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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 |
Dear Zuzka,
I’m so sorry you have to go through this…but I admire your genuineness and authenticity.
I tend to judge people by the way they treat animals…seeing you with your dogs, how you always go for “the underdogs” and give them nothing but love and care, there is no way in the world you can be a bad person.
You are my motivation, my inspiration…and my husband even calls you “my girl crush” because I’m always so passionate when I talk about you and the work that you are doing!
I will support you for as long as your fitness career lasts!
Julie 🙂
Private Member |
Oh honey I have sooooooo been there. I’ve been divorced for 5 1/2 yrs and since we have a daughter together, we are forced to maintain some level of contact. Every now and again some crazy a$$ story will come out about how I did this or that to him and his story is so backwards that it makes me soooo angry. I try my best to hold my tongue but every now and again, you need to clear your name. I have stopped following them because of their slandering you. It was done in poor taste and your silence was a testament to the fact that you are clearly the bigger person. I kept thinking, “Man – I can’t believe Zuzka isn’t saying anything. I’d be pissed off!!” Good for you for taking the high road. You definitely deserved a chance to share your side of the story. And you’ve most certainly proven that you don’t need to use another person to gain success. You’ve done quite well on your own. Many of us here don’t follow them and they are free! I pay to workout with you and would take that over their drama any day. Keep it up, girl. You’re doing wonderful things for so many people. I know all too well how you feel – except that my marriage woes are not on the web. I am so sorry for what you’re going through. Just remember: this phase is temporary. But he will always have to live with being a Douchy McDouchface. We love you! 🙂
Private Member |
Girl, The moment that you disappeared from bodyrocktv was the very moment that it started to suck! lol You were the face of it all!! People think that they can hide true character even on camera but the truth is that you can sense their arrogance and egos right through the screen when you go to that page. It makes you not even want to listen to them explain the workouts in my opinion. You are the complete opposite!!! Before I even met you when we were doing your Zgym workout, I knew that you had to have been the sweetest person! Low and behold you for sure are 100% everything that you portray yourself to be. No One deserves to be mistreated in any way, and I am SO sorry to hear that you had to go through all of that, but you know what, you are coming out the bigger person and much stronger than ever! Even when you watch your old bodyrock posts you can see a huge difference (in a good way) in your countenance from then until now, and what does that say to all of the followers? Freddy should be and probably is intimidated by the army of people behind you who support you 100% and Love how genuine & caring you are. So glad that you are sticking up for yourself and that you have people surrounding you to cheer you on!! You deserve the Very very best my friend!!! 🙂
Private Member |
You know Zuz… Im very sorry that you had to go through all this but Im actually happy you left BR – your videos are much much better. Im not very surprise about Freddy, he always seemed more like a business man and you seemed as a total opposite:) Luv ya:)Keep your hard work!
Private Member |
I think anyone who has ever watched one of your videos would know what kind of person you are–kind, giving and very supportive. I am horrified at what Freddy wrote and how he treated you. I feel the way you have carried yourself and the content of your videos and your site speaks to your character. Contrast that to what Freddy has said on social media and the direction BodyRock went…no one should really be questioning your character or actions. Way to go for standing up for yourself and continuing to inspire me and thousands of others. <3
Private Member |
I myself divorced a very abusive man almost a year ago now and I empathize. It is so hard to tell your side of the story when the other person has made such strides in making sure everyone has heard theirs, especially making sure that you are portrayed as the source and reason for their suffering. We can only do our best in any given situation and you should be very proud of your strength to continually stand up for yourself. It’s sometimes not a destination but a process and sometimes a struggle until that other person finally comes to their senses and lets go, and Freddy obviously hasn’t let go. It’s very much about control, if they can’t have you, they’d rather see you destroyed than to see you happy elsewhere. I lost a lot of friends to this, but I’ve made amends with their decisions.
My birthday is August 1st and the anniversary of my finalized divorce is on the 27th, the decree felt more like a birth certificate than anything, so I will celebrate two birthdays next month! I wish you all the best of luck with your divorce, and when you’re finally through it, you’ll feel like you can breathe again with the full capacity of your lungs. Until then continue being your awesome self! We, your fans, adore and support you!
Private Member |
I have followed you somewhat since the Bodyrock days. As so many have said so many times, you have always struck me as genuine and transparent, always honest, open and approachable. I am a for-real person and am drawn only to for-real people. Nobody can fake that.
I haven’t read Freddy’s posts, but growing up as I did I do know abuse. I watched my family being bullied by my father and I myself was bullied and abused. One day I had an awakening and vowed to 1) make certain I did nothing to perpetuate that unforgivable behavior and 2) to live the most powerful, productive life I am capable of. I stumble every day and I learn every day, but I succeed every day.
Watching your rebirth in ZWOD #1 and your assorted candid videos, your tremendous growth is plain to see. You are much stronger now than you ever were on Bodyrock. I am always proud when I see such exponential growth in people, especially in the ones I consider one of my extended fitness family.
You’re awesome. Keep it up. And for what it’s worth, I’ll be in Brno from July 18-31. I’ll do a burpee for you. 🙂
Private Member |
Hi Zuzana,
You are beauitful and strong. Your divorce reminds me of my own I endured a few yrs ago. Just remember: This too shall pass, nothing is permanent. You will be stronger and even better in the end.
All my love,
Charity
Private Member |
I’m glad you posted this and told us your side. Although, I don’t follow bodyrock anymore, I read his story and was bothered by it. I guess I feel like I know you personally, haha. I think we all realised the sexualization of the old videos were his idea, once it stayed at bodyrock and your zwows were different. You did a great job of getting back on your feet and not leaving your fans. Keep your chin up and thanks for what you do! 🙂
Private Member |
I hope everything goes well with Zgym, I no longer follow BodyRock because there is something about your delivery which motivates me the most. I am loving Zgym and hope it lasts a long time!