E28: ’Tis the Season of Zen with Ascendify Wellness Founder Liz Adriano
This week on the City Limitless® podcast, we stepped away from the noise and into a moment of calm with Liz Adriano, the founder of Ascendify Wellness. Her work is rooted in a simple but powerful mission: to help people slow down, reconnect with themselves and heal through sound. What started as a personal search for balance has turned into a growing wellness movement right here in Mesa.
“Mesa is the perfect place for healing. This community has heart and I’m grateful to grow Ascendify here.”
Liz did not begin her career in wellness. For years, she worked in the corporate world pushing through deadlines and burnout while feeling a growing disconnect between her daily routine and her deeper purpose. Like many people, she eventually hit a wall. Stress had become constant and even success no longer felt meaningful. During that time, she turned to mindfulness practices and eventually discovered sound as a form of meditation. The impact was immediate. For the first time in years her mind began to quiet. That experience became a turning point. She realized if sound could help her heal, it could also guide others toward their own sense of peace.
That is how Ascendify Wellness was born. When asked about the name, Liz explained that her hope is not that people avoid challenges but rise through them. The idea behind Ascendify is about elevating your energy and your life by creating space to listen to what your body and mind need. One of the ways she does this is through sound meditation which she says people often confuse with sound baths. Although they are similar, there is a difference. A sound bath is fully passive. It allows people to simply rest while sound washes over them. Sound meditation invites a little more intention. Through specific frequencies, especially theta waves, the mind can move into a deeply relaxed state while still staying aware enough to release stress or emotions that may be stored in the body.
During her sessions Liz uses crystal singing bowls, chimes, drums and tuning forks. Each tool produces a different vibration, and those vibrations interact with the nervous system. While the science behind sound meditation is still growing, many participants report lower anxiety, improved sleep, deeper focus and emotional release. But Liz believes the real benefit goes beyond the tools. “What matters most is holding space for people,” she said. “That’s where healing actually begins.”
While her work resonates with many, she feels especially connected to clients who navigate high-pressure roles. She often works with corporate teams, educators, first responders and entrepreneurs who carry heavy mental loads. Liz understands that constant productivity can come at a cost, so she creates environments where people can step away from pressure and reconnect with their well-being.
Outside of her sessions, Liz loves exploring Mesa. Some of her favorite local spots include catching the sunrise at Usery Mountain Regional Park, getting breakfast at Proof Bread, and spending time in Downtown Mesa, where she loves the creative energy and community feel. She says Mesa has become the perfect home base for Ascendify because it blends nature entrepreneurship, and heart.
Those interested in experiencing sound meditation with Liz can connect with Ascendify Wellness on Instagram at @ascendifywellness or visit her website at AscendifyWellness.com for upcoming local events.
For more stories that celebrate the incredible people and places shaping our community, listen to our full interview and more on the City Limitless® podcast. You won’t want to miss it!
