Other Women's Jobs // Valentina Tura

NAME: Valentina Tura

AGE: 38

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @valentina.tura

JOB TITLE: Osteopath (and physiotherapist)

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: August 2022

Valentina holds a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy from the Libera Universita' degli Studi of Lugano (Switzerland) and an osteopathy degree from the Italian College of Osteopathy (Italy). She has worked as a Physio and Osteopath since 2009 in private studios and clinics, for professional sports teams, and as assistant professor at the Italian College of Osteopathy.

Valentina holds 13 Post Graduate certifications and spends a lot of her time keeping up to date on osteopathy scientific research and relevant courses – she travels at least four to five times per year for post graduate courses or work-related events.

Her most important job, of course, is that of being a mother of three children and she also plays Double Bass and is passionate about music and art.

Here's a typical day in Valentina's life:

6AM: I wake up and get breakfast ready for the family, and while sipping on a cup of coffee I read for at least 60 minutes to catch up on the latest news on osteopathy, or focus on personal growth/psychology pages, or osteopathy books.

7AM: I prepare the lunch boxes and sport/music bags for the children’s day and begin to wake them up at 7.30 to get ready. I don’t get the opportunity to do this every day, so I relish the opportunity to have this time with them At least twice a week I start working at 7.30, as I try to be flexible for my patience that have to be at work early or cannot attend daytime appointment.

8AM: I drive to Al Reem Island where our new Osteopathic Center, resides, and get ready for the first patient of the day. Sometimes I am back-to-back and can see up to 14 patients per day, but the average is around 11 patients in a day.

3.30PM: I begin the journey back home, and mentally get ready for an afternoon of activities with the kids.

My eldest son take part in judo, rugby and music – all twice a week

My younger son participates in soccer (4 times per week) taekwondo, and music (twice a week)

My daughter takes part in artistic swimming, judo, and music (twice a week)

As you can imagine, there are a lot of logistics involved with getting them from one activity to another and I am very grateful that we have a driver to divide the trips with!

7PM: Once we are home, I begin dinner prep, while the kids are getting settled into evening mode. We try to eat as a family, so that we can discuss the day’s news. I like to have this time together, in order to create and cement our family bond, that is sometimes very easy to lose.

8.30PM: The children go to bed, and I have some time decompress the day with my husband.

10.30PM: I go to bed – sleep is super important for both you mind and your body. We need it to function, so I try to get as much as possible.

In addition to this I train three times a week (twice in the gym and one session of Iyengar yoga) and I also rehearse with the orchestra every Friday afternoon for 3 and a half hours.

I usually do the grocery shop on the weekend for the whole week. I make a menu for three weeks, so I have the meals planned for the family. On my fridge there is a detailed plan of my kids’ activities and a list of things to prepare (sports bags, musical instruments…) before leaving the house in the morning. I write on the mirror at the entrance with a special pen all the appointments and the extra things I have to remember to do.

I put on music every time I cook or drive and If I have spare time I read a book. On the weekends I love to be with friends, go out with my husband, and go watch my kids’ games and competitions.