Nigula Babayeva has quite a tale. She was working as an auditor at a Big 4 accounting firm in her native Azerbaijan, but she wanted more adventure in her life. She applied for a scholarship to an international MBA program in Beijing, and while she waiting for a decision from the school, she had a near-death experience, nearly drowning in the Caspian Sea.

#043 - From A(zerbaijan) to B(eijing) | Nigula Babayeva

Nigula Babayeva has quite a tale. She was working as an auditor at a Big 4 accounting firm in her native Azerbaijan, but she wanted more adventure in her life. She applied for a scholarship to an international MBA program in Beijing, and while she waiting for a decision from the school, she had a near-death experience, nearly drowning in the Caspian Sea. The very next day Nigula found out she was accepted, so she bought a one-way ticket, moved, and THEN told everyone back home she was leaving. She’s been here two years now, and along the way - from her former job running social media at restaurant / crossfit gym mashup GLO, to her current day job as, again, an auditor, Nigula has also applied her lifelong love of athletics to become a serious martial arts practitioner. She won 3rd place in her very first international wushu competition and hasn’t looked back. Nigula trains jiu-jitsu with world-renowned competitor and coach Paulo Tavares, among her other pursuits. Good talk, great story. Enjoy!

But first, let me give you a quick update from our sponsor, Stackry. As you may know by now, Stackry is the global leader in international parcel forwarding from the US to anywhere in the world. The way it works is that you shop at any US retailer, have your packages shipped to your Stackry address, and once everything has arrived, Stackry consolidates your stuff and ships it to you anywhere in the world, even China, saving you up to 80% of the shipping costs versus shipping things directly from the store. Stackry provides free storage, same day consolidation of your packages, and a tax-free US address for you to use. This week’s update on my own Stackry story is that Stackry has done their packing consolidation magic, and my streamlined package is beginning it’s journey all the way over here to me in Beijing. I’ll update you as my Stackry story continues, and it’s really easy to use their site and get yours started, too. Sign up TODAY via the link below, and use the offer code BIGFISH at the checkout to save 10% off your first shipment.

Please SUBSCRIBE to “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” at Apple Podcasts / iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/big-fish-in-the-middle-kingdom/id1237037187?mt=2 or wherever YOU get your podcasts

Other links to LISTEN: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/

SPONSOR:
Stackry “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” sign-up link: http://bit.ly/BigFish2018
Use the offer code BIGFISH at the checkout, and save 10% off your first shipment!

GUEST:
Nigula Babayeva on Instagram:
nigulababayeva

On moving to Beijing:
http://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/YT0uA1KNcCXCybxWY0J2tA

Kyle Mullin / The Beijinger article:
http://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2017/06/20/beijing-expats-shaolin-kung-fu-odyssey-nigula-babayeva

HOST / SHOW:
please LIKE “Big Fish in the Middle Kingdom” on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BigFishMiddleKingdom/
Brendan Davis on WeChat: BrendanDavis
Brendan Davis on Twitter: @VeritasInLux
Other links to LISTEN: https://www.crazyinagoodway.com/podcast-links/

Mar 28 NIGULA BABAYEVA: From A(zerbaijan) to B(eijing)

Apr 4 MANYA KOETSE: What’s On Weibo?

Mar 22 BRENDAN DAVIS: Live From Zhengzhou