I come from Siberia, a place where character is forged side by side with winter itself, where the air bites your cheeks and you learn early that strength is not something you announce—it’s something you quietly live.
My name is Yulia Baykova, and at 49 I am not only a happy wife and the mother of two long-awaited daughters, but also a confident businesswoman, a professional cosmetologist, a clinical nutritionist—and the proud titleholder of Mrs. Gelendzhik Classic 2025.
I come from Siberia, a place where character is forged side by side with winter itself, where the air bites your cheeks and you learn early that strength is not something you announce—it’s something you quietly live. And yet, life has a beautiful way of surprising us: one day my family made a decision that would change everything, and we moved to sunny Gelendzhik, swapping icy horizons for the soft light of the sea.
Here, on the subtropical coast of what many call the Russian Riviera, we found not just a new address, but a different rhythm of life—one filled with warmth, a sense of home, and the kind of inspiration that arrives in small, everyday moments: the salty breeze in the morning, the golden evenings, the feeling that the world has opened a little wider.
My road to success was never the effortless kind. Building and growing my own beauty salon while raising my daughters and carrying the responsibilities of family life is not something you do “in between”—it becomes a full life that asks you to be many things at once, sometimes within the same hour. There were days when I had to switch from professional focus to motherly tenderness in a heartbeat, from business decisions to homework and bedtime talks, and still show up the next morning with a calm face, clear mind, and an open heart. But I learned how to balance, not by chasing perfection, but by choosing what truly matters in each moment—and by filling my days with meaning, joy, and care for the people I love.
A special chapter in my life began with the Mrs. Gelendzhik pageant. In January, despite an intense schedule, I accepted an unexpected invitation to attend the casting—and from that point, everything unfolded quickly: masterclasses, rehearsals, preparation, new acquaintances, new impressions, and the kind of excitement you can’t plan in advance. My family became my anchor, my greatest source of support, while friends brought energy and encouragement, reminding me that sometimes a woman simply needs a new space to breathe, to shine, to remember herself again.
“The pageant became a breath of fresh air for me—it brought back the feeling of celebration, allowed me to feel the stage again, and gave me real emotions. I’m grateful to everyone who stayed close during that time.”
Winning in Gelendzhik was not an ending—it was a beginning. Next came Moscow and participation in Mrs. Russia, where I earned the European title: Mrs. Russia European Nations Classique 2025. That moment became more than a personal victory; it became a shared pride for my family and friends, the kind of achievement that feels even brighter when the people you love have been walking beside you through every step.
Today I continue to grow in my profession, to support women who are ready for change, and to hold on to a truth I’ve learned through my own life: age is not a limitation—it is a new level, a new season in which you can expand, evolve, and express yourself more fully than ever. My story is proof that dreams do come true when you’re willing to accept challenges, move forward with courage, and keep your heart open to everything life still has to offer.
