Site navigation and social media links
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 |
What a mess Zuzka. I’m glad you’re finally getting back on your feet and you’re independent again. I can’t comment on what Freddie might or might not have done, as there are three sides to every story. However, I do agree that bullies need to be stood up to. Good for you. I haven’t been on the Bodyrock website in a long time as I felt some of the routines have become repetitive. I was also concerned about how much Lisa has changed physically. I can only suggest you be true to yourself and try to deal with all situations with dignity. Good luck x
Private Member |
I am an honorably discharged U.S. Marine and former Vice President of a small Dallas company. I have not kept up with everything that has happened, but I have enjoyed your diet and exercise and style videos. I was surprised when I no longer saw you on bodyrock.tv videos, and the first video I saw after you seemed so sad. I knew something was amiss, but didn’t research it because I figured it was none of my business. I am the sort of guy who really dislikes abuse of women, children, and animals. Now that I have a more complete understanding of what’s been going on, I want to offer whatever assistance I can. My lines of work are database management and telecommunications network operations. If there’s anything I can do to help out, please feel free to contact me at the email address provided. I am not seeking anything from you but only to help out where I can.
Private Member |
You are the best, keep doing what are doing and nothing but good things will come your way!
Private Member |
When I first tunned into Bodyrock I followed it faithfully….eventually I did notice the missing presence and inquired. I realized the parting of ways and when Lisa came in….I realized that Bodyrock really had a lot to do with you as the face and personality behind it. So….I followed you to the Zwows and mailed everyone that I tagged to bodyrock…..now I see that slowly buy surely, you have persevered and created your own path….a testament and proof that a lot of the success of Bodyrock came naturally from you. Break ups are hard…they are never easy….watching someone succeed or even superceed without you in their life is a hard pill to swallow….I don’t condone the cyber bullying and Im sure there are 2 sides to every story….I wish you both the best and a quick divorce with as little drama as possible…Donnot lose focus of who you are and what you have accomplished in life.
Private Member |
Suzanna, it is truly unfortunate that your personal life is out there in cyberspace. I have followed bodyrock for years and knew when things were shaking up that freddie’s inappropriate babble was not the whole truth! Many fans of yours have stuck by you and your great blog and videos. It must feel liberating to tell your side of the story! Now its your turn to enjoy your life and be successful! Go girl! You deserve it!
Private Member |
never let him take you down, never let him ruin your life… it is YOUR LIFE and YOU have to LIVE it… so keep your head up and walk your way… as you did what had to be done… YOU CAN DO IT because you are a strong lady… 😀
greetings from Lower Austria and I wish you a nice summer 😀
Private Member |
Good for you! I always disliked Lisa Marie! we stand with you Zuka! 🙂 stay strong and do not give in, in this process their will be times that are so done trying you will just want to say eh.forget it. but dont. stay strong and stand up for yourself and your rights! I will be praying for you!
Private Member |
I admire you Zuzka! Keep your head up! I have always been your fan since day one and will remain your fan.
Private Member |
You’ve done well to bite your tongue for this long, a lesser person would have been so public about the whole thing. Someone once told me the hardest choice is the best decision and it seems like you’ve had to learn that over and over in a short space of time.
Stand tall, stand proud and do what you think is right and don’t let anyone ever tell you that you can’t do something that makes you happy.
You’ve inspired so many people and so many of us owe so much to you that when you need our support you only have to ask and we’ll all be there for you!
Private Member |
Z I was a BodyRock TV fan and I remember those days, I also remember the negative posts from your ex husband and that lead me to stop following him and Body Rock. I was so happy when you started ZWOW and I *knew* immediately who it was behind the overly sexual bent because the same formula is being used on the new host. Good for you for standing up for yourself. We all know you were the heart and soul of Body Rock anyway.