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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 |
Freddy is the biggest creep ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Do not ever give in to him, YOU worked way too hard on Bodyrock.tv to not get what you deserve. You WERE bodyrock.tv and it definitely sucks now without you – it’s like watching a horror movie/porno.
Private Member |
It sadness me when I hear people who are being bullied. It’s so sad that you and your husband built such a wonderful site for it robe taken over by another women. I started researching on YouTube at home workouts and one of your sites from body rock popped up and immediately I saw you on that site. So I started to follow, then saw Lisa Marie. After I watched a couple of her videos I could no longer follow. So I searched for your workouts and found yours ZWOW. You are so inspirational as a female who has taken back what you worked so hard, and also respected yourself and your body. Keep on pushing through, once you have fallen the only way now is to spread your wings and soar.
Private Member |
Hi Zuzana,
After reading all this, Now I can understand what had happen back there when you were in BodyRock and why this Lisa comes in the game… I loved Bodyrock just because of you. You are a incredible personality and you can make your own way.
I wish you’ll get what you want from your life. more importantly Respect and Dignity.
I feel very bad after reading all this happened and spreading like a viral on internet, may be he is trying to demolish your Identity. But as a loyal fan, I wish no one will ever harm you, despite of his best effort. Because you are true to by your heart.
Keep smiling and spread fitness love. I want you to be a biggest fitness celeb in world and I am sure, You will
Thanks
Best Regards
Amit Singh
Private Member |
Good for you! I became a fan of YOURS when you did Body Rock. When you left I stopped. It was clear that you were a solid trainer, didn’t shy away from hard workouts, and also seemed like such a nice and genuine person. I was so excited to find your new site and have followed ever since. Hang tough! Karma is a bitch! 🙂
Private Member |
Zuzana
I started getting your workouts from BodyRock, then when you disappeared I stopped watching. I was really bummed. Then I found your new site, awesome! I didn’t hesitate paying for your ZGYM or your videos. You have inspired me more than anyone to keep working out and progress. Its sad that you have to go through such a messy divorce. Stay strong, you got people that care for you, and not to mention thousands of fans, that you inspire everyday. So just do what you say during your workouts “keep going”.
Private Member |
Hi, Zuzka. I’ve only discovered your site 10 days ago, and started doing your workouts at that time. Your genuineness is immediately obvious in your videos and in your writing, and because that I have great respect for you and for what you do. Thank you for standing strong, and may God continue to bless you. I will keep your situation in my prayers, as I look forward to my next workout and the ones that follow.
Private Member |
Hey Zuzana,
I just wanted to say that I have been following you for a long time now. When you left BodyRock, I was very sad 🙁 You were the only reason why I watched BodyRock. Because of you I lost 55lbs and have completely changed my life. Thank you 🙂 I absolutely loved your coffee talks. I actually got into a daily routine of watching your coffee talks to get myself motivated for each day. When I found you again by chance one day with your ZWOW #1 I was ecstatic. I wish you the very best for the future. Forever your fan, Victor P.S. Regarding Freddie, all I can say is Karma will catch up to him, it always has and it always will. Cheers 🙂
Private Member |
Here’s the thing: I don’t know how his post was relevant to fitness or health or … anything :/
I hate how everyone is either Team Zuzka or Team daily hiit. It takes two to tango. I’m sure both are at fault on some level. Did they go to counseling for their problems? Did they communicate? I don’t know. However, I have no right to speculate and act like I know when…frankly, I don’t, and I won’t. Only Freddy and Zuzka know what happened. In the meantime. I’ll stop acting like i know and will appreciate any and all inspiration I get. I hope that everything gets worked out. It’s a crap situation for sure. 🙁
But, one thing I can say with confidence: way to be graceful about it all, Z. <3
Private Member |
So eloquently written, instead of bashing people I prefer to stay positive and look forward
Private Member |
Zuzka, you are such a wonderful mentor and I’m sure a wonderful person! You have so many followers that love you! He will never destroy you! I can only hope to be as strong in heart as you are! I’m glad you left body rock! He was holding you back and I hated the over sexualized representation of you. And I think his new girlfriend is too skinny and has a hideous face, lol.
You are one of my favorite people ever!
Keep us updated on everything! Love ya!
-Angelina!
Private Member |
I had been following BodyRock in the begining, but when i saw your old videos and then found the new ones (ZWOW`S and now the Zshreds), i could not follow the anymore, dont give him anything that is yours, what is yours is yours, and it is yours becouse you work to gain it, and if he is a real men he should work for his own stuffed and not try to steal for a woman, that give him so much already, that other girl, start so strong and now can not even reconize herself, A strong woman like you is the real role model to follow