlin — districts: Mitte, Charlottenburg, Prenzlauer Berg and more
- Trilingual: Spanish (mother tongue) · English (fluent) · German (C1+)
Professional profile
LinkedIn — Julio Abad VeriaCurriculum vitae
From university in Cuba to sports therapy in Berlin
- 1995–20001995–2000
5-year university diploma in sports science
Universidad de Ciencias de la Cultura Física y el Deporte, Cuba
TODO[asset]: T2-P01Complete 5-year university diploma in sports science at a state university. Core subjects: training science, movement science, sports medicine fundamentals, and pedagogy.
- 2000–20052000–2005
University lecturer in sports science
University, Cuba
TODO[asset]: T2-P01Teaching position at a Cuban state university. Delivering courses in training and movement science to undergraduate students. Building methodical and pedagogical foundations that still shape my guidance practice today.
- 2002–20112002–2011
Sports therapist in inpatient rehabilitation facilities
Cuba
TODO[asset]: T2-P02Several years working in inpatient rehabilitation centres. Supporting people after surgery, stroke, and chronic movement restrictions — always as movement guidance, never as medical treatment.
- 2011–20152011–2015
Sports therapist in outpatient rehabilitation facilities
Cuba
TODO[asset]: T2-P02Moved into outpatient rehabilitation support: clients after completing inpatient phases who wanted to rebuild their everyday movement. The core principle of my work today was developed here.
- 20152015
Relocation to Berlin
Berlin, Germany
TODO[asset]: T1-P02Moved to Berlin — my home ever since. The city with its international diversity, communities, and movement infrastructure is the perfect base for what I do.
- 20162016
University diploma recognised in Germany
Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB), Germany
TODO[asset]: T2-P03My Cuban sports science diploma was officially assessed by the ZAB (Central Office for Foreign Education) and entered in the Anabin database. My qualification is therefore fully recognised in Germany.
- 2017–20192017–2019
Continuing education: KG am Gerät — Krankheitsbilder (device-assisted physical training — clinical conditions)
Berlin
TODO[asset]: T2-P04Specialised continuing education in training guidance for various clinical conditions — evidence-based, directly relevant to the needs of my Berlin clients.
- 20192019
Continuing education: Aqua Trainer Basic (certified aquatic movement training)
Germany
TODO[asset]: T2-P04Certified continuing education in movement-based training in water. Aquatic training opens up joint-friendly training options especially for clients with joint stress or after surgery.
- 20212021
Continuing education: movement therapy for oncological conditions
Germany
TODO[asset]: T2-P04Certified continuing education in movement support for people living with and after oncological conditions — always coordinated with the treating physician, never as a substitute for medical treatment.
- since 2020since 2020
VERTEX SPORTTHERAPIE — founded
Berlin
TODO[asset]: T1-P02Founded VERTEX SPORTTHERAPIE: 1-to-1 training guidance in Berlin for follow-up training programs, personal training, and senior movement — in German, English, and Spanish.
Qualification & recognition
My diploma — recognised in Germany
I hold a 5-year university diploma in sports science from a Cuban state university. The programme covered training science, movement science, sports medicine fundamentals, rehabilitation, and pedagogy.
This diploma was assessed in Germany by the Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen (ZAB) — the official German authority for the recognition of foreign educational qualifications. The outcome: full recognition as an equivalent university degree, entered in the publicly accessible Anabin database.
What this means for you: my qualification is not self-claimed — it is state-assessed and publicly verifiable.
What is the Anabin database?
The Anabin database of the Standing Conference of the Ministers of Education and Cultural Affairs (KMK) contains information on the assessment of foreign educational qualifications. University degrees from more than 180 countries are listed and rated according to their German equivalent.
Open Anabin databaseMy ZAB recognition record
- University degree: diploma in sports science (5 years)
- Issuing institution: state university, Cuba
- Recognised by: ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen)
- Anabin reference number: TODO[content]: reference number
Multilingual
Training in your language — for real.
When you train under pain or physical restrictions, you need to be able to speak honestly about your limits. That only works in the language where you can truly express yourself. That is why multilingualism is not a marketing feature for me — it is a professional argument.
Deutsch
C1+
Working language for 9 years. I communicate with Berlin authorities, doctors, and clients alike.
Español
Mother tongue
My first language. Training in Spanish feels like a home game for Spanish-speaking clients.
English
Fluent / C2
Berlin's international tech and expat community — I support clients from their first Google search in English to the final training check-in.
Continuing education & certifications
Specialisations that matter
Aqua Trainer Basic
Certified continuing education in movement-based training in water (Aqua Trainer Basic). Particularly valuable for clients with joint stress, after surgery, or with restricted mobility.
TODO[asset]: Certificate photo · Shot T2-P04
KG am Gerät — Krankheitsbilder (device-assisted physical training — clinical conditions)
Continuing education in training guidance for various clinical conditions using device-assisted exercises. Knowledge I apply daily when supporting clients after completed medical treatment.
TODO[asset]: Certificate photo · Shot T2-P04
Movement therapy for oncological conditions
Certified continuing education in movement support for people living with and after oncological conditions — always coordinated with the treating physician, evidence-based according to the S3 guideline.
TODO[asset]: Certificate photo · Shot T2-P04
Trust built on qualification
- Universitäts-Diplom anerkannt Anabin / ZAB Zeugnisbewertung
- 9 Jahre in Berlin
- Aqua Trainer Basic Fortbildungs-Zertifikat
- KG-am-Gerät-Fortbildung Fortbildungs-Zertifikat
- Onkologische Bewegungstherapie-Fortbildung Fortbildungs-Zertifikat
Transparency
What may a sports therapist do — and what may they not?
I know that the term "sports therapist" raises questions. Here I answer them directly and without glossing anything over.
- What may a sports therapist do — and what is reserved for a physical therapist?
- A physical therapist (Physiotherapeut) is a state-licensed healthcare provider under German law (MPhG). They may carry out medical treatments on physician prescription, bill health insurers, and apply specific therapeutic procedures. I am a sports scientist working as a sports therapist — I do not provide medical treatment, but scientifically grounded movement and training guidance. My services are private-pay and are not reimbursable by statutory health insurance. That is a deliberate choice — and it allows me to work more flexibly, more individually, and often more deeply on your training goals than a 30-minute clinic slot permits.
- What does the term "sports therapist" mean?
- The term "sports therapist" (Sporttherapeut) is not a protected healthcare title in Germany — it describes an activity in the field of sports and movement science guidance. I use it in combination with my official qualification: a 5-year diploma in sports science (state university in Cuba, recognised by the ZAB in Germany). My services are training guidance and movement programs — not diagnosis, not medical treatment.
- What does the ZAB recognition of my diploma mean?
- The ZAB (Zentralstelle für ausländisches Bildungswesen — Central Office for Foreign Education) is the official German authority for the assessment of foreign educational qualifications. It evaluates whether a foreign university degree is equivalent to a German degree and records the outcome in the publicly accessible Anabin database. My Cuban sports science diploma was assessed by the ZAB and is recognised in Germany as a full university degree. You can find the Anabin reference number in the imprint.
- Why do you not speak of "healing" or "therapy"?
- Because I am not permitted to — and because I should not. The German Heilmittelwerbegesetz (HWG — Medicinal Products Advertising Act) protects people from being misled by promises that have no scientific basis. I consciously follow clear language rules: no healing claims, no medical diagnoses, no appearance of medical treatment. What I do instead: I support you in gaining more freedom of movement in everyday life, rebuilding your performance capacity, and — with medical clearance — continuing your training after completed medical treatment. That is more precise and more honest than any healing claim.
- May a sports therapist support clients with oncological conditions?
- Yes — with a clear boundary. Movement is evidence-based positive for people living with and after oncological conditions (S3 guideline: movement therapy in oncology). I support movement programs in coordination with the treating physician, exclusively after medical clearance, and never as a substitute for medical treatment. I have completed specific continuing education in "movement therapy for oncological conditions". Important: this page does not contain medical recommendations — please speak with your doctor before starting any training.
Ready to get started?
Book your free 15-minute initial call — straightforward, no commitment, in your language.
Schwestermarke
Sie suchen ein Programm für Ihr Unternehmen, Pflegeheim oder Ihre Praxis?
MOVETICA — die Schwestermarke für B2B-Bewegungs- und Gesundheitsprogramme. Reha, Firmenfitness, Seniorenbewegung, Prävention, Aquatherapie.
MOVETICA ist eine zweite Marke desselben Inhabers Julio Abad Veria. Beide Marken bedienen unterschiedliche Zielgruppen und Angebote: VERTEX richtet sich an private Endkunden (B2C), MOVETICA an Organisationen (B2B).