A life beyond the screen: Saurabh Kalokhe’s journey of remote work and giving back

In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it's easy to get caught up in our own routines and ambitions. More often than not, we forget our responsibility to give back—to society, to nature, and to the animals that share this world with us.

For Saurabh Kalokhe, this responsibility is at the core of who he is. Based in Pune, India, Saurabh is not only an accomplished product manager working remotely but also a passionate advocate for animal welfare and a talented musician. His journey has taken him from playing classical sitar to running a café and embracing remote work during the pandemic.

Curious to learn how he balances his work, passions, and giving back, we sat down with Saurabh to learn more about his remarkable journey—one that shows how life is much more than just the hours we spend in front of a screen.

From music to management: Saurabh’s journey to remote work

Saurabh’s professional journey is a fascinating blend of creativity, passion, and adaptability. After completing his engineering degree, he followed his love for music, becoming both a bass guitarist and a classical sitar player. His passion for animals then led him to participate full-time in animal welfare, where he found immense joy in caring for stray dogs. But Saurabh’s entrepreneurial spirit didn't stop there—he launched his own café, throwing himself into the world of business.

However, like many others, the COVID-19 pandemic shifted his focus, and he discovered the world of remote work. This is where Saurabh’s path took a new turn, and he transitioned into seasoned product management, eventually joining Out of Office.

Today, he balances his career with a focus on improving both his physical and mental health, which he sees as vital for anyone working remotely.

Entrepreneurship and the path to product management

Before stepping into the world of remote work, Saurabh ventured into entrepreneurship by running his own café. From cleaning tables to managing finances, he took on every task, big or small. “Customer is king,” he says. “If you don’t have customers, you don’t have a business. It’s as simple as that.” Through the challenges of café ownership, Saurabh learned how to juggle multiple responsibilities, prioritize tasks, and ensure customer satisfaction—all while managing the financial health of his business.

Little did he know, these experiences were laying the foundation for his future as a Product Manager. When the pandemic hit and he transitioned into the tech world, he realized how the same principles applied. Maximizing revenue, minimizing costs, and constantly refining processes were skills that transferred seamlessly into his new career. The lessons learned from his café were instrumental in shaping the way he approaches product management today.

Finding purpose and giving back: “They love you back tenfold”

What began as feeding a few stray dogs turned into something much bigger for Saurabh. "It’s addictive," he says, “the love dogs give you back is ten times more than what you give them.” His involvement in animal welfare grew, and with the NGO MH14, he now not only feeds stray dogs but also raises funds and provides medical treatment for injured animals. Saurabh’s connection to these animals is deeply rooted in a sense of duty. “Come rain or thunderstorm, I must feed them. The thought of them going hungry keeps me going.”

But Saurabh’s compassion extends beyond just caring for animals. His journey serves as a wake-up call to all of us who get caught up in the rush of our own lives.

‍We owe it to the world to take care of more than just ourselves

‍ Whether it’s contributing to animal welfare, helping the environment, or giving back to society, Saurabh believes that no matter how busy we are, we must make time to give back. His work with stray dogs is just one example of how we can step outside our personal bubbles to make a difference.

“Laptop is the new cigarette”: The importance of health as a remote worker

For many remote workers, the lines between work and life blur, and physical and mental health often take a backseat. Saurabh’s reflection on this hits home-‍

Laptop is the new cigarette- it is easy for remote worker to fall into unhealthy habits. Spending hours in front of a screen, sitting in one place for too long, and not interacting with others can have serious consequences on both physical and mental well-being.
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Saurabh has experienced these challenges firsthand "It’s easy to forget about your own body when you’re working from home," he says, without the usual office environment to break up the day, remote workers can find themselves sitting for long stretches of time without any movement or face-to-face interaction. This isolation, combined with the sedentary nature of remote work, can quietly erode health over time. Recognizing this, Saurabh has made a conscious effort to improve his physical and mental health, incorporating regular exercise, hobbies, and moments of relaxation into his routine. He encourages other remote workers to do the same—to be mindful of the toll that work-from-home can take on the body and to actively make time for self-care.

Saurabh Kalokhe’s journey teaches us that life is about more than just the daily grind. As a product manager, musician, animal welfare advocate, and former café owner, Saurabh has shown how important it is to balance passion, responsibility, and self-care. His story serves as a reminder to all of us: take care of yourself, give back to the world around you, and find fulfilment in the things that truly matter—both in work and in life.

At Out of Office by CXC, we are more than just a remote work community—we’re a movement encouraging people to embrace a life beyond their screens. People like Saurabh exemplify this message, reminding us that remote work gives us the opportunity to pursue passions, care for our health, and contribute meaningfully to the world. As a community, we aim to uplift each other, take these messages forward, and inspire one another to live fully—both online and offline.