Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kelli Radnothy. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Kelli, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.

A few years ago, I took the risk of leaving a stable paralegal job to start my own freelance business. On paper, that job was secure, but I was burning out and knew I needed something different. Walking away from a steady paycheck with no guarantee of clients was scary, but it gave me the chance to blend my legal expertise with my passion for wellness. The early months were uncertain, but the leap paid off—I’ve built a business, a brand, and a career that feels far more sustainable and meaningful.

Kelli, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Kelli Radnothy, a paralegal and wellness coach with more than 20 years of experience in the legal field. I started my career as a litigation paralegal, specializing in complex litigation, e-discovery, and trial technology. Over time, I’ve designed and taught paralegal courses at the university level. These roles give me a front-row seat to the rewards and challenges of legal work. But, they also exposed me to the reality of burnout in our profession. After hitting my own wall in 2021, I realized that my next chapter needed to combine my deep legal roots with a new focus on helping others thrive.

Today, through KLR Paralegal, I provide both litigation support services – like discovery, legal research, and training – and wellness coaching for high-achievers to create success without burnout. My signature program, Breaking the Burnout Cycle, helps clients identify the root causes of stress, set boundaries, and build sustainable habits so they can perform at a high level without sacrificing their well-being. I also speak at national & local conferences, create digital products like toolkits and checklists, and publish weekly content to give professionals practical resources they can apply right away.

What sets me apart is the fusion of expertise: I understand the demands of the legal industry from the inside, applying a holistic approach that prioritizes resilience, balance, and longevity in the profession. Clients and readers know they’re not just getting theory, they’re learning from someone who’s been in the trenches and built real strategies to prevent burnout and foster growth.

I’m most proud of transforming my own burnout into a mission that helps others. The message I want people to take away from my brand is simple: you can succeed in demanding professions without losing yourself in the process. My tagline, “Legal Roots, Wellness Wings,” captures that balance. Grounded in law, while always making space to grow, adapt, and thrive.

Have you ever had to pivot?

During the height of COVID, I made one of the biggest pivots of my career by stepping into a role with the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Relief Program. At the time, I was developing a new university-level paralegal course, but when the pandemic hit, the need for emergency support was overwhelming. Businesses were collapsing, families were struggling, and it was truly a national crisis.

I pivoted into disaster relief work because I felt called to serve during a time of uncertainty. Instead of systems design, curriculum prep, litigation and discovery work, my days were suddenly consumed with processing disaster relief loans, navigating emergency regulations, and helping small businesses keep their doors open. It was high-pressure, fast-paced work, with mandated 60-hour weeks. This ongoing, indefinite cycle stretched me in ways I hadn’t experienced before.

That pivot taught me two things: first, how resilient and resourceful both professionals and small business owners can be when the stakes are high; and second, how unsustainable constant overextension can be. The experience fueled my passion for creating systems, resources, and wellness strategies for professionals. It showed me firsthand the importance of balancing service and sustainability, a lesson that now guides my work as both a paralegal and a wellness coach.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

A lesson I had to unlearn is that working harder is always the answer. For most of my career, especially in the legal field, I wore long hours like a badge of honor. During the pandemic, when I worked for the U.S. Small Business Administration’s Disaster Relief Program, that belief was amplified. I was regularly putting in 60-hour weeks, without an end in sight, told that the only way to meet the demand was to push myself harder.

The backstory is that while I was helping small businesses survive a national emergency, I was quietly burning out myself. I developed stress-related health issues, and it became clear that my old equation of “more hours equals more value” wasn’t sustainable.

Unlearning that mindset was uncomfortable. It meant realizing that rest, boundaries, and efficiency aren’t signs of weakness. Instead embracing that they’re essential for resilience and impact. That shift not only helped me recover but also shaped the heart of my wellness coaching work today: teaching other professionals that success isn’t about grinding harder, it’s about creating systems that allow you to thrive without burning out.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://klrparalegal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kel_radnothy/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kel.radnothy
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kelli-radnothy/
• Other: https://aafpe.org/legalluminaries

Image Credits

Chelsea Ann Walsh