In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of The Health & Fitness Show with Tracy, fitness educator and author Tracy L. Markley welcomes Denise Imbesi — founder of Muscle Mix Music and creator of the Vibes Music App.
Together, they explore Denise’s extraordinary impact on the fitness music industry and her deeply personal journey as a caregiver for her parents — one who experienced a stroke and the other who developed dementia.
Denise opens up about building one of the first-ever fitness music companies, pioneering customized mixes for instructors, and later developing Vibes Music App — the first fully licensed app offering real artist tracks for virtual and in-person fitness classes.
She also shares the emotional and physical challenges of caregiving, the lessons she learned while supporting her parents, and how music, movement, purpose, and compassion helped her navigate grief and healing.
This powerful conversation blends innovation, vulnerability, courage, and heart — offering comfort and inspiration for caregivers, instructors, entrepreneurs, and anyone balancing career with family challenges.
IN THIS EPISODE, YOU’LL LEARN:
- How Denise transformed fitness instruction by launching Muscle Mix Music
- What inspired the creation of Vibes Music App for virtual and live classes
- Her emotional journey caring for parents with stroke and dementia
- How music supports healing, emotional regulation, and resilience
- The balance between caregiving, career, creativity, and purpose
- Wisdom and encouragement for anyone caring for loved ones
This episode is filled with compassion, authenticity, and strength — a beautiful reminder of how music, love, and human connection can change lives.
🌐 LEARN MORE FROM TRACY
Website: www.tracymarkley.com
Amazon Author Page: www.amazon.com/author/tracymarkley
Instagram: www.instagram.com/motivate_healthyfit
Denise Imbesi is the visionary who pioneered the launch of Muscle Mix Music as one of the first fitness music companies worldwide. In 1988, a DJ and instructor, she saw a need for custom music mixes for fit pros. Today Denise and team built Vibes Music, the first ever music app for fitness containing real music by the real artists for both in person and on-demand fitness classes. Learn more about VIBES:
https://www.vibesmusicapp.com/
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