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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 |
Wow, I just read his post, what an utter douchebag.
I never liked Freddy just for the record, I always felt that he was manipulating you on bodyrock, you could sense that with him even behind the camera.
You were always the draw, obviously, and I was was really sad to see bodyrock go in the direction it did. I really hated the new site, didn’t like Lisa at all, though again was amused/horrified to see her change her body and hair, totally ridiculous and copying you and just made me thikg they were both really screwed up. Him especially.
I’m sorry you have to go through this and that people can’t just be good people.
I trust you and believe your story, you can’t be THAT good of an actor to be making this up 🙂
You are adorable and I love coming to this site. You inspire us. This will pass.
Thanks Zuzka.
Private Member |
Zuzka, I know this feeling very well when you dont belive that the person whom you loved and trusted, shared everything, wanted only good things happaen to him/her is showing his/her real face. And worth is that even if you manage to leave him/her they dont leave your mind. you are still thinking and even being good to them even if they turn back to you long time ago. I am going through this myself. In my situation it is my sis and big family. Thanks God I got my husby who is supporting me. I wish you happiness and good luck in your carrier and private life. Be like you are and you are doing well… just continue
Private Member |
Good for you. It’s obvious he’s bitter and wants to take the Bodyrock.tv business away from you. Don’t let him and have your attorney’s handle it so you can get what’s yours.
Private Member |
Zuz! everything you said is right since boddyrock.tv and your youtube videos i could see the photos and takes and was too sexual and distract people from what you really show, like you said he wanted numbers no matter what, and probably he would drag you to a porno denigrating activity.
one thing is true, you can´t blame the man (husband or boyfriend) of be so sexual with you i can´t avoid to touch my wife every time i can (men have to behave).
i encourage you to stay strong, keep doing what you do, get a lawyer and sue him for sexual harassment, your body is yours and no body can stop you not even a piece of paper… non-compete! that make´s no sence.
you own bodyrock the stadistics between you and the other host prove that…!!!
just look the most popular videos in youtube, 44 videos in the top of the list, the number one has 23 million of hits and who is in those 44 videos? you darling!!! YOU OWN IT!
god bless you and keep going
Private Member |
Zuzko, to jsem vubec netusila, ze je to takhle. Prekvapilo me, ze se misto tebe objevila jina (nesympaticka) slecna. Myslela jsem, ze mas proste jen jiny projekt. Kazdopadne ti fandim uz od zacatku a jsi stejne nejlepsi! Pokracuj kdekoli!
Private Member |
One more thing. He’s obviously jealous of you and that’s why he didn’t want anyone contacting you directly. It’s a ridiculous insecure personality trait. A lot of guys have that issue in life. It’s good you got rid of him. No one needs that nonsense in their life pulling them down.
You should get payment from him for that 49% before he collapses that business and your 49% won’t be worth as much.
Private Member |
and just a PS: I just went to the bodyrock site (which I haven’t looked at in like a year)…what a MESS. Totally confusing, terrible design, pop-up ads, it’s a disaster. I know this has nothing to do with this issue you’re dealing with but just again wanted to say how happy I am that you started this site and it’s YOURS and I think the zgym and having to join it is a much better idea than having horrible ads popping up all over the place. I’m happy to pay $100 a year for a clean easy to follow site that is all Zuzka! xo
Private Member |
DITTO!!! I am 100% happy with what i am paying for, my Boyfriend is happy too wink wink
Private Member |
Thank you so much for this blog. I was a BodyRock follower for a long time and couldn’t understand why it fell apart. I felt completely lost in my workouts after that. I had no idea of those bad posts because I no longer followed BR. I do however do your ZWOW’s and DVD’s. I absolutely love your workouts!!
Him still making negative comments just shows who is the better person and who isn’t. You are truly a beautiful woman and true Zu fans are very happy to see how far you’ve gotten. Honestly have to say BR is a thing of the past. Although you owned only 49% of it, none of it makes any sense without YOU in it. You can substitute any woman as their workout host but it’s never the same… PERIOD!
Thank you again for pouring your heart out. Gonna head out and do a ZCUT for ya now. Let’s push it!
XOX
Melody
Private Member |
Hi Zuzka,
All that I would like to say to you is actually already written over by everyone else here, but I just wanted to give you my support too. You are one of the most brave, sincere and good-hearted person i’ve come along and a true inspiration for me. That will power and determination that you have is truly amazing and everyone who has followed you can see that there is just something really special about you. You are incredibly strong, and that is really the only way to go in this life: to deside, that I deserve to be happy, no matter what, and fight every day for that if needed.
I want to send you hugs and my support all the way from Finland, I do your workouts six times a week and nowadays I am so much more stronger person (from the inside too) that I ever thought I could become. Thank you for everything, I will continue to follow your blog on daily basis, you are such an inspiration. I’m sure everything will turn out great for you. I think there is at least one person in every country that loves you and for me that is comforting thought, to think that you have family and caring people no matter where you go.
Love Ella
Private Member |
Stay strong!. It’s sad people have to be so mean. Definitely keep your chin up & continue to be the better person.