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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 |
it is difficult to understand how mean people can be. you spend with somebody a lot of time sharing your life with and at the end the only thing you can get is threatening you badly. he is jelous because you finally got through it and began praktically from scratch your professional life, with a big success . that is why, he causes you constant problems. I hope you will finaly get divorce and be completely free to get your life as good as you wish. your an amazing person, very energetic, nice and thougtful. your workouts are great. I wish you all the best.
Private Member |
Hey Zuzena,
you are a strong person and you will go through this glitch in your way. You are awesome.
Private Member |
Zuz,
Sorry you felt you had to even dignify his assertions with this post. I think it was pretty obvious – even without the details- who was up to what in that horrible situation. That you had not attacked him in the face of his villifications said it all.
When you first resurfaced, it was obvious you were going through a lot of struggles, but you got stronger and stronger and returned to yourself. The focus was back! And it was great to see. You have been through a lot of experiences most of us can’t fully imagine and still stayed positive and held on to your dignity. Respect!
Private Member |
You are the best! Your ex envies you and that’s all! He’ll never be as successful as you are! You’re strong, beautiful and a very good person, life will put everything on the right place! It’s wonderful you have people to support you! We love you! Don’t pay attention on barking dogs!
Private Member |
I agree with all the people above, you have been nothing but tactful about your relationship with Freddy and then he does this? Can’t believe it. We will support you always, you are such an inspiration!!
Private Member |
I must have spent too much time on bodyrock.tv because I knew instantly something was way off. I immediately stopped following when Lisa came on, mainly because it was hard to look at her. After some google searches I found your ZWOW videos and haven’t looked back. GOOD FOR YOU ZUZKA! Stay strong and never look back, he’s not worth it.
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka, i had been following BR while you were on it and when you and Freddy announced you separation, I was devastated and thought you both would be together to share the journey with all BR’s. but towards yours and Freddy’s demise, I felt there was something not right, Freddy seemed more distant, he never smiles, you were taking days off from the training, you can only use a root canal excuse so many times…lol. When you disappeared entirely from BR, after announcing you would be posting nutrition advice etc, there definitely was something out of the ordinary. There was no mention of you and Lisa Marie just took over, hence to say she irritated me and I started going off BR and just going on the site to see if you would show up again. Also when Lisa Marie started having plastic surgery, growing her hair long, seemed, to me, Freddy was trying to have another Zuzka on the site… His videos have not changed, still a lot more showing from his camera angles than needed.
Anything he posted about you, I thought was inappropriate and malicious on his part.
You are one of a kind, Zuzka, professional, great fitness ambassador, sexy and the camera shots with ZWOW are so appropriate, I’m glad you made a decision to leave him just a shame Freddy ended your friendship and your involvement in BR. ZWOW and your site now are perfect and I am so glad to say that I have not gone back to BR since finding you again. Good on you for telling us your side as it was all one sided, on his part. You were missed by a lot of BR followers and I am a big fan of yours, thank you for your motivation, your nutrition advice, coffee talks and being YOU!!
Private Member |
I have been following you since the very first videos in the fields. I saw your progress. I saw videos getting more sexier. The names of the videos were completely sexual and stupid. When Lisa came into the picture you just completely disappeared. Then I noticed that something was wrong. Br became a full-joke when you left. I could no longer follow the Br because you wasn’t in the videos anymore.
The first time I saw Freddy in videos, he seemed douchbag, and I immediately noticed whose ideas sexual videos and names were.
I’m so sorry for you and I hope Freddy gets what’s coming to. Karma is a bitch.
Private Member |
Dear Zuzka !
Im writening from Poland (so there is possible to lots of mistake in my statement 🙂
I dont wanna to write a poem here 😉 but
Body Rock Tv. has been never the same since You left and they know about it, its only a matter of time I thinf and less people will wath it.
I ts You, who created it, You made workouts and You inspired those all people, not Freddy, not his big mouth gilrfriend, its was all because of You !!!
I wish You all the best, good luck and dont worry but I think I think the good things back to good people and bad things goes to bad..
Just do Your thing !!
Private Member |
I think the best way, that we, WARRIORZ’s can show you our support is to keep doing your workouts 🙂 I am doing wo #8 from your cardio DVD today and dedicating it to you, plus I will do 5 extra burpees :-))) all the best from sunny Prague!