The Story Behind Remote Rebellion

Michelle established Remote Rebellion out of frustration with companies calling people

back to the office post-pandemic. 

Originally from the UK, she’s worked as a recruiter and headhunter for 9+ years at global consultancies and digital agencies across Europe, the USA, Singapore and Australia.

Her extensive career as a recruiter at remote first companies means she knows exactly what top remote companies look for.

Her life’s passion is helping people design their dream lives by showing them how to get a remote job that fits their lifestyle

Read the full story below…

Hi! I’m Michelle- the founder of Remote Rebellion.

I love travel and adventure and after university, I spent years travelling around the world and avoiding what society calls ‘the real world’ for as long as possible.

But in 2014, in my late 20s, the pressure to grow up, get a ‘real job’ and ‘settle down’ directed me to a career in recruitment.

I enjoyed it for many years- I was good at it and for a while I was content.

I did all the stuff I was ‘supposed to do’ at that age- I started saving for a house, got engaged, and instead of doing what I loved (surfing, cycling, travelling), I settled for the 9-5 office and city life in London.

That’s just what you do in your 30s right?!

Then, in 2020, the world changed forever and like so many others I was forced to work fully remote. Whilst I was fortunate enough to keep my job, I lived alone and without the distractions of city life, I realised how unhappy I was.

My relationship had ended and most of my friends had moved out of London to buy in the suburbs and have kids. I was lonely and realised that I wasn’t happy in London any more.

So I thought long and hard about what makes me happy and at the time, the ocean came to mind.

Being in it, diving or surfing, around it on a beach or on a boat- all my happiest moments went back to the sea!

So as soon as I could, I booked a flight to Bali so I could enjoy the last of my freedom working from anywhere until the inevitable call back to the office came.

This completely changed my life. 

I slept better and ate more healthily and with no commute draining my free time- I had an extra 2-10 hours every week!

I learnt to surf and swapped riding a cramped tube carriage for waves in the morning. Instead of eating a sandwich at my desk for lunch,  I walked along the beach and after work, rather than watching Netflix or drinking in the pub, I watched sunsets by a fire.

Then, in June 2021, the call from my boss came.

“You need to come back to London- the office is opening”.

I felt sick.

I was the happiest I’d ever been and really didn’t want to leave Bali and go back to city life.

So I took a chance and I quit my job and stayed in Bali!

I had no savings, a mortgage to pay and sadly no rich partner or parents to rely on!

But I didn’t realise how hard it would be to find a fully remote job, with a company that doesn’t care where you work from as long as you get your work done.

“I have over 7 years of recruitment experience, I know how it all works, I’m good at what I do and I’m still sturggling to get a remote job.”- I thought to myself

I realised I needed to approach the remote job search differently, so I switched tactics and in a couple of weeks, I got two freelance roles recruiting for remote first startups.

But it made me stop and think…if I struggled, then there are others without my recruitment expertise and network that are struggling too. And I can help them!

So, I spent months gathering all my insights from 7 years as a recruiter and put all the resources I’d collected together to share with others- The Remote Rebellion was born!

Our mission at Remote Rebellion is to enable people to live the life that they choose by getting a remote job that suits the life they design.