Who’s Behind Remote Rebellion?

Michelle Coulson

Founder of Remote Rebellion aka Chief Remote Rebel

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.

  • 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 is to empower people to live a life with freedom and flexibility by getting a remote job that aligns with their values and contributes to a world with happier people with fewer regrets.

Our Values

  • We recognise that we are all individuals from diverse backgrounds and face unique challenges. Our commitment to equity means maintaining an empathetic and inclusive environment that offers support to meet each person where they're at. This isn't about treating everyone the same – it's about giving everyone the tools they need to succeed on their own terms. We value fairness and understand that true equity is key to empowering every member of Remote Rebellion.

  • We’ve got no time for secrets and BS here. We don’t just value transparency, but open and clear communication with true candidacy. This isn’t a place for fake pleasantries and ‘stiff professionalism’- at RR we can be our true selves, speak our minds and voice disagreements respectfully without judgement.

  • Change takes courage. This is the place where you’re encouraged to do things differently, to speak up when you have something to say, to try new things, to make mistakes (and own up when you do)- all in the safety of an environment where you’ll never be judged for having the courage to do so.

  • We start with trust from the beginning. You’re here at RR because we believe you are the best person for the job and that you’re mature enough to know where and when you work best. We won’t be checking up on the hours you’re logging, it’s the results we care about.

  • With a team that spans multiple continents, ages, races, genders and so many other unique characteristics, open-mindedness is imperative! We make an effort to understand things from another point of view and even if we don’t agree on something, we respect each other and come from a place of empathy.

  • Together, we thrive. In unity, we find strength, and through collective well-being, we prosper.

    We always find ways to help each other out!

Meet the Remote Rebellion Team

  • Jan- Remote Work Dream Maker

    Jan - Remote Work Dream Maker

    Jan responds to people who are interested in the Remote Job Academy and jumps on a call to check if they’re committed enough to be a ‘Rebel’!

    He has been living and working fully remotely for the past 6 years, has picked up a couple of languages (you get a discount if you can guess where he’s from by the accent).

    Jan has a diagonal experience, with a PhD in Pharmaceutical Sciences, international experience in Change Management, and a sincere pleasure in helping people making their life better - and location-independent

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Events Michelle has spoken at…