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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 |
keep up the good work I have followed you since 2009 and will continue faith and love always
Private Member |
Freddy always gave me the creeps! Good for you leaving him Z. Bodyrock was not the same without you. Freddy is jealous of your strength and resilience.
Private Member |
You deserve happiness! Sorry you have to deal with that. People, especially ex’s, can be very nasty when going through things like this. They try to play the only card they think they have, the power card. Good for you for fighting back and standing up! Stay strong!
Private Member |
Hi Z,
I think everybody noticed the way he uses women body to attract attention to his business. The fact that YOU are NOT doing that with ZWOW, says everything. Also, considering the way you 2 met, I could imagine who was pushing for it. I wished he loved you more to respect you, to be glad for being married to you and protect you from exposing in a way you never liked but were forced to! You deserve better!
I’m glad you are standing as an example in this difficult times where so many European women are wandering around and depending on visas and work permits. As a European tempted to leave to Canada, I totally understand why you would want to stay in Prague. Not that I dislike Canada or Canadians, but Europe is home to me and I would love to stay even if with a smaller salary or less prestigious job… and I don’t want to owe my success, my work, my visa to a sponsor, after going through all the humiliating application process.
If you ever consider collaborating or having your own NGO, it would be great to have you helping (specially Eastern) European women to have been trapped in schemes since 2004, when the borders opened and they were dragged around the Schengen space into shady businesses.
All the best!
Private Member |
Dear Zuzka,
I knew this story a long before you have written this post. Because I could see it in every detail watching Bodyrock.Tv. One day I decided to never visit Bodyrock site again, thinking of what a bitter story might be hidden behind those video posts and comments. Then I was so excited to track you with your ZWOWs in the net. You mustn’t explain. You see: our hearts and sympathy with you. Thank you for your work, for your patience, for being hard-working, for being kind, generous, transparent, loving animals. Thank you, dear Zuzka. Just know, all these words you read here come from the very hearts of ours. We love you.
Private Member |
Zuzka you’re such a light… and you definitely deserve the best things in your life because you have worked so hard to be where you are today. You’re such a success and have truly impacted peoples’ lives for the better including mine!
Lot’s of love xoxo
Private Member |
I am not surprised at the outpouring of love here. He crossed the line and you did the right thing to give your side of the story. May your star always shine bright in the firmament Z. We all adore you.
Private Member |
*hugs* You’re much stronger now Zukka! I never guessed that you were going through all this anguish behind that smile and cheerful personality that you are. You are an amazing and strong woman. Don’t ever let anyone tell you that you are anything less than that.
You’ve always inspired your fans to fight flab and to never stop trying. Knowing that you continue to be such a great motivator and source of inspiration in spite of heartache behind the scenes makes you even more of a star in my eyes.
You’re amazing 🙂
Love,
Nicole
Private Member |
Hello Zuzka!
I was also a silent follower of your workouts, which are btw incredible, but now I have to write something. I’ve followed you since Bodyrock. I was sad when you “quit”, but very happy when you started your ZWOWs. I always liked your kindness and personality, so after reading F’s post about you, I just had to laugh. How can a person make up so much crap? He described you as if you would have another personality, which obviously he has (a crazy one). So to make it short, I will always be your (silent) supporter and you are my role model (as for many others too), not only in the aspect of fitness, but also in terms of life. Always be yourself and continue with your great work. 🙂
Private Member |
Ahoj Zuzko,
fandim Ti uz nejakou dobu a kazdopadne doufam, ze vse zvladnes. Je super, ze si sikanovanim od toho zmetka nenechas nicit sny a dal bojujes. Nenech ho vyhrat a drz se! 🙂 btw, v en nepisu v nadeji, ze to nezapadne 🙂