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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 |
Dear Z,
you know bodyrock.tv is nothing compared to your zwow… ur workouts the best to get the desired results everyone agrees to that coz it combines of exercises where no one could imagine is possible… bout ur ex… having learnt from your post is just jealous of everything about… he may be a guy but he has no right to treat you according to his desires my prayers and support are always with you… “All the best”
Private Member |
When my mother shared bodyrock with me she apologized for the rather grotesque sexually oriented camera work but promised me you were adorable and worth the watch! She was so right! When you left we followed! The woman he records now is…..well, grotesque. Without you bodyrock holds nothing for us ladies. Thank you for standing up for yourself and fighting it out! Do not worry, I don’t buy his story! I am so glad you are still here (on the web) to inspire me!
Private Member |
Both these pages have become too drama based for me. I just want to workout! Sorry both of you are going through this but I’m done with both of your pages!
Private Member |
i’ve been through a horrible divorce! i’m so sorry. you have my support!
Private Member |
Hi,
This is so strong of you to write. And you Should not except that behaviour. I basicly stopped watching bodyrock after i found your ner blogg/ youtube Channel becausel it was just not the same. You are such a great person and your sensible personality shows in every video and work out. It seems real. And it makes it reachable and enjoyable… Thank you for beeing you and taking the step away, towards you own fullfillment… Dont let anybody decide WHO you are. Big hugs
Private Member |
I knew from the first moment after reading his blog that he was full of shit. You Zuzka, have and always will be the one and only person that made bodyrock a success for him, and this is what is driving him crazy. Knowing that his new girl, who he is trying so hard to morph into another you, is failing. You have been my motivation from day one. I didn’t even know how to begin to workout before you. You have changed my life. I wish you all the success you deserve. All I can say to Freddie is, you should be ashamed of yourself and watch out, what goes around comes back around…
Private Member |
Zuzana,
It is horrible that you are going through this, but you are so blessed with a great network of support, and by sharing your story I am certain that you just helped so many that might be going through the same thing or a situation similar, please keep your chin up, and press on!! You are truly amazing, and your workouts are so awesome!!! Good Luck!!
Private Member |
Z, I love you and your work! You helped me loose over 35 pounds! I will no longer follow BodyRockTV because of what he has put out there about you. It was thoughtless and hurtful. You were the best thing about BodyRock and I only started following it 3 years ago because of your inspiring posts. Keep doing all you do. We love you, stay positive! <3
Private Member |
Zuzka,
reading this post has made me respect you more. i have always loved you and thought you were amazing. but you are truly an amazing women. so down to earth. Im so happy you stood up for yourself. You cant let people treat you like crap and take advantage of you.
ever since you left bodyrock i have loved you even more, cause your post weren’t “sexual”. i felt that bodyrock wanted to be more sexual in there workouts. i have noticed with the new chick on there she has changed a lot of her image and i hated it. i no longer follow bodyrock anymore. it makes me feel so uncomfortable. I love that you are so “real” with everything you do. I love your workouts they are amazing. i am in the best shape ever because of you and i have 4 little ones too 🙂 So Thank you!
always remember who you are and what you stand for. Your amazing!
lOve you!
-Tomi
Private Member |
YOU are bodyrock!!! without you it would have never exist!!!! keep fighting your rights and what belongs to you!!! You are a warrior in you body but also in your head!! and I know you will keep fighting!!! you know Suzka, Jealousy is very mean. Your success with your Zwows, Zgym is obviously the result of an extreme jealousy from him!!!
Keep it up Zuzka, you are AWESOME. All the warriors will support you!!! We all love you!!! xxx Be strong.