Other Women's Jobs // A Day In The Life & Career Of Zeina Abdalla

NAME: Zeina Abdalla

AGE: 42

INSTAGRAM HANDLE: @zeinaabdalla

JOB TITLE: Chief Engagement Officer & Co-Founder

MOVED TO THE UAE IN: 2007

Zeina is the Chief Engagement Officer & Co-Founder of GluCare.Health, a hybrid tech-enabled clinic in Dubai transforming how metabolic and endocrine conditions are managed through continuous monitoring and personalized care. Zeina's work focuses on building bridges between patients, healthcare, and the community, whether through social media, events, partnerships, or creative storytelling. With a background in digital media, she has always been drawn to creating meaningful connections, and now she uses those skills to make healthcare more personal and approachable.

Beyond her role, Zeina is deeply passionate about raising awareness of various health conditions and breaking stigmas and taboos. She believes that speaking openly breeds connection and reminds us we are not alone, something she tries to embody in both her professional and personal life. As a mother of three, she juggles family, career, and self-care, leaning into rituals that keep her centered.

Today Zeina shares a typical day in her life and career with us:

7:00 AM: Morning rituals and school drop-off

My mornings begin with a ritual that sets the tone for the rest of the day. Inspired by the Atomic Habits book, I’ve built a stackable habit: as I make my morning coffee, I take my supplements, probiotics and B12 so it becomes automatic. It’s a small but powerful way to start my day with intention.

On days when I know I won’t have time to sit for a proper meal, I make a protein shake to take with me. I’ll add creatine, protein powder, and collagen, it’s quick, nourishing, and keeps me going through busy mornings.

Then it’s onto the school run with my three kids. Mornings are busy, but I love the little conversations in the car - sometimes playful, sometimes reflective. It’s our time to connect before we part ways for the day.

8:30 AM: Yoga reset

Once the kids are at school, I head to yoga. Shimis is my favorite studio, and I love starting the day there when I can. Yoga is both my physical workout and my mental reset. It clears the mental clutter before the demands of work begin, giving me the focus and energy to show up fully in my role.

10:30 AM: Conference calls and collaboration

By mid-morning, the workday officially begins. Conference calls are usually the first order of business with my team at GluCare, with healthcare partners, or with brands in the wellness and lifestyle space. These conversations are where creativity sparks: brainstorming patient engagement strategies, planning collaborations, or mapping out new initiatives that make healthcare more human.

12:00 PM: Deep work hours

Late morning into early afternoon is when I carve out time for focused work. This is my most productive window for tackling projects and problem-solving. At 2:30, I shift gears again and head out for school pick-up.

3:30 PM: Kids’ activities

Afternoons are all about the kids. Between 3:30 and 5:30, I’m moving between basketball, after-school clubs, or playdates. I try to be efficient during this time, while they’re doing their activities, I’ll catch up on audiobooks, podcasts, or even quick calls. The best part is that I still get to be present and watch them while keeping up with my own commitments.

6:00 PM: Dinner and family time

Evenings mean home, and home means food. I love to cook, whether it’s trying out new recipes or baking something comforting. Dinner is our anchor point as a family. We gather, put phones aside, and share our days.

8:30 PM: Evening work reset

Once the kids are winding down, I log back in for a couple of hours. This quiet time is perfect for catching up on emails and connecting with mentors or advisors abroad. Since we’re growing GluCare internationally, these hours are often about learning along the way, constantly speaking to people smarter than us to help us grow the right way. We recently became part of the Endeavor network, a global community that supports high-impact entrepreneurs by giving them access to world-class mentors, investors, and industry leaders. Being in this network means we’re constantly learning from the best across diverse areas like branding, fundraising, scaling strategies, leadership, and market expansion. Continuous learning isn’t optional, it fuels our growth and ensures we stay ahead. These conversations keep us sharp, challenged, and inspired. It’s an exciting, humbling part of the journey.

10:30 PM: Evening rituals and rest

Sleep has become a real priority for me. I track my sleep and stress using my Oura Ring, which has been a game-changer in helping me understand my patterns. My evening rituals are simple but grounding: I take magnesium, read, and if I haven’t hit my step count, I hop on my walking pad to finish the day strong. Then it’s lights out and rest, knowing tomorrow brings a whole new rhythm.