Lijana was born into an extraordinary group of artists that have commonly been referred to as the first family of the air… The Wallendas. As far back as she can remember she traveled in the unique world of the circus along with her extended family members. Growing up watching her family perform some of the most breathtaking feats on the high wire, she dreamed one day of taking her place on the very apex of the human pyramid. When Lijana was old enough to begin practicing for the act, she soon realized that it required not only courage, strength and dedication, but also the desire to show to the world what the human spirit is capable of achieving. To this day Lijana continues to carry that tradition forward demonstrating what perseverance and dedication can achieve. 

She has spent much of her life performing amazing feats all over the world including a Guinness World Record high wire pyramid in Kurashiki, Japan, a skywalk with her brother, Nik, 100 ft in the air over Charlotte Motor Speedway, and performing in the “Hottest Show on the Strip” in Las Vegas, NV.

In 2017

While rehearsing for another world record breaking pyramid on the high wire, Lijana nearly lost her life falling 35 feet when the pyramid collapsed. With the overwhelming injuries she sustained, including breaking every bone in her face, many people would understandably never return to the wire or perform at all, but once again Lijana showed perseverance and dedication, working to heal and regain both her strength and confidence. Facing her fears and overcoming her trauma, in 2019, Lijana made her epic comeback, returning to the wire to perform an incredible skywalk with her brother, higher and longer than she had ever performed before.

Walking 1300 ft across and 25 stories above Times Square between the two towers, she proved to herself and the world that her devastating fall would not be her defining moment. While still performing as an artist, costume designer, and being mom to an incredible son, Lijana is now also sharing her inspiring message of perseverance and triumph as an inspirational speaker. She is on a mission to show people it is possible to rebound from trauma and rebuild a meaningful life, career, and destiny.