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An Open Letter To All My Fans - Finally I am Standing up for Myself
Blog | July 14, 2013
I didn’t think that I would have to deal with this, but it came to the point when I just have to stand up for myself. It came to my attention that my soon to be ex-husband wrote a post about our marriage in which he pictured me as an abusive monster that used him to get to Los Angeles only to dump him, dump BodyRock.Tv that we’ve build together and become a star. My stomach literally turned upside down when I read all of those horrible things he wrote about me that are absolutely not true. I keep being bullied by this man who took literally everything from me.
Here is my side of the story. Freddy and I have build BodyRock.Tv a fitness/personal blog that became very successful. We traveled, had fun, shot hundreds of workout videos that went viral on youtube. BodyRock.Tv was a very successful business that was making us a lot of money. It was insane. We had everything but home. I did not want to live in Canada and my husband did not want to live in Prague. We tried a little country in Mediterranean – Malta, but it still didn’t feel like home to either of us. In 2011 we were contacted by a large talent agency and production company from Los Angeles to discuss a possible business opportunity. It sounded great and we were both excited to move to L..A.
We moved to Los Angeles in May 2011 and rented an expensive house in West Hollywood for the entire year. While we did not close a deal with the production company and did not get representation from the talent agency, we both felt strong about BodyRock.Tv and wanted to keep growing. Our relationship on the other hand was not at all in good shape. It was not because I was a monster wife that would physically and emotionally abuse my husband. We had serious issues that caused disconnection on my part. I was not happy about the creative direction of our videos and the way I was being portrait and perceived. While I was happy about the numbers on youtube and growing business I was feeling more and more embarrassed about my sexualized image. Don’t get me wrong, I like sexy, and confident, but I don’t enjoy having camera close up my cleavage and elsewhere. That was also a reason why we did not get any sponsorships or representation by any large talent agency despite of the popularity online. I felt like our goals were different. I wanted a clean family friendly blog that people wouldn’t be embarrassed to share with their friends, and Freddy wanted to see bigger numbers. I felt like I was being controlled in every aspect of my life. I didn’t even have my own cellphone for the first few months in Los Angeles. Apparently it wasn’t needed. If anyone wanted to talk to me, they can call my husbands cell phone.
Another issue in our relationship was our intimacy. I was not as physical with my husband as he wanted me to be which led to frustrations on his part and disappointment and disconnection on mine. I couldn’t get a hug from him to be comforted, without him being sexual with me. I could no longer imagine to have family with this man. I knew that I would not be able to look into my children’s eyes and tell them that their dad is the love of my life.
I decided that the best thing for both of us would be to separate as a couple and remain best friends and business partners. While I can’t deny that Freddy was devastated by my decision, it was not true that he had to leave to his home town in Canada. I told him that our house was big enough for both of us. We had two separate bedrooms. I offered him that I would help him to get through the changes and that I would not be the first one to date other people if he decides to stay. I wanted him to be happy and I wanted us to keep growing BodyRock.Tv.
He decided to leave me in Los Angeles and went back to his home town in Canada with his family. I was fine with that and I have to say that I felt relieved and was excited for the new beginnings. Freddy and I were in touch every day and talked about BodyRock.Tv and how we are going to continue as business partners. We agreed on bringing in other girls as hosts of the workout videos. However my idea of hiring a camera guy to shoot my workout videos was denied by my husband. No one was allowed to shoot videos of me. That’s why you could see me doing only short intros to the workouts having my camera on tripod. I was also doing some nutrition and diet posts, but I felt very limited by not having anyone to help me. We were both feeling overwhelmed by the change, because we were used to working together and we were very good at working together.
Things got very tough when his new girlfriend Lisa Marie came to the picture. While I thought that him having a new girlfriend, a person that will be there for him, will make things a lot easier, I was wrong. Up until then, we were friends, partners and we were getting along. If you were following BodyRock.Tv back then you must have noticed that I have basically vanished right after her very first post. In December 2011, Freddy’s attitude towards me changed completely. He became incredibly mean, he denied me an access to BodyRock.Tv and all the social media we’ve build together. Since I had no access to our Canadian business account, and owned only 49% of the company, I was relying on him to pay me monthly dividends. My future was completely in his hands. When I asked for my dividends he told me to first sign a non-compete agreement. What that means is that I wouldn’t be allowed to ever have my own fitness blog or to ever do a workout video online. I felt like I was being controlled again and threatened on top of that. It was never my intension to leave BodyRock.Tv. I was forced to leave to keep my independence and dignity. He told me to lawyer up and the last email I got from him stated exactly this: “I want you to sell the company car that your mom is using. Aww, isn’t it horrible that your mom that has nothing won’t even have the car?” That my friends right there was the end of our friendship. I couldn’t believe it. Of course I did not sell the car and my mom still has it.
What happened next is that he wrote a post on BodyRock.Tv that would portray me as a bad person that betrayed him in every possible way. He wrote that he was being forced and manipulated to write the post about us breaking up. That was the post with the picture of us sitting on the front step of the house in West Hollywood. Just to let you know, nobody was forcing him to write what he did. While I was pushing for him to post the truth about us not being a couple, he wanted to write it in his own words and told me not to let anyone know that I left him. I was fine with that.
At that time, I decided that I will not give up and that I will continue doing what I love and he or nobody else will ever stop me. I contacted Darren from Watch it now entertainment, explained him the entire situation and asked him if he wants to be my partner. We clicked as friends immediately and we were on the same page when it comes to fitness, blogging and my image as a trainer. I got hired by his company and got my work visa instantly. After that, you know the story. We started shooting ZWOWs and I tried to get back on my feet. I can never thank Darren and his team at Watch It Now Entertainment enough, who all helped me when I had absolutely nothing. I am also forever thankful to my boyfriend who stood by me the entire time and gave me the kind of love and home that I have always dreamed off.
I filed for divorce in January 2012, however I am still waiting for the divorce to happen, because my husband is way too power hungry and wants my 49% of BodyRock.Tv which he thinks is worth his signature on our divorce papers and nothing more. I was also threatened by a letter from his lawyer that I might be deported back to Czech Republic if I won’t stop doing ZWOWS and sign the non-compete agreement with BodyRock.Tv. I guess he assumed that I didn’t get my visa.
I have received way more abuse from him in the form of online bullying. He said so many bad things about me on his Facebook and other social media and I have never stood up for myself. For some weird reason I thought that he is really not that kind of person and that maybe he’s just very hurt that I left him. I thought that he is being like that because he’s probably suffering. Now it got to the point that I am hundred percent certain that all that crap he writes about me is his cover up to justify the fact that he took everything from me and have been actively trying to destroy my career and my online presence. Here he is again with another post trying to hurt me. He didn’t take the most important part of me though–my faith, love, and will power.
Private Member |
Wow, my love to you and your new life. I’m glad you’re defending your reputation but he’ll get his one day. Karma is a b…but regardless of all this you have been a great inspiration for me. I’ve been following you for years and never like, Freddy. I Only saw the youtube videos bcuz of youlost 65lbs so far, thank you. God only gives you what you can handle, and at the end he’ll reward you with a win. keep up the good spirit and keep going. Much love for u, your puppies and your new bf.
Private Member |
hi zuzka
been there done that…dont give up …. my ex wife is like your soon to b ex h…..
dont give up.. we love you
fab
Private Member |
Love you! Come tl caribbean for vacation!!
Private Member |
Zuzka, you have always been an inspiration to me. When you broke up with Freddy and started zwow, I was right along side you. I was newly single as well, and needed a kick in the butt to get my head back to reality. Your workouts and motivation has played an important part to me. Keep doing what you do best. Don’t let any jerks bring you down! I personally cant stand any of the faces on “dailyhiit”. I always recommend your site to my friends. Keep smiling girl, your gorgeous!!
Private Member |
Zuzana, I too followed you for a long long time as well. I have supported you from the beginning. I just went and read the post that your ex had written, and am appalled. I am happy to say that there is a lot of negative feedback. I have noticed that he has written mean things that have been towards you, that people that have been followers would catch. I do note, you have that comment about filming erotic like shots and I have noticed a lot of boob shots with Lisa Marie, and I will also note that: *****There was one video that was shot with Lisa Marie that I had to turn off. It was all pardon me for this, it was all tits and vag. Not tits and ass, but the other. You could not see her form or the workout.
I’m glad that you have found this new company. I know its been a struggle for you, but Zuzana, you have done so well for yourself and have kept a professional attitude. It can only get better with time. Congrats to you.
Private Member |
I just read what he wrote also, after writing my post above.
What a despicable, manipulative creature he is!
I’m disgusted he is taking advantage of Nigella Lawsons very recent physical assault (using images of her domestic violence incident caught on camera by the paparazzi!) to gain attention for himself & bad mouth Z.
He just keeps digging a hole for himself.
Great way to victimize 2 strong & successful women for your own perceived benefit Freddie !
take advantage of Nigella’s vicious assault while it’s still making headlines and take further jabs at Z while your at it!
Adjectives like: integrity, tactfulness, sensitivity & sympathy just don’t exist in his world do they?
Private Member |
I just want to say that I have been following you for some time. I watched many of those old videos and you looked miserable. You wore your pain on your face. I continued when Lisa Marie came on, but it didn’t last long, she has changed and tried to become something that she is not. Always be true to yourself , you are strong and beautiful! The true will win . We all live you and what you do. Keep on going! From one trainer to another, you are the best 🙂
Private Member |
Let your inner light shine! What comes around goes around. You are beautiful from the inside all the way to the outside. This unfortunate experience will not bring you down, it will make you stronger.
Carpe diem.
Private Member |
I have been following you for a few years, starting when you were on BR. I loved that site and what you stood for. I am in the best shape of my life because of you. I tried to follow BR after you left, but it wasn’t the same. I felt like the exploitation kept getting worse and they tried to make you feel like a prude if you objected. I finally had to quit following them. I’m so happy you were able to start your site and create your awesome workouts. Thank you for continuing to do what you believe in despite the pressure. You are truly talented 🙂
Private Member |
Let’s just say that your story adds up a lot better than his does. Keep the faith and a great attorney. I was very unhappy with the sexualization of Bodyrock even though the workouts were great – because you were designing and performing them. That’s why I followed you here. No divorce involving a business is easy, but it’s silly to assume trashing the other person online will work out in your favor. Good luck from another West Hollywood denizen; my husband says he saw you at Trader Joe’s! 🙂
Private Member |
By “trashing online” I mean your ex, not you, of course.
Private Member |
Stay strong Zuz. I have been following u since Bodyrock time and moved to Zwow when I noticed u weren’t at bodyrock at all.
I bless u with Love, Goodwill and peace. XOXO